LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND MARGINALITY IN JAMAICA SUGAR-PLANTATION SOCIETY - A TENTATIVE ANALYSIS

JAMAICA'S political economy was deeply influenced by slavery and the sugar plantation system. This was despite the Island's greater economic diversification and variation in slave life. The dominance of the sugar plantation system relegated other units and producers to secondary roles and positions. This was the case of the penkeepers who, although occupying an important position as suppliers of much-needed plantation inputs, were marginalized on account of factors relating to class, colour/race and gender. This article explores the marginality construct as it related to the live-stock farmers in 18thC Jamaica as well as the farmers' responses to their subordinate position.