Africa: A Voyage of Discovery

  • Rank #
  • Premiered: May 1984
  • Episodes: 8
  • Followers: 0
  • Ended
  • Channel 4
  • at 0
  • Documentary History

Seasons:

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Season 1
1x1
Different But Equal
Episode overview
Air date
May 19, 1984
Basil Davidson examines the cultures of early Africa. Much of this information is based on art and artifacts from pyramids, caves, and tombs from Egypt and Meroe in ancient Sudan, with an emphasis on Meroe.
1x2
Mastering a Continent
Episode overview
Air date
May 26, 1984
Basil Davidson takes a look at three different African groups, the Nok, the Dogon, and the Pokat. While many regard these societies as primitive, Davidson points out the complexity of their lifestyles.
1x3
Caravans of Gold
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 02, 1984
This episode traces the roots of the medieval gold trade - which reached from Africa to India, China, and Italy - and examines its influence on the African continent.
1x4
Kings and Cities
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 09, 1984
Basil Davidson tracks the prospering region of West Africa, burgeoning as a consequence of its wide-ranging trade achievements.
1x5
The Bible and the Gun
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 16, 1984
One of the more powerful influences on the development of Africa was exerted by the European missionary. This influence is discussed by Basil Davidson as being both good and bad.
1x6
This Magnificent African Cake
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 23, 1984
After the 1880s, Europeans set about exploiting Africans in every conceivable way, forcing them to pay taxes, plant cash crops instead of food crops grown for survival, and work for low pay.
1x7
The Rise of Nationalism
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 30, 1984
This episode charts the events that in 1957 resulted in independence for Ghana, the first sub-Saharan colony to achieve independence. And then it highlights similar uprisings against colonial rule.
1x8 Show finale
The Legacy
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 07, 1984
Davidson looks at Africa in the aftermath of colonial rule, featuring Lagos as an example of a rapidly growing, postcolonial African city, struggling with crime, traffic, electric supply, and other problems.

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