An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence

Zeinab Badawi reconstructs the history of the African continent by prioritizing oral traditions and the research of local archaeologists and scholars over Western colonial archives. The narrative moves from the origins of hominids in the Rift Valley through the rise of sophisticated civilizations like the Kingdom of Kush, the Aksumite Empire, and the medieval city-states of the Sahel. Badawi details the governance of the Malian Empire under Mansa Musa and the military strategies of Queen Njinga, centering African agency and internal social structures rather than defining the continent solely through its later interactions with European powers and the slave trade.

This book serves readers interested in non-Eurocentric world history and those seeking a comprehensive overview of a continent often ignored in standard history curricula. It appeals to students and researchers who value primary sources from within Africa, such as the Griots’ oral records and indigenous archaeological findings. Readers walk away with a timeline of African development that exists independently of the colonial era, gaining a specific understanding of the diverse political systems, artistic achievements, and technological advancements that shaped the continent before modern borders were drawn.