Overview

In an ethnography that challenges standard approaches to understanding the poor and disempowered, Jennie M. Smith's descriptions of peasant activity change what constitutes a democratic society. Through their civil institutions and artistic expression, Haitian peasants, widely known as some of the world's most impoverished, politically disempowered, and illiterate citizens, debate the meanings of development, democracy, and the public good.Smith offers a historically grounded overview of how the Haitian state and certain foreign powers have sought to develop rural Haiti and relates how Haitian peasants have responded to such efforts through words and deeds. The author argues that songs called chante pwen serve as ""melodic machetes,"" a tool with which the peasants make their voices heard in many social circumstances.When the Hands Are Many illustrates the philosophies, styles, and structures typical of social organization in rural Haiti with narrative portraits of peasant organizations engaged in agricultural work parties, business meetings, religious ceremonies, social service projects, song sessions, and other activities. Smith integrates these organizations' strengths into a new vision for social change and asks what must happen in Haiti and elsewhere to facilitate positive transformation in the world today.

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9780801437977

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Reviews

There is an old Haitian Creole proverb that goes: 'Men anpil, chay pa lou' (when the hands are many, the load becomes lighter). Jennie Smith, by taking this proverb as a guideline for her book, has accomplished its goal of informing us of such a state of mind embodied by the moun andeyo of Haiti. Because of that, When Hands Are Many is an important ethnological, political and anthropological tool not only for scholars interested in Haitian society but also for Haitians themselves who have the reasons and desire to see the problems of their country solved. -Jeane Ellie, Counterpoise, January/April 2002

Author Information

Jennie M. Smith is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Berry College.

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