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Journal of African Cultural Studies

Aims and scope.

The Journal of African Cultural Studies publishes leading scholarship on African culture from inside and outside Africa, with a special commitment to Africa-based authors and to African languages. The journal focuses on dimensions of African culture, performance arts, visual arts, music, cinema, the role of the media, the relationship between culture and power, as well as issues within such fields as popular culture in Africa, sociolinguistic topics of cultural interest, and culture and gender. We welcome in particular articles that show evidence of understanding life on the ground, and that demonstrate local knowledge and linguistic competence. We do not publish articles that offer mostly textual analyses of cultural products such as novels, films and cultural festivals, nor articles that are mostly historical or those based primarily on secondary (such as digital and library) sources. As a leading journal in African humanities scholarship, we favour single-authored submissions. For further details, please contact the editor at africajacs[at]gmail.com

The journal has evolved from the journal African Languages and Cultures , founded in 1988 in the Department of the Languages and Cultures of Africa at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. From 2019, it is published in association with the International African Institute, London.

Journal of African Cultural Studies publishes original research articles. The journal also publishes an occasional Contemporary Conversations section, in which authors respond to current issues. The section has included reviews, interviews and invited response or position papers. We welcome proposals for future Contemporary Conversations themes.

Editorial on the past and future of JACS

This editorial announces a new phase in the life of the Journal of African Cultural Studies, and introduces the revised editorial and management structure as well as the journal’s affiliation with the International African Institute. Read the full editorial here. Read the full editorial here.

CALL FOR PAPERS: The Politics of Language in African Hip Hop. Guest Editor: Msia Kibona Clark

The question of language in African literature was debated in the 1960s and 1970s. At the heart of the debate was: who qualifies as being an African writer? and what qualifies as African literature? African authors like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Chinua Achebe weighed in on different sides of the debate. Today a similar debate is occurring in various hip hop communities in Africa. Similar questions have emerged: What are the qualifications for being classified as an African MC? and what qualifies as African hip hop? Read the full call for papers

JACS Special Issue: Campus Forms

For this special issue we seek research article-length contributions and other academic pieces (including interviews or photo essays) that investigate contemporary African literary and cultural approaches to the university as an idea, an institution, and a physical space. Read the full call for papers

Instructions for contributors

Please see further details at the Instructions for authors page

Editorial Board

Editor Carli Coetzee, IAI, UK

Editorial Board Moradewun Adejunmobi, UC Davis, USA Abimbola A. Adelakun, University of Texas at Austin, USA Bukola Aluko-Kpotie, SOAS, University of London, UK Karin Barber, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East, London, UK Msia Kibona Clark, Howard University, USA Ying Cheng, PKU, Beijing, China Naminata Diabate, Cornell University , USA Dominic Dipio, Makerere University, Uganda Louisa Egbunike, Durham University, UK Rotimi Fasan, Osun State University, Nigeria Chege Githiora, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya Alessandro Jedlowski, FNRS, Belgium Rebecca Jones, UK David Kerr, University of Johannesburg, South Africa Stephanie Kitchen, Managing Editor, IAI Sandra Manuel, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique Carmen McCain, SOAS, University of London, UK Grace A. Musila, Wits University, South Africa Stephanie Newell, Yale, USA Joseph Oduro-Frimpong, Ashesi University, Ghana Katrien Pype, KU Leuven University, Belgium Connor Ryan University of Bristol Lynn Taylor, UK Solomon Waliaula, Maasai Mara University, Kenya James Yeku, University of Kansas, USA , Helen Yitah, University of Ghana, Ghana

Objectifs et portée

La revue Journal of African Cultural Studies (JACS) publie des travaux de recherche de premier plan sur la culture africaine, tant en Afrique qu’en dehors de l’Afrique, avec un engagement particulier envers les auteurs basés en Afrique et envers les langues africaines. Notre politique éditoriale encourage une approche interdisciplinaire impliquant les sciences humanes et sociales qualitatives, y compris les sciences environnementales. La revue porte sur les dimensions de la culture africaine, des arts de la scène, des arts visuels, du cinéma, du rôle des médias, de la relation entre la culture et le pouvoir, ainsi que sur leurs sous-domaines tels que la culture populaire en Afrique, les sujets sociolinguistiques d’intérêt culturel, et la culture et le genre. Nous accueillons en particulier les articles qui attestent d’une compréhension de la vie sur le terrain, et qui démontrent des connaissances locales et des compétences linguistiques. Nous ne publions pas d’articles qui offrent essentiellement des analyses textuelles de productions culturelles tels que romans et films, ni d’articles essentiellement historiques ou principalement basés sur des sources secondaires (numériques ou de bibliothèque, par exemple).

Cette revue est née de la revue African Languages and Cultures , fondée en 1988 au sein de la Faculté des langues et cultures de l’École des études orientales et africaines (SOAS) de Londres. Depuis 2019, elle est publiée en association avec l’Institut africain international de Londres.

La revue Journal of African Cultural Studies publie des articles de recherche originaux. Elle publie également de manière occasionnelle une rubrique intitulée Contemporary Conversations, dans laquelle des auteurs réagissent à des questions d’actualité. Dans cette rubrique peuvent figurer des compte-rendus, des entretiens et des communications sollicitées ou des exposés de position. Nous vous invitons à proposer de futurs thèmes pour la rubrique Contemporary Conversations.

Éditorial sur le passé et l’avenir de la revue JACS

Cet éditorial annonce une nouvelle phase dans la vie de la revue Journal of African Cultural Studies, et présente la structure révisée de la rédaction et de la direction, ainsi que l’affiliation de la revue à l’Institut africain international. Retrouvez l’intégralité de l’éditorial ici. Retrouvez l’intégralité de l’éditorial ici.

APPEL À CONTRIBUTION: La politique de langue dans le hip hop africain. Rédactrice invitée: Msia Kibona Clark

La question de la langue en littérature africaine a fait l’objet de débats dans les années 1960 et 1970. Au cœur de ces débats figuraient les questions suivantes : qu’est-ce qui qualifie quelqu’un d’auteur africain ? et qu’est-ce qui qualifie quelque chose de littérature africaine ? Des auteurs africains comme Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o et Chinua Achebe se sont prononcés de différents côtés du débat. On assiste actuellement à un débat similaire au sein de diverses communautés hip hop en Afrique. Des questions similaires ont émergé : Qu’est-ce qui qualifie quelqu’un de MC africain ? Et qu’est-ce qui qualifie quelque chose de hip hop africain ? Lisez l’intégralité de l’appel à contribution

Numéro spécial de la revue JACS: Campus Forms

Pour ce numéro spécial, nous recherchons des contributions d’articles de recherche et autres œuvres académiques (tels qu’entretiens ou essais photo) qui examinent les approches littéraires et culturelles africaines contemporaines de l’université en tant qu’idée, institution et espace physique. Lisez l’intégralité de l’appel à contribution

Instructions aux contributeurs

Vous trouverez de plus amples informations sur la page Instructions aux auteurs

Comité de rédaction

Rédactrice

Carli Coetzee, IAI, UK

Comité de rédaction Moradewun Adejunmobi, UC Davis, USA Abimbola A. Adelakun, University of Texas at Austin, USA Bukola Aluko-Kpotie, SOAS, University of London, UK Karin Barber, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East, London, UK Msia Kibona Clark, Howard University, USA Ying Cheng, PKU, Beijing, China Naminata Diabate, Cornell University, USA Dominic Dipio, Makerere University, Uganda Louisa Egbunike, Durham University, UK Rotimi Fasan, Osun State University, Nigeria Chege Githiora, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya Alessandro Jedlowski, FNRS, Belgium Rebecca Jones, UK David Kerr, University of Johannesburg, South Africa Stephanie Kitchen, Managing Editor, IAI Sandra Manuel, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique Carmen McCain, SOAS, University of London, UK Grace A. Musila, Wits University, South Africa Stephanie Newell, Yale, USA Joseph Oduro-Frimpong, Ashesi University, Ghana Katrien Pype, KU Leuven University, Belgium Connor Ryan, University of Bristol Lynn Taylor, UK Solomon Waliaula, Maasai Mara University, Kenya James Yeku, University of Kansas, USA, Helen Yitah, University of Ghana, Ghana

Revista de Estudos Culturais Africanos

Objectivos e alcance.

O Journal of African Cultural Studies publica os principais trabalhos de investigação focados nos estudos sobre a cultura africana de pesquisadores de dentro e fora da África, com um compromisso especial com os autores residentes em Africa e com as línguas africanas. A nossa política editorial encoraja uma abordagem interdisciplinar, envolvendo humanidades, e ciências sociais qualitativas, incluindo ciências ambientais. A revista centra-se em dimensões da cultura africana, artes performativas, artes visuais, música, cinema, o papel dos media, a relação entre cultura e poder, bem como questões dentro de campos como a cultura popular em África, tópicos sociolinguísticos de interesse cultural, e cultura e género. São bem-vindos em particular, artigos que mostrem evidências de compreensão da vida no terreno, e que demonstrem conhecimentos locais e competência linguística. Não publicamos artigos que ofereçam principalmente análises textuais de produtos culturais como romances e filmes, nem artigos que sejam na sua maioria históricos ou baseados principalmente em fontes secundárias (como o digital e a biblioteca).

A revista evoluiu da revista African Languages and Cultures, fundada em 1988 no Departamento de Línguas e Culturas de África da School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Londres. A partir de 2019, passa a ser publicada em associação com o Instituto Internacional Africano, Londres.

O Journal of African Cultural Studies publica artigos originais de investigação. A revista publica também uma secção ocasional de Conversas Contemporâneas, na qual os autores respondem a edições actuais. A secção tem incluído revisões, entrevistas e artigos de resposta ou de posição. São bem-vindas propostas para futuros temas de Conversas Contemporâneas.

Editorial sobre o passado e o futuro da JACS

Este editorial anuncia uma nova fase na vida do Journal of African Cultural Studies, e introduz a versão revista da estrutura editorial e de gestão, bem como a afiliação da revista ao Instituto Internacional Africano. Leia o editorial completo.

CHAMADA DE ARTIGOS: A Política da Língua no Hip Hop Africano. Editor convidado: Msia Kibona Clark

A questão da língua na literatura africana foi debatida nas décadas de 1960 e 1970. No centro do debate estavam questões como: quem se qualifica como escritor africano? E o que se qualifica como literatura africana? Autores africanos como Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o e Chinua Achebe pesaram em diferentes lados do debate. Hoje em dia, está a ocorrer um debate semelhante em várias comunidades de hip hop em África. Questões semelhantes têm surgido: Quais são as qualificações para ser classificado como um MC africano? E o que se qualifica como hip hop africano ? Leia a chamada de trabalhos completa.

Edição Especial da JACS: Formulários do Campus

Para esta edição especial procuramos contribuições de artigos de investigação e outros trabalhos académicos (incluindo entrevistas ou ensaios fotográficos) que investiguem abordagens literárias e culturais africanas contemporâneas à universidade como uma ideia, uma instituição, e um espaço físico. Leia a chamada de artigos completa.

Instruções para os colaboradores

Por favor, veja mais detalhes na página Instruções aos autores

Conselho Editorial

Carli Coetzee, IAI, Reino Unido

Moradewun Adejunmobi, UC Davis, EUA Abimbola A. Adelakun, University of Texas at Austin, USA Bukola Aluko-Kpotie, SOAS, Universidade de Londres, Reino Unido Karin Barber, London School of Economics and Political Science, Reino Unido Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East, Londres, Reino Unido Msia Kibona Clark, Universidade de Howard, EUA Ying Cheng, PKU, Pequim, China Naminata Diabate, Universidade de Cornell, EUA Dominic Dipio, Universidade de Makerere, Uganda Louisa Egbunike, Universidade de Durham, Reino Unido Rotimi Fasan, Universidade Estadual de Osun, Nigéria Chege Githiora, Universidade Kenyatta, Nairobi, Quénia Alessandro Jedlowski, FNRS, Bélgica Rebecca Jones, Reino Unido David Kerr, Universidade de Joanesburgo, África do Sul Stephanie Kitchen, Editora-chefe, IAI Sandra Manuel, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Moçambique Carmen McCain, SOAS, Universidade de Londres, Reino Unido Grace A. Musila, Universidade Wits, África do Sul Stephanie Newell, Yale, EUA Joseph Oduro-Frimpong, Universidade de Ashesi, Gana Katrien Pype, Universidade KU Leuven, Bélgica Connor Ryan, University of Bristol Lynn Taylor, Reino Unido Solomon Waliaula, Universidade Maasai Mara, Quénia James Yeku, Universidade de Kansas, EUA, Helen Yitah, Universidade do Gana, Gana

Research Topics

Faculty, students, researchers and visiting scholars at UC Berkeley engage in a wide range of research on Africa. Politics, public health, conflict, human rights, environment, conservation, climate change, technology, religion and languages are just some of the areas covered. Over time, we will add various ways to explore the research done by UC Berkeley scholars. Currently, you can browse recent  Rocca Fellowship Awards ,  faculty profiles  and  CAS research activity . Below are links to scholars working in various African countries. We are constantly updating geo-coding.

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Cultures of Africa: Research

One of the central theoretical issues in the later prehistory of East African is the origins of precolonial urbanism and urban societies around 600 CE.  The East African coast played a crucial role in the Indian Ocean trade that linked East Africa, the Near East, and South Asia. The wealth accumulated by African merchants, who exchanged African products for foreign trade goods, formed the basis of complex urban polities on the coast beginning in the early 1st millennium CE.  These polities later had diverse and well-defined social hierarchies that incorporated social and religious elites, commoners, foreigners, and enslaved persons.  The elite managed and financed a complex and extensive interregional trade network. They also patronized specialized craft specialists, including ironworkers, coral miners, mangrove cutters, and sailors. They often monopolized ownership of the most productive land, which they then leased out to commoners, newcomers, and enslaved persons. They may also have financed specialized hunters in the hinterland to provide the bulk of the export trade goods from East Africa, including ivory, skins, rock crystal, slaves, and rhinoceros horns.

The East African coast is among the optimum places for studying the long-term processes of urbanization and the development of complex society in Africa.  Yet until the late 1980s, little was known about the role that indigenous peoples played in the development of complex coastal polities. Most histories had reconstructed a Persian and Arab society of conquerors and colonists who settled in East Africa for its trade opportunities. Late 19th- and early 20th-century scholars proposed that ruins found on the coast presented the material evidence for the early Asiatic colonization of East Africa. The primary reasons for acquiring trading colonies were to control long-distance exchange between Africa and Asia.

With the above concerns in mind, and seeking to practice a postcolonial archaeology that critically examined the viability of such constructs, Dr. Kusimba has carried out archaeological, ethnohistorical, and historical research on the Kenyan coast since 1986.  Although his research is centered at the ancient port city of Mtwapa his overall goal is to delineate the archaeology of the coastal region and especially the role of trade, technology in shaping urban cultures that emerged in the region.

On Technology Transfer: Invention and Innovation

Dr. Kusimba’s initial interest in coastal East Africa was to study the role of technology in the development of urbanism. His Masters and Doctoral research involved the field and laboratory research of iron production and its influence and impact on the evolution of urbanism.  His excavations at a number of sites have yielded a wide array of artifacts, including utilitarian pottery, tuyeres, crucibles, large volumes of smithing and furnace slag, and a relative small number of ceramic artifacts.  Subsequent laboratory analyses of iron artifacts show that more than 25% of the artifacts made and used on the Swahili coast were crucible steel.  The origins of crucible steel are not known with certainty, but the technology may have been developed in the Indian subcontinent in the late 1st millennium BCE

The crucible steel process was adapted in Southwest Asia in the 7th century CE and in Toledo, Spain, a little later. Early second millennium scholars, including Al Biruni in the 11th century and Al Tarsusi in the 12th century discuss the widespread use of the crucible steel process in the Islamic world, which included the East African coast.  The Swahili coast is known to have exported iron in quantity to India, as stated by Al Masudi and Al Idrisi.  Dr. Kusimba is convinced that the availability of fuel, ore, and skill made iron relatively inexpensive for African ironworkers to make, use, and take advantage of fuel shortage in Arabia and India to corner the market.

Urbanism on the East African Coast

Five decades of archaeological study documents the long-term processes of urbanization and origins of complex society in Eastern and Southeastern Africa. Archaeologists and historians have accumulated enormous data on the development of urbanism in the region.  These studies have shown that early cities emerged along the East African coast (EAC) from Somalia to Mozambique around CE 500, results that show the effectiveness of a postcolonial archeology that has methodically deconstructed the much favored colonial theory that urbanism came with foreigners in the 2nd millennium CE. The residents of the EAC included farmers, fishers, traders, scribes, rulers, and enslaved persons. Wealth from Indian Ocean trade was the main catalyst for the rapid development of urbanization on the EAC. Equally important in its emergence was the commercial and cultural dialog maintained between the East African coast and hinterland African peoples (Mutoro 1998; Pearson 1998). The residents of these cities and states were initially drawn from different language groups, but in time, one language, Kiswahili, became the dominant language. Introduced to the EAC around CE 800, Islam gradually expanded to become the primary religion and means of elite cultural expression by the time of European contact in CE 1500.

Economic and social interaction among diverse groups who made their living from hunting, herding, farming, and iron working laid the foundation from which international trade exchange systems interlocked.  By the end of the 1st millennium CE, the EAC had become a regular partner in the millennia old long-distance exchanges that reached as far as the Arabian Peninsula, India, Sri Lanka, and China, postcolonial interpretations that incorporate African agency and the seriously diminish a colonial archeology that privileged the idea that foreigner traders were the primary agents of change. By the 13th century, there had emerged an African urban elite that financed, managed, and controlled local, regional, and interregional trade and communications along the East African seaboard. Innovations in ironworking aided agricultural intensification and specialization in hunting, fishing, and herding. These changes improved the quality of life and precipitated population growth and economic prosperity. In the late 15th century, however, the EAC became embroiled in a long- standing conflict between Christendom and Islam, represented by the Portuguese and Omani Arab mercantile interests, and a rivalry for control of Indian Ocean commerce that led to the economic crippling of East Africa.

Large urban sites on the EAC were often located at the mouths of rivers or near estuaries, inlets, and offshore islands. However, within the hinterlands of these large urban areas are smaller rural village communities that were linked to the large settlements. Beyond the hinterlands, these cities were connected to wider eastern, central, and southeastern African forager populations, agrarian and pastoral communities as well as chiefdoms and states through a complex network of interaction spheres.

Dr. Kusimba’s contribution to the urbanism debate involved the survey and excavation of Mtwapa, a modest port city built around the 10th century CE. Located 15 km north of Mombasa, Mtwapa was one of the major ports and distribution centers linking the hinterland and the coast from CE 1000–1750

The city was abandoned after 1750 following the effects of the Little Ice Age and the decline in international maritime trade. Our research, carried out between 1986 and 1997, has established Mtwapa as an important site in Swahili history. Full coverage survey of the site revealed that the town’s original size was 9 ha. Only 3.6 ha of the site remain. Mtwapa was one of the few large coastal towns that were directly linked to the mainland. The town was located on a creek or river, by the same name that was navigable for about 20 km inland. This location enabled the residents to trade directly with other peoples of the coast. The river was deep enough to allow both large and small vessels to sail upstream and trade directly with hinterland peoples. Compared to island towns like Mombasa, Lamu, Pemba, and Zanzibar among others, Mtwapa’s location allowed direct trade between foreign merchants and hinterland peoples. Hinterland peoples were also likely to exercise some power in the affairs of the town since they could circumvent other towns’ rules which tended to restrict access to foreign traders and merchants to only the towns elites. In this sense, Mtwapa’s location minimized local elite middleman’s role and made it a place where trader friendly rules were likely to develop. Minimal monopoly over access to foreign and hinterland traders provided opportunities for those with the entrepreneurial spirit, making this one of the most ethnically diverse town on the EAC with an historical profile that contributes much to a postcolonial archaeology that deconstructs the essentialized notions that foreign traders and elites dominated trade relations.

Ruined cities, like Mtwapa, Gede, Takwa, and Kilwa, bear witness to one of the finest hours of African precolonial history. This was a period in which Africans interacting with each other and with others from across the Indian Ocean exchanged ideas, traded items, and occasionally intermarried to create one of the most truly cosmopolitan communities in the world. This was a time in which many historians and archaeologists have claimed that Africa had very little contact with the outside world and that whatever contact there was one normally represented as unequal, the north providing the ideas and inventions with Africa always receiving but giving nothing in the way of ideas—only raw materials and the brute force of its enslaved labor. Postcolonial archaeologies, however, create a different angle of view—one that opens new understandings of African roles and agency.

The Mtwapa houses were designed as private residence in which intimacy increased as you move from the courtyard to the inner room. A typical Swahili house will have had a courtyard, three narrow rooms, and two toilets. One entered the house from a street into the courtyard. Most of the activities, including cooking and washing of dishes and clothing were carried out in the courtyard. A visitor to house in Mtwapa at 1450 CE could have been met by his/host at the courtyard. Depending on the nature of relationship, the visitor was likely to be waited on in the courtyard or outer room and entertained there. Trusted visitors who had been friends with the family for a longer time would have been entertained in the inner rooms. The inner room was by far the most private and intimate place in the Swahili house. This would have been used by the women in the household. The outer rooms were reserved for men. In this sense, Mtwapa subscribed to a wider pan Islamic practice of privacy, commonly referred to as the intimacy gradient (Donley-Reid 1984)). What is the relevance of the intimacy gradient for understanding this culture? It means that breaking into and becoming part of the inner circle was very difficult for outsiders. Yet, surprisingly, anthropologists have found it very convenient to propose that Swahili society was founded by foreigners and that they did so merely by marrying the daughters of the ruling clans without the use of force. Our work continues to show that ideas like these are based on impaired understandings of cultural dynamics and will have no place in a 21st-century postcolonial African archaeology and anthropology.

Establishing Biological Genealogies of the Swahili Peoples

Dr. Kusimba’s research has involved the full-coverage survey and mapping and excavation of residential, workshop, and mortuary locales the site. The enormous volume of artifacts recovered are enabling researcher to gain insight into the kinds of objects that were produced, consumed, and traded. Excavations at the town’s main cemetery have led to the recovery of nearly one hundred human remains.  The results from ancient DNA extracted from these remains will enable D. Kusimba and his colleagues to tackle the long-controversial question of the identity of ancient urban residents of the coast.

For decades the identity of the early Swahili residents has, without any biological anthropological evidence, been declared to have been non-African—an attribution and central feature of the historical narrative widely accepted to be true.  Dr. Kusimba is convinced that these skeletons provide the “smoking gun” for the question, who were the founders of Swahili cities?

In the Mtwapa specimens, Dr. Janet Monge has observed some unique characteristics. The cranial remains of adults reveal that there is both a minimal development of the canine fossa and marked reduction on the excavation of the maxillary notch.  These features are concomitant with the strong expression of mid-facial prognathism.  In the dentition, both biological-based and cultural patterns reveal similarities between the Mtwapa specimens and those of sub-Saharan Africans. Lahr (1996) had noted the dental metric characteristic of minimum reduction in both the mesial/distal (M/D) and buccal/lingual (B/L) dimension of the third molar (M3) in comparison to the first molar (M1) in sub-Saharan Africans. This characteristic also distinguishes Middle Eastern from African populations and are present in most of the samples analyzed.

Research on this project is ongoing but the preliminary evidence is providing the clearest indication of the indigenous affinities of the inhabitants of Mtwapa.

Coastal and Hinterland Connections and Interactions

What was the relationship between the coastal cities like Mtwapa and their more rural hinterland? To address this question, long submerged under the colonial focus on the coast vis-à-vis foreign lands and skewed representations of the Nyika as a hostile, unpopulated zone, Dr. Kusimba has carried out a full-coverage survey in the immediate hinterland of Mtwapa along Mtwapa Creek and found fifteen villages that were contemporary to Mtwapa. Dr. Kusimba’s ted excavated three sites, all of which yielded a stylistically distinct material culture showing the villagers’ independence from nearby Mtwapa port town. Other associated material culture including beads, iron artifacts, and fauna suggest close networks of interaction between Mtwapa’s residents and their counterparts in the immediate hinterland

Both urban and rural hinterlands played crucial roles in exchange networks with cities.  They functioned as producers of trade items, for example, iron, salt, gold, and ivory as well as collection centers for other items from further inland, such as skins, cola nut, and enslaved persons. Relationships between the coastal cities and their hinterland were primarily a relationship of equals, with the city providing finished manufactured goods in exchange for hinterland products, inducing the hinterland to enter into the regional economy voluntarily. To get the maximum profit from trade proceeds, the city sought to produce as many goods as possible, through techniques which hinterland peoples could not duplicate.  For example, Swahili craft specialists produced textiles, cowry shells, sugar, brass wire, iron tools, and shell beads, specifically for hinterland markets. Unequal and coercive relationships between cities and their hinterlands reported elsewhere in Africa are absent on the coast.

Comparisons between coastal and inland pottery traditions here and in the Tana Delta have confirmed the cultural connections across the hinterland of the coast.

Beyond Self-Contained Urbanscapes: Prvileging Africa Peoples

One of the ironies of East African history is that explanations about urbanism—mostly founded on foreign trading and traders—completely ignored economic and cultural interchange with interior communities. Dr. Kusimba’s research, along with that of other colleagues, such as Henry Mutoro in the Kaya settlements, George Abungu at Wenje on the Tana River, Bertram Mapunda in Western Tanzania, Jon Walz in Usambara, Tanzania, and Innocent Pikirayi in the Zimbabwe, shows that the rise of urbanism must account for the most economically crucially important trading partner—the East African interior.

To address an historical portrait born out of colonial preoccupations over external influence, Dr. Kuismba initiated fieldwork in the Tsavo region 150 km east of the Kenyan Coast in 1997. Tsavo was an ethnically and economically diverse area well into the early 20th century. The historic peoples of the Tsavo mosaic include the Waata, understood historically to be peripatetic foragers; the Wataita agriculturalists of the terraced uplands of the Taita Hills; the Wakamba agropastoralists; and the Oromo pastoralists.

According to oral traditions of local groups, the original inhabitants of Tsavo were hunter-gatherer dwarves, called Wambisha, who lived in caves and rockshelters, forged iron tools, and hunted elephants with poisoned arrows.  When the ancestors of the Wataita arrived, they forged relationships of trade with the Wambisha. Over the years, many other groups moved into the region. Some stayed on but other moved elsewhere. All have left an indelible influence of the Tsavo ecosystem, which archaeology is beginning to unveil. Currently, Tsavo is claimed as homeland by Waata, Oromo, Wataita, and Wakamba.  The Tsavo people have maintained strong ties with each other and with their neighbors on the coast. These networks of interaction are visible archaeologically by the traded objects we have recovered through excavations and by ethnographic research showing interdependence during peaceful as well as during times of crisis.

The Oromo came from Ethiopia to present-day Kenya by the 15th century CE. Swahili and Mijikenda ethnohistories relate Oromo supremacy on the coast and hinterland as far south as Pangani in Tanzania.  By the 19th century, the southern boundary of the extensive Oromo settlement system was the Athi-Sabaki-Galana. The Oromo, like other African groups, suffered from the ravages of the 18th and 19th centuries that included slave raiding, severe droughts, and diseases like rinderpest, trypanosomiasis, and malignant catarrhal fever—devastating their herds and reducing African population by almost 50%.   Charles Hobley (1929:177) suggested that “as they moved south down the Tana Valley they encountered diseases to which their cattle were non-tolerant, and eventually came into the malarious coast lands and became themselves decimated. … Their strength gradually ebbed, and they could not compete with the prolific Bantu races already occupying the area they had penetrated.”

The agropastoralist Wataita arrived from many different places, although four major groups settled on the slopes of the Sagalla, Taita, and Kasigau Hills; their identities remained distinct until the 20th century. Wataita oral traditions are dominated by narratives of how they dealt with numerous crises in their new homeland. Tragic stories of droughts, famine, disease, slavery, alliance building, social conflicts, betrayal, and cannibalism are told repeatedly by informants . Like other Tsavo groups, the Wataita claim to have participated in the coastal-hinterland trade as suppliers of ivory and skins to traders visiting the markets from the coast. They maintained inland markets in their areas by ensuring that they were accessible and secure. These inland markets, for example in Rukanga and Bungule, were located along permanent perennial streams and could have supplied fresh water, vegetables, fruits, and other services to long-distance caravan traders. They also could have served as collection centers for inland traders. In the later times, the Taita, like their neighbors, became victims of trade with the coast. Many were captured by Arab and Swahili traders and taken into slavery during the late 18th and 19th centuries. Their oral traditions about this period as well as their relationships with other groups form an important corpus of information about the history of the Nyika landscape. I found that systematic inquiry into these local histories reveals many heretofore unknown features of inter-group cooperation and how local peoples coped with the depredations of slave traders—truly the uncovering of subaltern histories.

Waata foragers, referred to pejoratively by their neighbors as Walyankuru (those who eat pig), spoke a dialect of the Oromo language. Waswahili, Mijikenda, and Waaita informants interviewed over the years have credited the ancestors of the Waata with possibly being the original inhabitants of Tsavo and the coast. Waata were adept in the use of bows and poisoned arrows for hunting. They have a reputation in East Africa for being great hunters and inventors of a poison so potent that it kills its victim by causing cardiac arrest, as opposed to destroying the nervous system. Its advantage was to limit the time hunters spend tracking their prey. When used in traps, for example, in killing a nesting ostrich, the meat is palatable even long after the prey dies from the poison. Waata hunters became professional poison makers and were greatly feared and respected. Thus, Waata poison at one time was one of the area’s most desirable trade items.

Negotiated social relations also played an important role in regional interaction. For example, the Waata would enter into a fictive kinship with the Taita in which each would sign an oath in a blood ritual witnessed by a shaman. The oath enabled the participants to become brothers or sisters and for their children to inherit those relationships. It would allow the groups to exploit resources in their neighbors’ country while enjoying the protection of the whole community. In this sense, blood brotherhoods enabled the exchange of ideas and knowledge, eased tensions arising from competition for resources, and provided access to technical and sacred knowledge (Herlehy 1984). Wataita elders interviewed in 2001 and 2002 admitted freely that without the compliance and permission of the Waata, they never would have learned the secret knowledge of elephant hunting that enabled them to benefit from lucrative ivory trade with coastal Mijikenda and Swahili traders.

Historically, Tsavo groups pursued different economic strategies in different regions of the ecological mosaic. They maintained their distinctive identities in spite of a high degree of trade and movement of people across community boundaries. Wataita and Oromo pastoralist groups were organized into patrilineal corporate groups; although these societies lacked ranking, significant authority was held by elder males who sought to accumulate cattle and land, and control their distribution. Consequently, intergroup conflict over wealth-building resources, such as cattle, coexisted with alliances for exchange of goods, information, and ritual power. Some forms of technical and practical knowledge, such as hunting techniques, poison making, and animal tracking were so prized that blood brotherhoods and secret societies controlled the spread of this sacred information—critical oral information for a better understanding of how alliance-building and information exchange occurred.

Archaeological investigations reveal long-term earlier interaction between interior social groups and coastal traders. Based on his surveys and excavations south of the Galana River in Tsavo East, Thorbahn (1979:272–273) proposed that coast-Tsavo contact from 1200 CE involved Tsavo hunters, who downed elephants for the ivory trade in exchange for coastal shells and glass beads. His hypothesis that Tsavo’s precolonial hunter-gatherers and sedentary horticulturists exchanged local hunting products for coastal goods is consistent with Wataita oral traditions (Isaak Mwachoga of Bungule and Murunde Mabishi of Jora, July 2002).

The results of Dr. Kusimba’s research in Tsavo, consisting of three seasons of survey and excavations, affirm some of Thorbahn’s (1979) findings. First, rockshelter habitations containing coastal shell, beads, and wild fauna indicate that as hunter-gatherers became more involved in coastal trade they also became more specialized in elephant hunting. Second, trade concentrated on animal products that were vulnerable to overexploitation. In East Africa, elephant herds declined, because the major export item from East Africa to India after 1500 CE was ivory.

Between 1507 and 1857, there was a rapid increase in ivory and slave exports from East Africa. Thorbahn’s research and our archival research suggest that the average size elephant tusk decreased through time, again indicating increasing elephant exploitation.  Elephant overhunting may also have led to tsetse fly infestation. In Tsavo, elephants are a keystone species. Their foraging controls the distribution of tsetse-infested bushland and maintains tracts of grassland that support a diversity of graze and game animals. As elephants were overhunted, habitats suitable for hunter-gatherers and food-producers alike would be replaced by tsetse fly–infested scrub. Tsetse flies carry trypanosomiasis, a disease fatal to cattle and people.  Tsetse-infested areas can only sustain small numbers of cattle.

Engaging Africa and its People

Engaging Ethnohitory and Ethnography in the Writing of African Archaeology

Dr. Kusimba’s is a firm believer in the importance of ethnography and oral traditions in research and writing of African history, given that such accounts are key to building alternative histories of local groups.  Aware that such subaltern histories hold many possibilities for enriching historical representations, he has carried out interviews with more than 200 elders, including sages, poets, chiefs, blacksmiths, midwives, elders, and potters, among others. The interviews with elders show the complexity and fluidity of ethnic identities. To manage crises and the inevitable conflicts that arose from competition over resources, Tsavo’s communities created a web of friendship, intermarriage, alliances, and blood brotherhoods and sisterhoods. These findings have implications for the interpretation of archaeological data such as social and symbolic use of spaces, local and regional exchange networks, and crisis management—a host of insights that are outside of the historical texts that draw a dominant focus in postcolonial studies.

Dr. Kusimba’s complementary applications of ethnographic research and archaeological excavations have guided him in best in his attempts to understand and reconstruct coast-hinterland interactions. For example, he is convinced that the elusive evidence of the collapse of precolonial trade would have been difficult to master without engaging the local histories.  He writes, “our informants’ memories of famine, warfare, and cattle raiding enabled us to correctly interpret transformations in technological and subsistence in post-17th-century Tsavo as resulting from intensified slave raiding”. For example, discussing the uses of caves and fortified rockshelters, Gibson Mwanjala (July 4, 2002, Mwakwasinyi) stated that in times of war, the elders, women and children, and livestock were secured in caves. In certain caves like, Mbanga ya Mafumo, cave of the spears, and Mbanga ya Ngoma, cave of the drums, are captured Maasai spears, bows, and arrows. These caves are well hidden, difficult to see, and protected by black magic. Some of the caves were large enough to have served multiple functions (Gibson Mwanjala, July 4, 2002, Mwakwasinyi). Simeon Mwanjala (July 4, 2002, Mwakwasinyi) was certain that some of the caves made better homes and were thus served as homes. Rockshelters with large overhangs were fortified and made into beautiful homes.

Wealthy people also built fortified houses in this rockshelters for their kept livestock up on the hills. Indeed, some informants recognize the multifunctional nature of the Kasigau cave and rockshelters (S. Mwanjala July 2, 2002, Mwakwasinyi). Ezeram Mdamu (July 3, 2002, Rukanga) pointed out the multifunctional nature and functions of the caves by enumerating their many functions. In his view, “Cave Mkagenyi was used to keep goats. Others were for shelter, some were for skulls, and some were used for hiding” (Ezeram Mdamu (July 3, 2002, Rukanga). A number of caves served as places to leave the sick and dying. For example, members of the family who were dying from highly infectious diseases such as cholera or leprosy would be taken to special caves and left there until they died. We were not shown any such cave in Kasigau but we visited two such caves in Mwatate Division. Caves also served an important purpose as hiding places of stolen livestock and/or kidnapped children and women from the neighboring Usambara people. In summing up, Mshiri, a schoolteacher at Rukanga primary school who is an accomplished ethnohistorian, stated, “Caves were used as permanent residences. They could accommodate many people. Many of the ancestral shrines were smaller and more secretive” (Mshiri July 2, 2002, Rukanga). Only with these testimonies was Dr. Kusimba able to explain settlement shifts from the well-watered valleys and fertile flood plans to the infertile but secure hilltops, caves, and fortification of rockshelters. Thus, the subaltern histories provide a key hook for the practice of a postcolonial archaeology that give life to this otherwise “deprived” landscape.  Thus “engaging local voices has enabled me to explain settlement shifts from the well-watered valleys and fertile flood plans to the infertile but secure hilltops, caves, and fortification of rockshelters. Oral traditions—documented to ensure local identities with specific accounts—enable us to explain why there was a dramatic shift in diet of the Tsavo peoples during that people from a preference for medium sized game non-migratory game including dik-dik, birds, like hornbill, frogs, and even possible cannibalism witnessed in the archaeological record at Kisio Rockshelter”.

Oral testimonies, then, provide key historical insights into a region of East Africa that has for too long been represented in the colonial metanarratives as void of settlement and interactions with the broader world. These subaltern voices, erased from historical literature because of colonial prejudices about the region, have remained submerged vis-à-vis the outside world but are still vital in the social world of communities in eastern Kenya today. Thus, a postcolonial archaeology—by listening to and recognizing subaltern voices—provides a potent antidote to historical misrepresentations while also showing how reformation of practice contributes to local community welfare.

The Archaeology of Slavery

On the Swahili coast, the nature of relationships between the cities and their hinterlands prior to CE 1500 were more inclusive, accommodating, and less coercive than the period between CE 1500 and 1900, which was characterized by warfare and the slave trade, combining to undercut the trading networks that had developed earlier (Kusimba 2004). After the collapse of the city-states in the 15th century following the conquest by the Portuguese mariners, the coast was colonized by the Portuguese and the Omani Arabs. Ivory and slave trade became the backbone for supporting the vast Portuguese dominion. Between 1770 and 1896, more than 833,000 people were exported from the East Africa (Martin and Ryan 1977). During the 19th century, about 313, 000 enslaved East Africans were exported to Arabia, Iran, and India (Austen 1989). Slavery cruelly transformed the lives of those taken into bondage as well as those left behind. The strong residues of this period, despite abolition in 1871, persist into modern times, to the point that today’s scholars in Kenya would rather not acknowledge material evidence of slavery.

By the 18th century, many towns and cities were abandoned due to international competition and conquest . The post-16th-century Eurafrasian encounter changed the course of history for Africa and Asia. There is little archaeological evidence in East Africa of new economic and infrastructural developments following the Portuguese arrival. In fact, the only major large-scale construction projects were the various fortresses built by the Portuguese and Arabs. Thus post-16th-century East Africa was characterized by steady decline. Along the coast, towns and cities declined, with silting in many ports from under use and low maintenance. Trading networks established over the previous centuries declined. Towns and cities ceased to be attractive, houses were steadily abandoned, and some were cordoned off for lack of tenants. Poorly maintained wells dried up. People abandoned city life for other areas, only to be disappointed. Both rural and urban economies were equally affected because of the interdependence developed over several millennia.

Urban and rural decline characterized by abandonment and relocation in East Africa speaks to the chaos caused by disruptions following European entry into the Indian Ocean commerce. Evidence for this disruption is drawn from many sources, chief among them the narratives of African peoples. I have suggested that African folklore, especially stories told to children, experienced a major shift from tales about happy-go-lucky animals that often outwitted people to those of cannibals, gnomes, trolls, and so forth. These stories instilled fear among the children and taught compliance; children learned to mistrust people from the other side of the hill—they ate children. This narrative shift speaks of declining security, which I link to the development of large-scale slave trade. What may have began as occasional disappearances because of low-level kidnapping developed into large-scale warfare that turned friends into foe (Kusimba 2006).

Dr. Kusimba’s  research at Kasigau, one of the four Taita Hills in southeastern Kenya (80 km, or a three-and-a-half-day march, from the coast) illustrates the significant changes induced by slaving. Before the 18th and 19th centuries CE, the people of Kasigau, including the Akamba, Oromo, Taita, and Waata, were active participants in trade networks with the coast. They supplied ivory, iron bloom, animal skins, cow hides, dried meat, rock crystal, and cereals, the bulk of trading items without which the elite of the coast would not have accumulated the wealth to maintain their ostentatious lifestyles and international outlook. In return, the Kasigau groups acquired cloth, beads, and other exotica. Caravans destined for the deeper interior often stopped to replenish their food and water stocks before heading on to Taveta and beyond. On the homeward voyage, Kasigau Hill signaled that home was not far away.

Kusimba’s archaeological surveys and excavations coupled with oral traditions at Mount Kasigau show strong evidence linking regional decline and collapse with the waxing of the slave and ivory trade. We have found dry stone architectural remains, fortified rockshelters, cave dwellings, sacred and ritual sites, market centers, cairns and graves along traditional caravan trade routes between the East African coast and interior. These provide material evidence for understanding the impact of slave trade on African societies and the responses taken by these societies to protect themselves from the scourge of slave trade. Full-coverage surveys and excavations of ten sites at Kasigau Hill show rapid abandonment of settlements in the plains and reoccupation of rockshelters, which were then heavily fortified. Smaller rockshelters surrounding Kasigau Hill were fortified and used as look-out areas. A decline in quality of life is indicated by: (1) a decline in the size of cultivable land per family; (2) a shift in mortuary practices—where a local tradition of disinterring the skulls of dead ancestors develops—Jefferson Maloti of Sungululu village, Wundanyi, indicates that this mortuary pattern was developed as a means to lay claims to land that was becoming increasingly scarce; (3) the penning of animals in caves and rockshelters for long periods without cleaning the pens; and (4) food insecurity indicated by reliance on sub-size, nonmigratory fauna such as rock hyraxes, dik-dik, and seasonal mollusks including frogs and birds.

In 1998, Dr. Kusimba and his colleagues excavated a Waata rockshelter called Kisio in Tsavo West National Park. Ethnographic accounts and oral narratives from the Taita, Akamba, and Oromo have portrayed the Waata as East Africa’s finest hunters and trackers, who invented a poison so potent that it killed an adult elephant in fifteen minutes. This advantage reduced hunters’ tracking time and made Waata poison one of the most desirable trade items among East Africans. He said “I had expected to recover an assemblage that would support such ethnographic claims”. Kisio excavations revealed two occupational periods with dramatically different assemblages. Ina deposit dating to 1,000 years ago, we found quartz, obsidian, and chert stone tools, pottery, and a very diverse combination of extant mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians representing twenty-one families. The fauna was characteristic of a hunter-gatherer population. We also recovered beads which showed contact with coastal traders.

The second Waata deposit, dating to 1750 CE, told a surprisingly different story. The finds included animal bones, stone tools, pottery, iron arrowheads, and shell and glass beads indicative of trade contacts with local and coastal traders. Faunal data revealed that the residents of Kisio subsisted largely on small nonmigratory mammals and birds, especially hornbill, hyrax, duiker, snail and bullfrog. These data conflicted with ethnographic data which portrayed the Waata as highly respected elephants hunters and makers of the coveted poison. Why had Kisio rockshelter residents turned to hyrax, frog, and snails at a time when they were highly respected partners in the ivory trade, providing the much needed poison for elephant hunting? Kisio is not the only site that displays changing patterns. Elsewhere agriculturists had abandoning their well-watered hill slope homesteads for the rocky and inaccessible mountaintops. Pastoralists left the flood plains and luxurious tsetse fly–free grazing lands and disappeared altogether from the lower Tsavo landscape.

Three excavated rockshelters provide clues as to what was occurring during the 18th and 19th centuries. These rockshelters are only a sample of fortified rockshelters and caves that surround Kasigau Hill. Fortification of rockshelters and caves appears to have coincided with declining trade with the coast and abandonment of the village settlements in the plains. Radiocarbon dates place the construction of their dry stone wall architecture in the late 17th and early 18th centuries CE. Excavations revealed comparatively few archaeological artifacts.

First, all fortified rockshelters date to the last 300 years, that is, they were constructed after the Portuguese conquest of the East African coast and the institutionalization of large-scale slavery and slave trade by Europeans and Arabs in Africa. The building of dry wall enclosures in rockshelters signaled a departure from traditional practice of erecting wooden frame enclosures or using open rockshelters as temporary camps. Second, all the enclosures have partitioned areas: one section for livestock—containing large amounts of dung on often uneven ground, and the other for people—with few or no dung piles, and cultural materials such as a wooden bed, hearth, pottery, gourds, and calabashes. Third, all three sites had an entrance and an exit. The exit was not always easily detectable from outside and appears to have been designed to allow occupants to leave the enclosure undetected. And fourth, dry stone walls were built by an elaborate system that involved a fairly deep foundation dug to the natural rock, a strong wooden frame firmly held together by twine from local tree barks, and termite clay to strengthen the wall, giving it an impregnable character. Efficiency, safety, security, labor mobilization, and cooperation seem to have been priorities in the design and execution of these enclosures.

How may we interpret the dependence of Waata hunters on lowly frogs and snails, and the construction, use, and abandonment of Kasigau fortified rockshelters? Oral traditions from local ethnic groups describe the 18th and 19th centuries as periods when waves of migration, interregional trade, economic interdependence, warfare, and raiding for cattle and slaves occurred among various peoples whose descendants now claim Tsavo as their homeland.

These histories are further bolstered by our reanalysis of ivory imports data made by the late Peter Thorbahn that show that periods of peak African ivory exports in India correspond to the abandonment of low-lying settlements to rock shelter residence in Tsavo (Oka,Kusimba, and Thorbahn In press). Moreover, periods of fortified site abandonment correspond to a decline in ivory trade to India (Oka, Kusimba, and Thorbahn In press; Thorbahn 1979). Taken collectively, these different forms of evidence reveal a society under siege for more than 400 years.

Oral traditions from fifteen elders living in the villages of Jora, Bungule, Makwasini, and Rukanga around Kasigau Hill are particularly poignant reminders of how the slave trade impacted the area. The market of Rukanga until the 19th century was a major regional market. People from the surrounding region came to trade twice weekly. The elders claimed that:

Arab traders would come to Kasigau to trade and pretend they wanted elephant tusks and rhino horns. The Arab traders would ask for porters to help carry it, at least part of the way, to the coast. They would carry ivory to a certain distance, where they would be ambushed by more Arabs. They would be shackled together in a chain gang and marched to the coast. This happened to all the Kasigau communities. For a long time the community thought that their people had been ambushed on their homeward journey, victim of the Maasai, so they did not take any action against the Arabs. They do not know what happened to these people. (Julius Mwasaule Kinona, June 26, 2002, Jora village)5

Such oral narratives clearly reveal a complex history before and during the slave trade that has left a legacy of bitterness and resentment in modern Kenyan society. Unlike the Atlantic slave trade, that of the Indian Ocean has received comparatively little archaeological treatment. Yet, much of the evidence of slavery’s impact on East African societies survives in both material remains and oral narratives, showing that a postcolonial archaeology that incorporates local histories is an important way to understanding contemporary attitudes in eastern Kenya about inter-ethnic relations.

Reflections on Slavery, Archaeology, and Local Narratives

Eighteenth- and 19th-century East Africa was punctuated by the ivory and slave trade, which caused widespread insecurity, fear, famine, and diseases that precipitated the collapse of farming and pastoral systems in East Africa. Interethnic warfare and cattle raiding disrupted long-held alliances and destroyed blood brotherhoods, while the high demand for ivory led to elephant overhunting. As more elephants were killed, they left a vacuum that they had maintained as key stone species. The once open savannah grasslands reverted to woodland scrub and forests, which were soon colonized by the tsetse fly, a carrier of the vector that causes sleeping sickness among people and trypanosomiasis for cattle and wildlife—a set of conditions that contributed to colonial representation of the region as an inhospitable zone devoid of human occupation..

Taita informants repeatedly told us tragic stories of droughts, famine, disease, alliance building, betrayal, social conflicts, cannibalism, and slavery. The slave trade minimized interethnic ties and trust among the most trusted neighbors. Gone were the days when one could leave a family in the custody of a neighbor without risking their sale into slavery. Narrating how the Kasigau and Akamba became ndugu wa chale , Steven Mjomba (July 3, 2002, Rukanga) revealed that the Kasigau forced the Akamba to have ndugu wa chale to ensure that their children and women placed in the custody of the latter, during hard times, would not be harmed or sold into slavery.

As lowlands became more inhospitable as a result of epidemic diseases and cattle and slave raiders, Tsavo peoples retreated into the hills and other tsetse fly–free habitats. The archaeological evidence is consistent with the oral accounts: The rockshelter sites exhibited little evidence for active trade, save for a few beads, suggesting little participation in economic interactions compared to earlier periods. This lack of a material connections to trade coupled with the evidence for defensive sites suggests a shift in the nature of relationships between Kasigau and the coast. Afraid of regular raids from better-armed and numerically superior enemies, the Kasigau people responded by moving up the hillsides and on hilltop and abandoned cattle herding in favor of goat herding.

Although many of the old alliances were breaking down, it is clear from the structural design and internal use of space in the enclosures that people cooperated to ward off the threat posed by an enemy determined to cause their extinction. As Kasigau Hill is ringed with rockshelters and caves, the majority of which are fortified with dry stone architecture, it is reasonable to conclude that these rockshelters were built for the purpose of housing guards or sentries who defended and warned people living on the hill tops of impending danger. Even if raiders made their way up, they would have had to fight their way down past “snipers” armed with deadly Waata poisoned arrows. In peaceful times, these shelters served as cattle and goat pens, a function they continued to perform long after the abolition of slave trade and establishment of British colonial rule.

Although Dr. Kusimba’s research in Tsavo reveals the horrors of slavery, it also points out ingenious ways in which people of the region resisted enslavement and continued to forge communities across ethnic boundaries. There are numerous fortified settlements in East Africa built during the 17th and 19th centuries that likely were responses to insecurities that prevailed in the region, representing a huge body of archaeological evidence not yet investigated. The complementary application of historical sources and oral traditions enable archaeologists to use local historical memories and associate them with archaeological findings. Known runaway slave settlements along the coast of East Africa and fortified settlements in the interior should form rich sources for an archaeology of slavery that complements the United States, South America, and the Caribbean, but from a distinctly African perspective—leading to a more direct understanding of the impact of slavery on relationships and life ways of the past and how it shaped the cultural and political landscape that is Africa today.

Postcolonial Archaeological Praxis in Africa

Dr. Kusimba’s research which honors both the voices of local peoples and rigorous scientific methodology, is successfully showing that the Tsavo landscape cannot be adequately understood using more widely practiced methodologies.  For example, the equation of hunter-gatherers/foragers with stone tools and iron and pottery artifacts with agriculturists does not hold up to close scrutiny. Our excavations in Tsavo consistently show stone tool using well into the 20th century alongside iron tools. The simultaneous use of stone tools and iron artifacts as well as guns go hand in hand in post-16th-century Tsavo and suggests that certain tasks such as cleaning of hides and grinding of cereals were more efficiently performed by stone tools, whereas hunting of elephants and other large game required poisoned arrowheads and butchering elephants might have required both stone and iron tools. When these artifacts are recovered at archaeological sites, their interpretation is easier once we have a clear understanding of how society then and now worked—a perspective shaped and enhanced by oral traditions.

Dr. Kusimba’s however, is very much aware that his privileged position as a research also has its shortfalls.  As he says, ”Studying cultures that make up the ethnic mosaic of one’s own historical experience may present advantages of engaging both the emic and etic perspectives. The chief advantage I have is language. My ability to speak several African languages, my empathy with the history of the people, and my interest in oral traditions have made me a better anthropological archaeologist than I would have been had I relied primarily on one methodology. Another advantage I have is the resources available to me by my employment in one of the world’s finest natural history museums, The Field Museum, Chicago. My colleagues direct research in many areas of the world and are guided by one simple principle: understanding the world and its people and what it means to be human. This intellectual and financial support has made archaeology in Africa a much easier task than it would have been had I been working from Kenya.

Senegambian Megaliths, Peoples, and Landscape: An Archaeological perspective

Contact Augustin F.C. Holl

Megaliths and Landscape in the Petit Bao-Bolon drainage, Senegal

The project aims to understand the genesis and development of the megalithic traditions of the Senegambia which spans 3000 years, from 1500 BC to AD 1500. The Senegambian megalithic zone is located in Central Senegambia, both in Senegal and the Gambia ( Figure 1 and 2).

Thousands of megalithic monuments distributed over an area measuring 150 kms north-south, from the river Gambia in the south and the river Saloum in the north, and 300 kms west-east, from the longitude of Kaolack in the west to the east of Tambacounda. These monuments are found in cemeteries of different size and shapes, preferentially located along water courses (figure 3)

The intriguing megalithic monuments from the Senegambia were visited from the end of the 19th century. Excavations were carried out in the first half of the 20th century by a number of avocational archaeologists. More rigorous field methodologies were implemented during the second part of the 20th century by G. Thilmans, Cyr Descamps, Alain Gallay et.al, and more recently by Luc Laporte and his team.  Megalithic monuments and burial practices have been shown to vary in time and space, in a time frame known to range from 200 BC to AD 1500. The monuments are partitioned into monoliths circles, stone circles, stone tumuli, and earthen tumuli. Their frequency and patterns of distribution vary from site to site. Burial practices are at the core of the research debate. Primary inhumations, simple and multiple, were assumed to have been the standard practice all over the megalithic zone as indicated by the evidence from Tiekene-Boussoura monoliths-circles in the central part of the megaliths zone where they were dated to 200 – 170 BC,  Mbolop Tobe earthen tumulus, Sare-Dioulde stone tumulus,  Sine-Ngayene monoliths-circles. The concentration of up to 56 individuals skeletal remains in the burial monuments from Sine-Ngayene and Sare-Dioulde was supposed to document unusual mass-graves pointing to the practice of human sacrifices (Thilmans et al 1980,  Gallay 2006, Gallay et al 1982, Laporte et al 2007-09). These challenging data were all obtained from interesting sites. The new research project launched in 2001 is regional in scope. It was designed to look at the interface between megalithic cemeteries location strategies and landscape in a manageable and well delineated study area: the Petit-Bao Bolon drainage in west-central Senegal.

The Sine Ngayene Archaeological Project

The spatial distribution of settlements, including the highly visible megalithic cemeteries, was part of the long-term construction of cultural landscape, with its economic, material, and symbolic implications. The study area, the Petit Bao-Bolong drainage was entirely surveyed, with all the recorded sites photographed and mapped (figure 4). Three megalithic cemeteries - Sine Ngayene, Ngayene II, and Santhiou Ngayene [Large, medium, and small]-, an habitation site, a quarry, and a iron-smelting were sampled, totally or partially excavated. The excavation of the small cemetery of Santhiou Ngayene is still on-going.  Its completion will end the field data gathering phase of the research project.

The project examines the nature, pace of development, and changes of the megalithic builders settlements, the build-up of the cultural landscape, mortuary practices, as well as demographic, nutritional and genetic profiles of the represented population. How and when did this settlement complex emerge? What were their mutual relationships? Did these different elements emerged from differential use and mapping of the land by the same local community? Alternatively, were they part of distinct steps in the use of the territory by different groups that happened to be located accidentally close to each other? Or still, could they have been paired as: (a) Habitation site – iron-smelting workshop; (b) Habitation site – Cemetery; or (c) Iron-smelting workshop – Cemetery? These are some of the questions addressed in this on-going research.

The intensive survey of the Petit Bao Bolong drainage has shown the regional settlement pattern to have consisted of small dispersed but close homesteads and hamlets. No evidence for large village sites has been found. These small-scale peasant societies who build impressive megalithic features to bury their deceased, can be expected to have devised a range of socio-cultural mechanisms to cope with access to critical resources, in this case prime agricultural land, the river for water and aquatic resources, and high grade iron ore for iron producers. Iron was used for the manufacture of agricultural tools as well as hunters/warriors gear. Cemeteries with monumental burial features were a key element of the Megaliths builders cultural landscape. They may have signaled the control and “ownership” of a spot or a stretch of land. The excavation of a larger sample of settlements , the detailed investigation of special purpose sites like iron-smelting workshops and quarries, and a fine grained analysis of mortuary practices will open a new vista on the complex working of Senegambian Megaliths builders’ communities. A bio-archaeological study of the collected human remains will provide access to past peoples “lives”.

The research is still at its beginning but there are some interesting preliminary results. The large 50 hectares megalithic cemetery of Sine-Ngayene, the best preserved site of the whole megaliths zone, is made of 52 monoliths-circles and 115 earthen tumuli (figure 5). The latter are for most completely eroded and leveled by centuries of agricultural work. Four new monuments were excavated in addition to the three monoliths-circles previously excavated by Thilmans et al (1980)

Laterite monoliths were obtained from quarries like this one, located at 1 km northeast of the cemetery of Sine Ngayene (figure 7). The number of broken and abandoned monoliths point not only to the technical knowledge and skill required but also the permanent risks of failures due to the presence of un-seeing micro-cracks in the basement rock formation.

The central double-monolith-circle was in use from AD 700 to 1400, and went through four successive cycles starting with a large secondary burial with at least 25 individuals based on skull counts (AD 700 – 800), followed in cycle II by the preferential burial of a few selected limb bones (AD 800 – 900), then the burial of jaw bones signaled by an upside-down clay vessel in cycle III (AD 900 -1100), and finally, the construction of the smaller circle and the use of the monuments for offerings and rituals in cycle IV (AD 1100 – 1400) .

The use of this monument for rituals purposes is supported by the presence of the nearby “ceremonial space” dated to the same period.

Two earthen tumuli, both located in the central part of the cemetery were also excavated. One, tumulus SN-03-1 contained the remains of a 25 – 30 years old male, dubbed “the mighty warrior” buried with a “sword” probably in a leather scabbard across the chest, seven 30-45 cm long iron spears – the wooden part was not preserved -, an alloyed copper fine torque, and iron-handle of a stick (fig. 11). This remarkable burial is dated to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC, ie. 850 – 990 BC.

The second tumulus in the southwest flank of the cemetery had very poorly preserved human remains but an impressive array of jewelry in alloyed copper, essentially arms and ankle rings (figure 12). This burial is dated to the early part of the second half of the 1st millennium AD, ie. 650 – 750 AD.

The excavation of the 1.5 ha megalithic cemetery which contains some forty burial monuments has revealed an impressive diversity in the mortuary practices of the megaliths builders. At the present state of research, this site complex which includes an habitation site, and iron-smelting site, and a quarry located at approximately 1 km in the northeast, was in use from 1200 -1350 BC to 1500 AD.  Monoliths-circles and stone circles from this site were almost exclusively used for secondary burial of a few to several tens of individuals (figure 13 and 14)

The project  has a strong  bio-archaeological component, designed as  a systematic study of a population - in the statistical sense - in order to reveal its demographic profile - (Age, life-expectancy, Sex, stature) - its state of health and nutritional profile - (morbidity, infectious decease, nutritional stress, trauma) - and possibly migrations through isotope analyzes. Well conducted isotope analyses will help tracing the origins of people and address the vexing issue of migrations in the past and DNA analyses will help addressing the issue of “who” is buried with “who” in the same monument.

Selected references

Gallay A., 2006, « Le mégalithisme sénégambien : une approche logiciste », in C. Descamps et A. Camara, (éds.), Senegalia : études sur le patrimoine ouest africain, Paris, Sepia, pp. 205-223.

Gallay A., Pignat G., Curdy P., 1982, « Mbolop Tobé (Santhiou Kohel, Sénégal) : Contribution a la connaissance du mégalithisme sénégambien, Archives suisses d *’**Anthropologie générale*46, 2, pp. 217-259.

Holl A.F.C., Bocoum H., 2006, « Variabilité des pratiques funéraires dans le mégalithisme sénégambien : le cas de Sine Ngayène, in C. Descamps et A. Camara (éds) Senegalia : études sur le patrimoine ouest africain , Paris, Sepia,  pp. 224-234.

Holl A.F.C., Bocoum H., Dueppen S., Gallager D., 2007, “Switching Mortuary Codes and Ritual Programs: The Double-Monolith-Circle from Sine-Ngayene, Senegal,” Journal of African Archaeology 5, 1, pp. 127-148.

Laporte, L., H. Bocoum, R. Bernard, F. Bertin, V. Dartois, A. Delvoye, M. Diop, A. Kane, L. Quesnel, 2007-2009, Le Site megalithique de Wanar (Senegal). Afrique: Archeologie et Arts 5: 99-108.

Ozanne P., 1965, “The Anglo-Gambian Stone Circles Expedition,” Research Review 1, pp. 32-36.

Thilmans G., Descamps C., Khayat B., 1980, Protohistoire du Sénégal.  I. Les sites mégalithiques, Dakar, IFAN.

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African art research guide, african archaeology and rock art, african art at the smithsonian, african art exhibitions, african art galleries, african art history, african art journals, african artists, african artists: south african artists, african currency, african posters, african textiles, cultural property in africa.

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Museums with African Art Collections

Welcome to the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives' African Art Research Guide. This is a select list of freely-available resources for students, teachers, and researchers to learn about African art. Please feel free to Contact Us with suggestions for additional resources or with questions.

• Egyptian Art and Archaeology (University of Memphis)
• Trust for African Rock Art (TARA)
• National Museum of African Art
• Smithsonian's African Art Library catalog
• “African Voices” at the National Museum of Natural History
• Africa: The Art of a Continent (1996)
• African Art: Aesthetics and Meaning (University of Virginia)
• African Connections: Perspectives on Collecting Culture (Michigan State University)
• Contemporary African Art Gallery, New York
• October Gallery, London
• African Visual Arts (Stanford University)
• Art and Life in Africa  (University of Iowa project)
• African arts
• Revue noire
• African Crafts and Artisans
• AfricArt: Inventaire des Artistes Plasticiens Africains
• Harmon Foundation Contemporary African Art Collection  (U.S. National Archives and Record Administration)
• Artslink: the South African Arts & Culture Hub
• Artthrob's "Contemporary Art in South Africa"
• African Currency: John B. Henry’s African metal currency collection
• African Posters (Northwestern University)
• Kate Kent collection of West African textiles (Denver Art Museum)
• ICOM’s Red List Database of Looted Antiquities
• British Museum
• Musée du Quai Branly, Paris
• Musée royal de l’Afrique centrale, Tervuren, Belgium
• Museums in the United States with Collections of African Art
• Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

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100+ Africa-Based Sample Research paper, and Essay Topics

by  Antony W

September 22, 2020

Before going through some of the topics listed ​below. Please check the criteria of selecting a good research topic here .

Africa research paper topics

• Discuss the representation of “Africa Rising” as portrayed by the IMF, UN, and other international agencies vs the situation on the ground.
• Foreign aid in Africa: are the people who need it most really benefiting?
• Critically evaluate the role of foreign investment in an African economy of your choice.
• A united Africa: is it possible for African countries to unite under one flag? What would be the global ramifications?
• Critique the history of China in Africa.
• Discuss the deepened diplomatic relations between many African countries (e.g. Kenya) and the Western claims of Chinese neocolonialism
• Critique the representation of African cities in various media such as film, books, and documentaries. E.g. Louis Theroux’s “Law and Disorder in Lagos.”
• Critically assess “A Day on Addis Ababa’s Streets” by Felix Heisel concerning urban informality in Ethiopia.
• Unemployment in Africa and the corresponding increase in violence and crime: discuss.
• What do Africans think of their own borders in relation to migration, refugees, terrorism, etc.?
• With South Africa/Zimbabwe as an example, to what extend is migration an advantage rather than a disadvantage?.
• How does at 50 years of independence celebrations in African countries portray a sense of national pride or otherwise in various African countries?

Afro-pessimism

• Afro-pessimism and Black Fugitivity - explore the condition of Africans abroad as they try to dissociate from entrenched stereotypes and viewpoints.

Poverty research paper topics

• To what extent is the media representation of Africa’s poorest shaped the global view of the continent?
• To what extent has informality, poverty, and unemployment fuelled the chronic instability experienced in the African region?
• Despite rich natural resources, why does much of Africa remain desperately poor? Discuss.
• Poverty in Africa is a perennial problem that requires a paradigm shift in how it is addressed. Discuss.
• The ultra-rich in Africa invest in foreign assets and hide their money abroad, denying their own countries a chance at growth. Discuss. 
• What are the intersections between poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and other social ills?

Corruption essay ​topics

• To what extent has corruption in Africa stalled or even reversed socio-economic development?
• How effectively is Kenya fighting inbred corruption, especially in public governance?
• How is media portraying the extent of corruption in African country X?
• Has corruption in Africa become acceptable and even expected? Discuss.
• To what extent are Africans responsible for their own corrupt governments?
• Only a few “big men” in Africa reap the benefits of its natural resources. Discuss.
• “Foreign aid is hurting, not helping Sub-Saharan Africa.” Discuss.

Victimhood research paper topics

• Africans are often portrayed as victims of their circumstances. Discuss critically.
• Discuss generational victimhood in post-apartheid South Africa.
• To what extent is preferential treatment of Africans for scholarship programs merited? Discuss.
• Should former colonial powers make restitution for evils committed in the past? Discuss.
• Many African countries are still reliant on foreign powers for advanced technology such as vaccines, computer technology, etc. which makes them vulnerable. Discuss.

Violence essay ​topics

• How has ethnic violence in (African country) been misrepresented in global media channels?
• Africans in foreign countries such as China and the UAE face increased racial discrimination and violence. Critically evaluate this claim and suggest a solution.
• To what extent was the Rwandan Genocide a failure of the international community?
• To what extinct is global trade responsible for the conflict in Zimbabwe?
• Xenophobia in South Africa: discuss the long-term effects on global reputation and cooperation. 
• How has the media portrayal of ethnic violence in Africa shaped trade and tourism?

Post-colonial perspectives research paper topics

• Explore the representation of Africa by foreign media as uneducated, backward, or even barbaric.
• Discuss the “modern colonialism” as expressed by popular African writers.
• Define and explore the current views of Senegalese over the state of Senegal.
• Why do many Africans feel themselves to be still under some form of economic and political colonialism by the West?

Gender essay ​topics

• Discuss the role of the West in changing gender views and roles in African countries.
• The outdated curse of female genital mutilation in Kenyan tribal communities: discuss.
• Explore the changing gender roles in traditionally patriarchal societies in African communities.
• The increasingly important role of the youth in transforming Africa: discuss.
• The youth bulge in African country Y and its effect on the economy/society.
• Explore the traditional African representation of sexuality and its role in the current homophobia and anti-homosexuality legislation.

Sexuality research paper topics

• Discuss the emerging role of African women both locally and abroad. 
• Critically evaluate the statement: “Homosexuality is un-African.”
• Most African countries have very harsh anti-homosexuality laws. Discuss the role of the traditional cultural perspective in this. 
• Discuss how advances in health and technology have shaped the view of the modern woman in Africa.

Land essay ​topics

• Who owns the land: why is communal land perceived as being under threat from development and privatization in Africa?
• Discuss how outdated land tenure systems hinder economic development in country Z?
• Evaluate media evaluation of land grabbing in Uganda and the perspective of international media.

Investment research paper topics

• The foreign-funded development programs in Kenya and their effect on the economy
• Discuss the effects on foreign loans in African economies and their long-term effects.
• How did the infrastructure left behind by colonialists improve the economy of Nigeria?
• The place of Africa in international commerce: explore and discuss.
• The role of foreign agents in driving the economy of country Y.

Africa tourism essay ​topics

• How has targeted branding affected tourism in South Africa?
• To what extent is African country Y reliant on international tourism for economic stability and growth?
• With increased industrialization and modernization, describe how tourism in Africa is likely to be affected. Is it a boon for Africa to be modernized?

Africa branding research paper topics

• How successful has South Africa been in branding itself as a top tourist destination?
• The most exotic tourist destinations in Africa remain unknown or inaccessible, thus crippling tourism. Discuss.
• Just successful how would self-branding be to improve the global image of African countries?

Representation of Africa in films, books, etc.

• Discuss the representation of the South African middle class in “Pakathi - Soweto’s Middle Class.”
• Discuss the representation of the Nigerian civil in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun.”
• Critically discuss the portrayal of Africa in popular media such as movies. (Choose one, e.g. Black Panther.)
• Discuss how informality, employment, and poverty are framed in debates in the UN, various NGOs, and leading think tanks.

Charitable organizations in Africa essay ​topics

• Discuss how foreign aid to Africa impacts the rest of the world.
• “Foreign is just a tool of neo-colonialism.” Discuss.
• To what extent do charitable organizations in Africa promote or otherwise hinder indigenous economic growth? Discuss.
• Are charitable organizations biased against Africa and present an inaccurate picture of actual conditions?
• Are foreign and locally run charitable organizations in African being used to make a few individuals rich while the masses suffer? Discuss in relation to recent documentaries/articles published.

Bias in events reporting about Africa essay ​topics

• Critically analyze event reporting bias in Africa.
• “The West’s Lazy Reporting of Africa.” Discuss.
• To what extent can international media be trusted to provide impartial and objective coverage of major African events such as elections, civil wars, etc.?
• In dictator-run countries such as Uganda, how trustworthy are news as reported by local media vs international media?
• To what extent are Coronavirus statistics provided by international media reliable?

Nationalism and independence research paper topics

• Discuss nationalism and independence as portrayed in Kenya (or any other African country) @50 celebration?
• Critique the representation of nationalism as represented on the media regarding an African country of your choice.
• Discuss how a certain African country is promoting nationalism and a positive national image.
• Brain drain and patriotism: are educated Africans unhappy with their native land in terms of opportunities, security, and remuneration? Discuss.
• Many African students are studying abroad so that they can go back to Africa to help in its economic development. Discuss.

State ideology essay ​topics

• Discuss the state ideology of an African country of your choice.
• To what extent is state ideology in country X influenced by colonial values and perspectives?
• How well defined are state ideologies in African countries?
• Discuss pan Africanism/African socialism/political ethnicity.

Ethnicity research paper topics

• Explain what role ethnicity has played in the political environment in Kenya.
• Bane or boon: how is Africa’s diversity playing a role in the region’s socio-economic development?
• The story of Africa: how tribal leaders played a role in the governance of Africans during colonialism.

Politics essay ​topics

• How has “big man” politics shaped African country X?
• Dictators in Africa - why do Africans vote for the same oppressive leaders again and again? Discuss.
• Are African countries truly free politically? Discuss in relation to China’s deepened relations with an African country of your choice.
• Divisive politics and economic control - explore how divisive politics help to make African easier to rule from an objective standpoint.C

Genocide research paper topics

• Are international peacekeeping bodies turning a blind eye to conflicts in Africa due to self-interest?
• To what extent would the trial of African leaders accused of crimes against humanity be fair when tried in The Hague vs in their native land?
• The international community is more interested in ending terrorism and piracy than civil wars. Discuss.
• Would you say that Africa has learned its lesson from the 1994 Rwandan Genocide? How likely is it to happen again? Discuss.
• Ethnic and tribal clashes fuelled by the West have caused the death of millions in Africa over the past decade. Discuss. 

Need help writing a Research paper, ​or Essay on any of the above Africa-Based topics, please place your order here

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

58 African Diaspora Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best african diaspora topic ideas & essay examples, ✅ good essay topics on african diaspora, 📝 most interesting african diaspora topics to write about.

• Racism Evolution: Experience of African Diaspora As a result, distinct foundations fostered the necessity of inequality to establish effectiveness of inferiority and superiority complexes. To determine the effect of slavery and racism to modern society.
• Cinema of the African Diaspora The vast majority of African diaspora descended from people who were enslaved and shipped to the Americas during the Atlantic slave trade and the largest population are said to be in Brazil.
• Dance in the African Diaspora: History and Effects The dances the slaves performed were distinct in that they were against the culture of the slave owners and yet they were blended in with the culture of the slave owners.
• African Diaspora and the Black Church When we attempt to analyze the nature of spirituality in the African Diaspora, it is highly important to remember that the Black Church appeared as a response to slavery.
• Men and Women Equality in the African Diaspora Although the historic and social events and changes in the USA typical for the period of the 1960s-1980s contribute to the stating the ideals of civil rights and gender and racial equality, black women in […]
• African Diaspora and Globalization The concepts of colonialism and imperialism as the base of the progress of the racial capitalism traditionally depend on the racial discrimination toward the Africans moved to America as slaves and toward the developed Africans’ […]
• Globalization and Race: The Black Other and African Diaspora Some writers have tried to explore the contents of the book and why the “black other” is central in explaining the experiences of the African diaspora.
• Globalization, Survival, and Empowerment in the African Diaspora The objective of the essay is to show how colonialism and racial capitalism shaped the African Diasporic culture while, at the same time, transforming the Western culture.
• African Diaspora in the Modern World The explanation concerning African Diaspora as a process describes a continuous trend related to the formation of African Diaspora through migration where the Diasporas and Africa continue to maintain linkages. The African race as a […]
• The Significance of the ‘Black Other’ Concept for Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora Although the ‘black other’ concept can be operated in explaining the peculiarities of different African diasporas, the approaches to the discussion are various, and it is important to analyze the notion from the point of […]
• The Black Other and African Diaspora Experiences As a result, the immigration of blacks and the inter-play of influencing facets has resulted to complications of notions of race, identities and desire which are assumed and presumed in the revealing faces of experiences […]
• Globalization, Struggle, and Empowerment in the African Diaspora The tertiary migration of the African Diaspora was characterized by the movement of the people of African descent to urban areas.
• Globalization and Empowerment in the African Diaspora Black identity in the Liverpool area was the opposite of the English and British identity. This refers to the return of black seafarers and black women to Liverpool.
• African Diaspora as a Concept in Unfinished Migrations Thus, in their article “Unfinished Migrations: Reflections on the African Diaspora and the Making of the Modern World”, Patterson and Kelley provide the investigation of the African diaspora scholarship basing on the mentioned concepts, and […]
• African Diaspora as a Process and Condition According to Patterson and Kelley 2000, perception of diaspora in the African context is complex and plays out as both a process and a condition.
• African Diaspora: Gender Hierarchies and Global Race It is a process since it is constantly in the creation, and as a condition, it is located within the universal sexual category and hierarchies.
• Unfinished Migrations: African Diaspora Notion Discussions among intellectuals and scholars in the Diaspora field of study the definition of Diaspora is the mainly referred to the manifestation of dispersion.
• The Relations of African Authors and the African Diaspora
• The Link Between African Diaspora and National Belonging
• Major American Authors of the African Diaspora
• African Men and Women Within the Realm of the African Diaspora
• Culture and Intraracial Wage Inequality Among America’s African Diaspora
• The Correlation Between America’s African Diaspora and Labor Market Outcomes
• Dread History: The African Diaspora, Ethiopianism, and Rastafari
• African Diaspora Evolution: From Slaves to Modern Immersion of African Culture
• Gates’ And Wilson’s Theories on African Diaspora Musics
• Globally Spread African Diaspora Beyond Stereotypes
• How the African Diaspora Was Affected by the Slave Trade
• The Relationships Between Humanities and African Diaspora
• The Problem of Human Rights in the African Diaspora
• The Importance of Identity in the African Diaspora
• The Power of Self Definition in Feminism of the African Diaspora
• Colonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora
• Race in Christopher Dunn’s “The African Diaspora”
• Overview of the Advantages of African Liberation
• Neo-Romanticism in Kevin Gaines’s “American Africans in Ghana”
• Brent Hayes Edward’s “The Use of Diaspora and African Diaspora” Analysis
• Conceptualizing the African Diaspora: Complications With Time, Space, Class, and Gender
• Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington’s Influences on the African Diaspora
• The African Diaspora and Its Effect on Afro-Latinx Community in the Reggaeton Music
• The Status of African Diaspora in the United States
• The Problems of the Women in the African Diaspora
• Who and Who Isn’t Home in the African Diaspora
• Stressing African American Importance Through Poetry
• The African Diaspora and The Eastern Andes: Adaptation
• Working the Spirit: Ceremonies of the African Diaspora by Joseph Murphy
• Environmental Influence of African American Diaspora
• Essential Differences in Terms of Black and African American
• Colonial Rule in the Life of Africans and Its Diaspora Advantages and Disadvantages
• Pan-Africanism and Communism: The Communist International, Africa, and the Diaspora
• Diaspora Consciousness in Manju Kapur’s “The Immigrant”
• The Search for Equality: Africana Womanism
• African-American Women: Understanding the Problems of Gender and Race
• How Did African American Culture Influence the Imperialism of Black Hair
• Image of African American Women in Modern Culture
• The Importance of African American Studies in Today’s World
• The Impact of World War I on African Americans
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Best 120 African American Essay Topics For A Brilliant Academic Paper

Crafting an essay on any topic from scratch is surely challenging. The situation is becoming even worse when it comes to creating papers on African American topics since this area is considered to be one of the most controversial for dozens of years. Fortunately, having a list of African American history research paper topics at hand will surely make your job much easier. Moreover, we’ve collected some basic hints on how to craft a paper on this type of topic in a fast and effective way.

Top Prompts On How To Compose An Astonishing Paper

Many learners are often feeling totally lost with an incredible number of requirements for their academic papers. However, keeping in mind these simple tips will help you create a well-structured essay at railway speed.

• Take a look at the professor’s instructions beforehand. There might be lots of African American concepts, ideas, and research topics available for your convenience.
• Choose African American research paper ideas and topics wisely. It is necessary to pick up an area you already have an idea about.
• Follow the traditional essay structure. Although you might choose a mind-blowing topic, it is still important to meet the basic requirements for the structure of your essay.
• Get only relevant information. Pick up data from only reliable sources. For example, textbooks on history or biographies.
• Put your knowledge into practice. There are tons of African American studies research topics you can choose from. However, it is better to cover the topic that is closely related to the area of your studies.
• Always check your paper for plagiarism. Even in case you are 100% sure to have a unique custom research paper , don’t forget to check its originality.

Excellent African American Essay Topics You Can Use Right Now

There is nothing new that African American history, culture, and traditions are among the most common topics for a whopping number of various academic assignments. Our experts split the themes for your convenience, so feel free to pick up the field you need and grab a topic easily.

African-American Education: The Historical Overview

When choosing African American history research paper topics, the first field you can begin with is the history of education. The development of African-American schooling, the rights of learners, as well as the conflicts between black and white students, are among the most popular topics described in college essays.

• Social Justice for African American Kids that Are Looking For Education
• All-white Colleges and Schools: Easy Ways To Eliminate The Gap
• Black Schooling: The Evolution of Rights of Learners Throughout the United States
• Historically Black Universities and Colleges
• Race and Social Mobility In The U.S.
• The Problem Of Racism At Schools in The 20th Century
• The Way African American People Got An Access To Education
• The Evolution Of African American Education During The Era Of Slavery
• The Changes In Schooling In The 19th Century
• The Challenges Of Black Learning In the Past Century
• The Way To Anti-Slavery Society and Free Rights For Education
• The Challenges Of African-free Schools
• The First Black Students In The History of The United States
• Social and Legal Restrictions On Receiving Education In The Past
• The Problem Of Academic Racism In The Country’s History
• Race and Freedom To Travel
• The Educational Problems Of African American Students
• The Conflict Between Black And White Students In The 20th Century

African Americans In Different Regions

There is nothing new that different states have various laws and rights offered to African Americans. African American research paper topics on the slavery issues in different states, black vote, and street life of black in various cities are often chosen by students for creating essays.

• African American Movement For An Access To Education in Texas
• The Detroit Rioters of 1943
• African American Movement For An Access To Education in Manhattan
• Education Reform In Chicago in 60th
• African American Movement For An Access To Education in Kansas
• The Problems Of Black Detroit
• The Problems Of Slavery In Florida
• African American Movement For An Access To Education in Mississippi
• An Education Of African Americans In New Orleans
• African American Movement For An Access To Education in North Carolina
• The Rise Of Black Leadership In Chicago
• The Black Urban Life In New York
• An Access Of African Americans to Florida’s Beaches
• The Problems Of Black Vote in Kansas
• The Development Of African American Rights
• African American Life At Bronx At The Beginning Of The 20th century
• African American and Jewish Struggles in New York City
• Black American Street Life In New York
• African American Movement For An Access To Education in Different States

African American History Research Topics On Slavery In The U.S.

The era of slavery is considered to be one of the toughest periods in the history of African Americans. Land ownership, the rights of slaves, women and child slavery, and trade relations are among the most discussable topics to write about.

• Slave Revolts In American History
• The Results Of The Most Successful Slave Revolt
• The Lives Of African Americans During The Slavery Period
• The Rights Of African Americans During The Slavery Period
• The Problem Of Children Slavery
• Taboos For African Americans During The Slavery Period
• The Education During The Era Of Black Slavery
• The Rights Of Women During The Period Of Slavery
• Economics of Slavery
• The Trade Relations During The Slavery Times
• The Role Of African Slavery In The History Of The U.S.
• The Period Of Slavery In South Carolina
• The Land Ownership During Slavery Period
• Freeing Slaves Movements
• The Slavery Laws
• The Problem Of Women Slavery
• Caribbean Slavery
• Slave Markets
• American Colonies
• The History Of Slavery
• Equal Rights Movements In The U.S.
• The Explanation Of Slavery

African American Research Topics: The Race Relations

The relations between the people of different races and nationalities have been a subject for discussions for years. Not only these topics cover the relationships between black and white but it might be also a good idea to describe the facts about African Americans and Jewish, or African Americans and Latinos.

• Latino and New York Black Relations
• Black America: The Past and The Future
• The Conflict Of Black and White In The Modern Society
• The Difference Between The Black and White Cultures
• The Impact Of African Americans and Latins On American Culture And Traditions
• The Issues Between Black, White, and Latin Students At Modern Schools and Colleges
• The Pros and Cons Of Multiracial Marriages
• The Rights Of Black And White In Different Country’s States
• The Racism Problem and Its Impact On Employment
• Bullying And Racism At Schools
• Making Friends With People Of Other Race
• Ways To Stop An Employment Discrimination
• Black-Jewish Relations
• Black Leadership
• Does Race Still Matter?
• The Black and White People In Politics
• The Conflict Of Generations Among African Americans
• The Problem Of Environmental Racism
• The Rights Of Black People
• Racial Liberalism

African American Studies Research Topics: The Culture

The culture and traditions of African Americans are incredibly diverse. African American women in culture, pop music, theater, sports, cinema, and screenwriting are not the only topics you can describe in your essay.

• Black Popular Music
• Popular African American Painters
• The Most Popular African American Singers
• African American Pop Culture
• Famous Black American Actors
• Famous Black American Actresses
• World Known African American Musicians
• Famous Black American Painters
• World Famous Black American Creators
• Black American Screenwriters
• Famous African American Theater Actors
• The Problems Of African American Theater
• World Famous Black Sportsmen
• African American Women In Sports
• Famous Black Baseball Players
• Famous Black American Football Players
• World Known African American Basketball Players
• Famous Black Swimmers
• The World Of Running: Top Black Runners
• African American Traveling
• The Jazz Age: Black Musicians
• Legends Of African Americans

Civil Rights Movement Topics

Civil War is one of the most well-known events in the history of Black Americans. The life of African American soldiers, the rights of black people before and after the war, as well as the struggles of common people are among the most burning questions discussed by historians.

• African Americans And Latino Civil Rights Movement
• African American Soldiers During The Civil War
• Civil Disobedience
• Civil Rights And Constitution
• Struggles Of The African Americans After The Civil War
• Civil Rights Act
• The Problems Of Black People After The Civil War
• The Results Of The Civil War For African Americans
• The Main Reasons For The Civil War

Important Historical Persons African Americans

There are thousands of remarkable persons, world leaders, and famous sportsmen among African Americans. These are talented African American actors, singers, musicians, theater players, and other creative people you can write about.

• Frederick Douglass
• Henrietta Lacks
• Ida B. Wells
• Martin Luther King
• Sojourner Truth
• Zora Neale Hurston
• George Floyd

How To Create Papers On African American Studies

Creating any type of academic paper requires doing advanced research, pointing out the most important facts, and come up with the results of the analysis combined with your own thoughts. The key to creating a superior essay on African American studies is to keep loyal to all the races.

Many students find it extremely difficult to bring all their findings to a perfect shape. Moreover, lots of learners require some assistance in content structuring and essay revision. In case you need writing a essay paper that meets all the requirements of the professor, you’ve come to the right place. Our experts can create a top academic paper for you from scratch and provide you with a polished and 100% original essay before the deadline.

REFERENCES:

• Books on African American studies  
• African American historical figures 
• Civil Movement Timeline 
• African American Explorers 
• Biography African Americans 
• Causes of the Civil War 
• Slavery in America: top facts

African American Literature Research Paper Topics

This article provides a comprehensive guide to African American literature research paper topics , highlighting the depth and richness of this vibrant literary tradition. From historical narratives of slavery and the Harlem Renaissance to modern themes and the future of Black literature, the piece offers a structured approach for students seeking research directions. In addition to topic suggestions, it offers insights into selecting the perfect topic, crafting a compelling research paper, and the invaluable services provided by iResearchNet. Whether a novice or an expert, this article serves as a definitive resource for delving into the heart of African American literary discourse.

100 African American Literature Research Paper Topics

African American literature, with its rich tapestry of experiences, histories, cultural shifts, and iconic personalities, provides fertile ground for research. As students and scholars navigate this field, the potential for discovering nuanced arguments and insights is boundless. Here is a comprehensive list divided into ten categories, each boasting ten intriguing African American literature research paper topics that could shape your next research paper:

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1. Historical Contexts:

• The Evolution of African American Literature from the 18th to the 21st Century.
• Literature of the Slavery Era: Voices of the Enslaved.
• The Harlem Renaissance: A Golden Age of Black Artistry.
• African American Literature during the Civil Rights Movement.
• Black Arts Movement: Literature as a Form of Protest.
• Depictions of Jim Crow Laws in African American Fiction.
• The Great Migration and its Influence on Black Writers.
• The Impact of the Reconstruction Era on African American Narratives.
• Literature of the Black Power Movement.
• WWII and the Portrayal of African American Soldiers in Literature.

2. Iconic Writers and their Works:

• The Universal Themes in Langston Hughes’ Poetry.
• Zora Neale Hurston’s Ethnographic Approach in “Their Eyes Were Watching God”.
• The Dual Consciousness in W.E.B. Du Bois’ Literary Works.
• Maya Angelou: Literature as a Tool for Healing and Empowerment.
• The Metaphorical Landscape of Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”.
• Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man”: An Exploration of Identity and Culture.
• James Baldwin’s Commentary on Race and Sexuality.
• Richard Wright’s Realistic Portrayal of Black Life.
• The Influence of African Culture in the Works of Chinua Achebe.
• August Wilson’s Ten-Play Series: A Chronicle of the Black Experience in America.

3. Genres and Styles:

• African American Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction.
• Jazz and Blues Influences in African American Poetry.
• The Rise of African American Autobiographical Literature.
• Black Drama and Theater: From the Page to the Stage.
• African American Romance Novels: Love in a Complex Social Setting.
• The Importance of Folktales and Myths in African American Short Stories.
• The Evolution of the African American Novel.
• Black Detective Fiction: Exploring Crime in the Inner City.
• The Role of Spirituality in African American Literary Fiction.
• African American Children’s Literature: Shaping Young Minds.

4. Themes and Motifs:

• The Quest for Identity in African American Literature.
• Love, Pain, and Resilience: Common Themes in Black Literature.
• The Role of Religion and Spirituality in African American Narratives.
• The Motif of the Tragic Mulatto in African American Literature.
• The Role of Nature in African American Poetry.
• The Intersection of Race and Gender in Black Women’s Literature.
• The Concept of ‘Home’ and ‘Exile’ in African American Literature.
• Literature’s Depiction of Black Masculinity and Femininity.
• Economic Inequality in African American Fiction.
• The African American Family Dynamic in Literature.

5. Modern and Contemporary Works:

• Hip Hop Culture and its Influence on Modern Black Literature.
• Contemporary African American Literature in the Digital Age.
• The Role of Literature in the Black Lives Matter Movement.
• LGBTQ+ Representation in Modern African American Literature.
• The Influence of African American Literature on Modern Pop Culture.
• Black Literature in the Post-Obama Era.
• African American Literature’s Response to Police Brutality.
• The Influence of Social Media on African American Poetry.
• African American Literature in the Age of Globalization.
• The Future Trajectories of African American Literature.

6. Comparative Literature:

• African vs. African American Literature: Themes and Differences.
• African American Literature in relation to Latin American Literary Movements.
• The Shared Themes of Oppression in Black and Indigenous Literatures.
• Comparative Analysis of Black Literature from Different Continents.
• African American and Asian American Literature: Intersections of Race and Identity.
• Parallels between African American Literature and South African Apartheid Literature.
• The Influence of British Literature on African American Writers.
• Themes of Resistance: African American and Palestinian Literatures.
• African American Literature and the Caribbean Literary Tradition.
• Shared Struggles: African American and Irish Literature.

7. Adaptations and Influence:

• The Impact of African American Literature on Hollywood.
• Stage Adaptations of Iconic African American Literary Works.
• The Influence of Black Literature on Music, especially Hip Hop and R&B.
• How African American Literature Shaped Modern Fashion Trends.
• African American Literature’s Influence on Visual Arts.
• The Role of African American Literature in Academic Curricula.
• The Adaptation of African American Novels into Graphic Novels and Comics.
• Television Series Inspired by African American Literary Classics.
• The Global Impact of African American Literature.
• African American Literature in Multimedia: From Video Games to Virtual Reality.

8. Critical Theories and African American Literature:

• Postcolonial Readings of African American Texts.
• Feminist Approaches to Black Women’s Literature.
• Queer Theory and African American Literary Criticism.
• Marxist Interpretations of African American Literature.
• Applying Psychoanalytic Theory to Black Literary Works.
• Deconstructing Race: Structuralism and African American Texts.
• African American Literature through the Lens of Critical Race Theory.
• The Eco-critical Reading of African American Nature Poetry.
• Posthumanism and African American Science Fiction.
• African American Literature and the Postmodernist Approach.

9. Literature and Activism:

• Literature as a Tool for Social Change in the Civil Rights Era.
• The Black Arts Movement: Artistry and Activism Hand in Hand.
• Writers as Activists: The Dual Roles of Iconic African American Authors.
• The Role of Journals and Magazines in Promoting Black Literary Activism.
• African American Literature and Environmental Activism.
• Black Literature’s Response to the Prison Industrial Complex.
• African American Literature’s Role in Feminist Movements.
• Literature’s Response to Racial Health Disparities.
• African American Literature and Economic Justice Activism.
• The Influence of Black Literary Societies in Advocating for Equality.

10. Pedagogical Approaches:

• Teaching African American Literature in High School: Benefits and Challenges.
• Incorporating Black Literature into a Diverse College Curriculum.
• The Role of African American Literature in Promoting Critical Thinking.
• Strategies for Making African American Texts Relatable to Non-Black Students.
• The Importance of Context when Teaching Historical African American Texts.
• Interactive Methods for Teaching African American Poetry.
• Utilizing Multimedia Tools in Teaching Contemporary Black Literature.
• Addressing Controversial Topics in African American Literature in the Classroom.
• The Role of African American Literature in Promoting Empathy and Cultural Awareness.
• Evaluative Techniques for Assessing Understanding of African American Literary Themes.

This list, while comprehensive, is but a starting point. The expansive nature of African American literature ensures that scholars and students alike can find a topic that resonates deeply with their interests and academic pursuits. Whether you’re delving into historical narratives, analyzing literary techniques, or examining the socio-cultural impacts of certain works, African American literature offers a profound journey of discovery.

African American Literature

And the range of research paper topics it offers.

African American literature, rooted deeply in the history and experiences of a people who faced extreme adversity, has evolved into a potent voice of resilience, creativity, and resistance. This vast literary field mirrors the collective struggle for identity, civil rights, and cultural acknowledgment, echoing centuries of pain, hopes, dreams, and triumphs.

The genesis of African American literature lies in the evocative spirituals, work songs, and oral traditions passed through generations. These were more than just rhythmic tunes or recounted tales; they were resonant chronicles of anguish, desire for freedom, and an indomitable spirit. The oral traditions of storytelling, tracing back to African roots, relayed stories of ancestors, imparted wisdom, and offered hope in times of despair. With the transition from the African continent to the Americas due to the brutalities of the transatlantic slave trade, these stories underwent a metamorphosis, reflecting the new harrowing realities of life in chains.

As the nation approached and then moved past the Emancipation Proclamation, written narratives began to emerge. Autobiographies and firsthand accounts of life under the yoke of slavery became a literary weapon. Works such as Frederick Douglass’s “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” and Harriet Jacobs’ “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” provided chilling glimpses into the inhumanity of slavery. These narratives, while highlighting the horrors, also emphasized the resilience and determination of those who resisted and survived.

The dawn of the 20th century saw the emergence of the Harlem Renaissance, a glorious epoch where African American culture, especially literature, blossomed in full splendor. This was not merely a literary movement; it was a cultural reawakening. Writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay began exploring themes of racial pride, urbanization, and the nuances of the Black experience in America. Their writings, be it poetry, novels, or essays, encapsulated a newfound cultural confidence and an unapologetic embrace of Black heritage.

The subsequent decades, especially the tumultuous 1960s and the Civil Rights era, bore witness to literature that was heavily activist in tone. Authors like James Baldwin, with his incisive commentary on race and sexuality, and Toni Morrison, with her profound explorations of Black identity and trauma, set the literary world alight. Maya Angelou’s autobiographical works celebrated Black womanhood’s multifaceted nature, while Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” laid bare the intricacies of racial invisibility and identity.

Contemporary African American literature continues to evolve, breaking new ground and venturing into previously uncharted territories. Octavia Butler’s foray into science fiction challenges racial and gender norms, while Colson Whitehead’s speculative narratives provide alternative historical perspectives with profound insights.

Given this vast and layered literary canvas, the spectrum of African American literature research paper topics is boundless. Scholars and students can journey through historical epochs, understanding the societal shifts and their implications on literary themes. They can dissect the works of iconic figures, charting their evolution and impact. Themes like migration, urbanization, love, trauma, and racial identity recur across eras, offering opportunities for comparative studies. Moreover, the adaptability of African American literature in various media forms, from the silver screen to haunting melodies, presents a multidisciplinary approach for research.

In essence, African American literature stands as a monumental testament to a people’s journey from chains to freedom, from invisibility to acknowledgment. It offers a plethora of avenues for academic exploration, ensuring that every research endeavor within its realm is a deep dive into cultural, historical, and literary richness.

How to Choose African American Literature Research Paper Topics

Choosing the right research topic is akin to embarking on a literary journey. When you’re venturing into the vast realm of African American literature, the sheer depth and diversity of potential subjects can be both inspiring and overwhelming. How do you zero in on a topic that not only captivates your interest but also offers scope for extensive research and fresh insights? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this important decision-making process.

• Understand the Purpose: Before anything else, clarify the objective of your research paper. Is it to critically analyze a specific work or author? Perhaps you’re aiming to explore broader themes or trends across decades or genres. Having a clear understanding of your research goal will significantly narrow down your topic options.
• Dive into Preliminary Reading: Engage with primary texts, anthologies, and critical essays to familiarize yourself with the landscape of African American literature. This initial exploration will introduce you to recurring themes, influential authors, historical contexts, and evolving narratives.
• Identify Your Passion: What moves you? Is it the raw emotion in Maya Angelou’s poetry, the speculative realms created by Octavia Butler, or the historical intricacies in the works of Colson Whitehead? A topic that you’re genuinely passionate about will make the research process more engaging and rewarding.
• Consult Secondary Sources: Academic journals, critiques, and theses offer critical discussions on various African American literature research paper topics. These can inspire new perspectives or help refine your chosen subject.
• Check for Feasibility: A topic might be intriguing, but it’s essential to ensure there’s enough information available for in-depth research. Check libraries, online databases, and literary journals to see if your chosen topic has substantial resources and references.
• Seek Diversity: African American literature is enriched by a multiplicity of voices – from urban tales to rural narratives, from historical accounts to futuristic visions. Consider exploring lesser-known authors or texts to bring fresh perspectives to your research.
• Consider Interdisciplinary Approaches: African American literature often intersects with fields like history, sociology, music, and politics. An interdisciplinary approach can yield richer insights and set your paper apart.
• Engage in Discussions: Conversations with peers, professors, or literary enthusiasts can spark new ideas or refine existing ones. They might introduce angles you hadn’t considered or highlight potential pitfalls in your chosen topic.
• Stay Updated: The world of African American literature is dynamic. New critiques, interpretations, and discussions emerge regularly. Stay updated with the latest literary journals and forums to ensure your research is contemporary and relevant.
• Revisit and Refine: Once you’ve chosen a topic, revisit it after a period of contemplation. Refining and narrowing it down further can lead to a more focused and impactful research paper.

The rich tapestry of literature offers a myriad of African American literature research paper topics for exploration. While the abundance of choices can be daunting, a systematic approach to topic selection can ensure that your research is not only academically rigorous but also personally fulfilling. Always remember that the journey of delving deep into literature, understanding nuances, and unearthing new perspectives is as rewarding as the final paper itself. Let your passion for the subject guide you, and you’re sure to embark on a memorable academic adventure.

How to Write an African American Literature Research Paper

Embarking on a research paper about African American literature is not just an academic endeavor, but a deep dive into a world of struggle, triumph, resilience, and unparalleled creative expression. This vast realm of literature is imbued with historical significance and offers profound insights into the Black experience in America. As you begin your scholarly journey, here are ten pivotal tips to guide you in crafting a compelling and insightful research paper.

• Lay a Strong Foundation: Start with an illuminating introduction. A powerful opening, whether it’s a relevant quote from a notable African American author or a provocative question related to your topic, will engage your readers instantly. Following this, provide a brief backdrop of the historical or societal context relevant to your subject before zeroing in on your thesis statement.
• Prioritize Organization: An organized structure is pivotal. Depending on the breadth of your topic, categorize your paper either chronologically, thematically, or based on specific authors and works. Incorporate clear subheadings to enhance readability.
• Root Your Claims in Evidence: Every assertion or claim you make should be substantiated with concrete evidence, whether from primary texts, scholarly articles, or critical essays. Ensure all quotations and references are appropriately cited.
• Embrace Multiple Angles: Present a comprehensive view of your topic by integrating various literary criticisms or perspectives. This showcases not only the depth of your research but also your holistic understanding of the subject.
• Maintain Cohesiveness: Seamless transitions between sections and ideas are crucial. This ensures your paper reads fluidly, guiding your reader effortlessly from one point to the next.
• Engage in Deep Analysis: Surface readings won’t suffice. Dive deep into the layers of the text, examining elements like symbolism, historical context, or character development. Understand the sociopolitical influences on the works you’re studying, be it the Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Movement, or other significant epochs.
• Conclude with Purpose: Your conclusion should not merely be a recap. While revisiting your main arguments is essential, also aim to provide a broader perspective, hinting at the broader implications of your research or suggesting potential avenues for further exploration.
• Attention to Detail: Once your draft is complete, scrutinize it for clarity, logical flow, and coherence. Ensure that there are no grammatical or syntactical errors marring your work.
• Consistent Citation: Depending on the prescribed format – APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard – ensure that every source, be it primary or secondary, is consistently and correctly cited. This lends credibility to your paper.
• Seek Feedback: Before final submission, consider having your paper reviewed by peers, mentors, or educators. Fresh eyes can offer invaluable insights, catching oversights you might have missed.

In conclusion, delving into African American literature for research is both an honor and responsibility. The richness of this literary tradition offers a unique lens into the Black experience, a testament to centuries of resilience, creativity, and cultural evolution. As you put pen to paper, remember that you’re not just crafting an academic document but contributing to a dialogue that spans generations. With passion, diligence, and adherence to these guidelines, your research paper will undoubtedly stand as a commendable addition to this ongoing conversation.

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Research in African Literatures

Edited by Kwaku Larbi Korang

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Journal Information

• Keywords: African Culture, African Literature, African Studies, Arts & Culture, Literary Studies, Modern Literature, Narratives, Poetry, Secularism, Theology

Description

Research in African Literatures , founded in 1970, is the premier journal of African literary studies worldwide and provides a forum in English for research on the oral and written literatures of Africa. In addition to thought-provoking essays, reviews of current scholarly books appear in every issue, often presented as critical essays, and a forum offers readers the opportunity to respond to issues raised in articles and book reviews. Thematic clusters of articles and frequent special issues reveal the broad interests of its readership.

• Editorial Details
• Submission Info
• Publication Ethics
• Abstract & Index
• Additional Information

Editorial Office Contact Information

• Kwaku Larbi Korang (The Ohio State University)

Associate Editors

• Adélékè Adéèkó (The Ohio State University)
• Cheik Thiam (The Ohio State University)

Managing Editor

• Molly Reinhoudt

Past Editors

• Bernth Lindfors (The University of Texas, Austin, 1970-89)
• Richard Bjornson (The Ohio State University, 1990-92)
• F. Abiola Irele (The Ohio State University, 1992-2003)
• John Conteh-Morgan (The Ohio State University, 2003-08)

Advisory Board

• Susan Z. Andrade (University of Pittsburgh)
• Kofi Anyidoho (Universitiy of Ghana)
• Rita Barnard (University of Pennsylvania)
• Laura Chrisman (University of Washington)
• Gaurav Desai (University of Michigan)
• Simon Gikandi (Princeton University)
• Kenneth W. Harrow (Michigan State University)
• Waïl Hassan (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
• Anthonia Kalu (The Ohio State University)
• Catherine Kroll (Sonoma State University)
• Ruthmarie H. Mitsch (Managing Editor, RAL, 1989-2012)
• Lydie Moudileno (University of Pennsylvania)
• H. Adlai Murdoch (Tufts University)
• Patrice Nganang (Stony Brook University)
• Obioma Nnaemeka (Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis)
• Tejumola Olaniyan (University of Wisconsin)
• Anjali Prabhu (Wellesley College)
• Ato Quayson (Stanford University)
• Micheline Rice-Maximin (Swarthmore College)

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130 African Americans Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

When it comes to discussing African American history, culture, and contributions, there is a wealth of topics to explore. Whether you are writing an essay for a history class, a social sciences course, or simply want to delve deeper into the African American experience, here are 130 essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your research and writing:

• The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
• The impact of the Civil Rights Movement on African American communities.
• The Harlem Renaissance: A cultural and artistic movement.
• The contributions of African American musicians to American music.
• The role of African American athletes in breaking racial barriers.
• The history and significance of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
• The influence of African American cuisine on American food culture.
• The portrayal of African Americans in popular media and its effects.
• The role of African American women in the suffrage movement.
• The experiences of African American soldiers in World War II.
• The impact of African American literature on American literature as a whole.
• The history and impact of African American churches.
• The contributions of African American scientists and inventors.
• The challenges faced by African American activists in the fight for equality.
• The impact of African American art on the art world.
• The achievements and contributions of African American educators.
• The role of African American musicians in shaping popular music genres.
• The history and significance of African American quilting traditions.
• The representation of African Americans in the criminal justice system.
• The impact of African American vernacular English on American language.
• The history and influence of African American hair culture.
• The contributions of African American dancers to the world of dance.
• The role of African American women in the Civil Rights Movement.
• The history and impact of African American fraternities and sororities.
• The portrayal of African Americans in literature throughout history.
• The experiences of African American immigrants in the United States.
• The impact of African American playwrights on American theater.
• The contributions of African American athletes to Olympic history.
• The role of African American women in the feminist movement.
• The influence of African American fashion on popular trends.
• The history and impact of African American folktales and storytelling.
• The representation of African Americans in the healthcare system.
• The contributions of African American architects to American cities.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of jazz.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on American business.
• The experiences of African American students during the era of school desegregation.
• The portrayal of African Americans in film and television.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of medicine.
• The role of African American women in the fight against police brutality.
• The impact of African American writers on American literature.
• The history and influence of African American gospel music.
• The contributions of African American activists to the LGBTQ+ movement.
• The role of African American artists in challenging racial stereotypes.
• The experiences of African American soldiers in the Vietnam War.
• The impact of African American athletes on college sports.
• The history and significance of African American hair braiding.
• The representation of African Americans in politics and government.
• The role of African American musicians in the development of rock and roll.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the beauty industry.
• The experiences of African American students in historically white schools.
• The history and influence of African American spirituals.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of psychology.
• The role of African American women in the Black Lives Matter movement.
• The impact of African American poets on American literature.
• The history and significance of African American step dancing.
• The portrayal of African Americans in advertising.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of technology.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of hip-hop.
• The experiences of African American women in the workforce.
• The impact of African American athletes on professional sports.
• The history and influence of African American hair straightening techniques.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of environmental activism.
• The role of African American artists in highlighting racial inequality.
• The experiences of African American soldiers in the Korean War.
• The impact of African American politicians on local communities.
• The history and significance of African American drumming traditions.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of engineering.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of blues.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the tech industry.
• The experiences of African American students in predominantly white universities.
• The history and influence of African American spoken word poetry.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of sports broadcasting.
• The role of African American women in the fight for reproductive rights.
• The impact of African American playwrights on contemporary theater.
• The history and significance of African American dance traditions.
• The portrayal of African Americans in reality television.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of education reform.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of reggae.
• The experiences of African American women in the STEM fields.
• The impact of African American artists on the art market.
• The history and influence of African American hair care products.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of social work.
• The role of African American musicians in the development of funk music.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the fashion industry.
• The experiences of African American students in historically Black colleges.
• The history and significance of African American tap dancing.
• The representation of African Americans in the healthcare industry.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of space exploration.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of soul music.
• The impact of African American athletes on the Paralympic Games.
• The history and influence of African American hair braiding.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of social justice.
• The role of African American women in the fight against environmental racism.
• The experiences of African American soldiers in the Gulf War.
• The impact of African American politicians on national policies.
• The history and significance of African American drum circles.
• The portrayal of African Americans in video games.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of aviation.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of rap music.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the food industry.
• The experiences of African American students in historically Black sororities and fraternities.
• The history and influence of African American call-and-response traditions.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of criminal justice reform.
• The role of African American musicians in the development of gospel music.
• The impact of African American athletes on international sports.
• The history and significance of African American hair extensions.
• The representation of African Americans in the fashion industry.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of urban planning.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of R&B music.
• The experiences of African American women in the entertainment industry.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the music industry.
• The history and influence of African American spoken word poetry slams.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of environmental conservation.
• The role of African American musicians in the development of electronic music.
• The impact of African American athletes on the Special Olympics.
• The history and significance of African American hair salons.
• The portrayal of African Americans in children's literature.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of computer science.
• The role of African American musicians in the evolution of funk music.
• The impact of African American entrepreneurs on the film industry.
• The experiences of African American students in historically Black marching bands.
• The contributions of African Americans to the field of LGBTQ+ activism.
• The role of African American musicians in the development of country music.
• The impact of African American athletes on the X Games.
• The representation of African Americans in the gaming industry.

As you can see, there are countless topics to explore when it comes to African American history, culture, and contributions. Choose one that resonates with you, conduct thorough research, and craft a compelling and insightful essay that sheds light on the rich and diverse experiences of African Americans throughout history.

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Exploring Afro American History: 50 Engrossing Research Paper Topics

Table of contents

Embarking on the academic journey to explore the rich tapestry of history starts with one significant step - choosing the right research topic. This selection process can often feel overwhelming, especially given the breadth and depth of the subject at hand. It becomes even more critical when the focus is on a topic as important and nuanced as Afro American history.

This field's significance is highlighted by some intriguing statistics, underscoring the growth of interest and the broader academic investment in studying Afro American history. This is further validated by the trend towards student-directed learning, where students' choice in their research topics plays a pivotal role in their engagement and overall success.

Quick Stats:

• Over 700 US institutions offer History degrees.
• Nearly half of all history graduates pursue advanced studies.
• Afro American History became a recognized university subject in the late 1960s.
• Over the past decade, Afro American History PhDs have increased by 33%.
• Student engagement significantly improves when they are allowed the liberty to choose their own research topic.

This article intends to guide you through this initial step by compiling a list of 50 diverse research topics within Afro American history. With such a variety, you'll be sure to find a subject that ignites your passion and curiosity, setting the stage for insightful and engaging research. Let's delve into this fascinating world together...

50 History Research Paper Topics

As we delve into our list of 50 history research paper topics, we've divided them into categories based on broad time periods and specific aspects within Afro American history for better understanding and easier navigation.

Ancient Civilizations and Early Empires

• The Role of Ancient Egypt in Shaping Afrocentric Historical Discourse
• Trade Routes in Ancient Africa: An Analysis of the Trans-Saharan Trade
• Influence of the Ancient Nubian Kingdom on Modern African Cultures
• The Mali Empire and Its Influence on Modern West African States
• The Significance of the Ethiopian Aksumite Empire in World History

The Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

• Afro-Moorish Influence on European Renaissance
• African Kingdoms during the Age of Discovery: An Analysis of Diplomatic Relations
• African Diaspora in the Ottoman Empire: A Forgotten History
• The Role of African Slaves in the Islamic Golden Age
• Queen Nzinga: A Symbol of Resistance against Portuguese Colonialism

Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition

• Comparative Study of Slave Resistance Movements in the Caribbean and United States
• The Middle Passage: Investigating Its Long-term Psychological Effects
• The Role of Quilombos (Maroon Societies) in Resisting Slavery in Brazil
• The Underground Railroad: Stories of Courage and Liberation
• The Impact of Abolition Movements on the Civil War

Reconstruction Era and Jim Crow

• The Promises and Failures of the Reconstruction Era
• African American Legislators during Reconstruction: A Closer Look
• The Origins and Impacts of Jim Crow Laws
• The Great Migration: Causes and Impacts on Urbanization
• The Role of Black Churches in Cultivating Black Culture during the Jim Crow Era

Civil Rights and Beyond

• Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott: A Spark to the Civil Rights Movement
• The Role of Student Activism in the Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr. vs. Malcolm X: Comparative Analysis of Their Strategies and Philosophies
• The Black Panther Party: Its Significance and Legacy
• Black Feminism and Its Role in the Civil Rights and Women's Rights Movements

Afro American History in Popular Culture

• Jazz and Blues: African American Influence on American Music
• The Harlem Renaissance and Its Influence on Black Literature
• Blaxploitation Films of the 1970s: Impact and Criticism
• Hip Hop as a Social and Political Movement
• African American Representation in Modern Hollywood

Contemporary Issues

• The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement on Contemporary Race Relations
• Police Brutality and the Birth of the Black Lives Matter Movement
• The Role of African Americans in U.S. Presidential Politics
• The Continuing Fight for Voting Rights in the 21st Century
• Economic Inequality among African Americans: Causes and Solutions

Personalities and Biographies

• Booker T. Washington vs. W. E. B. Du Bois: Their Ideologies and Contributions
• The Life and Legacy of Sojourner Truth
• Thurgood Marshall: His Impact on American Jurisprudence
• The Influence of Oprah Winfrey on American Media
• Barack Obama: A Detailed Look at His Presidency and Legacy

Local Histories

• Role of Afro Americans in the Development of Chicago's South Side
• Black Wall Street: The Rise and Fall of the Greenwood District in Tulsa
• African Americans and the Growth of Philadelphia's Music Scene
• The Influence of African Americans on the Culinary Traditions of the American South
• Afro Americans in San Francisco: From the Gold Rush to Silicon Valley

Comparative and Transnational Studies

• Comparing Civil Rights Movements: United States vs. South Africa
• The Influence of African American Culture on the Global Black Diaspora
• African American Soldiers in the World Wars: A Comparative Study
• Migration Patterns: African American and African Diaspora Compared
• African American and Indigenous Struggles: A Comparative Study

Remember that these topics are meant to inspire and guide you. Feel free to adapt them or narrow them down to suit your specific interests and academic needs. Each topic holds immense potential for deep exploration and critical analysis.

The Importance of a Good Research Topic in History

Picking the right topic for your research paper isn't just a preliminary step—it's a fundamental aspect of the entire research process. In history, as in any field, the choice of a research topic can significantly impact the quality, relevance, and interest of your work. Let's delve into why a good research topic in history is so important.

Firstly , a well-chosen topic can be the difference between a tedious task and an exciting journey of discovery. History is a vast field, stretching from the origins of human civilization to the events of yesterday. With such a broad scope, it's essential to choose a topic that resonates with you personally. A subject that captivates your interest will make the countless hours of research, analysis, and writing more enjoyable and rewarding.

Secondly , your topic determines the scope and focus of your research. A broad topic might seem appealing initially, but it can quickly become overwhelming, making it challenging to deliver a comprehensive and coherent paper. On the other hand, an overly narrow topic might restrict your research and limit the significance of your findings. Striking the right balance is crucial.

Thirdly , a good research topic can enhance your academic standing. A fresh and compelling topic can capture the attention of your professors, peers, and even future employers or publishers. It can help you demonstrate your knowledge, your critical thinking skills, and your ability to contribute to the field of history.

Finally , in the context of Afro American history, choosing a compelling topic is also a step towards addressing the historical gaps and biases in this field. It's an opportunity to shed light on under-researched events, figures, or periods, contributing to a more accurate, diverse, and inclusive historical narrative.

With all this in mind, the process of selecting a research topic should not be rushed or taken lightly. This blog post aims to help you in this crucial step by providing a diverse list of topic ideas and guiding you towards a choice that fits your interests, your academic goals, and the needs of the broader historical community.

7 Tips on Narrowing Down Your Topic for History Research Paper

After exploring the list of topics, you might have found one or several that piqued your interest. But remember, a good research paper isn't about covering a broad topic; it's about focusing on a specific aspect or question within that topic. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your chosen topic and make it more manageable and exciting.

1. Consider Your Interest : Make sure the topic you select is one you are genuinely interested in. Your passion will fuel your research and make the process much more enjoyable and less of a chore.

2. Research the Background : Do some preliminary research to understand the basics of your topic. This knowledge will help you identify a unique aspect that has not been covered extensively.

3. Find a Niche : The more specific your topic, the deeper your research can be. Try to find a niche aspect within your chosen topic. For example, if you chose the topic of the Harlem Renaissance, you could focus on the influence of this era on a specific author's work.

4. Ask Questions : Formulate some questions about your topic that you would like to answer. These questions can guide your research and help you maintain a focused perspective.

5. Check for Resources : Ensure there are enough resources available for your narrowed-down topic. If resources are scant, it might be challenging to provide a comprehensive analysis.

6. Consult Your Instructor or Peers : Discuss your chosen topic with your instructor or peers. They might provide you with valuable insights, suggest a different angle, or identify a gap in your proposed research.

7. Make It Debatable : A good research topic often involves some controversy or differing viewpoints. Making sure your topic has a debatable aspect will make your paper more interesting and compelling.

REMEMBER : your goal in selecting a topic is to make your research paper as strong and engaging as possible. So take your time in this process, and choose a topic that aligns with your interest and offers a fresh perspective on a particular aspect of history.

Choosing a captivating history research topic can be a formidable task, but the right direction and ideas can transform it into an exciting journey. The topics we’ve presented here, focusing on Afro American history, are meant to ignite your interest and pave your path towards an engaging research paper. Remember, an interesting topic doesn't just make your work enjoyable, but it makes the reading experience for others rewarding as well.

Should you find yourself struggling with selecting a topic or conducting thorough research, remember that help is just a click away. The professional writers at 'Writers Per Hour' are always ready to assist you in writing an impressive research paper. So, step forth, and embark on your academic journey with confidence and the right support.

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Africa Week 2024: Celebrating Innovation, Development, and Culture in Africa

Dates: May 22-24, 2024 Location: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

This annual event celebrates the cultural diversity of the African continent and highlights the importance of education for sustainable development and innovation.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Opening Ceremony ( by invitation only) The week will kick off on Wednesday, May 22, with a grand opening ceremony in Room I. 

will be welcomed from 9:30 AM with African musical ambiance, followed by the arrival of VIPs at 10:10 AM. Introductory remarks will start at 10:40 AM, followed by the screening of a video related to this year's theme. Remarks  will include those from the President of the Organizing Committee, the President of the Africa Group, and the Director-General of UNESCO or their representative.

Performances and Exhibitions The morning will continue with artistic performances at 11:20 AM, followed by the opening of exhibitions and craft stalls,  accompanied by a musical interlude in the Pas Perdus, Miro, and Ségur halls.

Exhibitions, Craft Stalls, Book Fair 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in the Miro Room, Pas Perdus Hall, and Ségur Hall.

AfriKids Session The afternoon will be dedicated to children with the "AfriKids" session from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Actes Room. This session will include various activities:

• Calligraphy & Creative Painting Workshop
• Special session of African storytelling readings
• Children's/Doll fashion show

Live Chat & Arts Animations

Live chat: discussions

Learning for Sustainable Peace: The Role of Culture and Education - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in the Ségur Hall

Live art: musical performances

Dikanza do Semba - 4:45 PM to 5:00 PM in the Ségur Hall

Fashion Show A fashion show is scheduled from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Room I, showcasing the richness of African fabrics and styles. Eleven countries will participate: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Togo

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Exhibitions and Book Fair Exhibitions, book fair, and arts and crafts stalls will continue from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Conferences A conference/panel on the theme "How does education contribute to promoting African culture in its diversity?" will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room IV.

Eminent researchers and personalities will offer their thoughts on the contribution of education to strengthening cultural diversity in Africa. These interventions will be followed by discussions with the public. Speakers:

 Professor Dr. KHALED EL-ENANY (EGYPT): 

Sub-theme: "Raising young people's awareness of cultural heritage: Egyptian strategies and Egyptian initiatives & quot.

Dr. SAO OUSMANE (MAURITANIA) : University Researcher 

Sub-theme: "The importance of cultural diversity in schools: Why and how?

Dr. AHMED SKOUNTI (MOROCCO) : Professor of Anthropology,Cultural Heritage Expert at the Institut National des Sciences de l'Archéologie et du Patrimoine (INSAP), Rabat: ' Education and Cultural Heritage in Africa: Introductory considerations '.

Ms AMINATA TRAORE (MALI) : Professor of economics and management,President of the association Les Enfants du Djoliba: 'Library is an inclusive space that can become a powerful cultural vector for local communities, especially children.

•   Dr. Safiatou DIALLO (GUINEA ): Senior Researcher in the UNDP social cohesion project, Founder and President of the Center d'Innovation et de Recherche pour le Développement (CIRD) in Conakry. "How education contributes to the promotion of African African culture in all its diversity".  

Moderator: Prof. Cyril MUSILA , Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Democratic Republic of Congo to UNESCO

Live art: musical performances 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the Ségur Hall

12:00 PM to 12:30 PM with DJ Amapiano France in the Ségur Hall

Live chat: discussions New pathways in artificial intelligence for African youth and development - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Ségur Hall

Reception-Cocktail A tasting lunch of typical African dishes will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on the Piazza.

Cinema 

Theme: "Education for Innovation, Development, and Culture in Africa.

Cinema Screenings of African films will take place from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Cinema Room and Room IV

A Year at the French (2017)

• 4:00 pm - Salle Cinéma
• 100 minutes

In 1969, a young boy, Mehdi, leaves his hometown and enters the French Lyautey High School in Casablanca. The film narrates his educational journey and the cultural differences between Moroccans and the French post-independence. The author of the book on which the film is based will be present at the book fair.

Bernard Dadie, a Man of Freedom (2023)

• 4:00 PM - Salle de Cinéma
• Documentary on Bernard Dadie, Ivorian writer and anti-colonial freedom fighter. The film explores his political journey and struggle for Côte d'Ivoire's independence, highlighting his influence on African education and culture.

Goodbye Julia (2023)

• 5:45pm - Room 4 
• 120 minutes
• Mona, a former singer from the North, hires Julia, from the South, as a maid out of guilt. The film explores cultural differences between North and South Sudan before the separation. It won the Freedom Prize at the Cannes Festival.

African Glory (2023)

• 4pm - Room 4 
• Documentary on Emperor Abu Bakr II of the Manden Empire and his journey to the Americas in the 13th century. This educational and historical film will be followed by a Q&A session and a cocktail organized by Canal Plus.

The Park of the Reconciliation (2024)

• 19h20 - Salle cinéma 
• This film tells the story of the restoration of Gorongosa Park after the civil war, through collaboration between the government and a philanthropist. The park has become a center for scientific research and community development, embodying innovation and cultural development in Africa.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Exhibitions and Conferences Exhibitions and the book fair will continue until 3:00 PM. A second conference/panel on the theme "Education in Africa for the preservation of oceans" will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room IV.

Conference on May 24, 2024, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Room IV

Theme: "Education in Africa for the preservation of oceans" Eminent researchers and personalities will offer their thoughts on the contribution of education to the preservation of the oceans and their biodiversity. These interventions will be followed by discussions with the public.

• Mrs Anisabel de Camos Verissimo e Costa (ANGOLA) , President of the Board of Directors of the National Maritime Agency of Angola.  

Mr Athanase ESAKI TSHOFU (DRC ) , Doctoral student in public law specializing in international law of the sea and international environmental law. "Education and preservation of oceans".

Mr. Mohamed CISSOUMA (IVORY COAST), Deputy Manager Marine Operations Manager (India, Middle East &amp; Africa) at Bureau Veritas. "Education in Africa for the preservation preservation of the oceans".

Ms Francesca SANTORO , Ocean Literacy Program Manager Literacy"/ IOC

• Mr Denis CHANG SENG , Head of Tsunami Programs Ready in North Africa, Tsunami Section / IOC  
• Moderator: Dr. SAO OUSMANE (Mauritania) University Researcher  

Live chat: discussions Youth, World Heritage, and Education for Innovation and Development in Africa - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Ségur Hall

Live Arts Animations Live art: musical performances 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM in the Ségur Hall

Reception-Cocktail Another tasting of typical African dishes will take place from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on the Piazza.

Closing Ceremony and Gala Evening The closing ceremony with a gala evening will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Room I, featuring artistic performances, dances, songs, and African folklore. Participating countries include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,  DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan  

Africa Week 2024 promises to be an unforgettable event, celebrating African cultural richness while emphasizing the crucial role of education in development and innovation. Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the African continent.

Related items

• Social and human sciences
• Priority Africa
• Africa Week

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The Government Takes On Ticketmaster

Explaining a case that could reshape the multibillion-dollar live entertainment industry..

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring David McCabe

Produced by Will Reid ,  Rob Szypko and Rachelle Bonja

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell and Will Reid

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Over recent years, few companies have provoked more anger among music fans than Ticketmaster. Last week, the Department of Justice announced it was taking the business to court.

David McCabe, who covers technology policy for The Times, explains how the case could reshape America’s multibillion-dollar live music industry.

On today’s episode

David McCabe , a technology policy correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading

The government is accusing Ticketmaster’s corporate parent, Live Nation Entertainment, of violating antitrust laws .

Here’s a guide to the emails at the heart of the government’s case .

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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David McCabe covers tech policy. He joined The Times from Axios in 2019. More about David McCabe

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