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)

9781108029445, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 June 2011

736 pages, 35 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 4.1 cm, 0.92 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 2 describes the settlements and peoples found on the journey from Kano to the shore of Lake Chad.

22. Separation of the travellers. The border districts of the Independent Pagan Confederation. Tasáwa
23. Gazáwa. Residence in Kátsena
24. Háusa. History and description of Kátsena. Entry into Kanó
25. Residence in Kanó. View of its interior. Its history and present state. Commerce
26. Starting for Kúkawa. The frontier-district
27. Bórnu proper
28. Arrival in Kúkawa
29. Authenticity and general character of the history of Bórnu
30. The capital of Bórnu
31. The Tsád
32. Setting out on my journey to A'damáwa. The flat, swampy grounds of Bórnu
33. The border-country of the Marghí
34. A'damáwa. Mohammedan settlements in the heart of Central Africa
35. The meeting of the waters. The Bénuwé and Fáro
36. My reception in Yóla. Short stay. Dismissal
37. My journey home from A'damáwa
Appendix.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]