Saving African Nature

During the colonization of Africa, European colonists set about creating game reserves in Africa, convinced that they would find in Africa a nature that no longer existed in Europe. After independence, and with the help of UNESCO and the WWF, African leaders continued to 'protect' the same nature, a nature that the whole world wanted to be pristine, wild and without humans – a timeless Garden of Eden. The consequences of this story are well known: millions of Africans were expelled from the land on which they had lived for generations. But how did this happen? Who organized this continuity between the colonial era and the era of independence? Guillaume Blanc answers these questions by immersing himself at the heart of a strange global ecological mission, launched in 1961: the 'African Special Project'. He tells the story of this project by bringing to life four worlds: the world of gentleman experts who saw Africa as the world's last natural refuge; the world of East African colonists who were retraining as international experts; the world of African leaders who sought to control their peoples while satisfying the demands of their Western partners; and finally, the world of local farmers and their families living on the land who were forced to adapt or abandon their homes. These men do not speak of the same nature, but step by step, their worlds draw closer together until they meet – and this is where violence erupts. This impressive book lays bare the violence inherent in the creation of African game reserves and national parks and documents a hidden dimension of colonialism and its legacies.

Introduction. Violence in a natural world: from why to how In the light of the present Seizing the moment Making choices A gallery of institutions A gallery of actors Chapter 1. Protecting Africa from the Africans. The world of the expert gentlemen Arusha 1961. Changing everything in order to keep everything the same From imperialism to internationalism. History The rise of a conservationist 'International' How to conserve: globalize on the one hand, Africanize on the other Protect the planet, take action in Africa The experts' (a)political quest Faces and people of Africa Chapter 2. Saving the East-African stronghold. The world of those who stayed Arusha 1961. Working in a liberated Africa Being part of the transition to independence. History The East-African International In the name of the last stronghold of nature With the 'Africans', against the 'Africans' An impossible dream A nightmare Chapter 3. Governing Ethiopia. The world-nation of African leaders Arusha 1961. Protecting nature, playing politics The natural extraversion of the African State. History Current status: applicant for aid Accepting dependence Ethiopia first Cursed farenj' Chapter 4. Living in a National Park The global village of the anonymous Arusha 1961, nature for some, a way of life for Others In search of subalterns. History Tekelakay, or how to resist Mengest, the local big man Serateña, invisible employee Dehaw: the poor man Yemiyastekaklew, the resourceful one Epilogue. A little nature, (far) too much humanity When the postcolonial moment ended When the time of an enduring postcolony began Acknowledgements Acronyms Bibliography Notes Index