Displays

Africans and African Europeans are widely believed to be only a recent presence in Europe, a feature of our 'modern' society. But as early as the third century, St Maurice - an Egyptian - became the leader of a legendary Roman legion. Ever since, there have been richly varied encounters between those defined as 'Africans' and those called 'Europeans', right up to the stories of present-day migrants to European cities. Though at times a privileged group that facilitated exchanges between continents, African Europeans have also had to navigate the hardships of slavery, colonialism and their legacies. Olivette Otele uncovers the long history of Europeans of African descent, tracing an old and diverse African heritage in Europe through the lives of individuals both ordinary and extraordinary.

This thought-provoking work examines the relationship between Africa, identity, and the legacy of colonialism. It explores themes of cultural heritage, pan-Africanism, and the interplay between tradition and modernity. Through rich analysis and personal insight, it challenges assumptions about race, history, and the construction of identity in a globalized world.

Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone. For too long, Africa's history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now, Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight. In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa's spectacular history - from the very origins of our species, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires with remarkable queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence. Visiting more than thirty African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, she unearths buried histories from across the continent and gives Africa its rightful place in our global story. The result is a gripping new account of Africa: an epic, sweeping history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.

Global Africa is a striking, original volume that disrupts the dominant narratives that continue to frame our discussion of Africa, complicating conventional views of the region as a place of violence, despair, and victimhood. The volume documents the significant global connections, circulations, and contributions that African people, ideas, and goods have made throughout the world--from the United States and South Asia to Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere. Through succinct and engaging pieces by scholars, policy makers, activists, and journalists, the volume provides a wholly original view of a continent at the center of global historical processes rather than on the periphery. Global Africa offers fresh, complex, and insightful visions of a continent in flux.

The brutal murder of the Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh in 2004 shocked the world. It changed the life of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, van Gogh's collaborator on the film that offended his murderer. This book recounts her transition from a third-world upbringing to her status as one of the most influential people in the world.

This compelling memoir chronicles a childhood spent in apartheid-era South Africa, where being born to a Black mother and white father was a crime. Through humor and poignant storytelling, it explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring bond between a mother and son. With sharp wit and heartfelt honesty, it sheds light on the complexities of race, family, and survival in a divided society.

Set in colonial Nigeria, this powerful novel explores the clash between traditional Igbo society and British colonial rule. At the center is Ezeulu, a priest caught between his duty to his people and the pressures of a changing world. As tensions rise, his choices ignite conflict and challenge the fabric of his community. A timeless story of power, faith, and cultural upheaval, it offers profound insight into the complexities of identity and tradition in the face of colonization.

This compelling novel follows a young girl navigating her childhood in a Zimbabwean shantytown and her journey to a new life in America. It explores themes of displacement, identity, and resilience with sharp insight and lyrical prose. A vivid portrayal of the complexities of migration and the search for belonging.

Offering a wealth of perspectives on African modern and Modernist art from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, this new Companion features essays by African, European, and North American authors who assess the work of individual artists as well as exploring broader themes such as discoveries of new technologies and globalization. A pioneering continent-based assessment of modern art and modernity across Africa Includes original and previously unpublished fieldwork-based material Features new and complex theoretical arguments about the nature of modernity and Modernism Addresses a widely acknowledged gap in the literature on African Art

This insightful volume examines the challenges and opportunities in preserving Kenya’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Through diverse perspectives, it explores innovative approaches to conservation, emphasizing the importance of balancing development with the protection of ecosystems, historical landmarks, and indigenous traditions. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of heritage management in a rapidly changing world.

This insightful volume examines the dynamics of storytelling, knowledge sharing, and digital technologies in African contexts. It explores how traditional and modern forms of communication intersect, highlighting the cultural, social, and technological factors shaping narratives and collaboration. A valuable resource for understanding the evolving landscapes of knowledge exchange in Africa.

This comprehensive study explores the complexities of managing transnational UNESCO World Heritage sites across Africa. It examines challenges such as cross-border collaboration, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, while highlighting best practices for safeguarding these invaluable assets. A vital resource for understanding the interplay between heritage, governance, and regional cooperation.

In the late nineteenth century, tens of thousands of porters carried ivory every year from the African interior to Bagamoyo, a port town at the Indian Ocean. In the opposite direction, they carried millions of meters of cloth, manufactured in the USA, Europe, and India. This book examines the centrality of the caravan trade, both culturally and economically, to Bagamoyo's development and cosmopolitan character, while also exploring how this history was silenced when Bagamoyo was instead branded as a slave route town in 2006 in an attempt to qualify it for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A representative collection of eighty-one myths and folktales chosen from the oral tradition of the peoples of Africa south of the Sahara. Originally published in 1970. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found i.

Set in postcolonial Sudan, this novel explores themes of identity, power, and cultural conflict through the story of a young man returning from studies in Europe. As he uncovers the enigmatic past of a fellow villager, the narrative delves into the complexities of colonial legacies and personal desires. A haunting and poetic examination of East-West dynamics and the human cost of cultural entanglement.

Set during Kenya's struggle for independence, this novel weaves together the lives of villagers grappling with betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption. As the country approaches Uhuru Day, secrets from the past come to light, revealing the complexities of loyalty and the human cost of freedom. A poignant exploration of colonialism’s legacy and the resilience of the human spirit.

This powerful play, set in colonial Nigeria, explores the clash between traditional Yoruba customs and British imperial rule. When a sacred ritual is disrupted by colonial authorities, cultural misunderstanding escalates into tragedy. Blending poetic language with profound themes of duty, identity, and loss, it is a timeless exploration of the consequences of cultural imposition and the resilience of tradition.

This collection of short stories captures the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad, exploring themes of love, identity, and displacement. With poignant prose and vivid characters, it delves into the intersections of culture, tradition, and modernity, offering a profound look at the human experience across continents.

Two decades before Zimbabwe won independence and ended white minority rule, thirteen-year-old Tambudzai Sigauke embarks on her education. On her shoulders rest the economic hopes of her parents, siblings, and extended family. and within her burns the desire for independence. She yearns to be free of the constraints of her rural village and thinks she's escaped when her wealthy uncle sponsors her schooling. But she soon learns that the education she receives at his mission school comes with a price.

Effia and Esi: two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself.