Africa in History: Themes and OutlinesPrior to the original publication of "Africa in History", the history and development of Africa had been measured by the European concept of "civilization", applying a Eurocentric approach to African art and literature. Basil Davidson's landmark work presents the inner growth of Africa and its worldwide significance, the internal dynamic of its old civilizations and their links with Asia, Europe and America, as well as the development of specific areas, tribes and cultures. From accounts of the days of the green Sahara and the great iron age, the earliest Portuguese colonization, the coming of slavery and the subsequent legacy of violence and mistrust, the growth of Islam in the north and the cults of the Congo, the sophistication of art and architecture, and the pattern behind social and tribal mores, the entire picture of the continent emerges. This revised edition reflects the recent astonishing changes in South Africa, including the release of Nelson Mandela. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved. |
Common terms and phrases
achieved African history Almoravid ancient Angola Arab Asante Axum Axumite became began Benin Berber British Caliphate Cataract central century BC Christian cities civilization coast coastal colonial Congo conquest continued culture dynasty Early Iron Age East eastern Egypt Egyptian empire Ethiopia Ethiopian Europe European evidence forms French Ghana gold grasslands groups growth Hausa imperial importance Indian Ocean influence inland invasion Iron Age Islam ivory Kanem Kanem-Bornu Kilwa kingdom kings kingship Kush Kushite labour lands later Mali Mandinka Mansa Musa Mature Iron Age Meroe Meroitic Middle military modern Muslim neighbours Niger Nigeria Nile Nobatia Nubia period political populations Portuguese region religion remained rise Roman rule rulers Sahara Senegal settlement settlers slave trade social society Songhay South Africa southern southward Stone Age structures Sudan thousand Timbuktu towns traditions trans-Saharan trans-Saharan trade West Africa Western Sudan Yoruba Zambezi