Nachituti's Gift: Economy, Society, and Environment in Central Africa

by David M. Gordon

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780299213633
Publisher:	University of Wisconsin Press
Publication date:	02/01/2006
Series:	Africa and the Diaspora: History, Politics, Culture
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

David Gordon is assistant professor of history at Bowdoin College.

Table of Contents

<table of contents, p. v> Contents List of Illustrations 000 List of Abbreviations 000 Preface and Acknowledgments 000 Translation and Orthography 000 Introduction: Tenure, Wealth, and Environment 000 Part 1: Stories of Conquest 1. Nachituti's Gift: The Kazembe Kingdom and Owners of the Land 000 2. The Colonial Net: Chiefs on a Colonial Border 000 3. The Meanings of Wealth: People and Things 000 Part 2: The Fishery 4. Mpumbu: Conservation and Colonialism 000 5. Pale: States and Patrons 000 6. Chisense: Wealth and Family 000 Conclusion: Tragic Assumptions 000 Appendix 000 Notes 000 Glossary 000 Bibliography 000 Index 000

Editorial Reviews

An original work of sociopolitical and environmental history and development studies.”—Jan Vansina, author of Antecedents to Modern Rwanda: The Nyiginya Kingdom

“A sophisticated, accessible, and graceful analysis of economic and social transformations from the pre- to the post-colonial era in Zambia and Congo. Makes a significant contribution to African, economic, environmental, colonial, and postcolonial history.”—Thomas Spear, series editor and author of Mountain Farmers: Moral Economies of Land and Agricultural Development in Arusha and Meru


“A remarkable work.”—Giacomo Macola, Journal of Southern African Studies

From the Publisher