An African Warrior

In the rugged terrain of Northern Kenya, virtually isolated from civilization, lives one of the last surviving warrior peoples of Africa. Renowned for their extraordinary physical beauty and grace as much as for their independence and pride, the Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose lives and intricate social system, with its age-sets, cattle-wealth, circumcision and marriage rituals, have been shaped over time by the fierce climate, by inter-tribal rivalry and by the never-ending search for grazing and water.

One of history’s most multifaceted rulers but little known in the West, Queen Njinga rivaled Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great in political cunning and military prowess. Today, she is revered in Angola as a heroine and honored in folk religions. Her complex legacy forms a crucial part of the collective memory of the Afro-Atlantic world.

This biography of the first foreign-born samurai and his journey from Africa to Japan is “a readable, compassionate account of an extraordinary life” (The Washington Post). When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts and ascending the upper echelons of Japanese society. In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical figure. Now African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries and cultures offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan. “Fast-paced, action-packed writing. . . . A new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Eminently readable. . . . a worthwhile and entertaining work.” —Publishers Weekly “A unique story of a unique man, and yet someone with whom we can all identify.” —Jack Weatherford, New York Times–bestselling author of Genghis Khan

"The Anglo-Zulu War, the most famous of Britain's lte ninetweenth-century campaigns of colonial conquest, was not fought in isolation. Along with the two Anglo-Pedi wars, the Ninth Cape Frontier War and the Northern Border War, it was one in a brutal series of interconnected and overlapping wars which the British waged between 1877-1879 to crush and disarm the remaining independent black states of South Africa. [Fusing] the widely differing African and European perspectives on events, [the author] probes the fateful decisions taken by statesmen and military commandrs, analyses military operations and their destructive impact on combatants and civilians alike, and explores why so many Africans chose to fight as auxiliaries and levies alongside the Bruitish instead of against them. ..."--Jacket.

Zusa, a young herds boy is severely injured defending his father's lives stock from a leopard attack. Once he recovers, he is summoned to his nation's capital, Nyazimba, the city of stone, to be presented an award for bravery by his King. Travelling with his mentor Gemba, he is enthralled to experience the wonders outside of his community. As he goes through the African low veldt towards his nations capital he begins to understand the extent of his tribes influence on the land. From newly developed farming techniques, the mining of iron and gold to the unique industry which quarries countless granite stone bricks, the construction material this Bantu nation uses to construct their gigantic communities and monuments throughout the region, many of which are still evident today, leaving forever the indications of their advancements in the untamed wild. While at the city his nation is clandestinely attacked by a neighbouring tribe who through a surprise assaults manages to secure a number of key towns and villages. Zusa realises that the enemy had raided his family's community he rushes home to find the kraal destroyed, his father and brother murdered and mother and sibling taken into captivity. Returning to the capital, the city is defenceless and in panic, after the attackers manages to subdue the hastily assembled Nyazimbian army leaving the developing nation virtually defenceless. The brave young man proposes a concept, born from desperation, which offers a glimmer of hope to the impeding defeat and Zusa marches to war.

For anyone interested in primitive cultures and field photography as high art, this stunning volume by Gianni Giansanti, the renowned author of Vanishing Africa, provides an exceedingly intimate and sympathetic portrait of indigenous peoples in their most purposeful aspect. Trekking ever deeper into the mysterious heart of undocumentedand endangeredaboriginal Africa, the birthplace of humanity, Giansanti captures the extraordinary masks, plumage, and adornment used by warriors in the remotest regions to invoke martial magic. Each photo is a masterpiece of abstract art that demonstrates how the natives use their bodies as canvases, painting their scarified flesh with pigments made from powdered volcanic rock and adorning themselves with flowers, leaves, grasses, shells, and animal horns. Giansanti employs virtuoso techniques of chiaroscuro, stark contrasts of texture and color, and jarring juxtapositions of the primordial and the modern to produce a rare and surreal glimpse into an eerily exotic and timeless way of life.

In the heart of Southern Africa, the legacy of the legendary warrior Khomotso unfolds, beginning with a prophecy that marks him for greatness. Born with a distinctive white strand of hair and a prophetic mark, Khomotso discovers a forbidden tree that gifts him unimaginable powers, turning him into a symbol of strength and hope for his tribe. Fast forward to a new era, and Letago, Khomotso's descendant, inherits these extraordinary abilities. As the last surviving member of his family, Letago must defend the Mapedi tribe against earthly foes and supernatural threats, showcasing the unwavering determination of the African people to fight for freedom and justice. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Africa's diverse cultures and traditions, highlighting Letago's rise to power as he assumes his grandfather's throne in Polokwane. Yet, his challenges extend beyond earthly conflicts, introducing a cosmic convergence that unleashes intergalactic invaders, witches, and wizards. Guided by ancestral voices, Letago navigates political intricacies, forms alliances, and confronts unimaginable adversaries. Love blossoms amidst chaos as Letago finds a soulmate in Potego, a strong and wise woman from a neighboring tribe. Together, they embody symbols of unity, tirelessly working to unite their people against the dual threat of colonizers and cosmic invaders. Across 66 chapters, the novel weaves an intricate tapestry of unexpected alliances, shocking betrayals, and deep-seated secrets. "The African Warrior: New Generation" delves into Letago's evolution, where mastery over the elements becomes paramount. As he summons gusts of wind, bolts of lightning, and controls nature itself, the fate of his people teeters on the edge, hurtling towards a climactic conclusion. This culturally rich journey promises a thrilling blend of historical depth, supernatural intrigue, and a protagonist's unyielding quest for justice and unity. Join Letago as he grapples with the responsibility of his powers, offering readers a roller-coaster of emotions and a symbol of resilience against adversity. "The African Warrior: New Generation" is destined to be a bestseller, immersing readers in a potent mix of historical richness, supernatural excitement, and a hero's unwavering pursuit of justice.

From the heart of Africa, a child was born with a pure strand of white hair on his right side and a mark on his right hand. He was destined for greatness, to become a warrior, a protector, and a legend. His name was Khomotso, and his story will inspire generations to come." This book tells the story of a remarkable man who defied the odds and became a hero to his people. Khomotso's journey is one of courage, strength, and determination, as he faces challenges and obstacles that would have defeated lesser men. But Khomotso is not just any man; he is a warrior with a pure heart and a hunger for knowledge, who discovers a forbidden tree that grants him immense powers. Through his trials and triumphs, Khomotso remains a loving husband and father, passing on his knowledge and skills to his children. He becomes a symbol of hope and strength for his tribe, defending his land and people against other tribes and white colonizers. Set in Africa, a world of diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, this book celebrates the values of courage, strength, and family bonds that are highly valued in this rich and vibrant continent. Khomotso's story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of those who dare to dream and achieve greatness.

In this gorgeously written and “vividly fascinating” (Elle) account, a prize-winning journalist digs deep into his ancestry looking for the origins of his unusual last name and discovers that he comes from one of America’s earliest mixed-race families. “My dad’s family was a mystery,” writes journalist Joe Mozingo, having grown up with only rumors about where his father’s family was from—Italy, France, the Basque Country. But when a college professor told the blue-eyed Californian that his family name may have come from sub-Saharan Africa, Mozingo set out on an epic journey to uncover the truth. He soon discovered that all Mozingos in America, including his father’s line, appeared to have descended from a black man named Edward Mozingo who was brought to America as a slave in 1644 and, after winning his freedom twenty-eight years later, became a tenant tobacco farmer, married a white woman, and fathered one of the country’s earliest mixed-race family lineages. Tugging at the buried thread of his origins, Joe Mozingo has unearthed a saga that encompasses the full sweep of America’s history and lays bare the country’s tortured and paradoxical experience with race. Haunting and beautiful, Mozingo’s memoir paints a world where the lines based on color are both illusory and life altering. He traces his family line from the ravages of the slave trade to the mixed-race society of colonial Virginia and through the brutal imposition of racial laws.