Combining archaeological and historical methods; Gabino La Rosa Corzo provides the most detailed and accurate available account of the runaway slave settlements (palenques) that formed in the inaccessible mountain chains of eastern Cuba from 1737 to 1850; decades before the end of slavery on the island. The traces that remain of these communities provide important clues to historical processes such as slave resistance and emancipation; anticolonial insurgency; and the emergence of a free peasantry. Some of the communities developed into thriving towns that still exist today.La Rosa challenges the claims of previous scholars and demonstrates how romanticized the communities have become in historical memory. In part by using detailed maps drawn on site; La Rosa shows that palenques were smaller and fewer in number than previously thought and they contained mostly local; rather than long-distance; fugitives. In addition; the residents were less aggressive and violent than myth holds; often preferring to flee rather than fight a system of oppression that was even more effective and organized than generally supposed. La Rosa's study illuminates many social and economic issues related to the African diaspora in the Caribbean; with particular focus on slavery; resistance; and independence. This translation makes the book available in English for the first time.
#221145 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1999-10-25 1999-10-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .72 x 6.10l; .91 #File Name: 0807847836288 pages
Review
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful. Pathbreaking work on race and revolutionBy A CustomerInsurgent Cuba tracks the transformation of racial and gendered narratives of the revolution from the abolition of slavery to the war of independence. In this fascinating and pathbreaking book; Professor Ferrer reveals that; with the emergence of late 19th century Cuban nationalism; narratives of race; slavery; and the place of black people in the revolution shift dramatically. Through the voices of leaders like Jose Marti; black insurgents were constructed as color-blind patriots committed to the liberation of Cuba; not slaves and ex-slaves attempting to overthrow the regime of slavery and demand equal rights. Black people were transformed in these three decades from a problem and threat to the republic to the symbols of Cuban nationalism's commitment to multiracial democracy. Anti-racism became a weapon in the hands of Cuban revolutionaries in their battle against Spain; which changed the status of black insurgents; put them on a pedestal in a way; and made their stories fundamental to the narrative of the new republic--one that is colorblind and willing to incorporate everyone as long as they are patriots. For blacks and mulattoes; this discourse gave them a platform to complain about racism in the ranks of the army; in everyday life; everywhere. On the other hand; the ellision of racism in the discourse of Cuban nationalism and the celebration of multiracial republicanism was often used against critics of racism in Cuba. "To speak of race; then;" Ferrer writes; "was to challenge the depth of racial and national unity." Any attempts to mobilize on the basis of racial solidarity was then dismissed as divisive and unpatriotic. By reconstructing these different narratives in the context of specific revolts and campaigns; Ferrer offers us a stunning alternative narrative of the struggle for Cuban Independence. Insurgent Cuba is perhaps the best book available on race and Cuba.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. nice book on CubaBy NATASHAI bought this book for my Latin America class it was interesting an not so hard to read good description too0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Irline FrancoisVery good book.
