Publisher Description

Born in Hamburg, Henry (Heinrich) Barth (1821–1865) studied history, archaeology, geography and Arabic. He joined James Richardson's 1849 expedition to Africa, which aimed to open the interior to trade and to study slavery. Following the deaths of Richardson (1851) and his colleague Overweg (1852), Barth led the expedition alone. His travels extended to Lake Chad in the east, Cameroon in the south and Timbuktu in the west. He was the first European to use the oral traditions of the local tribes for historical research, learning several African languages, and studying the history, resources and civilisations of the people he encountered. Barth's five-volume account includes plates, engravings and detailed annotated maps. Published in both English and German in 1857–1858, it is still regarded as a major source on African culture. Volume 2 describes the settlements and peoples found on the journey from Kano to the shore of Lake Chad.

Table of Contents

22. Separation of the travellers. The border districts of the Independent Pagan Confederation. Tasáwa; 23. Gazáwa. Residence in Kátsena; 24. Háusa. History and description of Kátsena. Entry into Kanó; 25. Residence in Kanó. View of its interior. Its history and present state. Commerce; 26. Starting for Kúkawa. The frontier-district; 27. Bórnu proper; 28. Arrival in Kúkawa; 29. Authenticity and general character of the history of Bórnu; 30. The capital of Bórnu; 31. The Tsád; 32. Setting out on my journey to A'damáwa. The flat, swampy grounds of Bórnu; 33. The border-country of the Marghí; 34. A'damáwa. Mohammedan settlements in the heart of Central Africa; 35. The meeting of the waters. The Bénuwé and Fáro; 36. My reception in Yóla. Short stay. Dismissal; 37. My journey home from A'damáwa; Appendix.

Promotional

This pioneering work of African exploration and ethnography, cited by Darwin, is still considered an important source on African cultures.

Promotional "Headline"

This pioneering work of African exploration and ethnography, cited by Darwin, is still considered an important source on African cultures.

Description for Bookstore

This pioneering account, published in 1857-1858, was a foundational text in the study of African history and ethnography. Barth set out to 'represent the tribes and nations ... in their historical and ethnographical relation to the rest of mankind'. Cited by Darwin, it is still regarded as an important source.

Description for Library

This pioneering account, published in 1857-1858, was a foundational text in the study of African history and ethnography. Barth set out to 'represent the tribes and nations ... in their historical and ethnographical relation to the rest of mankind'. Cited by Darwin, it is still regarded as an important source.

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