This study investigates the presence of material culture in the French‑speaking Caribbean, through a literary corpus that brings together three Francophone territories: Guadeloupe, Martinique and Haiti. Drawing on research in anthropology, ethnology and sociology, we highlight the active role played by cultural objects within the social dynamics of the Caribbean. In particular, by situating literary production within its historical context, we were able to examine the material cultural contributions of populations who migrated—whether voluntarily or involuntarily—to the French Antilles. It is through the presence of these objects, assembled in a catalogue structured around three domains (religious, clothing and culinary), that we were able to shed light, first, on the relationships maintained among the various migrant groups and, second, on the violence exercised by the colonisers. The study concludes by analysing the active participation of objects in the process of creolisation, tracing a trajectory that encompasses their adoption and subsequent adaptation. Thus, these objects are not present solely for their practical value: their symbolic significance and their agency are also examined.

MIGRATIONS INTERCONTINENTALES D¿OBJETS VERS LA CARAÏBE D¿EXPRESSION FRANÇAISE

LIOI, MICHAEL
2026

Abstract

This study investigates the presence of material culture in the French‑speaking Caribbean, through a literary corpus that brings together three Francophone territories: Guadeloupe, Martinique and Haiti. Drawing on research in anthropology, ethnology and sociology, we highlight the active role played by cultural objects within the social dynamics of the Caribbean. In particular, by situating literary production within its historical context, we were able to examine the material cultural contributions of populations who migrated—whether voluntarily or involuntarily—to the French Antilles. It is through the presence of these objects, assembled in a catalogue structured around three domains (religious, clothing and culinary), that we were able to shed light, first, on the relationships maintained among the various migrant groups and, second, on the violence exercised by the colonisers. The study concludes by analysing the active participation of objects in the process of creolisation, tracing a trajectory that encompasses their adoption and subsequent adaptation. Thus, these objects are not present solely for their practical value: their symbolic significance and their agency are also examined.
23-mar-2026
Francese (Altre)
MODENESI, MARCO
Università degli Studi di Milano
Piazza Sant'Alessandro 1, 20123, Milano
342
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/366279
Il codice NBN di questa tesi è URN:NBN:IT:UNIMI-366279