Identity, Spirit and Freedom in the Atlantic World: The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora

This book explores the intersection of contested history and culture in the Atlantic world, using oral, archival, and interdisciplinary evidence from West Africa and the Americas to examine new world Maroons, slaves, and free blacks. It reconsiders under-recognized histories and actors, exploring West African cosmologies, regional statecraft, and socio-cultural practices, and how they contributed to Atlantic ideas of freedom, identity, and spirituality. Archival researches of British, Dutch, and Danish Atlantic thoroughfares reveal histories of royals, priests, and others remade as captive laborers, Maroons, and free blacks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of oral, archival, and interdisciplinary evidence from West Africa and the Americas, shedding light on the fascinating lives of new world Maroons, slaves, and free blacks during the Atlantic era. It examines a bustling entrepot on the Gold Coast, where Akan, Ga, Guan, and other diverse peoples coexisted in a dynamic and ever-changing world of contested history and culture. By seamlessly combining extant evidence with newer interdisciplinary insights, Identity, Spirit, and Freedom in the Atlantic World offers a fresh perspective on under-recognized histories and the diverse actors who shaped them.

In its exploration of West African cosmologies, regional statecraft, and socio-cultural practices, this book uncovers the profound contributions these traditions made to the Atlantic world's ideas of freedom, identity, and spirituality. Archival researches conducted on British, Dutch, and Danish Atlantic thoroughfares unveil the hidden stories of royals, priests, and others who were transformed into captive laborers, Maroons, and free blacks. Through a close examination of events such as Akwamus' conquest of Great Accra, the Maroon Wars in Jamaica, the 1712 Rebellion in New York, and many other notable instances, the book delves into the evolution of identity and spirituality within the diaspora of the Gold Coast and the broader Atlantic world.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of African studies, the African diaspora, cultural studies, and Atlantic and American history. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex and interconnected histories of these regions, offering insights that challenge traditional narratives and broaden our understanding of the human experience. With its rich content and engaging style, Identity, Spirit, and Freedom in the Atlantic World is sure to captivate readers and inspire further exploration of the rich tapestry of our shared past.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367786038