The History Hub Faculty/Graduate Student Workshop met on Thursday, November 30 to discuss a draft chapter of Sarah Balakrishnan’s book manuscript, on spiritual ecologies in the precolonial Gold Coast, and early European-African struggles over control of the land. The chapter title was “The Land is Great.”
Sarah’s chapter narrates the evolving relationship between colonial traders, military leaders, and settlers, and the complex landscape of divinity in the region. After some early clashes, Europeans were surprisingly respectful of local deities embodied in rocks and other geographical or natural features. Some even adopted certain Gold Coast worship practices, such as the carrying of amulets.
The session was well attended by a mix of faculty and graduate students. A lively discussion centered on questions of chronology, the terms of “colonialism”, spiritual ecology, and other topics.
After the event, the group moved to the 9th Street restaurant Lime and Lemon for dinner and more discussion.
