THE ROOTS OF AFRICAN CIVILIZATION

Commentary by experts, informative narration, and location footage are combined with photographs of West African art to help viewers gain a better understanding of these ancient peoples who left few written documents behind. Among the topics raised are early West Africa; the ancient kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai; religion; the relationship of art to West African life; and slavery. The program points out that although the Europeans who first came to West Africa found tiny hamlets and elaborate palaces, metal tools and a great artistic tradition, it has taken scholars over 500 years to appreciate the region’s diverse history.

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