‘The contrast between the lean, hungry Cassius-looking coolies who arrive at Port Louis, and the stout, muscular well-fed fellows with well-lined purses who leave its shores, is very remarkable.’ Taken from F.J. Mouat, A Bengal Civilian, Journal of Five Months’ Residence in the Mauritius, Calcutta, 1838.

Source: William Agnew Paton, Down the Islands, A Voyage to the Caribbees, Charles Scribner, NY, 1887. Illustration by M J Burns.

Source: J. Rodway & H.J. Stark, Stark’s Guide Book and History of British Guiana, Sampson Low, London, 1907.

Individuals wishing to return to India with family members were required to obtain the consent of relatives or guardians. Source: Mauritius Archives

Source: J. Rodway and H.J. Stark, Stark’s Guide Book and History of British Guiana, Sampson Low, London, 1907.

Keynote Lecture presented by Professor Crispin Bates

posted by francesca on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 00:00

On 9th January 2017, Professor Crispin Bates from the 'Becoming Coolies' research team presented his keynote address on ‘Transnationalism, intermediaries, and the myths of identity in Indian Ocean migration’ at an International Conference on “Power and Identity”, part of The Graduate Program on Global Society (GSP), at the University of Tokyo.