Description
By Paul du Chaillu.
Written by Paul du Chaillu, the explorer who was the first outsider to confirm the existence of the Pygmy people of central Africa and of the gorilla-both of which had only been rumoured at before-this book is a dramatic and continually enthralling account of a nearly seven-year long exploration of West and Central Africa in the 1860s.
Commissioned by the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia, the author was sent to West Africa and the equator region on that continent in order to establish the nature of the population and the wildlife, which was little known before that time. During his explorations, he became the first outsider to see and capture gorillas, the existence of which was only known from a passing reference in a work by Hanno the Navigator of Carthage dating from the 5th century BC.
In addition, Du Chaillu thoroughly documented the native peoples of the regions he explored, recording their customs, dress, habits, technology, and culture. In this manner he also came upon the Pygmy people of central Africa and was the first to document their existence and announce it to the outside world.
Du Chaillu’s work remains a pioneering effort in exploratory anthropology and has lost none of its vitality or interest over the years. It remains a primary resource for anyone seeking an in-depth insight into pre-colonial and pre-urban West and Central Africa.
This new edition has been completely reset and contains all the original illustrations, digitally reproduced to the highest possible quality.
Paul Du Chaillu (1831-1903) was an explorer and anthropologist who became famous as the first modern European to confirm the existence of gorillas and the Pygmy people of Africa during his extensive explorations of Africa in the 1860s. He also identified several new species, including the giant otter shrew, the southern needle-clawed bushbaby, the hammer-headed bat, and the African pygmy squirrel. As a result of his discoveries and writing, he became famous in Europe and America, and spent the rest of his life researching the people of northern Europe, publishing several more works on Vikings and related topics. He died in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is buried in New York City.
Preface
Chapter I: Purpose of My Explorations
Chapter II: The Gaboon People
Chapter III: “Making” a New King
Chapter IV: Corisco the Beautiful
Chapter V: A Fetich Trial and a Murder
Chapter VI: The First Gorilla
Chapter VII: The King Is Scared at My Appearance
Chapter VIII: Stories of Fan Cannibalism
Chapter IX: Attacked by the Bashikouay Ants
Chapter X: How Rubber is Gathered
Chapter XI: A Slaver in the Offing
Chapter XII: Polygamy-Marriage-Superstitions
Chapter XIII: Live Gorilla Brought in-Ferocity-Escapes-Recaptured
Chapter XIV: I am Made a Chief-I am Poisoned with Arsenic
Chapter XV: A Day’s Work in Africa
Chapter XVI: Kindness of the Native Women to Me
Chapter XVII: The Ants of Equatorial Africa
Chapter XVIII: The Seasons and the Fevers of Equatorial Africa
Chapter XIX: Government, Superstitions, and Slave System
Chapter XX: Comparison of the Great Apes of Africa
Chapter XXI: Structure of the Gorilla and other African Apes
Chapter XXII: The Bakalai
Chapter XXIII: Departure for the Interior
Chapter XXIV: We Enter Ashira-land
Chapter XXV: I am Offered a Slave for My Supper
Chapter XXVI: Apingi Villages
Appendix
The Fauna of Equatorial Africa
The Languages of Equatorial Africa
504 pages
Softcover ISBN
9781915645180
Hardcover ISBN
9781915645449
