by Mary H. Kingsley
About this book
Mary H. Kingsley's Travels in West Africa is a groundbreaking firsthand account of adventure, cultural discovery, and fearless exploration in late 19th-century Africa. Defying Victorian expectations, Kingsley ventured into the uncharted regions of Congo Français, Corisco, and Cameroons, documenting encounters with indigenous peoples, treacherous landscapes, and her own remarkable resilience.
From battling crocodiles and narrowly escaping native spear traps to scaling the slopes of Mount Cameroon during a tornado, Kingsley's experiences challenge the colonial narratives of her era. She traveled in full Victorian dress—long black skirts, tight waists, and high collars—garments that paradoxically saved her life when she fell into a game pit, the layered petticoats cushioning her fall. Yet beyond the thrilling adventures, this travel narrative reveals Kingsley as a thoughtful ethnographer and vocal critic of European colonialism, championing indigenous customs and advocating for trade-based policies over missionary and settler expansion.
Written in Kingsley's own compelling voice, this audiobook offers intimate insights into West African cultures, spiritual practices, and the author's evolving perspectives on imperialism. Perfect for history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and listeners interested in early feminist exploration narratives, Travels in West Africa stands as both an exciting page-turner and an important historical document that reshaped European understanding of Africa and its people.
