Synopses & Reviews
This spectacular volume, at once a concise resource guide and a fascinating read, brings the dazzling variety of sub-Saharan Africa to life with its inviting, innovative approach. Africa tells its story through hundreds of breathtaking full-color, full-page images of people, landscapes, artworks, and artifacts accompanied by extended explanatory captions, relevant quotations, and concise overviews of topics such as art, religion, colonialism, slavery, and popular culture. Attentive to the ways in which we have constructed and deconstructed meanings of Africa, the crisp text encompasses recent understandings of history. The book explores the contemporary dimension as well, illuminating throughout the dynamic, multicultural, and complex nature of African societies. It includes a map of precolonial Africa, a chronology of events, and a list of the museums where visitors can view much of the art featured in the volume. With its innovative organization, wideranging coverage, and up-to-date information, this highly original guide presents Africa as a living, changing entity.
Review
“Honors the arts and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa as never before.” Christian Science Monitor
Review
and#8220;Honors the arts and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa as never before.and#8221;
About the Author
Ivan Bargna teaches at the University of Milano, Bicocca, and is the author of Arte Africana.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Peoples
Power and Society
Divinities and Religion
Ancestor Worship
Human Habitats
References
Map of Precolonial Sub-Saharan Africa
Chronology
Museums
Index
Bibliography
Photo Credits
Contents