Precolonial Black Africa (Paperback)

by Cheikh Anta Diop (Author), Harold Salemson (Translator) "It seems necessary at the outset to point out the specific features of the caste system, in order more clearly to bring out the difference..." (more)
Key Phrases: totemic names, ethnic names, Askia Mohammed, Middle Ages, Sonni Ali (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This comparison of the political and social systems of Europe and black Africa from antiquity to the formation of modern states demonstrates the black contribution to the development of Western civilization.

Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (August 1, 1988) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556520883 ISBN-13: 978-1556520884 Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,783 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #39 in  Books > History > Africa > Central Africa

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
It seems necessary at the outset to point out the specific features of the caste system, in order more clearly to bring out the difference in social structure which has always existed between Europe and Africa. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
totemic names, ethnic names

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Askia Mohammed, Middle Ages, Sonni Ali, West Africa, Askia Daud, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Battuta, Fustel de Coulanges, Senegal River, Kankan Mussa, Amadu Bamba, Askia El Hadj, Moro Naba, North Africa, Atlantic Ocean, Upper Nile, Lat Dior, Prime Minister, Dan Fodio, Indian Ocean, Askia Mussa, Marcel Griaule, Niger River, Arab Orient, Christopher Columbus

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 12 books:

• The Egyptian Sudan by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge on page 234, and Back Matter
• They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima on page 211, and Back Matter
• Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre: Volume 4 (German Edition) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on page 161
• Black Africa: The Economic and Cultural Basis for a Federated State by Cheikh Anta Diop in Front Matter
• General History of Africa volume 7: Africa under Colonial Domination 1880-1935 (Unesco General History of Africa (abridged)) (Vol 7) by A. Adu Boahen in Back Matter

See all 12 books this book cites

 

12 books cite this book:

• Understanding African Philosophy: A Cross-cultural Approach to Classical and Contemporary Issues by Richard H. Bell in Back Matter
• Understanding African Philosophy: A Cross-cultural Approach to Classical and Contemporary Issues by Richard H. Bell in Back Matter
• Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology by Cheikh Anta Diop in Back Matter
• Democratization in Africa: The Theory and Dynamics of Political Transitions by Earl Conteh-Morgan in Back Matter
• African Politics and Society: A Mosaic in Transformation by Peter J. Schraeder on page 83

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The African Origin of Civilization by Cheikh Anta Diop

Discusses:

• matriarchal system
• Ibn Battuta
• Upper Nile

The African Origin of Civilization by Cheikh Anta Diop Discusses: matriarchal system Ibn Battuta Upper Nile Loading...

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (3)           Average Customer Review 3.7 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!, March 6, 2004 By  A. F. Naromu (USA) - See all my reviews Cheikh Anta Diop is amazing. I have read ALL his books, and as always, this one is excellent. In "Pre-Colonial Black Africa", (unlike all his other books) he takes a small step out of Ancient Egypt and explores more of his own home region (West Africa). His work is prolific and clearly exposes the fact that West African history can be accurately traced thousands of years, thanks to all the myriad historical texts already at our disposal ("Tarikh-as-Sudan", "Tarikh-as-Fettash", etc). Senegal should be extremely proud of producing such a quality scholar like Diop! I would like to see his works translated to other languages (African, especially). It is important that Africans read their history from an objective (and native!) viewpoint. I would give the book more than 5 stars if it was possible. I have to add that it's a lot easier to comprehend and appreciate for an African-born/raised person. Diop (as always) shined on this one! 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars www.sportofdistraction.com, November 5, 2005 By  D. Garcia "www.sportofdistraction.com" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Some of Cheikh Anta Diop's findings prove to be controversial to some who choose to look at the issue through biased lenses. The information presented within this book is capitivating for anyone interested in learning more of the Africa that existed prior to and during the early stages of Black Afica. The frustrating aspect is that more can not be known, or researched due to the loss of artifacts & oral history. Looking into "Precolonial..." definitely cracks the window open for all parties interested in understanding, or being exposed to, this rich history. 18 of 23 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars VERY SCHOLARLY AND INFORMATIVE, August 9, 2002 By  C. Alexander "Ray-sheezay" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    CHEIKH ANTA DIOP WAS A GENIUS AND HIS WORK WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON, AND FOR THOSE OF USM ESPECIALLY OF AFRICAN DECENT WHO WANT TO KNOW THE TRUE HISTORY OF AFRICA BEFORE SLAVERY HIS WORK IS OF MONUMENTAL IMPORTANCE. HE GOES THROUGH THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT WEST AFRICAN EMPIRES OF GHANA, MALI, SONGHAI, BUT THERE WERE MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HE USE MAINLY AFRICAN SOURCES SUCH AS TARIKH ES SUDAN, AL UMARIYYAH AND OTHERS. THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT, AND IT WILL BE READ BY GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN PEOPLE STILL TO COME.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars get the whole story In the words of John Henrik Clarke, "what we know as Black History, are actually the missing pages of World History.. Read more Published on January 23, 2007 by Tom Murray 1.0 out of 5 stars More Distortions. Why do authors like these feel the need to distort history? No serious, objective scholar accepts their views. Read more Published on October 3, 2006 by R. Boland 5.0 out of 5 stars A scholars research, not a political movement To all who give this book a negative response, you fail to present your disagreement when you do not provide any counter-facts that will oppose the information in this book. Read more Published on September 18, 2004 by Byoba 5.0 out of 5 stars To the reviewer from THUTH That fact you are black is proof that the theory of neo-colonialism is very much in effect. First Diop has never been a "leader" in the political sense (not in th US... Read more Published on January 9, 2004 1.0 out of 5 stars don't be duped by diop by diop, super-racist. it never ceases to amaze me that when a black racist writes or speaks on his/her crazed views there is always some hippie (see guilty white suburban... Read more Published on November 7, 2003 1.0 out of 5 stars this book blows for a good dollop of diop, watch the footballer pape bouba diop instead. Published on October 22, 2002 4.0 out of 5 stars ULTIMATE DECEIT OF THE HUMAN RACE I REALLY LOVE HOW YOU PUT YOUR INFORMATION TOGETHER IT IS WODERFUL FULL OF GOOD IMFORMATION KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!! Published on July 11, 2001 by Anath Enterprises 5.0 out of 5 stars This book is scholastically revolutionary. This book juxtaposes medieval West African societies with their European counterparts. Diop utilizes primary souces (e.g. Read more Published on May 29, 1999 by Muata Hondo Nantambu Diop (mua... Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (August 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556520883
• ISBN-13: 978-1556520884
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,783 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #39 in

  Books > History > Africa > Central Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!, March 6, 2004

By	A. F. Naromu (USA) - See all my reviews

Cheikh Anta Diop is amazing. I have read ALL his books, and as always, this one is excellent. In "Pre-Colonial Black Africa", (unlike all his other books) he takes a small step out of Ancient Egypt and explores more of his own home region (West Africa). His work is prolific and clearly exposes the fact that West African history can be accurately traced thousands of years, thanks to all the myriad historical texts already at our disposal ("Tarikh-as-Sudan", "Tarikh-as-Fettash", etc).

Senegal should be extremely proud of producing such a quality scholar like Diop! I would like to see his works translated to other languages (African, especially). It is important that Africans read their history from an objective (and native!) viewpoint. I would give the book more than 5 stars if it was possible. I have to add that it's a lot easier to comprehend and appreciate for an African-born/raised person. Diop (as always) shined on this one!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars www.sportofdistraction.com, November 5, 2005

By	D. Garcia "www.sportofdistraction.com" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Some of Cheikh Anta Diop's findings prove to be controversial to some who choose to look at the issue through biased lenses. The information presented within this book is capitivating for anyone interested in learning more of the Africa that existed prior to and during the early stages of Black Afica.

The frustrating aspect is that more can not be known, or researched due to the loss of artifacts & oral history. Looking into "Precolonial..." definitely cracks the window open for all parties interested in understanding, or being exposed to, this rich history.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY SCHOLARLY AND INFORMATIVE, August 9, 2002

By	C. Alexander "Ray-sheezay" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

CHEIKH ANTA DIOP WAS A GENIUS AND HIS WORK WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON, AND FOR THOSE OF USM ESPECIALLY OF AFRICAN DECENT WHO WANT TO KNOW THE TRUE HISTORY OF AFRICA BEFORE SLAVERY HIS WORK IS OF MONUMENTAL IMPORTANCE. HE GOES THROUGH THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT WEST AFRICAN EMPIRES OF GHANA, MALI, SONGHAI, BUT THERE WERE MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HE USE MAINLY AFRICAN SOURCES SUCH AS TARIKH ES SUDAN, AL UMARIYYAH AND OTHERS. THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT, AND IT WILL BE READ BY GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN PEOPLE STILL TO COME.