Travels in West Africa

Description

In the late 1890s, it was unheard of that a woman, albeit a very well-educated and independent spirit, would undertake a journey to the treacherous regions of West Africa on her own. Yet this is precisely what Mary H. Kingsley, an intelligent, brave Englishwoman and skilled Victorian author, managed to achieve.

Kingsley traveled to Africa no less than three times, and went on adventures that are scarcely believable from the standpoint of a 21th century reader. Despite the fact that her parents had died in 1893, and she was unmarried, she found her calling at age 30, traveling to Africa in order to find rare fish specimens for the British Museum, and study the various rites and cultural traditions of West African tribes, in order to complete her father’s research on various primitive regions.

Travels in West Africa was the first account of Kingsley’s African travels. Written in 1895, it is quite possible her most popular and well-received works, even though the author had caused quite a stir among the representatives of the Catholic Church. Her criticism of the work of missionaries who were at that time attempting to convert the people of Africa to Christianity has reached quite a few ears in its vehemence, particularly due to her determination to preserve the way of life and cultural heritage of local natives.

Her resolve never wavered, despite traveling to the “Dark Continent” at a time that can be considered among its darkest periods in history. Through dangerous adventures and unexpected turns of events, Mary H. Kingsley managed to find her way each time, while facing a difficult life throughout her travels.

Much more than just a simple travel journal, Travels in West Africa outlines the beauty and uniqueness of the land and its people, speaking in an inspiring, yet lighthearted and friendly tone, as if the author were recounting the story to an old friend.
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