Motherland: A Journey through 500,000 Years of African Culture and Identity

(Hardback)

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'An essential read' Simon Sebag Montefiore

'Magisterial, brilliant, capacious and transformative' Kate Williams

Motherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera's journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask - Who are we Where do we come from What defines us And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity

With illuminating examples, Pepera explores aspects of African identity from nomadic culture and matriarchal society to beliefs about the afterlife and the tradition of oral storytelling. We meet an array of characters including Mansa Musa, the wealthiest man who ever lived, Queen Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans, through to contemporary figures like Kool Moe Dee, who pioneered the rap battle, and Dexter Bristol, a member of the Windrush generation.

Interwoven with Luke's own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

Reviews

Magisterial, brilliant, capacious and transformative, this astonishing journey into the heart of Africa is a superb synthesis, an analysis of 500,000 years of history and the most gripping, colourful and marvellous journey possible. The continent of Africa is here, vivid with life, death, survival, hope and stories. * Kate Williams *
Wonderful and illuminating: an historical and personal journey through 500,000 years of African history, power and culture, with a fascinating cast of African leaders and artists, from imperial conquerors and warrior queens to rappers, activists and migrants, from prehistory to the 21st century. An essential read * Simon Sebag Montefiore *
From Eve to the queenly kandakes of Nubia, from Alessandro de' Medici of Renaissance Florence to Hollywood's Chadwick Boseman, Pepera's expansive story of African history and culture is unlike any other you will read. An energetic and impassioned debut from an historian who is sure to go far * Daisy Dunn, author of The Missing Thread *
A fascinating, personal reappraisal of African cultural history, at once challenging and enlightening * Clare Mulley, author of Agent Zo *
An extraordinary achievement showcasing Pepera's skills as both a writer and a scholar. From the continent's role as the midwife of humanity, to the profound global influence of people of African descent, MOTHERLAND leads us expertly through age after age of astoundingly rich history and culture. An enlightening read that is sure to top many awards lists. * Lindsey Fitzharris, New York Times Bestselling Author of THE FACEMAKER *
Pepera's remarkable exploration of 500,000 years of African history will leave readers both gripped and utterly enthralled. Expertly written with a remarkable eye for detail and storytelling, Motherland is not only extraordinary and powerful, but truly groundbreaking. A superb debut. * Nicola Tallis, author of Young Elizabeth *

Author Bio

Luke is a writer, broadcaster, historian, and anthropologist dedicated to sharing his passion for African history & cultures. He was born in Ghana, and has a degree from St Peter's College, Oxford, where he read Archaeology & Anthropology and studied ancient and medieval African history. Since graduating he has worked at the Pitt Rivers Museum, The Times, and Tatler, and has written and presented Africa: Written Out of History, a documentary for Dan Snow's History Hit.