Gus Casely-Hayford Books

The vibrant cultural history of West Africa, encompassing the novels of Chinua Achebe, the Griots of Mali and Senegal, Nollywood cinema, and more, is richly explored in this bold and celebratory work. Accompanying a major exhibition at the British Library, the first of its kind in the UK, this book aims to highlight the region's diverse contributions, often overlooked by the global community. Leading scholars in music, literature, history, and anthropology delve into how West Africans have shaped their narratives, emphasizing the importance of both written and oral traditions. Spanning a millennium, the history covered includes the rise of great empires, the impacts of colonialism, and the ongoing struggles for independence and justice. The collaboration among writers, scholars, and artists has fostered a dynamic society that communicates faith, challenges injustices, and addresses the diaspora experience. Today, West Africa is witnessing a remarkable surge of creativity across various media. Illustrated with full-color photographs of cultural artifacts, texts, and performances, this work invites readers to appreciate the richness and diversity of West Africa’s cultural heritage.

For many of us the history of Africa is, at best, vague. We might think of Egyptian pyramids, legendary queens (of Sheba or Cleopatra) and Zulu warriors. The truth, however, is one of remarkably diverse, creative, culturally rich civilisations. In The Lost Kingdoms of Africa, Gus Casely-Hayford takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of this remarkable continent. We will encounter archaeological sites of staggering beauty that rival the Great Wall of China, vast and ancient universities that predate Oxford and Cambridge, kingdoms of extraordinary wealth, artistic traditions that still inspire artists today, great religious sites that surpass the Vatican, and a country with more pyramids than Egypt. In recent years new archaeological and anthropological research has opened up the study of African history in ways previously unimaginable. Long-lost kingdoms are suddenly being brought back to life. Civilisations that had faded into myth are revealing their secrets. Using this latest research, Gus Casely-Hayford is able to tell the history of Africa's major kingdoms in an entirely new, colourful and richly-informed way. Accompanying a major BBC series, The Lost Kingdoms of Africa is both a major addition to our understanding of this often overlooked history and a genuine source of delight and wonder.