Lives Amidst Shells

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This book discusses the significance of shells in the daily life of the Diola people in Guinea-Bissau, particularly their role in constructing the landscape through shell mounds. It explores the concept of Terroir, and its importance in understanding the Diola people and their occupation of the territory over the past two thousand years. Through field research, more than 120 shellfish sites were identified and recorded, shedding light on current mollusc collection practices and the functions of shell mounds. These functions include as middens, barriers, harbours, paths, and monuments, with hypotheses formulated to explain their regional atypicality. The book aims to study the history of the Diola people by focusing on sources they produced themselves, such as shell mounds and artifacts, rather than privileging colonial sources. Through this approach, the author seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the Diola's past and their interactions with the landscape over time.