Erotics of History: An Atlantic African Example

The Erotics of History challenges long-standing notions of sexuality as stable and context-free, arguing that historical circumstance, local social pressure, and the cultural construction of much beyond sex condition the erotic. It examines the centuries-old conversation on the fetish in an unusual neighborhood in Atlantic Africa, where local men are involved in long-term sexual relationships with European men.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 152 pages
\n Publication date: 16 March 2018
\n Publisher: University of California Press
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The Erotics of History presents a groundbreaking perspective on the nature of sexuality, challenging the notion that it is a stable and context-free phenomenon. Donald L. Donham argues that historical circumstances, local social pressures, and the cultural construction of sexuality play a significant role in shaping erotic experiences. In his exploration, Donham focuses on the centuries-old conversation on the fetish, particularly in a unique community in Atlantic Africa. Here, local men, who are soon to be married to local women, engage in long-term sexual relationships with European men. On the African side, these couplings are driven by the allure of cosmopolitan connections and foreign commodities. Conversely, Europeans often fetishize African race, while some seek to enter into master/slave relationships.

At its broadest level, The Erotics of History aims to demonstrate that history, both personal and collective, is characterized by reversals and reenactments, ultimately leading to sexual excitement. Donham explores how individuals and societies navigate the complexities of desire, power, and identity in their sexual relationships, highlighting the ways in which historical contexts and cultural constructions shape erotic experiences. Through his insightful analysis, Donham offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of sexuality and challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of the erotic in the broader context of history and society.

\n Weight: 186g\n
Dimension: 211 x 139 x 8 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780520296312\n \n