The History of Africa
Zeinab Badawi delves into the history of Africa for a brand new, eight-part series on BBC World News. The continent of Africa has a long, complex history, and its people built civilizations which rivalled those which existed anywhere else in the world. However, much of the continent's history is not widely known, and the little that is known often projects a distorted, partial picture. Sudan-born Zeinab travels to all four corners of Africa, interviewing historians, archaeologists, and citizens whose stories paint a vivid picture of their continent's past and how it informs their present lives.
9 episodes
- 1. Mother AfricaIn this first episode, Zeinab Badawi travels across the continent examining the origins of humankind; how and why we evolved in Africa - Africa is the greatest exporter of all time: every human being originated in Africa. During her journey Zeinab is granted rare access to the actual bones of one of the most iconic discoveries in the field of palaeontology, ‘Lucy' in Ethiopia, or as she is known in Amharic, ‘Dinkenesh’, which means ‘you are marvellous’. Zeinab also spends time in Tanzania with a tribe that is unique in the world because they live in the way our ancestors did, as hunters of big animals and gatherers. This community who have rarely been filmed provide a fascinating insight into how we have lived for most of our history.UCCJul 1, 2017
- 2. Cattle, Crops and IronZeinab Badawi continues her journey through the history of human development travelling to meet the Maasai of east Africa - one of the best known of the continent’s ethnic groups. They help explain how human beings began to domesticate animals and become pastoralists. Then in Zimbabwe with one lively farming family, Zeinab examines how humans also began to settle and make a living from farming. And she also looks at how the Iron Age transformed life in Africa and paved the way for the development of rich urban civilisations.UCC50minJul 8, 2017
- 3. Gift of the NileZeinab Badawi’s quest to uncover the history of Africa takes her to Egypt where she explores the most famous civilisation on the continent that of the ancient Egyptians. Zeinab takes you beyond the usual coverage of the pharaohs, mummies and pyramids and examines the controversial question of who the ancient Egyptians actually were. What was their ethnicity? What made such a great civilisation possible and how did the ancient Egyptians order their society? And she is also allowed to capture on film the mummy and treasures of the famous boy king Tutankhamun.UCC50minJul 15, 2017
- 4. The Kingdom of KushIn the fourth episode, Zeinab Badawi travels to the country of her birth and the very region of her forefathers: northern Sudan. Here, she examines a little known aspect of ancient African history: the Kingdom of Kush. Zeinab explains how, in the eighth century BC, Kush conquered and governed in Egypt for the best part of 100 years, becoming a regional superpower with their influence extending to the modern day Middle East. Zeinab also visits some of the best preserved of Sudan's 1,000 pyramids and uncovers how the customs of Kush are still maintained to this day.UCC50minJul 22, 2017
- 5. The Rise of AksumZeinab Badawi travels to the little-visited country of Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia, to chart the rise of the Kingdom of Aksum. Described as one of the four greatest civilisations of the ancient world, Zeinab examines archaeological remains - in both countries - dating from many hundreds of years before Christ. She explains how the Kings of Aksum grew rich and powerful from their control of the Red Sea trade and how they were one of the first civilisations that officially embraced Christianity in the 4th century. Zeinab also discovers why the Queen of Sheba and the Sacred Ark of the Covenant are so critical to the story of Aksum.UCC50minJul 29, 2017
- 6. Kings & EmirsIn the sixth episode, Zeinab Badawi focuses on the fall of the kingdom of Aksum, and how the Christian kings that followed in Aksum's wake left powerful legacies, especially that of King Lalibela. She also charts the arrival of Islam in this part of Africa and how the Christian kings and Muslim emirs co-existed.UCC50minAug 5, 2017
- 7. North AfricaIn the 7th episode, Zeinab Badawi's exploration of Africa's rich history focuses on North Africa. She travels to Morocco to discover more about the original inhabitants of the region, in particular the Berbers, the best-known of the people of North Africa. She delves into the history of the great Berber kings to understand how they managed to retain their influence when North Africa came under Roman rule.UCC50minAug 12, 2017
- 8. Ancestors, Spirits and GodIn this episode, Zeinab Badawi examines religion in Africa. First the enduring presence of Africa's indigenous ancestral religions, which millions of people on the continent still adhere to. She travels to Zimbabwe to find out more about a remote community that follows traditional African religion. In Senegal she meets a Muslim man who blends Islamic beliefs with his ancestral ones. She also charts the impact of Judaism and early Christianity in Africa and how Africans in particular made significant contributions to Christian thinking and practice.UCC50minAug 19, 2017
- 9. Islam in AfricaIn the final episode Zeinab Badawi travels to several countries and looks at the early spread of Islam in Africa and how many Africans practise to this day a mystic, Sufi form of the religion. She shows how Arab culture came to influence a large part of the continent - particularly in the north. And she charts the rise of the powerful Islamic dynasties of North Africa, that built magnificent monuments, mosques and empires - including a part of southern Europe.UCC50minAug 26, 2017
The History of Africa
Zeinab Badawi delves into the history of Africa for a brand new, eight-part series on BBC World News. The continent of Africa has a long, complex history, and its people built civilizations which rivalled those which existed anywhere else in the world. However, much of the continent's history is not widely known, and the little that is known often projects a distorted, partial picture. Sudan-born Zeinab travels to all four corners of Africa, interviewing historians, archaeologists, and citizens whose stories paint a vivid picture of their continent's past and how it informs their present lives.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Zeinab Badawi
- Studio
- Kush Communications
Maturity rating
UCheck the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.