Connecting Continents: Rice Cultivation in South Carolina and the Guinea Coast

This book explores the role of rice cultivation in the Carolina low country, stitching together colonial economies, displacement, and enslaved people's creative solutions. It highlights the importance of rice in the expansion of slavery in the Carolinas and compares and connects disparate regions through case studies from Guinea, Sierra Leone, South Carolina, the Caribbean, and India.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 126 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating volume brings together a diverse range of richly textured and meticulously empirical accounts that shed light on the multifaceted significance of rice and its cultivation in the Carolina low country. It intricately weaves together a tapestry that maps colonial economies, displacement, and the ingenious strategies employed by enslaved people who were conscripted into cultivating its grain.

If sugar played a pivotal role in propelling North Europe's economic dominance during the 18th and 19th centuries, rice was its indispensable companion. The Low Country of the coasts of Georgia, South, and North Carolina stands as a testament to the profound impact of rice in shaping its landscape. Rice played a central role in the expansion of slavery in the Carolinas during the 18th century, as West African captives were forcibly enslaved, in part due to their expertise in growing rice.

Contributors to this volume embark on a captivating exploration of the diverse genealogies of rice cultivation in the Low Country, employing archaeological, anthropological, and historical research to unravel the intricate tapestry of this region's history. This multi-sited volume draws upon case studies from Guinea, Sierra Leone, South Carolina, the Caribbean, and India, fostering a comparative analysis while also establishing connections between these seemingly disparate regions. Through these in-depth studies, the reader gains a profound understanding of how the rice cultivation knowledge of countless enslaved Africans contributed to the development of the Carolinas, and by extension, the United States, and Europe.

The chapters in this book originally appeared as a special issue of "Atlantic Studies," showcasing the depth and richness of the scholarship presented therein. This volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike, offering a comprehensive and insightful exploration of rice's role in shaping the world's history.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367644178