Contribution à la géographie historique de l'or en pays boule (Côte-d'Ivoire)

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Abstract
SUMMARY After enumerating the main gold-bearing zones of the Baule country, and describing the techniques and tools used for the extraction of gold, J.P. Chauveau analyses the role of gold in the history of the area's settlement. The control of mines and the routes used for transporting gold from the mines, is a major objective in the political and commercial strategy of the groups. Depending on the country, the way of working the deposits varies, leaving much scope for individual initiative ; captives are extensively used and the « recruitment » of servile labour plays an important role in the perpetuation of the system. Within Baule society gold is used for dues demanded by the authorities, in exchange for goods and services, and in the acquisition of dependents ; Baule also exported gold, at least until the beginning of the XlXth century, but this declined because of increased internal demand, not lower production. In the second half of the XlXth century, gold gradually escaped the control of traditional authorities and « nobles » and began to serve as a means of social advancement for the middle class, brokers and merchants.

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