The Shell Money of the Slave Trade (African Studies, Series Number 49) - Hardcover

Hogendorn, Jan; Johnson, Marion

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521320860 ISBN 13: 9780521320863

Verlag: Cambridge University Press, 1986

Inhaltsangabe

This study examines the role of cowrie-shell money in West African trade, particularly the slave trade. Over a large part of West Africa they became the regular market currency, but then disappeared almost totally, except during the depression of the 1930s, and occasionally in the markets of remote frontier districts.

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Reseña del editor:

This study examines the role of cowrie-shell money in West African trade, particularly the slave trade. The shells were carried from the Maldives to the Mediterranean by Arab traders for further transport across the Sahara, and to Europe by competing Portuguese, Dutch, English and French traders for onward transport to the West African coast. In Africa they served to purchase the slaves exported to the New World, as well as other less sinister exports. Over a large part of West Africa they became the regular market currency, but were severely devalued by the importation of thousands of tons of the cheaper Zanzibar cowries. Colonial governments disliked cowries because of the inflation and encouraged their replacement by low-value coins. They disappeared almost totally, to re-appear during the depression of the 1930s, and have been found occasionally in the markets of remote frontier districts, avoiding exchange and currency control problems.

Product Description:

Book by Hogendorn Jan Johnson Marion

Über diese Auflage

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0521320860
• ISBN 13: 9780521320863
• Einband: Tapa dura
• Anzahl der Seiten: 256