عنوان

The political economy of nineteenth century Bonny :

TLets508850

The political economy of nineteenth century Bonny :

[Thesis]

Hargreaves, Susan M.

a study of power, authority, legitimacy and ideology in a Delta trading community from 1790-1914

University of Birmingham

1987

Ph.D.

University of Birmingham

1987

This thesis is a study of nineteenth century Bonny, which was successivelythe major slave and palm oil exporter in the Niger Delta. It focuses on theconcepts of power, authority, legitimacy and ideology to explain the nature ofsocial change, a much neglected area of study in Vest African history.In the first section, it looks at the development and social organisation ofthe trading house, with special regard to the problematic nature of therelations between the head and other house members. It then concentrates onthe evolution of political organisation and the development of the office ofAmanyanabo to demonstrate that the boundaries of the king's authority andpower were not based on traditional grounds.In the second section, the reigns of the nineteenth century monarchs comeunder scrutiny and a demonstration of the changing nature of the relationshipbetween these kings and the chiefs is undertaken, Attention focuses on theevents which led to the introduction of the Annie and Manilla Pepple Houses;the question mark over the instigation of the regency following Opubols death;the manner of William Dappa Pepple's installation, his attainment of authorityand power (an achievement ignored by previous researchers), his depositionand re-adoption; the reign of George Pepple; the transfer of power to thechiefs; the events leading to the civil war of 1869; Oko Jumbo's usurpation ofpower and his eventual demise.In the third and final section, the problems engendered by British rule andthe economic problems of the day are discussed, and how particular Bonnyhouses attempted to overcome them.

Hargreaves, Susan M.

University of Birmingham

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[Thesis]

276903

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