Badagry 1784-1863 : the political and commercial history of a pre-colonial lagoonside community in south west Nigeria
By tracing the history of Badagry, from its reconstruction after 1784 until its annexation in 1863, it is possible to trace a number of themes which have implications for the history of the whole 'Slave Coast' and beyond. The enormous impact of the environment in shaping this community and indeed its relations with other communities, plays a vital part in any understanding of the Badagry story. As a place of refuge, Badagry's foundation and subsequent history was shaped by a series of immigrant groups and individuals from Africa and Europe. Its position as an Atlantic and lagoonside port enabled this community to emerge as an important commercial and political force in coastal affairs. However, its very attractions also made it a desirable prize for African and European groups. Badagry's internal situation was equally paradoxical. The fragmented, competitive nature of its population resulted in a weakness of political authority, but also a remarkable flexibility which enabled the town to function politically and commercially in the face of intense internal and external pressures. It was ultimately the erosion of this tenuous balance which caused Badagry to fall into civil war. Conversely, a study of Badagry
Sorensen-Gilmour, Caroline
Slave trade Africa, West ; Slave trade Nigeria ; Imperialism History 19th century ; Nigeria Politics and government 19th century
Badagry 1784-1863 : the political and commercial history of a pre-colonial lagoonside community in south west Nigeria. By tracing the history of Badagry, from its reconstruction after 1784 until its annexation in 1863, it is possible to trace a number of themes which have implications for the history of the whole 'Slave Coast' and beyond. The enormous impact of the environment in shaping this community and indeed its relations with other communities, plays a vital part in any understanding of the Badagry story. As a place of refuge, Badagry's foundation and subsequent history was shaped by a series of immigrant groups and individuals from Africa and Europe. Its position as an Atlantic and lagoonside port enabled this community to emerge as an important commercial and political force in coastal affairs. However, its very attractions also made it a desirable prize for African and European groups. Badagry's internal situation was equally paradoxical. The fragmented, competitive nature of its population resulted in a weakness of political authority, but also a remarkable flexibility which enabled the town to function politically and commercially in the face of intense internal and external pressures. It was ultimately the erosion of this tenuous balance which caused Badagry to fall into civil war. Conversely, a study of Badagry
political_commercial history pre_colonial community south west nigeria trace_history reconstruction annexation possible_trace number theme implication history whole slave coast beyond enormous impact environment shape community indeed relation community play_vital part story place refuge foundation subsequent history shape series immigrant group_individual africa europe position atlantic port enable community emerge important commercial_political force coastal affair however attraction also_make desirable prize african european group internal situation equally paradoxical fragment competitive nature population result weakness political_authority also remarkable flexibility enable town function politically commercially face intense internal_external pressure ultimately erosion tenuous balance cause fall civil_war conversely study