Consuming Ivory: Mercantile Legacies of East Africa and New England

The economic prosperity of New England towns was based on the manufacture of piano keys, billiard balls, and combs made of ivory imported from East Africa. However, the African ivory trade led to human exploitation and ecological devastation. Alexandra Kelly's research investigates the complex global legacies of the trade, examining Anglo-American narratives about Africa and its impact on elephant conservation and cultural heritage industries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2021
Publisher: University of Washington Press

The economic prosperity of two nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century New England towns, such as Ivoryton and Deep River, Connecticut, was heavily reliant on factories that produced piano keys, billiard balls, combs, and other items made of ivory imported from East Africa. While these towns flourished, the African ivory trade left in its wake a devastating impact on human lives and the environment. At the same time, dynamic East African engagement with capitalism and imperialism took place within these trade histories.

In her comprehensive study, Alexandra Kelly delves into the intricate global legacies of the historical ivory trade. Through extensive archival and field research in New England, Great Britain, and Tanzania, she unravels the complexities of this trade and challenges Anglo-American narratives about Africa. Kelly questions why elephants and ivory feature so prominently in these representations and explores their enduring global repercussions.

Her study spans various aspects, including elephant conservation efforts and the cultural heritage industries in New England and East Africa. By examining these interconnected domains, Kelly sheds light on the ongoing global impacts of the ivory craze and its significance for anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, and conservationists alike.

This research contributes to our understanding of the complex relationships between trade, culture, and the environment, highlighting the ethical and sustainability challenges associated with the exploitation of natural resources. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting endangered species, while also acknowledging the historical and political contexts that shape these interactions.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295748771