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African History: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
A brief review of the triangular trade with particular reference to recent statistics.
Apartheid Legislation in South Africa
Descriptions of the main apartheid legislation enacted in South Africa.
Biography: Idi Amin Dada
Idi Amin, who became known as the 'Butcher of Uganda' for his brutal, despotic rule whilst president of Uganda in the 1970s, is possibly the most notorious of all Africa's post-independence dictators. Find out more in this biography.
African Slavery 101
Although slavery has been practiced for almost the whole of recorded history, the vast numbers involved in the African slave trade has left a legacy which can not be ignored.
Why-Scamble
Why was Africa so rapidly colonized?
Young African Boys Captured for Slave Trade
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Young African Boys Captured for Slave Trade
Steve Biko
A short biography of Steve Biko, founder and martyr of the Black Consciousness movement in South Africa.
Bio: Nelson Mandela
A biography of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
SA National Holidays
The significance of South Africa's national holidays.
Adinkra Stencils
A collection of free stencils with an African theme. For personal, non-commercial use only.
Origins Atlantic Slave Trade
Portuguese exploration and trade: 1450-1500.
Plans of Slave Decks, Slave Ship Brookes
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Plans of Slave Decks, Slave Ship Brookes
Adinkra Symbology and its Origins
The Origin and Meaning of Adinkra Symbols.: adinkra symbols traditional cloths africanhistory akan symbols abstract shapes
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Origins of Slaves
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Origins of Slaves Details of where slaves were taken from Africa and how
How Many Slaves Were Taken
Information on how many slaves were shipped from Africa across the Atlantic to the Americas during the sixteenth century can only be estimated as very few records exist for this period. But from the seventeenth century onwards, increasingly accurate records, such as ship manifests, are available.
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Viscera Coffin
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Viscera Coffin.
Slavery in Africa
Types of Slavery in Africa - What Kinds of Slavery Existed in Africa?
When Did Apartheid End?
Unsure when Apartheid ended in South Africa? Find the answer in this Apartheid FAQ.
Islam Role African Slavery #1
When Africans talk of slavery they inevitably mean the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Is this a true representation of the practice in Africa?
Indigenous African Slavers Traveling From the Interior
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Indigenous African slavers Traveling From the Interior
Female East African Slave
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Female East African Slave
Menes: First Pharaoh of Egypt?
According to Ancient Egyptian history Menes was the founder of the unified Egyptian state which combined Upper and Lower Egypt.
Apartheid 101
From the Afrikaans word meaning 'separation' Apartheid was a social philosophy which enforced racial, social, and economic segregation on the people of South Africa. Find out more...
The Triangular Trade
Map of the Triangular Trade.
Southern African Independence
A chronology of colonization and independence.: south west africa dutch east indies walvis bay gold ivory africa independence
Testing an African Slave For Sickness
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Testing an African Slave For Sickness
Inspection of an African Slave
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Inspection of an African Slave
Diagram of the Slave Ship Brookes
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Diagram of the Slave Ship Brookes
Africa Countries Not Colonized
There are two countries in Africa which are considered to never have been colonized. The truth, however, is much more complex and open to debate.
Slave Decks on the Slave Bark Wildfire
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Slave Decks on the Slave Bark Wildfire
Mau Mau Timeline
The Mau Mau were a militant African nationalist movement active in Kenya during the 1950s whose main aim was to remove British rule and European settlers from the country.
Unknown Mummy
Unknown Mummy, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
Sharpeville Massacre
The Origin of South Africa's Human Rights Day: anglo boer war orange river colony apartheid policies police baton vereeniging
African History: 15th Century West Africa Trade
Between the 11th and 15th centuries West Africa was a major trading region, exporting goods to Europe, Arabia, India, and China across the Sahara Desert.
A Slave Barracoon
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: A Slave Barracoon
Apartheid FAQ -- Common Questions About South Africa's Apartheid Era
What was Apartheid? Find the answer in this FAQ.: apartheid government racial segregation union of south africa geographical boundaries afrikaans word
A Slaver's Canoe
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: A Slaver's Canoe
African History: 16 June 1976 Student Uprising in Soweto
On 16 June 1976 high-school students in Soweto, South Africa, protested for better education. Police fired teargas and live bullets into the marching students.
African Captives Being Sent Into Slavery
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: African Captives Being Sent Into Slavery
Bio: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, described by some of her rivals as an Americo-Liberian, the descendant of Liberia's ex-American-slave colonists, has reached the pinnacle o her political career. Awaiting the results of an investigation into alleged (by her main political rival George Weah) election fraud, Johnson-Sirleaf could become Africa's first elected woman president. Find out more…
Indigenous African Slavery
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Indigenous African Slavery
Exercising Slaves on a Trans-Atlantic Slave Ship
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Exercising Slaves on a Trans-Atlantic Slave Ship
Colors of Ancient Egypt
Color in Ancient Egypt
Timbuktu
Timbuktu is widely used to describe a place extremely far away and regarded by many as a myth. In reality it's a city in Mali, West Africa, of such great historical importance that in 1988 it was designated a World Heritage Site.
Cape Coast Castle, Gold Coast
Image of African Slavery and the Slave Trade: Cape Coast Castle, Gold Coast
Double Crown of Egypt
What was the Double Crown of Egypt?
Rwandan Genocide
A Selection of Quotes About The Rwandan Genocide.
Biography: Mary Henrietta Kingsley
A biography in three parts of Mary Henrietta Kingsley, a Victorian explorer and writer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and its people. Part 1: Early Life in England
Apartheid, When Did it Start?
Unsure when Apartheid started in South Africa? Find the answer in this Apartheid FAQ.
Rock Art Stencils
A collection of free stencils with an African theme. For personal, non-commercial use only.
Quotes: Steve Biko
A selection of quotes by Steve Biko
Tripolitan War, 1801 - 1805
When the United States of America gained independence from Great Britain there was an unexpected problem - piracy. In 1783, the same year that the Treaty of Paris was signed, corsairs from the Barbary States began to attack American shipping in the Mediterranean.
Timeline: The Suez Crisis
Timeline for the Suez Canal Crisis: suez canal zone hassan el banna son farouk caliph of islam king farouk
Slave Origins for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Slavery Regions for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Mummy of Seqenenre Tao II
Mummy of Seqenenre Tao II, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
"Wind of Change" Speech
The "Wind of Change" speech was made by the British Prime Minister whilst addressing the South African Parliament during his tour of African Commonwealth states.
Hieroglyph Stencils
A collection of free stencils with an African theme. For personal, non-commercial use only.
Chronological List of African Independence
A Chronological List of Independence Dates for Africa.   Country Independence Date Prior ruling country
Quotes: Nelson Mandela
A selection of quotes by Nelson Mandela
Idi Amin Quotes
A selection of quotes by Idi Amin Dada, president of Uganda from 25 January 1971 to 13 April 1979.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Exports by Region
Statistics for Trans-Atlantic Slave Exports by Region.
Biography: Sonni Ali
A biography of Songhai Ali the West African monarch who ruled Songhai from 1464 to 1492, expanding a small kingdom along the Niger River into one of medieval Africa's greatest empires..
Tutankhamun: The Boy Pharaoh
Be amazed at the treasures discovered in the tomb of the most famous Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun. His was the first tomb found still containing treasure.
Nok Culture
Considered the oldest recognisable pre-colonial society in sub-Saharan Africa, the Nok Culture is exemplified by its magnificent terracotta sculptures and the development of iron working. Find out more about this ancient African civilization.
An Atlas of African Independence
By the mid 1960's the majority of African states were free from colonial rule. Read more about each country's story in this Atlas of Independence.
Robben Island Prison Museum: Entrance
Gallery of images of Robben Island, World Heritage Site and Apartheid era prison: Entrance.
History of Kenya
A brief introduction to the history of Kenya from the time of early humans to the present day.
African History: African explorers
Over the centuries, explorers have found the allure of the unknown reaches of Africa irresistible. Find out who was who, where they went, and when.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Imports by Region
Statistics for Trans-Atlantic Slave Imports by Region.
Mummy with Linen Opened by Pillagers
Mummy with linen opened by pillagers, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
Julius Nyerere
A Biography of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the father of Tanzania.
"Wind of Change" speech
The "Wind of Change" speech was made by the British Prime Minister whilst addressing the South African Parliament during his tour of African Commonwealth states. It was a watershed moment in the struggle for black nationalism in Africa and the independence movement across the continent. It also signalled a change in attitude towards the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
Republic of Benin
Map of Republic of Benin (Republique du Benin)
Mummy of Prince Ouabkhousenou
Mummy of Prince Ouabkhousenou, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
West African Independence
A chronology of colonization and independence.: nigeria official nigeria independence british protectorates republic of niger socialist president
The History of Islam in Africa
The Islamic faith and Muslims have played a crucial role in the development of Africa, not only in North Africa and West Africa where it is still the dominant religion, but also in East Africa, where its dominance decreases as one moves south, and in Southern Africa, where it was introduced through slaves and political exiles and is most prominent today in the cities of Durban and Cape Town.
Slave Laws in South Africa
It is a popular misconception that slavery in South Africa was mild compared to America and the European colonies in the Far East. This is not so, and punishments meted out could be very harsh.
Free Adinkra Stencil: Tabono
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Tabono
Slavery in the Cape Colony
Many South Africans are the descendants of slaves brought to the Cape Colony from 1653 until 1822. Follow the main events in this period of South Africa's history in this timeline.
Pre-Colonial cultures in South Africa: San and Khoikhoi
Two thousand years ago the first of several waves colonists swept into South Africa. In the first of these waves, the pastoralist Khoikhoi moved down into the western and southern coastal regions - pushing the hunter-gatherer San inland.
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Statuette Upper Egypt
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Statuette Upper Egypt.
Mummy of the Dame Rai
Mummy of the Dame Rai held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
New Names in South Africa
Since the end of apartheid, a number of town and geographical names in South Africa have changed. Here's a list of them.
Timeline of Apartheid History: 1912 to 1959
A Timeline of Key Apartheid Events from 1912 to 1959.
Joe Slovo Bio
Joe Slovo, anti-Apartheid activist, was one of the founders of Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, and was general secretary of the South African Communist Party during the 1980s.
Color Technology
Today we consider chemistry to be a science, but its roots, back in Ancient Egypt, lie in art and the creation of synthetic pigments.
Islam Role African Slavery #2
When Africans talk of slavery they inevitably mean the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Is this a true representation of the practice in Africa?
Free Adinkra Stencil: Nyansapo
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Nyansapo
More Quotes: Nelson Mandela
A selection of quotes by Nelson Mandela
Suez Crisis Background
Part 1 – Partial Decolonization Leads to Resentment
History of Angola #1
A brief introduction to the history of Angola from the time of early humans to the present day. Part 1 - Kingdoms to Independence
Bio: Mungo Park
Mungo Park, a Scottish surgeon and explorer, was sent out by the 'Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior of Africa' to discover the course of the River Niger. Having achieved a degree of fame from his first trip, carried out alone and on foot, he returned to Africa with a party of 40 Europeans, all of whom lost their lives in the adventure.
Population Registration Act
The Population Registration Act required South Africans to be identified and registered as belonging to one of four distinct racial groups. Find out more...
Treason Trial
In 1956, in response to the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People, the Apartheid government in South Africa arrested a total 156 people for high treason. The penalty for this was death.
Egypt
A brief history of the colonization and independence of Egypt
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Royal Canopic Bust
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Royal Canopic Bust.
Free Adinkra Stencil: Ohene Tuo
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Ohene Tuo
Ancient Egypt: the Father of Time
The way in which we divide the day into hours and minutes, as well as the structure and length of the yearly calendar, owes much to pioneering developments in ancient Egypt.
East African Independence
A chronology of colonization and independence.: heile selassie federal democratic republic federal democratic republic of ethiopia french somaliland muslim invasion
Native (Black) Urban Areas Act
The Native (Black) Urban Areas Act strictly controlled the movement of Black males between urban and rural areas in South Africa. Find out more...
Mummy of Yuya
Mummy of Yuya, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
Predynastic Egypt
The Predynastic Period of Ancient Egypt saw the development of grouped communities, the worlds first written language, institutionalised religion, and the development of the plough. Archaeologists have divided the Period into four relatively distinct phases to aid their understanding of the social, scientific, and political developments in Egypt at that time.
Robben Island Prison Museum: Mandela and Sisulu
Gallery of images of Robben Island, World Heritage Site and Apartheid era prison: Mandela and Sisulu.
Absolute Monarchy
What is an Absolute Monarchy?
History of Zimbabwe #2
A brief introduction to the history of Zimbabwe from the time of early humans to the present day. Part 1 - UDI to Independence
Free Adinkra Stencil: Gye Ntame
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Gye Ntame
Free Adinkra Stencil: Nyame-Nti
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Nyame-Nti
WWII Timeline: July 1940
Italy pushed against the borders of its colonies in East Africa ...
Robben Island Prison Museum: Limestone Quarry
Gallery of images of Robben Island, World Heritage Site and Apartheid era prison: Limestone Quarry.
School Enrollment in SA
Data on School Enrollment for Blacks and Whites in South Africa in 1982.
DF Malan
A biography of DF Malan, first prime minister of South Africa Apartheid regime
General Act of the Berlin Conference on West Africa
Full Text of the General Act of the Berlin Conference on West Africa as signed on 26 February 1885
Maasai Ethnic Group in Kenya
Map showing location of the Maasai ethnic group in Kenya and Tanzania.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Exports by Region and Era
Statistics for Trans-Atlantic Slave Exports by Region and Era.
Free Adinkra Stencil: Sankofa (variant #1)
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Sankofa (variant #1)
Free Adinkra Stencil: Bese Saka
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Bese Saka
Union Of South Africa
The politicking behind the scenes for the formation of the Union of South Africa allowed the foundations of Apartheid to be laid.
Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century
In February 2002 a list of Africa's Top 100 books was announced. Find out why.
Kenya Timeline -- Timeline of Kenya from Independence to Present Day
A chronology of key events in Kenya's history: jomo kenyatta timeline chronology anglican archbishop africanhistory odinga
History of Ghana #1
A brief introduction to the history of Ghana from the time of early humans to the present day. Part 1 - Early Kingdoms to Independence
What Was the Mfecane?
A explanation of the term Mfecane and why the subject is controversial.
History of Benin
A brief introduction to the history of Benin from the time of early humans to the present day.
Mummy of Ramses VI
Mummy of Ramses VI, held by the Cairo Museum, Egypt.
Free Adinkra Stencil: Ako Ben
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Ako Ben
Free Adinkra Stencil: Ananse Ntontan
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Ananse Ntontan
Tanzania Timeline -- Timeline of the History of Tanzania
A chronology of key events in Tanzania's history: vasco da gama john hanning speke lake tanganika lettow vorbeck german protectorate
Pass Laws
What were the Pass Laws in Apartheid era South Africa?
Republic of the Congo (Republique du Congo)
Flag of Republic of the Congo (Republique du Congo)
Robben Island
A short history of island that housed the most notorious prison of the South African apartheid regime.
Robben Island Prison Museum: Anglican Church
Gallery of images of Robben Island, World Heritage Site and Apartheid era prison: Anglican Church.
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Diadem
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Diadem.
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Inlaid Pectoral
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Inlaid Pectoral.
Free Adinkra Stencil: Denkyem
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Denkyem
Biography: Chief Albert Luthuli
A biography of Chief Albert Luthuli, Africa's first winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace and president of the ANC until his death (under mysterious circumstances) in 1967.
Black (or Natives) Land Act
Under the Black (Natives) Land Act Blacks were no longer be able to own, or even rent, land outside of designated reserves. Find out more…
History of Mali #1
A brief introduction to the history of Mali from the time of early humans to the present day.
WWII Timeline: June 1940
When Italy declared war against Britain and France in June 1940 it seemed inevitable that the conflict would come to Africa – Italy wanted an empire, and it was only on the African continent that it would be able to achieve such conquest. But even with Britain's pre-emptive forays into Libya, the war was slow to start…
Free Adinkra Stencil: Akoko Nan
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Akoko Nan
Free Adinkra Stencil: Osram Ne Nsoroma
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Osram Ne Nsoroma
Free Adinkra Stencil: Wawa Aba
Free Adinkra stencil design for personal use: Wawa Aba
Kenya Timeline -- Timeline of Kenya from Prehistory to Independence
A chronology of key events in Kenya's history: vasco da gama bantu migration sultan of oman swahili culture cape of good hope
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Gilded Coffin of Tjuya
A gallery of artifacts from the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition: Gilded Coffin of Tjuya.
Bio: Tom Mboya
Thomas Mboya was a Kenyan trade unionist and statesman. Earmarked as Jomo Kenyatta's successor, Mboya was assassinated six years into independence, sparking tribal unrest between Kenyatta's Kikuyu supporters and Mboya's Luo.
Industrial Conciliation Act
Industrial Conciliation Act No 11 of 1924
Idi Amin Timeline
A Timeline of Key Events in the Life of Idi Amin Dada.
Nyerere Quotes #1
A Selection of Quotes by Julius Kambarage Nyerere
Quotes: Desmond Tutu
A selection of quotes by Desmond Tutu
Sharpeville Massacre
World condemnation and political aftermath: frank welsh apartheid government kent state university harold macmillan state university students
Death of an Activist.
South African newspaper editor and anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods has died at the age of 67.
Nilo-Saharan Language Group
A look at the Nilo-Saharan Language group, one of the four major language groups in Africa as identified by anthropologists and linguistic historians.

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