Slavers in Paradise: The Peruvian Slave Trade in Polynesia, 1862-1864

4e de couv. : The Peruvian slave raids of 1862-63 struck the islands of Polynesia with the force of one of the region's tsunami-the great seismic sea waves that from time to time bring death and devastation to her scattered communities. No other event in the history of Polynesia has had such overwhelming consequences for the islanders. Communities that found their population reduced by two-thirds, whether by outright kidnapping or by disease introduced by the kidnappers, experienced not only a demographic catastrophe, but the destruction of their society and the impairment of their cultural heritage. The complete story of this tragic history is told here for the first time. Part One, "Peruvians in Polynesia", tells how and why the trade began, and details the numbers actually taken from each island, the ships involved, and the recruiting methods employed. Part Two, "Polynesians in Peru", covers the voyage to Peru, the nature and conditions of employment there, the attitude of the major powers toward the slave trade, its eventual abolition, the attempts made to repatriate the survivors, and the fate of those still left on the home islands. The book contains some 50 illustrations and twelve maps.