# history of Africa > past events and people in African history **Wikidata**: [Q149813](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q149813) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Africa) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/history-of-africa ## Summary The history of Africa encompasses the past events and people across the continent, studied as an academic discipline and documented by historians such as Djibril Tamsir Niane, A. G. Hopkins, Yakov Etinger, and Claude-Hélène Perrot. It is a subfield of human history, with specialized studies focusing on regions like West Africa, Egypt, and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal. ## Key Facts - The history of Africa is a recognized academic discipline with significant scholarly contributions. - Key historians include Djibril Tamsir Niane (Senegalese and Guinean), A. G. Hopkins (British), Yakov Etinger (Russian), and Claude-Hélène Perrot (French). - It is part of broader historical studies, including human history, the Middle East, and regional histories of countries like Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, and Tanzania. - The field is documented in various encyclopedias, reference works, and digital archives, including LCCN sh85001556, BNF 00578062, and LC 960. - It has been translated and adapted into multiple languages, including Lithuanian (afrikos istorija) and Italian (storia della Africa). - The history of Africa is classified under Q63313685 and Q11862829 in Wikidata, with a subclass relationship to Q200325. - It has been indexed in multiple bibliographic and digital libraries, including WorldCat (OCLC 11930842m) and Google Books (987007293827405171). ## FAQs **What academic discipline is the history of Africa part of?** The history of Africa is a specialized field within the broader academic discipline of history, focusing on the continent's past events and people. **Who are some notable historians of African history?** Notable historians include Djibril Tamsir Niane (Senegalese and Guinean), A. G. Hopkins (British), Yakov Etinger (Russian), and Claude-Hélène Perrot (French). **How is the history of Africa organized geographically?** It is divided into regional studies, such as the history of West Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, Eswatini, and Tanzania. **What are some key reference works on African history?** Key reference works include encyclopedias, digital archives, and bibliographic entries, such as LCCN sh85001556, BNF 00578062, and LC 960. **How has the history of Africa been documented in different languages?** It has been translated into languages like Lithuanian (afrikos istorija) and Italian (storia della Africa), with entries in multiple bibliographic systems. ## Why It Matters The history of Africa provides a comprehensive understanding of the continent's cultural, political, and social development. It serves as a foundation for academic research, policy-making, and public education, highlighting the diversity and resilience of African civilizations. By studying African history, scholars and the public gain insights into the continent's contributions to global history, from ancient kingdoms to modern movements. It also underscores the importance of preserving and interpreting Africa's heritage for future generations. ## Notable For - Being a recognized academic discipline with contributions from historians across multiple nationalities. - Including specialized studies on regional histories, such as West Africa, Egypt, and East Africa. - Having extensive bibliographic and digital documentation, including encyclopedic entries and translations. - Being part of broader historical frameworks, such as human history and the Middle East. - Having been indexed in major bibliographic systems, including WorldCat and Google Books. ## Body ### Academic Discipline The history of Africa is a specialized academic field that examines the continent's past events and people. It is part of the broader discipline of history, with scholars contributing from diverse backgrounds, including Senegalese, British, Russian, and French historians. ### Key Historians Notable contributors to the field include: - **Djibril Tamsir Niane** (1932–2021), a Senegalese and Guinean writer and historian. - **A. G. Hopkins** (born 1938), a British historian. - **Yakov Etinger** (1929–2014), a Russian academic. - **Claude-Hélène Perrot** (1928–2019), a French historian. ### Regional Studies The history of Africa is organized into regional studies, including: - **History of West Africa**, covering occurrences and people in the region. - **History of Egypt**, focusing on the country's past. - **History of Kenya**, documenting the history of the East African nation. - **History of Madagascar**, examining the island's past. - **History of Senegal**, detailing the history of the West African country. - **History of Eswatini**, covering the history of the Southern African nation. - **History of Tanzania**, studying the history of the East African region. ### Bibliographic Documentation The history of Africa is documented in various reference works, including: - **Encyclopedic entries**: LCCN sh85001556, BNF 00578062, LC 960. - **Digital archives**: WorldCat (OCLC 11930842m), Google Books (987007293827405171). - **Translations**: Lithuanian (afrikos istorija), Italian (storia della Africa). ### Classification and Indexing The history of Africa is classified under Q63313685 and Q11862829 in Wikidata, with a subclass relationship to Q200325. It has been indexed in multiple bibliographic and digital libraries, including: - **WorldCat**: OCLC 11930842m. - **Google Books**: 987007293827405171. - **Bibliothèque nationale de France**: BNF 00578062. ### Significance The history of Africa is significant for its contributions to global history, including ancient kingdoms, colonial periods, and modern movements. It serves as a foundation for academic research, policy-making, and public education, highlighting the diversity and resilience of African civilizations. By preserving and interpreting Africa's heritage, the field ensures that its past is understood and valued by future generations. ## References 1. Directory of Open Access Journals 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. BBC Things 4. Quora 5. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)