Medieval Africa, 1250–1800

A revised edition of The African Middle Ages 1400–1800, ideal for University and college teaching.

Roland Oliver (Author), Anthony Atmore (Author)

9780521790246, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 August 2001

260 pages, 24 maps
22.1 x 14.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.46 kg

'The volume betrays a high level of scholarship associated with the names of both authors, and it will surely find its readership among students and the general public as an introduction to African history.' Asian and African Studies

This is a radically revised version of The African Middle Ages 1400–1800, and the companion volume to the authors' well-known Africa since 1800. It follows the overall plan of the original, but now begins 150 years earlier, and considers recent literature in African historical studies. The earlier starting date enables a more distinctly African viewpoint. By about 1250 AD African societies were greatly expanding their political and economic scope. Islam was spreading south across the Sahara from Mediterranean Africa, and down the Indian Ocean coast. Medieval Africa continues into the period of European contacts from the 15th century onwards, with some emphasis on the growth of the trans-Saharan, Atlantic and Indian Ocean slave trade. The book stresses both the strengths and weaknesses of African societies as the eighteenth century drew to a close. This volume will be an essential introduction to African history for students, as well as for the general reader. It is illustrated with a wealth of maps.

1. Introduction
2. Egypt
3. Ifriqiya and the Regencies
4. The Islamic Far West
5. The Western Sudan and Upper Guinea
6. The Central Sudan and Lower Guinea
7. Nubia, Darfur and Wadai
8. The North-Eastern triangle
9. The Upper Nile Basin and the East African Plateau
10. The heart of Africa
11. The land of the Blacksmith Kings
12. From the Lualaba to the Zambezi
13. The approaches to Zimbabwe
14. The peoples of the South.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], African history [HBJH]