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)

9781108029452, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 June 2011

706 pages, 22 b/w illus. 3 maps
21.6 x 14 x 3.9 cm, 0.88 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 3 describes the peoples and terrain around Lake Chad, and experiences including the party's arrest and Overweg's death.

38. Rainy season in Kúkawa
39. Expedition to Kánem
40. The horde of the Welád Slimán
41. Shitáti. The eastern, more favoured, valleys of Kánem
42. Warlike preparations against Mándará
43. The border-region of the Shúwa
44. The country of the shallow rivers. Water-parting between the Rivers Bénuwé and Shárí
45. Return to Bórnu
46. Setting out for Bagírmi. The country of Kótokó
47. Province of Logón. Logón Bírni
48. The two rivers. Entrance into Bagírmi
49. Endeavour to leave the country. Arrested. Final entrance into Más-eñá. Its characteristic features
50. Description of the town. Arrival of the Sultan. Final departure
51. Historical survey of Bagírmi. General condition of the country and its inhabitants
52. Home-journey to Kúkawa. Death of Mr. Overweg
Appendix.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]