The Air of Liberty: narratives of the South Atlantic past (Cross Cultures)

The Caribbean imagination as framed within a Dutch historical setting has deep Portuguese-African roots. The Seven Provinces were the first European power, in the first half of the 17th century, to challenge the Iberian countries directly for a share in the slave trade. This book analyzes the philosophy underlying this transoceanic link, when contacts with Africa started to be developed. The ambiguous morality of the 'air of liberty' governing the Afro-Portuguese past had its impact on the creole cultures (white, black, Jewish) of the Dutch territories of Suriname and Cura?ao. Although this influence is gradually disappearing, it is astonishing to witness the engagement with which writers and visual artists have interpreted this heritage in their different ways. Recent narratives from Angola and Brazil offer an appropriate starting-point for an examination of strategies of self-representation and national consolidation in works by authors from the Dutch Caribbean. In order to reveal this complex historical pattern, the (formerly) Dutch-related port communities are conceived of as cultural agents whose 'lettered cities' (?ngel Rama) have engaged in critical dialogue with the heritage of the South Atlantic trade in human lives. Artists and writers discussed include (colonial period): Caspar Barlaeus, David Nassy, Frans Post, and John Gabriel Stedman; (modern period): Frank Martinus Arion, Cola Debrot, Gabriel Garc?a M?rquez, Albert Helman, Francisco Herrera Luque, Boeli van Leeuwen, Tip Marugg, Alberto Mussa, Pepetela, Julio Perrenal, and M?rio Pinto de Andrade. "This is a notable achievement, for it both draws attention to the region and challenges critics and historians to engage in cross-regional and 'trans-disciplinary' research and analysis" - Sa?l Sosnowski. Annotation. The Caribbean imagination as framed within a Dutch historical setting has deep Portuguese-African roots. The Seven Provinces were the first European power, in the first half of the 17th century, to challenge the Iberian countries directly for a share in the slave trade. This book analyzes the philosophy underlying this transoceanic link, when contacts with Africa started to be developed. The ambiguous morality of the àir of liberty? governing the Afro-Portuguese past had its impact on the creole cultures (white, black, Jewish) of the Dutch territories of Suriname and Curacao. Although this influence is gradually disappearing, it is astonishing to witness the engagement with which writers and visual artists have interpreted this heritage in their different ways. Recent narratives from Angola and Brazil offer an appropriate starting-point for an examination of strategies of self-representation and national consolidation in works by authors from the Dutch Caribbean. In order to reveal this complex historical pattern, the (formerly) Dutch-related port communities are conceived of as cultural agents whose l̀ettered cities? (Angel Rama) have engaged in critical dialogue with the heritage of the South Atlantic trade in human lives. Artists and writers discussed include (colonial period): Caspar Barlaeus, David Nassy, Frans Post, and John Gabriel Stedman; (modern period): Frank Martinus Arion, Cola Debrot, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Albert Helman, Francisco Herrera Luque, Boeli van Leeuwen, Tip Marugg, Alberto Mussa, Pepetela, Julio Perrenal, and Mario Pinto de Andrade.'This is a notable achievement, for it both draws attention to the region and challenges critics and historians to engage in cross-regional and t̀rans-disciplinary' research and analysis?? Saul Sosnowski The Caribbean imagination as framed within a Dutch historical setting has deep Portuguese-African roots. The Seven Provinces were the first European power, in the first half of the 17th century, to challenge the Iberian countries directly for a share in the slave trade. This book analyzes the philosophy underlying this transoceanic link, when contacts with Africa started to be developed. The ambiguous morality of the 'air of liberty' governing the Afro-Portuguese past had its impact on the creole cultures (white, black, Jewish) of the Dutch territories of Suriname and Curaçao. Although this influence is gradually disappearing, it is astonishing to witness the engagement with which writers and visual artists have interpreted this heritage in their different ways. Recent narratives from Angola and Brazil offer an appropriate starting-point for an examination of strategies of self-representation and national consolidation in works by authors from the Dutch Caribbean. In order to reveal this complex historical pattern, the (formerly) Dutch-related port communities are conceived of as cultural agents whose 'lettered cities' (Ángel Rama) have engaged in critical dialogue with the heritage of the South Atlantic trade in human lives. Artists and writers discussed include (colonial period): Caspar Barlaeus, David Nassy, Frans Post, and John Gabriel Stedman; (modern period): Frank Martinus Arion, Cola Debrot, Gabriel García Márquez, Albert Helman, Francisco Herrera Luque, Boeli van Leeuwen, Tip Marugg, Alberto Mussa, Pepetela, Julio Perrenal, and Mário Pinto de Andrade 9042023961......Page 1 The ‘Air of Liberty’......Page 4 Table of Contents......Page 6 List of Illustrations......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 THE DREAM OF ORDER......Page 24 1. Mauritsstad–Recife in Seventeenth-Century Brazil......Page 26 2. Amsterdam and the South Atlantic......Page 52 THE CRISIS OF ENLIGHTENMENT......Page 70 3. The Jewish-Portuguese Nation in the Colony of Suriname......Page 72 4. The Maroon and the Creole as Narrative Tropes......Page 92 THE SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES......Page 114 5. Manuel Piar and the Struggle for Independence in Latin America......Page 116 6. Popular Rhythms and Political Voices in Curaçao......Page 136 7. New Landscapes, Creole Belonging......Page 158 TOWARD A CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC......Page 176 8. The South Atlantic Revisited......Page 178 Concluding Remarks......Page 200 Works Cited......Page 216 Index......Page 236 "The Caribbean imagination as framed within a Dutch historical setting has deep Portuguese-African roots. The Seven Provinces were the first European power, in the first half of the 17th century, to challenge the Iberian countries directly for a share in the slave trade. This book analyzes the philosophy underlying this transoceanic link, when contacts with Africa started to be developed." "Artists and writers discussed include (colonial period): Caspar Barlaeus, David Nassy, Frans Post, and John Gabriel Stedman; (modern period): Frank Martinus Arion, Cola Debrot, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Albert Helman, Francisco Herrera Luque, Boeli van Leeuwen, Tip Marugg, Alberto Mussa, Pepetela, Julio Perrenal, and Mario Pinto de Andrade."--BOOK JACKET Mauritsstad-recife In Seventeenth-century Brazil -- Amsterdam And The South Atlantic -- The Jewish-portuguese Nation In The Colony Of Suriname -- The Maroon And The Creole As Narrative Tropes -- Manuel Piar And The Struggle For Independence In Latin America -- Popular Rhythms And Political Voices In Curaçao -- New Landscapes, Creole Belonging -- The South Atlantic Revisited. Ineke Phaf-rheinberger. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [193]-212) And Index.