Motherland

Motherland by historian, archaeologist, and anthropologist Luke Pepera is a groundbreaking new exploration of African history and identity. He takes us on a personal journey discovering 500,000 years of African history and cultures in order to reclaim and reconnect with this extraordinary heritage. He tackles the question many people of African descent ask - Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And it explores how knowledge of this deeper history might affect current understandings of African identity. Through thematically-linked chapters that explore aspects of African identity from nomadic culture and matriarchal society to beliefs about the afterlife and the tradition of oral storytelling, and interwoven with Luke''s own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history and his personal questions of identity, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told new history of Africa, and how it has shaped the world we know today.

Préface
A groundbreaking exploration of 500,000 years of African history, cultures and identity

Auteur
Luke is a writer, broadcaster, historian, and anthropologist dedicated to sharing his passion for African history & cultures. He was born in Ghana, and has a degree from St Peter's College, Oxford, where he read Archaeology & Anthropology and studied ancient and medieval African history. Since graduating he has worked at the Pitt Rivers Museum, The Times, and Tatler, and has written and presented Africa: Written Out of History, a documentary for Dan Snow's History Hit.

Texte du rabat

A groundbreaking exploration of 500,000 years of African history, cultures and identity

Résumé

'Elegant and powerful, Pepera's magnificent book elevates our understanding of Africa's overlooked histories' Olivette Otele, author of African Europeans
*'An essential read' Simon Sebag Montefiore*

Motherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera's journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask - Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?

With illuminating examples, Pepera explores aspects of African identity from nomadic culture and matriarchal society to beliefs about the afterlife and the tradition of oral storytelling. We meet an array of characters including Mansa Musa, the wealthiest man who ever lived, Queen Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans, through to contemporary figures like Kool Moe Dee, who pioneered the rap battle, and Dexter Bristol, a member of the Windrush generation.

Interwoven with Luke's own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

*'Magisterial, brilliant, capacious and transformative' Kate Williams*