HistoryAfrica

African Roots offers portraits of Africans who left a legacy

Philipp Sandner

May 12, 2021

Want to learn more about founding figures, independence fighters and innovators across Africa? African Roots takes you through the lives of the renowned and the lesser known heroes and heroines - in comic-style videos.

African Roots | Ras Gobena Dache

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Conceived in collaboration with the Gerda Henkel Foundation, crafted by Nigerian animation powerhouse Comic Republic, approved and fact-checked by African historians — here's what you need to know about African Roots, our 50-portrait series that digs deep into African history.

African Roots: DW's popular history series is back with a new season

For more African history, also check out our new series Shadows of German Colonialism!

More the podcast kind? Here's the African Roots Podcast...

Project coordinator: Philipp Sandner

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Reports & Analysis

Making Africa's history tangible

'African Roots' is celebrating 50 portraits of significant figures in African history.

Yennenga: Ancestor of Burkina Faso’s Mossi people

Princess Yennenga left a lasting legacy in Burkina Faso by pursuing her dream as a young woman.

Njoya Ibrahim: Cameroon's inventive king

At a time when the Germans were imposing themselves in Cameroon, Sultan Njoya managed to reign with relative freedom.

Queen of Sheba: A journey in search of wisdom

Though her origin is contested, the Queen of Sheba — also known as Makeda — is at the core of Ethiopian mythology.

Afonso I of Kongo: The ruler caught up in the slave trade

Afonso I of Kongo strategically pursued a close mutually beneficial relationship with Portugal.

Mandela, visionary of a free South Africa

Nelson Mandela led South Africa to freedom from white rule, becoming its first black president.

Flora Nwapa: Mother of modern African Literature

Nigerian author Flora Nwapa's first novel Efuru made her the first African woman to publish a book in English.

Lumumba, independence fighter

Patrice Lumumba became prime minister when the Congo was still under Belgian rule. He was later assassinated.

Gobena Dache: Right-hand man of Ethiopia's Menelik II

He was a no-nonsense military man and Ethiopian Empire-builder. But Gobena Dache's legacy is not without controversy.

Oba Ewuare: Benin’s Bronze King

Benin’s Oba Ewuare is credited with promoting arts, culture and bronze figures that have stood the test of time.

Queen Abla Pokou: Mother of the Baoule

Akan Queen Abla Pokou led her people from modern-day Ghana to Ivory Coast around 1770, to become the Baoule nation.

Douala Manga Bell: African king who stood up against Germans

Educated in Germany, King Rudolf Douala Manga Bell was passionate about German culture. He was later disappointed.

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