Themes in West Africa's History

• ISBN13: 9780852559963
• ISBN10: 0852559968
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-03-23
• Publisher: Ingram Publisher Services UK- Academic

Summary

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 West Africa's prehistory to the present. It discusses various disciplinary approaches to West African history, provides overviews of the literature on major topics, and breaks new ground through the incorporation of original research. 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. EMMANUEL KWAKU AKYEAMPONG is Professor of History at Harvard University North America: Ohio U Press; Ghana: Woeli Publishing Services

Table of Contents

The Holocene prehistory of West Africa 10,000-1000 BP	p. 11
Ecology & culture in West Africa	p. 33
Linguistics & history in West Africa	p. 52
Oral tradition & perceptions of history from the Manding peoples of West Africa	p. 73
Slavery & slave trade in West Africa 1450-1930	p. 99
Class, caste & social inequality in West African history	p. 118
Religious interactions in pre-twentieth century West Africa	p. 141
Poverty in pre-colonial & colonial West Africa : perception, causes & alleviation	p. 163
Disease in West African history	p. 186
Urbanization in colonial & post-colonial West Africa	p. 208
Commodities, Mercedes-Benz & structural adjustment : an episode in West African economic history	p. 227
Ethnicity, conflict & the state in contemporary West Africa	p. 265
Pentecostalism, Islam & culture : new religious movements in West Africa	p. 286
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