Introduction
An African History of Africa is a book that narrates Africa’s history through an African lens. It seeks to reshape the narrative created by some authors about what Africa was like before and after the invasion of colonial powers. The author sheds light on Africa’s untold truths and revisits the origin of humankind on the African continent.
Analysis
When I first saw this book, it did not immediately strike me as a go-to read, even though it is a Sunday Times bestseller. However, once I began reading, I marvelled at the wealth of knowledge that filled its pages. Each chapter unveils a rich history of ancient Africa, allowing the reader to trace the developments that have taken place across the continent over centuries, up to the present day.
I deeply appreciated the immense research poured into writing An African History of Africa. Reading this book exposes you to Africa’s great rulers — queens and kings — and to the ways of life in old kingdoms and societies. You come to appreciate that Africa was not a “dark continent,” as the West has often claimed. Long before colonial invasion, civilisation, cutting-edge technology, political organisation, and social and economic advancement were already thriving in Africa.
I was particularly impressed to learn about the origin of the name of our continent and the subsequent division and naming of our current African countries by foreign powers. In this review, I will try to do justice to anyone who cares to read it, offering a glimpse of what the book contains without revealing spoilers — in the hope that it will propel you to read it yourself.
The book begins with Lucy, or Dinkenesh, whose lineage eventually led to us. The author emphasises that humanity began in Africa; therefore, everyone is originally from Africa. As Zeinab writes, “Characteristics of the white race emerged later about 12,000 years ago after a significant genetic division.” She also writes about a striking group of people who, even today, continue to practise ancient African traditions. I was both intrigued and impressed to learn about the Hadzabe of Tanzania — especially considering Tanzania is my neighbouring country, yet I knew so little about them.
Reading about their way of life reminded me of the community I grew up in back in my village. She writes, “Life is intensely communal; at night they all sleep together, but by day the women and children stay in a different part of the compound.” She also notes how children in that small community are raised collectively by all the women.
The earlier portion of the book explores the history of Egypt — its queens and kings, their cultural and social practices, and how they expanded their influence. I was particularly drawn to the queens, whose histories we often know so little about. For example, Queen Hatshepsut, who after the death of her husband-brother Thutmose II, took the throne despite women not being meant to rule in Egypt. Queen Cleopatra is another fascinating figure whose brilliance and political shrewdness helped her and her brother restore Egypt’s fortunes after their father’s reign had nearly depleted the royal coffers.
I cannot speak of great queens without mentioning Queen Njinga of the Kingdom of Kongo, who resisted Portuguese invasion and rule. She claimed spiritual prowess and demonstrated remarkable fighting and negotiation skills. Njinga seized the throne from its rightful male heir — her brother’s son — whom she presumably had killed, possibly as retribution for the murder of her own son.
Another striking character is Kimpa Vita, who opposed European Christianity because its teachings were predicated on a sense of white superiority over Africans and dismissed African spiritual practices.
The book also discusses slavery extensively. I have rarely read such a rich and well-researched account of the enslavement of Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean, Spain, South America, and North America. The slave trade was fuelled by high demand for labour from the French, Spanish, and English, whose populations had been reduced by disease. West Africans were known to have some resistance to malaria, making them tragically “suitable” for plantation labour. The brutality of slavery against Black people and its long-lasting impact on Africa and the world is undeniable, and Zeinab Badawi takes great care to lay it bare.
In my previous education, history was often taught according to the author’s agenda — frequently portraying Africans as weak, savage, and willingly complicit in slavery. This does not mean Africans did not participate in the enslavement of their own people. Zeinab shows how some African elites benefited from the slave trade, such as the Kingdom of Dahomey in West Africa, which profited significantly from it. On page 336, she writes that before enslaved people were shipped from Dahomey, they were forced to march six times around a large tree counterclockwise so they would forget who had enslaved them, preventing their souls from returning to haunt their captors.
Reading this book also opened my eyes to the suffering in Southern Africa during the discovery of gold — people forced to work in mines for little or no pay while their oppressors accumulated wealth. Yet Southern Africa’s history is not only marked by pain. The story of King Shaka offers readers a chance to marvel at his leadership. Born an illegitimate child, Shaka defied the odds to become one of Africa’s most celebrated rulers.
An unforgettable part of the book highlights those who fought for the abolition of the slave trade. One of them was Olaudah Equiano, who was captured as a child along with his sister while their parents were away. They were hidden in the nearby woods and slept arm in arm, weeping and comforting each other. That comfort was soon ripped away when they were separated. Zeinab quotes Olaudah describing how the only comfort they had was “being in one another’s arms… and bathing each other with tears. But alas! We were soon deprived of even this comfort of weeping together.”
Olaudah later worked for different slave masters, during which time he learned to read and write — skills that gave him new opportunities. After purchasing his freedom, he intensified his campaign against slavery. In 1787, he co-founded the Sons of Africa in London, a group of formerly enslaved individuals advocating for abolition.
By the end of this book, I had learned one vital lesson: much of our history has not been told from our African experience or in its full truth. Much has been hidden — especially the good parts. I learned that Africa is far greater than I had initially been taught, and that despite the challenges we face today, Africa has the potential to become the next world superpower.
Strengths
I cannot say enough about how well-researched An African History of Africa is. The author writes clearly, in simple and readable English, with a touch of humour and engaging narration.
Weakness
It goes without saying that even the best dancer has flaws. An African History of Africa is a very large book. At first, I worried about whether I would finish it — but I did.
Recommendation
I would recommend An African History of Africa to everyone. As the author reminds us, humanity began in Africa — therefore, this book is for everyone.
