Includes bibliographical references (pages 382-386) and index.

Africa and the origin of humanity -- Africa and the beginning of civilization -- The rise of Kemet/Egypt -- The elements of early African civilization -- Governance and the political stability of Ke met -- The emergence of the great river kingdoms -- The spread of classical empires and kingdoms -- The Sudanic empires : historians and their narratives -- Generators of traditional and contemporary A frica -- Societies of secrets : farmers and metallurgists -- Arab and European missionaries, merchants, and mercenaries -- Resisting European and Arab slave traders -- Africa regains consciousness in a pan-African explosion -- Africa consolidates independence -- Tow ard a United States of Africa without compromise : creation of the Afri can Union.