Synopsis:
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.
Synopsis:
Juxtaposes mediaeval West African societies with their European counterparts. Diop utilises primary sources (eg, 'Tarikh-as-Sudan' and 'Tarikh-al-Fettash') to illustrate the fundamental components of mediaeval West African civilisation and political organisation. Aspects of African culture that are generally regarded as 'non-African' are discussed, such as the existence of indigenous African scripts, the use of armour in African military regiments, in-depth university curricula, and even the possibility of pre-Columbian navigation to America. A must read for student of pre-colonial West African history.