Locality, Mobility, and "Nation": Periurban Colonialism in Togo's Eweland, 1900-1960 (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora) (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora)

In this original interdisciplinary study of Togo and African colonial history, Benjamin Lawrance synthesizes political, gender, and social history by documenting the contributions of rural-dwelling populations in anti-colonial struggles. Anchoring his arguments on the premise that nationalist historiographies have overstated the role of urban and elite power while undervaluing the strategic place of rural constituencies, Lawrance uses the Ewe nationalist movement of southern Togo as a case study in what he terms "periurban colonialism" -- a historical paradigm that reunites the urban and rural experiences of post-World War I colonialism. By reconciling the marginal and non-elite communities and the social upheavals of the two World War periods, Lawrance offers a new perspective on the colonial experience and the anti-colonial struggle. In focusing on an African country uniquely colonized by the Germans, British, and French, he provides a wealth of information not readily available to the English-language audience. Accessible to scholars of African social history and African culture in general, Locality, Mobility, and "Nation" will occupy a distinguished place among studies of African colonial history and anti-colonial struggles. Benjamin N. Lawrance is Assistant Professor of African History at the University of California, Davis, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate African and World History. He is the editor of The Ewe of Togo and Benin [2005] and the co-editor of Intermediaries, Interpreters and Clerks [2006].-- Provided by publisher An interdisciplinary study that sheds new light on the traditional historiographies of African colonial experience. In this original interdisciplinary study of Togo and African colonial history, Benjamin Lawrance synthesizes political, gender, and social history by documenting the contributions of rural-dwelling populations in anti-colonial struggles. Anchoring his arguments on the premise that nationalist historiographies have overstated the role of urban and elite power while undervaluing the strategic place of rural constituencies, Lawrance uses the Ewe nationalist movement of southern Togo as a case study in what he terms "periurban colonialism" -- a historical paradigm that reunites the urban and rural experiences of post-World War I colonialism. By reconciling the marginal and non-elite communities and the social upheavals of the two World War periods, Lawrance offers a new perspective on the colonial experience and the anti-colonial struggle. In focusing on an African country uniquely colonized by the Germans, British, and French, he provides a wealth of information not readily available to the English-language audience. Accessible to scholars of African social history and African culture in general, Locality, Mobility, and "Nation"will occupy a distinguished place among studies of African colonial history and anti-colonial struggles. Benjamin N. Lawrance is Assistant Professor of African History at the University of California, Davis, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate African and World History. He is the editor of The Ewe of Togo and Benin [2005] and the co-editor of Intermediaries, Interpreters and Clerks [2006]. CONTENTS ......Page 8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......Page 10 PREFACE ......Page 12 NOTES ON ORTHOGRAPHY ......Page 16 Introduction: Conceptualizing Periurban Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa......Page 18 1. Mobility, Locality, and Ewe Identity in Periurban Eweland......Page 38 2. Intervention and Dissent: Manufacturing the Model Periurban Chief......Page 62 3. Crisis in an Ewe “Capital”: The Periurban Zone Descends on the City......Page 86 4. Vodou and Resistance: Politico-Religious Crises in the Periurban Landscape......Page 107 5. The German Togo-Bund and the Periurban Manifestations of “Nation”......Page 138 6. From Eweland to la République Togolaise: Le Guide du Togo and the Periurban Circulation of Knowledge......Page 165 EPILOGUE ......Page 196 NOTES ......Page 200 BIBLIOGRAPHY ......Page 262 INDEX ......Page 294 Introduction : Conceptualizing Periurban Colonialism In Sub-saharan Africa -- Mobility, Locality, And Ewe Identity In Periurban Eweland -- Intervention And Dissent : Manufacturing The Model Periurban Chief -- Crisis In An Ewe Capital : The Periurban Zone Descends On The City -- Vodou And Resistance : Politico-religious Crises In The Periurban Landscape -- The German Togo-bund And The Periurban Manifestations Of Nation -- From Eweland To La République Togolaise : The Guide Du Togo And The Periurban Circulation Of Knowledge. Benjamin N. Lawrance. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [245]-275) And Index.