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)

9781108029476, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 June 2011

742 pages, 15 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 4.1 cm, 0.93 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 5 describes Barth's demanding trek homewards, retracing his route along the Niger and via Kano to Tripoli.

70. Beginning of the New Year. Anomalous rising of the Niger. Commercial relations of Timbúktu
71. Diary, continued
72. Great crisis. Obliged to leave the town. Military demonstrations
73. Abortive attempt at departure from Timbúktu
74. Retrograde movement towards Timbúktu
75. Final and real start. Creeks on the northern bank of the Niger. Ghérgo. Bamba
76. The desert. Country along the border of the River. Greatest narrowing. South-easterly bend
77. Tósaye, or the narrowing of the River. Burrum, ancient relation to Egypt. Great south-south-easterly reach
78. The ancient capital of Songhay, and its neighbourhood
79. Separation from the Sheikh. Cross the River to the south-western side. Various encampments. River studded with islands. Ansóngho
80. Denser population begins
81. Second stay in Say. Journey through Déndina and Kebbi
82. Second stay in Gando, Sókoto, and Wurno
83. Second residence in Kanó, under unfavourable circumstances. March to Kúkawa
84. Last residence in Kúkawa. Benefit of European society. Unpleasant circumstances
85. Real start. Small party
Appendix
Index to the five volumes.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]