On the Frontiers of the Indian Ocean World: A History of Lake Tanganyika, c.1830-1890

In his interdisciplinary study, Philip Gooding explores Lake Tanganyika's history and its relationship with the wider Indian Ocean World during the nineteenth century, using diverse sources to challenge European-centric narratives. He highlights the lake's unique shape, location, and environment, contributing to the negotiation, contestation, and re-imagining of phenomena in African and Indian Ocean histories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking interdisciplinary history delves into the captivating tale of Lake Tanganyika and its intricate connection with the broader Indian Ocean World during the nineteenth century. Philip Gooding, a scholar of remarkable expertise, employs a wide array of source materials, including oral histories, climatological data, anthropological insights, and archaeological discoveries, to provide a rich tapestry of interpretations. By grounding these interpretations in local epistemologies and understanding, Gooding offers a fresh perspective on the well-known European-authored archive, shedding light on the diverse ways in which the past was negotiated, contested, and re-imagined within the local context.

One of the key revelations of Gooding's work is the profound influence that Lake Tanganyika's unique shape, location, and lacustrine environment had on the historical phenomena associated with the wider Indian Ocean World. He demonstrates how these factors shaped the negotiations, contests, and re-imaginings of historical events, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultural interactions. Through his meticulous research, Gooding unveils novel contributions to the African and Indian Ocean histories of urbanism, the environment, spirituality, kinship, commerce, consumption, material culture, bondage, slavery, Islam, and capitalism.

By centering African peoples and environments as central to the histories of global economies, religions, and cultures, Gooding challenges traditional narratives and presents a more inclusive and holistic understanding of the past. His work emphasizes the interconnectedness of different regions and peoples, highlighting the complex web of relationships that shaped the nineteenth century and beyond.

This interdisciplinary history is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of African and global history. It provides a deep understanding of the complex interplay between culture, environment, and historical processes, shedding light on the ways in which the past continues to shape our present. Through its innovative approach and comprehensive coverage, "Lake Tanganyika and the Indian Ocean World" offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of nineteenth-century eastern Africa and its relationship with the wider world.

Weight: 527g
ISBN-13: 9781009100748