The Smell of Slavery: Olfactory Racism and the Atlantic World

In the Atlantic World, groups were categorized based on economic necessity, creating a progressive tautology that linked Africa and waste. This led to the African subject being defined as a scented object, appropriated as filthy to create levels of ownership and mark African peoples as unable to access spaces of Western modernity. Embodied cultural knowledge was powerful enough to alter the biological function of the five senses, creating a European olfactory consciousness that sensed the African other as foul.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 257 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the captivating realm of the Atlantic World, diverse groups found themselves categorized in distinct ways, often in opposition to other ethnic, gendered, and class assemblages. This classification emerged as a result of an economic necessity, driven by the need to delineate certain bodies as excremental. This process culminated in the formation of a progressive tautology, linking Africa and waste through a conceptual hendiadys born of capitalist licentiousness. The African subject, in this narrative, was reduced to a scented object, appropriated as filthy to establish hierarchical ownership through discourse that portrayed African peoples as incapable of accessing the spaces of Western modernity. The power of embodied cultural knowledge was such that it could manipulate the biological functioning of the five senses, giving rise to a European olfactory consciousness designed to perceive the African other as repugnant.

The Smell of Slavery, a meticulously researched and captivating work, unveils the profound connection between concerns about pungency within the Western self and the freshly excavated outhouse of the vast slave grave known as the Atlantic World. This exploration delves into the intricate layers of history, revealing the intricate ways in which smells, both pleasant and unpleasant, shaped the lives and experiences of individuals in this interconnected world.

Through meticulous scholarship and a keen eye for detail, the author uncovers the ways in which concerns with pungency within the Western world were projected outward upon the Atlantic World. The book explores the complex interplay between scent, identity, and power, shedding light on the ways in which smells were used to define, control, and marginalize individuals and communities.

One of the key themes explored in The Smell of Slavery is the concept of scent as a marker of difference. The author argues that the perception of African bodies as foul was not solely a result of biological or cultural differences but also a product of the Western world's desire to differentiate itself from the "other." By associating Africa with waste and decay, the Western world created a hierarchical structure in which it was positioned as superior and civilized, while Africa was relegated to the margins of society.

The book also delves into the historical and cultural significance of scent in African societies. Before the arrival of European colonizers, African cultures had a rich and complex system of olfactory knowledge and practices. Scents were used in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and healing practices, and they played a vital role in maintaining social and cultural identities. However, with the advent of colonialism, these practices were often suppressed or marginalized, as European colonizers sought to erase African cultural heritage and impose their own values and beliefs.

Despite the challenges and hardships faced by African communities in the Atlantic World, the book highlights the resilience and creativity of these communities. The author explores the ways in which African individuals and communities used scent to resist oppression and maintain their cultural identities. For example, the use of fragrant herbs and oils in religious ceremonies was a way to assert cultural sovereignty and resist the dominance of European religious practices. Similarly, the use of scent in resistance movements and political activism was a powerful tool for mobilizing and organizing communities.

The Smell of Slavery is a thought-provoking and deeply researched work that offers a fresh perspective on the history of the Atlantic World. It challenges the traditional narratives of colonialism and highlights the complex and multifaceted ways in which smells shaped the lives and experiences of individuals and communities. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, and the power of scent to shape our world.

In conclusion, The Smell of Slavery is a captivating and informative work that sheds light on the complex relationship between scent, identity, and power in the Atlantic World. Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, the author uncovers the ways in which concerns with pungency within the Western world were projected outward upon the African other. The book offers a fresh perspective on the history of the Atlantic World and challenges the traditional narratives of colonialism. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, and the power of scent to shape our world.

Weight: 423g
ISBN-13: 9781108796385