article

Why Mende became tree croppers

Research in economic anthropology19 • Published In 1998 • Pages: 267-288

By: Isaac, Barry L..

Abstract
This article explains why the Mende who used to rely on growing rice for their subsistence became growers of tree-crops such as cocoa, coffee and palms. It argues that this change was mostly male labor shortages at the household and community level as young preferred to migrate to urban centers in search of employment opportunities.
Subjects
Cereal agriculture
Special crops
Labor supply and employment
Division of labor by gender
Environmental quality
Land use
Household
Extended families
Buying and selling
External trade
Diet
Community structure
Sociocultural trends
culture
Mende
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2008
Field Date
1966-1968
Coverage Date
1920-1970
Coverage Place
Sierra Leone
Notes
Barry L. Isaac
Includes bibliographic references (p. 287-
LCCN
79640245
LCSH
Mende (African people)