Travels in West Africa, Congo Français, Corisco and Cameroons

This best-selling account of a single Englishwoman's travels in West Africa was first published in 1897.

Mary Kingsley (Author)

9781108022002, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 November 2010

798 pages, 47 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 4.5 cm, 0.99 kg

Mary Kingsley (1862–1900) is one of the best-known Victorian women travellers, whose solo adventures in West Africa made her a celebrity in England. This, her first book, published in 1897, was an instant best-seller. She travelled extensively, engaging in trade both to fund her trip and to get to know the African people, rather than merely observing as an outsider. She brought back quantities of natural specimens, three of which were named after her. On her return to England she was asked to give numerous lectures. Some of her views were considered controversial - she opposed the attempts by missionaries to impose European culture on native people, and defended polygamy and even slavery. Her observations and interests are wide-ranging, and she showed an acute and sympathetic understanding of West African culture and society. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=kingma

Introduction
1. Liverpool to Sierra Leone
2. The Gold Coast
3. Fernando Po and the Bubis
4. Lagos Bar
5. Voyage down coast
6. Libreville and Glass
7. The Ogowé
8. Talagouga
9. The rapids of the Ogowé
10. Lembarene
11. From Kangwe to Lake Ncovi
12. From Ncovi to Esoon
13. From Esoon to Agonjo
14. Bush trade and fan customs
15. Down the Rembwé
16. Congo Français
17. The log of the Lafayette
18. From Corisco to Gaboon
19. Fetish
20. Fetish continued
21. Fetish continued
22. Fetish continued
23. Fetish concluded
24. Ascent of the Great Peak of Cameroons
25. Ascent of the Great Peak of Cameroons continued
26. The Great Peak of Cameroons continued
27. The Great Peak of Cameroons concluded
28. The Islands in the Bay of Amboises
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]