Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Resurgence of Pawning in French West Africa during the Depression of the 1930's
Authors:Klein, Martin A.ISNI
Roberts, Richard
Year:1987
Periodical:African Economic History
Volume:16
Pages:23-37
Language:English
Geographic terms:West Africa
France
Subjects:colonialism
slavery
pledging
Economics and Trade
History and Exploration
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/3601268
Abstract:The Depression of the 1930s made itself felt in Africa in 1931 and 1932 with a sharp drop in commodity prices, which threatened the ability of many Africans to sustain themselves. Faced with a dramatic decline in revenues, the response of the French regime in West Africa was to tighten tax collection and cut back on staff and services. This, in turn, placed a heavy burden on individuals and households. In many poor areas, where migrant labour was the major source of revenue for taxes, there were few ways to earn money, and many people were forced to pawn children, usually girls. In some areas, administrators clearly encouraged the practice, although it was probably not necessary for them to do so. In societies where famine was a regular occurrence, pawning was a traditional survival mechanism. Given the available data, it is probable that the total number of pawns was in the tens of thousands. After World War II pawning quickly disappeared in French West Africa. Notes, ref.
Views
Cover