History of Africa

The History of Africa Podcast

Take a deep dive deep into African history with this in-depth podcast. From Casablanca to Cape Town, tune in to this podcast to learn about the magnificent and oft-forgotten history of Africa. To access more free resources about African history, provide feedback, or support the show, check out our associated website at https://historyofafricapodcast.blogspot.com read less

Our Editor's Take

The History of Africa podcast is an ambitious show that examines pre-colonial Africa. The podcast focuses on the history, peoples, culture, and geography of the second-largest continent in the world. Anyone who is a world history enthusiast may love the show.

The show is a unique podcast dedicated to African history. It uses expert research and narration to tell the History of Africa. It is not a show about the enslavement of Africans. Instead, it is about the continent before the first Europeans arrived on its shores. The podcast explains many parts of African history. The Sokoto Caliphate of Nigeria, the Ashanti empire of Ghana, and much more get explained.

The host of the History of Africa uses the pseudonym "Andy." He commented on his blog that he valued his anonymity too much to share his credentials. He added, "In terms of credibility, I let my sources act as my ethos." The host's interest in African history began when his wife studied world history. After an unsuccessful search for podcasts about African history, he decided he would create one. Despite the host's anonymity, the podcast has garnered a dedicated listenership.

Anyone interested in history may enjoy the History of Africa. The podcast has exciting facts and stories of conquests and conquerors. Topics on the show range from old civil wars to the languages spoken on the continent. It tells of the history of the people of the continent, from East Africa to West Africa. He also explores South African and North African cultures and history. The podcast examines the rise of the Denkyira empire in Ghana and Ralambo's wars. Ralambo was a famous ruler in 16th-century Madagascar. The show's unique focus on Africa sets it apart from other podcasts. History fans of all levels may enjoy this series.

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Season 5 Episode 3: Trans-Saharan Trade in the Garamantes Civilization

Season 5 Episode 3: Trans-Saharan Trade in the Garamantes Civilization

Horses, carbuncles, gold, salt, and more. What do all these things have in common? They were first traded across the Sahara by the Garamantes. Today's episode discusses the earliest rise of Garamantian trans-Saharan trade, the first documented example of trade across the vast desert.

Episodes

Season 5 Episode 3: Trans-Saharan Trade in the Garamantes Civilization

Season 5 Episode 3: Trans-Saharan Trade in the Garamantes Civilization

Horses, carbuncles, gold, salt, and more. What do all these things have in common? They were first traded across the Sahara by the Garamantes. Today's episode discusses the earliest rise of Garamantian trans-Saharan trade, the first documented example of trade across the vast desert.

Season 5 Episode 2: Fossil Water Farming

Season 5 Episode 2: Fossil Water Farming

Brought to the Sahara following the Persian conquest of Egypt, the spread of a new irrigation technology allowed Garamantian civilization to expand dramatically The earliest evidence of a unique Garamantian culture comes from the settlement of Zinkekra, located at the top of a rocky plateau near the Wadi al Ajal. However, settlements gradually drifted further down the valley. The location at the bottom of these valleys allowed new Garamantian settlements to better take advantage of a technology recently brought to North Africa with the Persian conquest of Egypt. Known as Qanats, or Fouggaras in North Africa, this advanced irrigation technology allowed Garamantian settlements to tap into groundwater reserves without the labor intensive practice of extracting water from wells with buckets. Instead, gravity brought water through the slightly inclined channel and delivered it to the irrigated outlet

Season 5 Episode 1: Paintings in the Libyan Sahara

Season 5 Episode 1: Paintings in the Libyan Sahara

Today we begin our journey into the history of the Garamantes, a civilization from the Libyan Sahara. This fascinating civilization transformed the barren wasteland of the Idehan Ubari into an impressive metropolis of late antiquity. Our current episode examines the prehistory of Libya through close inspection of rock art.

What Does Bantu Mean: A Historiography of Bantu Linguistics and History (Part 2)

What Does Bantu Mean: A Historiography of Bantu Linguistics and History (Part 2)

The Bantu Migration is one of the most important and seminal events in the history of the African continent. But what if this theory of Bantu origins, concocted by a European colonial administrator trying to understand the history of the continent he was colonizing, was entirely off base? What are some of the holes in the theory of Bantu expansion? What are its strengths which have withstood through the criticism? And, with a revised and iterated view of Bantu expansion, how does this theory impact our understanding of the History of Africa.

What Does Bantu Mean: A Historiography of Bantu Linguistics and History

What Does Bantu Mean: A Historiography of Bantu Linguistics and History

Bantu is a term which has become one of the most contentious in the study of African history. The name of a language family stretching across much of the southern half of the African continent, the term has been used in many distinct ways. In anthropology, it has often extended beyond mere linguistics into an idea of a larger shared culture and history across southern and central Africa. In apartheid South Africa, "Bantu" was used as a euphemism for "black" in many of the country's most oppressive apartheid laws. Furthermore, debates around the origins of the original Bantu-speaking peoples and their purported spread throughout the southern half of the continent are a historiographical point of contention. In this episode, we examine the origins of the idea of Bantu languages, as well as different theories on Bantu origins and how they were so successful in spreading across such a vast geographic area.

Season 4 Episode 29: The Fall of the Twelve Hills

Season 4 Episode 29: The Fall of the Twelve Hills

In a betrayal of previous commitments to Madagascar, Britain revoked its recognition of Malagasy sovereignty in a deal with France, in exchange for French recognition of a British protectorate over Zanzibar. Soon after this deal, the French invaded Madagascar, landing troops in Mahajanga and Toamasina. The final war to conquer Madagascar had begun. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 28: The Malagasy Gold Rush

Season 4 Episode 28: The Malagasy Gold Rush

Rainilaiarivony makes a desperate bet to try and repair his nation's floundering economy following the end of the French blockade of Madagascar. His desperate solution: to open Madagascar's long dormant gold mines for business. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 27 Madagascar’s Independence (Partially) Defended

Season 4 Episode 27 Madagascar’s Independence (Partially) Defended

As the French begin their invasion of Madagascar's major ports in 1883, the queen of Madagascar falls deathly ill. In this atmosphere of chaos, the prime minister Rainilaiarivony must mount a desperate attempt to protect Merina sovereignty with the help of an unexpected ally. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 26: The Malagasy Take Manhattan

Season 4 Episode 26: The Malagasy Take Manhattan

As Malagasy prime minister Rainilaiarivony tries to distance his kingdom from French commercial interests, the French strike back. Eager to avenge his country's recent defeat in Europe, the French head of state becomes increasingly invested in colonial conquest. In an effort to drum up international support, Malagasy diplomats make a trip to London, Paris, and New York City. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 25: Ranavalona II - Madagascar’s Christian Queen

Season 4 Episode 25: Ranavalona II - Madagascar’s Christian Queen

As Rainilaiarivony radically reforms the government, educational system, and economy of the Kingdom of Madagascar, queen Ranavalona II radically reforms its religion when she officially converts the Merina Kingdom to Christianity. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 24: The Brother’s Coup and Malagasy Constitution

Season 4 Episode 24: The Brother’s Coup and Malagasy Constitution

In the aftermath of the controversial coup against Radama II, the new head of state, prime minister Rainivoninahitriniony, was in a tumultuous position. He and the fellow orchestrators of the coup had committed the unprecedented act of overthrowing the mpanjaka Imerina. He attempted to legitimize the bureaucratic takeover by marrying one of Radama's wives, Rasoherina, as well as drafting a new constitution for Imerina. While the constitution would last, Rainivoninahitriniony did not, and he was himself overthrown by his brother in 1864. This brother was Rainilaiarivony, one of the top ranking generals in the Malagasy army, who proceeded to implement a de facto military dictatorship, overthrowing his brother and declaring himself prime minister. While Rasoherina remained the official head of state, Rainilaiarivony was the true power behind the throne. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 23: Radama II

Season 4 Episode 23: Radama II

Radama II had a short reign over Madagascar, and his legacy is heavily debated. Charitable accounts of his reign paint him as a forward-thinking and humanitarian reformer, the "Renaissance Prince of Madagascar." However, more critical accounts highlight his capitulation to foreign interests and unwillingness to adhere to Merina norms of power sharing, leading to a dysfunctional government. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 22: The Lambert Coup

Season 4 Episode 22: The Lambert Coup

Ranavalona reluctantly begins to thaw the relations between her island kingdom and her long-time French adversaries. However, when a French businessman immediately tries to take advantage of the thaw, and prepares a coup to overthrow Ranavalona, place her son in power, and create a company with a monopoly on the Malagasy economy. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 21: How Mad was the ”Mad Queen” of Madagascar?

Season 4 Episode 21: How Mad was the ”Mad Queen” of Madagascar?

Ranavalona has a reputation that precedes her as Madagascar's most unhinged and cruel despot. However, while this narrative is based in some truth, it severely lacks in an understanding of the nuances of her reign. This episode examines the truth and fiction behind Ranavalona's reputation as the "mad empress" of Madagascar Support the show

Abraham Samuel: From Lowly Pirate to King of Madagascar - FROM THE VAULT

Abraham Samuel: From Lowly Pirate to King of Madagascar - FROM THE VAULT

Due to sickness, I'm releasing a premium episode from the vault while I take the time to recover. This premium episode focused on Abraham Samuel, a mixed-race Caribbean man who joined a pirate crew seeking adventure, freedom, and riches, only to suddenly find himself king of his own small country in southern Madagascar. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 20: Progress for the Few, Misery for the Many

Season 4 Episode 20: Progress for the Few, Misery for the Many

The economic progress made under Ranavalona's early reign was seemingly awe-inspiring. The country had rapidly transformed from a feudal state pumping endless sums of cash into perpetually failing companies, into a more coherent system of state-run capitalism. However, this economic progress came at an enormous human price and was propped up by a system of horrifically brutal exploitation.This episode will focus on unfree labor within the Merina economy, with a focus on how the Merina system justified and explained the use of enslaved and corvee labor, the effect that reliance on unfree labor had on the Merina economy, and how unfree laborers responded to their oppression. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 19: Western Technology, Malagasy Spirit

Season 4 Episode 19: Western Technology, Malagasy Spirit

Ranavalona hires a new group of foreign artisans like Jean Laborde and James Cameron to hasten the transformation of Madagascar into a modern, industrialized economy. Will the Merina Kingdom become the first industrialized country in Africa? Support the show

Season 4 Episode 18: The Rise of the ”Mad Queen” of Madagascar

Season 4 Episode 18: The Rise of the ”Mad Queen” of Madagascar

When Radama I died without a clear heir, his wife, Ranavalona I, allied with a group of military officers to secure her place as the new queen of Madagascar. Almost immediately, she was faced with numerous challenges, including revolts from conquered peoples, criminal lynch mobs attacking Christians, growing resentment against missionary schools, a stumbling economy, and a French invasion of the largest Malagasy port. Not to mention she has to do it all while ruling as a woman - something which had never happened before in Merina history. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 17: The Forges of Amoronkay

Season 4 Episode 17: The Forges of Amoronkay

An industrial revolution in Southeast Africa? Following the abolition of the slave trade in 1817, the future of the economy of Imerina was in flux. Looking for a replacement for the system of slave trading, the Merina king Radama initiates a strategy of industrialization, one of the first intentional industrialization initiatives in history. Large iron forging complexes, agricultural processing facilities, leather tanning centers, and gunpowder manufacturing facilities were all part of Radama's plan to replace the slave trade economy with one of finished good manufacturing. Support the show

Season 4 Episode 16: The Conquest of Toamasina

Season 4 Episode 16: The Conquest of Toamasina

Prior to his coronation, the king of Imerina, Radama, promised to his father that he would expand the kingdom towards the coast. In 1817, he accomplished this goal, conquering the largest port on Madagascar's eastern coast, Toamasina. But this was only the beginning. With a new coastal possession, Imerina was launched into a global world of international politics. Starting in 1817, Radama initiated a crusade to "modernize" his kingdom, launching radical new reforms to its systems of education, economy, industry, and architecture. In a sense, the reforms of the Merina kingdom mark the first period of history in which an African country tries to "catch up" with Europe, a phenomenon still relevant throughout Africa to this day. Imerina's fate in this quest is an informative story to follow for anyone interested in the questions of why certain countries are rich, others are poor, and how this relationship may be changed. Support the show