The World of the Swahili
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An African Mercantile Civilization
John Middleton
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Format: PaperPrice: $28.00
"This book is clearly destined to be the book on the Swahili for many years. It is a brilliant synthesis of what is known, and it presents considerable new data. No other book remotely equals this one in the breadth of the account, sensitivity and acuity of analysis, and general sensibility."—T. O. Beidelman
"An exemplary study of this socially and historically complex ethnic group. . . .In this erudite monograph, the author blends the existing literature with his own richly detailed field research . . . to provide elegantly integrated portraits of these people from the past to the present. . . . The result of this intellectual journey is an example of the best social anthropology has to offer in the analysis of other social systems. Both the academic discipline and, even more important, the Swahili people have been well served by the author's able and respectful contribution to our understanding of their lifestyle and world view. In effect, these people have been represented by the ethnographer they would have hoped for if given the opportunity to choose one."—William Arens, Journal of Developing Areas
"Middleton's formidable abilities are harnessed to provide the long missing, but actively needed comprehensive overview of the culture of the Swahili people as it is found in the communities scattered from Somalia to Mozambique. . . . a book of rare value. It will richly repay all those who read it and significantly advances African ethnography."—Marc J. Swartz, M A N (London)
"The World of the Swahili is . . . not only a serious synthesis of the history of the Swahili, but also a fascinating and convincing analysis of the manner in which Swahili culture has evolved and survived throughout the ages. . . . The richness of [Middleton's] sources and the very sensitive manner in which he uses them, his style of writing and the interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Swahili makes this book one of the best contributions to our understanding of the history of East Africa."—Owen J. M. Kalinga, South African Historical Journal
"A good, enjoyable, thoughtful, and well-written book. It has a wealth of detail and at the same time a persuasive synthesis."—Derek Nurse, American Historical Review
Publication Date: September 10, 1994
13 b/w illus.
