| Abstract: | In most countries of West Africa there is a group of foreigners who have come from the Eastern Mediterranean. They live in the towns, are engaged in general merchandise, and go under two names: Syrians and Lebanese. To explain this the author describes briefly the history of the Middle East and traces the implications in West Africa. Three periods are distinguished: before 1920, from 1920 to 1943 after the creation of a separate Republic of Lebanon in 1920, and after obtaining the independence of Syria and Lebanon in 1943. While before 1920 the name Syrian became firmly established in West Africa, it was discovered after 1920 that the great majority of the immigrants were Lebanese and this name was substituted for Syrians. After 1943 most Lebanese used this name when referring to themselves; the number of Syrians proper is very small and they attach themselves to the Lebanese communities. |
AfricaBib 
Periodical article
Leiden University catalogue
WorldCat
