Cape Verde: Crioulo Colony To Independent Nation (Nations of the Modern World) [Paperback]

Richard A Lobban (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813335620 | ISBN-13: 978-0813335629 | Publication Date: July 17, 1998

The Cape Verde Islands, an Atlantic archipelago off the coast of Senegal, were first settled during the Portuguese Age of Discovery in the fifteenth century. A “Crioulo” population quickly evolved from a small group of Portuguese settlers and large numbers of slaves from the West African coast. In this important new study, Dr. Richard Lobban sketches Cape Verde’s complex history over five centuries, from its role in the slave trade through its years under Portuguese colonial administration and its protracted armed struggle on the Guinea coast for national independence, there and in Cape Verde.Dr. Lobban offers a rich ethnography of the islands, exploring the diverse heritage of Cape Verdeans who have descended from Africans, Europeans, and Luso-Africans. Looking at economics and politics, Lobban reflects on Cape Verde’s efforts to achieve economic growth and development, analyzing the move from colonialism to state socialism and on to a privatized market economy built around tourism, fishing, small-scale mining, and agricultural production. He then chronicles Cape Verde’s peaceful transition from one-party rule to elections and political pluralism. He concludes with an overview of the prospects for this tiny oceanic nation on a pathway to development.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard A. Lobban Jr. is professor of anthropology and director of the Program of African and Afro-American Studies at Rhode Island College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (July 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813335620
• ISBN-13: 978-0813335629
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > History > Africa > Cape Verde

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An essential, but uneven, introduction to Cabo Verde, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cape Verde: Crioulo Colony To Independent Nation (Nations of the Modern World) (Paperback)

Dr. Lobban's factual description of the culture, geography, economy, and history of Cabo Verde is unmatched. This book is an essential introduction to this island nation, and packs a large amount of information into a very readable format, illustrated with adequate photos by the author. The book fails, however, whenever Dr. Lobban tries to match that information with his preconceptions. He states, correctly, that the central political/cultural issue in CV is the choice of African or European or Criole identity. Writing for a Modern Africa series, he tries to force the conclusion that the 'real' identity is obviously African, and as a result cannot understand the political and cultural forces which have dominated CV because they reject African identity. His political coverage similarly suffers from an obvious bias toward the leftist PAICV independence party (e.g. the takeover of a radio station by PAICV activists was 'revolutionary justice'while a threat to take over a radio station by the opposition UCID party was described as a criminal plot) which weakens his coverage of the transition to a democratic pluralistic political regime. Nevertheless, he has presented a valid, readable, and factually accurate picture of Cabo Verde which is invaluable to any researcher. Especially enjoyable was his section on "Cultural Markers" in which, inter alia, he traces the development of the unique forms of music which are Caboverdian. I would love to read more on that subject alone by this author.