[img]http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1252640&t=w[/img]

"Abbas Gregorius and a native of Hausa, 1848. Portraits of Abbas Gregorius, the celebrated instructor of Ludolf, an Amhara from Ethiopia, and native of Hausa, probably a West African. An engraving from the Natural History of Man, by James Cowles Prichard."

[img]http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1106714&t=w[/img]

Morel, E. D. (Edmund Dene) (1873-1924) (Author)
COLLECTION
Nigeria, its peoples and its problems.
DATES / ORIGIN
Date Issued: 1911
TOPICS
Africa
Nigeria
Africans
Zaria (Nigeria)
Katsina (Nigeria)
Rulers -- Africa

This image was obtained from this site:

http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/large-57.html

It gives the source of the image as being the book Histoire de l'Afrique Noire d'hier à demain (History of Black Africa from yesterday to tomorrow, 1978) by Joseph Ki-Zerbo.

The caption on their site for the image is "Les murs de Sikasso (Mali) : une forteresse de 6 mètres d'épaisseur à la base et 6 mètres de hauteur. Au centre, sur une éminence, le dionfoutou (donjon), où le roi Tiéba défia et défit la puissance de Samori, et où son successeur Babemba se suicida pour ne pas tomber aux mains des Français."

Google translate gives that in English as "The walls of Sikasso ( Mali ) : a fortress 6 meters thick at the base and 6 meters high. In the center, on a hill, the dionfoutou (keep), where King Tiéba challenged and defeated the power of Samori, and where his successor Babemba committed suicide to avoid falling into French hands."

But anyone who can give a better French to English translation is free to post one.



There is another drawing of the same fortifications at Sikasso:

[img]http://www.lejardindedb.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L448xH369/tata_de_Tionghi_Site-cfc8a.jpg[/img]

I obtained the image from this site:

http://www.lejardindedb.fr/La-maison-du-general-7-1

Though it is also depicted here: http://www.ccfg-conakry.org/Sikasso.html

If anyone could direct me to a more professional/academic source for the second drawing, I would appreciate it.

[img]http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/pictures/900x745x01-griot-aveugle-kayesF.jpg.pagespeed.ic.slGFqPOUp4.webp[/img]

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

The caption is "Un griot aveugle de Kayes, Mali." (A blind griot, Kayes, Mali)

Source: http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/large-1.html

[img]http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/pictures/900x1156x07-3-pylone-temple-nagaF.jpg.pagespeed.ic.oNTbbfOcAs.webp[/img]

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

Caption: "Pylône du temple du lion à Naga (au Sud de Méroé, Soudan). On y voit le serpent à tête de lion qui représente le dieu Apedemak." (Pylon of the temple of the lion in Naga (south of Meroe, Sudan). It shows the lion-headed serpent representing the god Apedemak.)

Source: http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/large-9.html

"Faras (Nobatia), Nubia. Remains of a Nubian brick church."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"The walls of Kilwa. The wealth of the city explains these impressive precautions."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

On the drawings of the fortifications at Sikasso, Mali that I posted a little earlier, this is some additional information:

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&u=http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5443/&usg=ALkJrhjObK-NCC-UlpgGjVF-9iC3QidN8A

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_de_Sikasso&prev=search

"House from Tegdaoust (Mauritania). The site reveals several successive levels of occupation. In the background , the sandstone escarpment of Rkiz."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Maison exhumée à Koumbi Saleh (Mauritanie). Remarquer l'aplomb des murs et les niches triangulaires pour ustensiles divers (lampes à huile en particulier) " (House exhumed at Kumbi Saleh (Mauritania). Note plumb walls and triangular niches for various utensils (oil lamps in particular)

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo



[If anyone has a better translation of the above caption, do post it.]

"A district of Goundam (Mali). Such was the general appearance of the ancient cities of [the] Sudan."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Askia Tomb in Gao (Mali) . Pyramidal structure, equipped with beams, which reinforce the building and gives it a very original profile."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Zimbabwe: the Acropolis. Judicious use of the rocky escarpment above which rose the wall 10 meters high and 7 meters thick."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"King of Brong - Tekyiman (Ghana). He is surrounded by his regalia. The guard carries the sword of honor."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Dan Bracelet (Côte d'Ivoire). Perfect blend of strength and elegance."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo



[The Dan, or Gio people, are an ethnic group found in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire.]

"The scepter (ax of honor) of Glélé. With the lion symbol."



[img]http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/pictures/586x1102x18-8-porte-palais-roi-abomeyF.jpg.pagespeed.ic.bPvQAjNF-0.webp[/img]

"Abomey: Door of the palace of the kings. Above, the chameleon, the symbol of King Akaba (1685-1708). In the lower panel, the lion Glélé (1858-1889)."


From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Fon War Tunic (Dahomey, Benin). This style exists throughout the savannah of western Sudan."


From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Foumban. The gateway to the city."


From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo


[Foumban or Fumban was the capital of the Bamum kingdom.]

"Zande Harp. Sober and refined elegance of the lines. The war did not stop the music."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Ruins of the fort (Birni) of Zinder (kingdom of Damagaram - Niger)

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo


[Zinder was the capital of the Sultanate of Damagaram, which was an important state in the southeastern part of modern day Niger.]

[img]http://www.webafriqa.net/library/history/ki-zerbo/histoire-afrique-noire/photos/pictures/1024x573x23-2-palais-ahmadou-segouF.jpg.pagespeed.ic.cAzzAMeoow.webp[/img]

"The former palace of Sheikh Ahmadou in Segou. Sudanese style storey buildings. In taking Segou, El-Hadj Omar incurred the irreconcilable hatred of the Bambara."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo


[Ségou, in Mali, was the capital of the Bambara empire, until its conquest by the Toucouleur leader Umar Tall.]

"Entrance to the Palace of the Sultan of Rey (Adamawa, Cameroon). The Rey emirate was in the first half of the nineteenth century, one of the outposts of the uprising caused in the Central Sudan by the Revolution of Usman dan Fodio. Note the infantry and cavalry."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

"Samori Toure in Beyla (Guinea) in 1898, shortly after his capture in Guélémou (Ivory Coast). The Almamy does not seem crushed by his defeat."

From Histoire de l'Afrique Noire, D'hier à Demain by Joseph Ki-Zerbo

[img]http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1248633&t=w[/img]

"Military Weapons of the Ashantees."

Dupuis, Joseph (Author)
Williams, C. (fl. 1824) (Engraver)
COLLECTION
Journal of a residence in Ashantee, comprising notes and researches relative to the Gold Coast, and the interior of Western Africa, chiefly collected from Arabic mss. And information communicated by the Moslems of Guinea; to which is prefixed an account of the origin and causes of the present war.
DATES / ORIGIN
Date Issued: 1824
TOPICS
Ashanti
Arms & armament -- Africa

". . .the upper end of the piazza, which is more ornamented, and appropriated to the superior captains, who have each a suite of rooms, marked by the small doors under the piazza. A woman is dancing whilst a man plays the flute and rattle."

Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich

". . .a view of part of Adoom-street: each open front denotes the residence of a captain, being used for talking palavers, receiving strangers, observing or superintending customs, and evening recreation. . .A fetish woman has just quitted the centre house; she has on a white cloth, and various pieces of rich silk are hanging round her girdle, her breasts are confined with a scarf, a fillet encircles her head, in each hand she waves a horse's tail, and she continues yelling and swinging round and round until she is quite stupified. A weaver and loom are on her right, and a market woman under her shed on the left."

Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich


[The "fetish woman" Bowdich describes is probably some kind of priestess in a trance.]

". . .the exterior of the King's bed room, being one side of an inner area, about 30 feet square. The stunted silk-cotton and the manchineal tree are fetish or sacred, as are the white and red rags at the top of the pole, and the small brass cups supported by the forked sticks. The colored bags hanging over the round doors (the chequering of which is in relief) contain Moorish charms. The carving of the left hand window is cased in silver, of the right hand, in gold. The two men are playing at Worra. The King made frequent enquiries about the architecture of England, of which we gave him some idea by drawings. He was very fond of referring to a project ascribed to Sai Cudjo, and which he declared he would carry into effect directly the Gaman war was over. This was to build a house for his own immediate residence, roofed with brass pans, beaten into flat surfaces, and laid over an ivory frame work appearing within. The windows and the doors to be cased in gold, and the door posts and pillars of ivory. Whether the Moors originated or encouraged this extravagance by the descriptions in their tales, for some of the stories of the Arabian Nights were commonly in their mouths, or whether it was the scheme of his own disposition, prone to magnificence and novelty, the King dwelt ardently on the intention, and by their frequent conversations on the subject, his chiefs appeared scarcely less anxious for the execution than himself. He meditated great improvements and embellishments in his capital, on his return from the war, when it was intended that every captain should be presented with an extraordinary sum out of the public treasury, for adorning or enlarging his house. The ruined streets between Asafoo and Bantama were to be rebuilt, and the six or seven small crooms between Coomassie and Baramang, (the King's country residence,) were to be pulled down, and the inhabitants to occupy a wide street to extend from the city to that croom."


Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich

['Gaman' refers the Akan kingdom of Gyaman, a rival state northwest of Ashanti. An explanatory note in a later edition of Bowdich's book defines the word croom: 'The word croom, so constantly used for "hamlet" is an anglicization of the Akan kurom' for kuro mu. Kuro means a hamlet, and mu means in, or into']

". . .the exterior of a bed room of Odumata's, which is one side of an oblong area in a very retired angle of his house, about 25 feet by 8. . .The small gallery in front of the upper room is only wide enough for one person to walk in. The recess and small room below accommodate confidential slaves. The bed room was very small, about 8 feet square, but being hung round with a variety of gold and silver ornaments, had a very rich appearance. The bed is generally about 5 feet high, and composed entirely of large silk-cotton pillows piled one above another. The King of Gaman, we were assured, had steps of solid gold to ascend to his bed. A man wearing a crier's cap, is playing the sanko."

Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich

". . .a perspective view of the entrance area to Apokoo's house; the fourth side is an open fronted building like those on the right and left for attendants to wait in, and for the hearing of palavers. The opposite closed side is a bed room. The figure is playing the bentwa."


Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich

". . .one of the oldest houses in Coomassie . .and part of the quarters of the Mission."





". . .a more modern part of the same house, being one side of a small area about 15 feet square, allotted to the chief officer of the Embassy. These areas are all distinct, and a house consists of an indefinite number of them, some 36 feet square, with several long courts. In paying a visit to a principal man, the state was to detain us some minutes at the door of each area, as he generally received us in the innermost. The figure is one of the King's body guards, which have been described before."


Source: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa (1819) by Thomas E. Bowdich

This is a drawing of a ceremony at Abomey.




This is a drawing of another ceremony, also at Abomey.


Source (for both images): Dahomey and the Dahomans; being the journals of two missions to the king of Dahomey, and residence at his capital, in the year 1849 and 1850 by Frederick E. Forbes


[These images are from volume 2 of the book by Frederick Forbes.]