Cape Verde: Crioulo Colony To Independent Nation

The Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of Senegal, were first settled by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century. In this important new study, Richard Lobban sketches Cape Verde's complex history over five centuries, from its role in the slave trade through its protracted armed struggle on the Guinea coast for national independence. He offers a rich ethnography of the islands, exploring their complex ethnicity. Dr. Lobban provides a thoughtful analysis of the islands' efforts to achieve economic growth and development through tourism, fishing, small-scale mining, and agricultural production and chronicles its peaceful transition from one-party rule to elections and political pluralism.

Richard A. Lobban Jr. is professor of anthropology and director of the Program of African and Afro-American Studies at Rhode Island College.