Hello historians, in the last months I've been reading some travel books about Africa and it really captured my imagination. But the thing is, I'm not really well-versed in African history. Okay, I know, even the term 'African' is problematic, but hear me out: I'm looking for books that refute those common myths me and others may have in our minds about the historic development of the continent. I'm sure you know what myths I'm talking about: the 'lack of civilization', 'underdevelopment', 'backwardness' and so on and so on. Bonus points if it's an enjoyable read but retains it's scientific integrity. Thank you!
I'm happy to strongly recommend Michael Gomez's Exchanging Our Country Marks, which explores the adoption of an African American identity forged by antithetical forces from both without and within the slave community as enslaved peoples imported from Africa were forced to shed their distinct cultural identities. The chapters are subdivided by the seven general regions from which slaves were imported, and Gomez examines the various ethnicities' reactions to enslavement, and the way they were valued as property based on their cultures.
Although it's about the slave trade and African experiences in the Americas, there is substantial information in the text about the various tribes to which enslaved peoples belonged, and ways in which they differed.