Research Catalog

Title

The king of drinks : schnapps gin from modernity to tradition / by Dmitri van den Bersselaar.

Author

Bersselaar, Dmitri van den.

Publication

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2007.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xiv, 268 p. : ill., map; 24 cm.

Summary

"Today, imported schnapps has high status because of its importance for African ritual and as symbol of the status of chiefs and elders, but actual consumption is limited. This book explores this unexpected trajectory of commoditisation to investigate how imported goods acquire specific local meanings. This analysis of consumption and marketing of gin contributes to our understanding of patterns of consumption, rejection and appropriation within processes of identity formation, elite formation, and the redefinition of community in colonial and postcolonial West Africa."--Jacket.

Series Statement

African social studies series, 1568-1203 ; v. 18

Uniform Title

African social studies series ; v. 18.

Subjects

• Africa, West > Social life and customs
• Gin > Netherlands > History
• Gin > Africa, West > History
• Gin > Social aspects > Africa, West

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [247]-258) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Introduction : foreign imports, local meanings -- The rise of gin -- Becoming the king of drinks -- 'Bird gin' and 'money gin' : brands and marketing -- Poison or medicine? Changing perceptions of Dutch gin -- 'Your very good health!' Gin for an independent West Africa -- Schnapps gin from modernity to tradition.

ISBN

• 9789004160910 (pbk. : alk. paper)
• 9004160914 (pbk. : alk. paper)

LCCN

^^2007032986

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library