From Afar to Zulu: A Dictionary of African Cultures [Paperback]

Jim Haskins (Author), Joann Biondi (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Fully illustrated with photos, maps, and illustrations, here is an essential guide to over 30 of Africa's most populous and well-known ethnic groups.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This handbook of African peoples for young readers ages 10 and up treats the continent's 32 most populous and well-known cultures, such as the Maasai and the Yoruba. It is not inclusive, for example, omitting Egyptians, whose culture reflects the Arab Mediterranean area. Haskins is an award-winning children's author, and Biondi is a former professor of geography. The book's arrangement is alphabetical by culture, with each entry similar in format and 5-8 pages in length. Each begins with a map locating the country (or countries) where the people live and notes their population, language, and primary foods. Clearly and concisely, the articles cover history (including oral traditions or legends), geography, interaction with other cultures, white colonization and settlement, changes in economy through the years, living patterns and gender roles, rites and traditions, food patterns and art forms, religion and cultural change, and the prominence of this group in government today. The information is current, for example, noting the warfare between Tutsi and Hutu in 1994. Each entry also includes a few black-and-white photographs that reflect the culture and drawings of designs found in the group's artistic creations. After the 32 entries, five of the most well-known lost cultures (e.g., Kush) are briefly described. An appendix lists additional cultures and the nations where they are located. A helpful glossary and a current bibliography of books for children and adults complete the work. Peoples of the World: Africans South of the Sahara by Joyce Moss and George Wilson (Gale, 1991) covers culture, geographic setting, and historical background of 34 African peoples for middle- and high-school students. From Afar to Zulu fulfills its intent as a concise, clear source of information on the peoples of Africa for upper-elementary and middle-school students. It will be useful in public and school libraries. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Clearly and concisely, [it covers] history. . . geography, interaction with other cultures, white colonization and settlement, changes in economy through the years, living patterns and gender roles, rites and traditions, food patterns and art forms, religion and cultural change, and the prominence of this group in government today.”—Booklist

“[The] factual straightforward style that does not shirk the violent past or present of the continent. Recommended for reference collections.” —VOYA

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802775500
• ISBN-13: 978-0802775504
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,115,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Concise and at the Same Time Revealing Introduction, June 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: From Afar to Zulu: A Dictionary of African Cultures (Paperback)

The idea of a Handbook Encyclopedia for children is always appealing, but also it is a difficult task to acomplish. Imagine if the topic is the still mysterious African continent, its cultural treasures and different nations... nevertheless, the two Haskins and Joann Biondi do it. The alphabetical order makes the topics easy to locate, the language is clear without being condescending and the authors treat some difficult topics like the unfairness towards female children with ecuanimity, and trying to make the young reader understand- not approve- some practices. The incredible variety of African landscape and cultural diversity unfolds in this little Encyclopedia, but as the entries are short (sometimes even laconic) the child never feels overwhelmed by the data. Indispensable for begginers, children who loved The Lion King, or Tarzan and want to know more, or those who want an ample vision of the cultural and geographical riches of Africa.