MY GREAT AFRICAN HEROES: The Legends of West African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhay

by Gebah Sekou Kamara, Syed Wagas, Rishav Chatterjee

The people of West Africa were among the earlier makers of a great civilization; culture, education and various institutions long before the arrival of western slavery, colonization, and also long before they appeared as slaves in white’s plantations in Jamestown, Virginia. Additionally, the rich and colourful history, art and folklore of West Africa - the ancestral home of most African Americans - present strong evidence of this. Contrary to a prevalent popular misconception, Africans were actually familiar with art, literature, craftsmanship, medicine, science and religion long before their contact with the western world.

Before the disintegration of the political structures of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhay, and the internal conflicts that created the circumstances for the Western slavery and colonization of Africa, most of the West African societies were the incubators of greatness and produced many economic, industrial and university scholars. The kings and military leaders were held in reverence by the people in earlier days. Far across Europe and Asia, traders used to encounter wealth and enlightenment from the African kingdoms that were striving for greatness.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2021