Author Description

A lively two-color design, tables, and chronologies complement a strong anthropological focus in entries on some 1,000 ethnic groups from all of Africa. Entries discuss each major group's history, language, social structure, religion, and cultural traditions. A separate section provides capsule information on Africa's regions and nations, helping readers understand each ethnic group in the context of the land, climate, and wildlife of its environment. Special map-based spreads focus on elements of culture and history that many groups share. Some 300 thumbnail biographies of prominent persons also appear.