Nachituti's Gift: Economy, Society, and Environment in Central Africa
Feb 2006 · Univ of Wisconsin Press
4.5star
4 reviewsreport
Ebook
320
Pages
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About this ebook
Nachituti’s Gift challenges conventional theories of economic development with a compelling comparative case study of inland fisheries in Zambia and Congo from pre- to postcolonial times. Neoclassical development models conjure a simple, abstract progression from wealth held in people to money or commodities; instead, Gordon argues, primary social networks and oral charters like “Nachituti’s Gift” remained decisive long after the rise of intensive trade and market activities. Interweaving oral traditions, songs, and interviews as well as extensive archival research, Gordon’s lively tale is at once a subtle analysis of economic and social transformations, an insightful exercise in environmental history, and a revealing study of comparative politics.
Honorable Mention, Melville J. Herskovits Award, African Studies Association
“A powerful portrayal of the complexity, fluidity, and subtlety of Lake Mweru fishers’ production strategies . . . . Natchituti’s Gift adds nuance and evidence to some of the most important and sophisticated conversations going on in African studies today.”—Kirk Arden Hoppe, International Journal of African Historical Studies
“A lively and intelligent book, which offers a solid contribution to ongoing debates about the interplay of the politics of environment, history and economy.”—Joost Fontein, Africa
“Well researched and referenced . . . . [Natchituti’s Gift] will be of interest to those in a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, African Studies, history, geography, and environmental studies.”—Heidi G. Frontani, H-SAfrica
Honorable Mention, Melville J. Herskovits Award, African Studies Association
“A powerful portrayal of the complexity, fluidity, and subtlety of Lake Mweru fishers’ production strategies . . . . Natchituti’s Gift adds nuance and evidence to some of the most important and sophisticated conversations going on in African studies today.”—Kirk Arden Hoppe, International Journal of African Historical Studies
“A lively and intelligent book, which offers a solid contribution to ongoing debates about the interplay of the politics of environment, history and economy.”—Joost Fontein, Africa
“Well researched and referenced . . . . [Natchituti’s Gift] will be of interest to those in a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, African Studies, history, geography, and environmental studies.”—Heidi G. Frontani, H-SAfrica
Ratings and reviews
4.5
4 reviews
I.P.A. Manning
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November 15, 2020
An excellent book. Gordon reveals the traditional Guardians of Nature: the "complex tenure systems linked to clan groups" that "governed the use of the lands, lakes and lagoons." They still do but have to battle against: ‘State attempts to intervene in the economy and environment in the form of marketing boards, nationalizations, closed fishing seasons, and restricted areas failed due to a lack of capacity alongside the resilience of trader-fisher networks." Nothing has changed in Zambia, requiring a revolutionary change from an ongoing and repressive neocolonialist regime.
Arnie Trisha Faye Gonzales
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August 30, 2015
Xxc
About the author
David Gordon is assistant professor of history at Bowdoin College.
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