Themes in West Africa's History

by Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong (Editor)

Overview

There has long been a need for a new textbook on West Africa's history. This comprehensive collection brings together leading scholars on key themes from prehistory to the present. It discusses various disciplinary approaches, provides overviews of the literature on major topics, and breaks new ground through the incorporation of original research.

Designed as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate levels, it is organised in three parts. Part one provides perspectives on West Africa's history from archaeology, ecology and culture, linguistics, and oral traditions. Part two provides longue duree perspectives on environment, society, agency and historical change. Part three examines how economic and political developments have shaped religious expression and identity in significant ways. At the end of each chapter is a short list of recommended reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780821445662
Publisher:	Ohio University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2006
Series:	Western African Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong is a professor of history at Harvard University and the Oppenheimer Faculty Director of the Harvard University Center for African Studies. He is the author of Between the Sea and the Lagoon: An Eco-social History of the Anlo of Southeastern Ghana c. 1850 to Recent Times.

Table of Contents

Cover Series Page Title Copyright Contents List of Maps & Figures Acknowledgements & Notes on Contributors Introduction Part I: Paths to a West African Past 1. The Holocene Prehistory of West Africa 10,000-1000 BP 2. Ecology & Culture in West Africa 3. Linguistics & History in West Africa 4. Oral Tradition & Perceptions of History from the Manding Peoples of West Africa Part II: Perspectives on Environment, Society, Agency & Historical Change 5. Slavery & Slave Trade in West Africa 1450-1930 6. Class, Caste & Social Inequality in West African History 7. Religious Interactions in Pre-Twentieth Century West Africa 8. Poverty in Pre-Colonial & Colonial West Africa: Perception, Causes & Alleviation 9. Disease in West African History 10. Urbanization in Colonial & Post-Colonial West Africa Part III: Understanding Contemporary West Africa through Religion & Political Economy 11. Commodities, Mercedes-Benz & Structural Adjustment: An Episode in West African Economic History 12. Ethnicity, Conflict & the State in Contemporary West Africa 13. Pentecostalism, Islam & Culture: New Religious Movements in West Africa Index

Editorial Reviews

This collection allows students to be exposed to major issues in West African history and to see how scholars from different disciplines as well as from different continents understand this history.... This is a highly useful book, both for undergraduates and graduate students, while providing valuable reflections on research methods and themes in West African history that are of value to Africanist scholars as well.”—International Journal of African Historical Studies


“The authoritative, up-to-date treatment of scholarship provides a valuable supplemental text.... Summing Up: Essential.”—CHOICE


“This edited volume is an exciting new West African history textbook that could be used effectively at both undergraduate and graduate levels.... Students will find the scholarship sophisticated but accessible, and admirably topical in the historical issues engaged.”—African Studies Review

From the Publisher