The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary

by Bloomsbury Academic

Overview

Recent historical events have made it quite clear that the world is in for a long-term continuation of ethnic rivalries that have been going on for centuries. The short-term hegemony of the European empires, the Soviet Union, and the United States may have temporarily subdued some of those conflicts, but older identities are now reasserting themselves. The most complicated, diverse ethnic setting is in Africa, where several thousand languages still provide powerful identities to as many ethnic groups. The Peoples of Africa provides a brief description of the more than 1,800 individual African ethnic groups living today in Africa.

Where possible, the individual ethnic groups are discussed in terms of their geographical settings, religion, population, and local economy. Reference librarians, African area specialists, and students of African history and culture will find the book an invaluable guide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313279188
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/28/1996
Pages:	696
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.44(d)
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)

About the Author

JAMES S. OLSON is Distinguished Professor of History at Sam Houston State University, where he has taught since 1972. He is the author of more than 20 books on U.S. and world history. With Robert Shadle, he edited Historical Dictionary of the British Empire (Greenwood, 1996).

Table of Contents

Preface
The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary
Appendix A: Chronology of African History
Appendix B: Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Olson (history, Sam Houston State U.) presents information on the history, geographical area, agricultural products or other main occupations, relations with other groups, and population of over 1,800 ethnic communities in Africa. Extensively cross-referenced and supported with a chronology covering from three million years ago to the beginning of ethnic violence in Burundi in 1995. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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