Includes bibliographical references (p. [377]-380) and index.

pt. 1. The time of the awakening -- Africa and the origin of humanity -- pt. 2. The age of literacy -- Africa and the beginning of civilization -- The rise of Kemet/Egypt -- The elements of early African civilization -- Governance and the political stability of Kemet -- pt. 3. The moment of realization -- The emergence of the great river kingdoms -- pt. 4. The age of construction -- The spread of classical empires and kingdoms -- The Sudanic empires : historians and their narratives -- Generators of traditional and contemporary Africa -- Societies of secrets : farmers and metallurgists -- pt. 5. The time of chaos -- Arab and European missionaries, merchants, and mercenaries -- Resisting European and Arab slave traders -- pt. 6. The age of reconstruction -- Africa regains consciousness in a Pan-African explosion -- pt. 7. The time for consolidation -- Africa consolidates independence -- Toward a United States of Africa without compromise : creation of the African Union -- Chronology of African history -- Some African ethnic groups -- Major linguistic complexes.