Travels and Discoveries in North and Central Africa
Being a Journal of an Expedition Undertaken under the Auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the Years 1849–1855

This pioneering work of African exploration and ethnography, cited by Darwin, is still considered an important source on African cultures.

Heinrich Barth (Author)

9781108029438, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 June 2011

688 pages, 70 b/w illus. 6 maps
21.6 x 14 x 3.8 cm, 0.86 kg

Born in Hamburg, Henry (Heinrich) Barth (1821–1865) studied history, archaeology, geography and Arabic. He joined James Richardson's 1849 expedition to Africa, which aimed to open the interior to trade and to study slavery. Following the deaths of Richardson (1851) and his colleague Overweg (1852), Barth led the expedition alone. His travels extended to Lake Chad in the east, Cameroon in the south and Timbuktu in the west. He was the first European to use the oral traditions of the local tribes for historical research, learning several African languages, and studying the history, resources and civilisations of the people he encountered. Barth's five-volume account includes plates, engravings and detailed annotated maps. Published in both English and German in 1857–1858, it is still regarded as a major source on African culture. Volume 1 covers the expedition's journey from Tunis to present-day Niger, and includes descriptions of Roman ruins in Libya.

Preface
1. From Tunis to Tripoli
2. Tripoli. The plain and the mountain-slope. The Arab and the Berber
3. Fertile mountain region rich in ancient remains
4. Departure for the interior. Arrival at Mizda. Remains of a Christian church
5. Sculptures and Roman remains in the desert. Gharíya
6. Wádi Sháti. Old Jerma. Arrival in Múrzuk
7. Residence in Múrzuk
8. The desert. Tasáwa. Exactions of the escort. Delay at Eláwen
9. Singular sculptures in the desert. The mountain-pass
10. The indigenous Berber population
11. Crossing a large mountain-ridge, and entering on the open gravelly desert
12. Dangerous approach to A'sben
13. Inhabited but dangerous frontier-region
14. Ethnographical relations of air
15. Residence in Tinéllust
16. Journey to A'gades
17. A'gades
18. History of A'gades
19. Departure from A'gades. Stay in Tin-téggana
20. Final departure for Sudán
21. The border-region of the desert. The Tagáma
Appendix.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]