Managing the Prospect of Famine: Cape Verdean Officials, Subsistence Emergencies, and the Change of Elite Attitudes During Portugal's Late Colonial Phase, 1939–1961

Abstract

In early 1959, Luiz Rendall Silva, Cape Verdean administrator of the concelho (district) of Fogo, on the volcano island of that name in the Sotavento group (Leeward Islands), wrote a very energetic report to his Portuguese superiors. He complained to the Governor of Cape Verde about the lack of decisiveness in Portugal's colonial welfare policy, and about the absence of clear programmes for the future of the islands. In his words, he wished “for the improvement of the Cape Verdean land and for the benefit of its populations, and for a more visible advancement of the civilising mission.”

Cape Verde: Islands of Vulnerability or Resilience? A Transition from a MIRAB Model into a TOURAB One?

“…The Cape Verde islands were discovered by Portuguese seafarers in the 15th century, with Santiago being the first island to be settled and São Vicente the last one. Due to its climate conditions because of the location (Figure 1), this country has long suffered from the Sahelian aridity and extremely adverse climate imposing severe historical constraints both on food production and administrative management [19,47].…”

“…the Sahelian aridity and extremely adverse climate imposing severe historical constraints both on food production and administrative management [19,47].…”