Page 144 - Empires of Medieval West Africa

furthEr rEsourcEs

BookS original jeli narrative from his Sunjata: A West
Currie, Stephen, West Africa: Exploration and Dis- African Epic of the Mande People.
c c covery (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Lucent Books, overy (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Lucent Books, overy Habeeb, William Mark, Africa: Facts and Figures
2004) (Jackson, Tenn.: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004)
An account of the exploration of western Africa An overview of the natural features, history,
by Europeans and others. The book also looks economy, and cultures of the more than 50
at how this exploration lead both to a greater countries of Africa. The book also looks at
understanding of the area and its geography, current problems, including poverty, hunger,
and major negative consequences for the people unemployment, wars, and AIDS.
of the region.
Maddox, Gregory H., Sub-Saharan Africa: An Envi-
De villiers, Marq, and Sheila Hirtle, Timbuktu: The ronmental History (Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-Clio onmental History (Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-Clio onmental History
r r
Sahara’s Fabled City of Gold (Toronto, Ontario: ahara’s Fabled City of Gold (Toronto, Ontario: ahara’s Fabled City of Gold Inc., 2004)
S S
Emblem Editions, 2008) A detailed history and analysis of the environ-
Timbuktu was a center for the gold and salt mental forces that have helped shaped the cul-
trades from the 14th through the 16th centu- tures of the African continent. It tells the story
ries. The book details the origins of the city, its of the changing African environment and shows
relation to the Niger River, its golden ages, the how the continent’s often harsh conditions
coming of the Moroccans, and its long decline. prompted humans to develop unique skills in
There are many rich and exciting stories, maps, agriculture, raising animals, and managing the
and black-and-white photographs. environment. Includes a chronological overview
of the chapters and detailed maps.
Doak, Robin, Empire of the Islamic World (New Empire of the Islamic World (New Empire of the Islamic World
York: Chelsea House, 2009) Niane, Djibril Tamsir, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
The Islamic Empire had a great influence on (London: Longman, 1965)
the empires of medieval West Africa. This book This very readable and entertaining prose ver-
looks at the history and extent of the Islamic sion of the Sunjata epic is actually a short novel
Empire, focusing on the Middle East. It also based on the classic Mande tale.
examines the daily life, culture, laws, and reli-
gious practices of the Islamic Empire. Stokes, Jamie, Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa
a a
and the Middle East, 2-Volume Set (New York: Facts nd the Middle East, 2-Volume Set (New York: Facts nd the Middle East, 2-Volume Set
Fontes, Justine, Ron Fontes, and Sandy Car- On File, 2009)
ruthers (illustrator), Sunjata: Warrior King of A detailed account of the peoples who live in
Mali (Minneapolis, Minn.: Lerner Publishing West Africa and the Middle East, including
Group, 2008) information on geography, history, government,
This graphic novel is subtitled A West African languages, art, music, religion, and culture. Each
Hero Tale Based on the stories of the traditional page is illustrated with drawings, photographs,
storytellers of West Africa. It was produced maps, and timelines. A language appendix is
in consultation with David Conrad using the also included.

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