Encyclopaedia Africana

Revolutionaries, Statesmen & Traditional Rulers

  • 4 Min Read

Patrick Baker Duncan (June 1918 – June 4, 1967), born into the South African white liberal tradition, was unique in terms of his close association...

  • 3 Min Read

Dingiswayo (circa the 1770s- 1818) was a northern Nguni leader who is credited with the development of the age-regiment system of tribal army organisation. This...

  • 2 Min Read

Ras Alula Qubi (1827-1897) was a distinguished general of Yohannes IV [reigned 1872-89], and a staunch supporter of his heir to the throne, Mangasha Yohannes....

  • 1 Min Read

Dlamini I (circa 15th century), also called Matalatala, was the founder of the Nkosi Dlamini, the royal house of Swaziland (Now Eswatini). He was a...

  • 4 Min Read

Dinuzulu (Dinizulu), (circa 1868-October 18, 1913), Zulu king from 1884-87 ruled over a divided Zululand in the aftermath of the destruction of the Zulu empire...

  • 3 Min Read

Rudolfo Graziani (August 11, 1882-January 11, 1955) was an Italian general and colonial administrator. He was popularly known as the “hyena of Libya’ and the...

  • 2 Min Read

Gobana Dachi (1821-July 1889) was a conquering general who expanded the Ethiopia of Menilek II (reigned as emperor 1889-19131) to the south and west. Gobana...

  • 2 Min Read

Gedewon (15?-1624) was ruler of the Falasha (Ethiopians of Jewish faith) for almost 40 years, from 1586-1624. He was the kinsman of Gushan or Gwashan,...

  • 2 Min Read

Ali Gwangul (17?-1788), known as Ali the Great, was the founder of a Galla dynasty of Rases (high commanders) who controlled much of what was...

  • 3 Min Read

Abraha (6th century AD) was an Aksumite general who became viceroy of South Arabia. He established his seat of government at the city of San’a’,...

Editor’s Note

This website features a collection of articles largely from previously published volumes of the Encyclopaedia Africana, specifically the Encyclopaedia Africana Dictionary of African Biography, which highlights notable individuals from various regions of Africa. Please note that in these volumes, some names of people, towns, and countries were spelled differently than they are today. We have retained these historical spellings to preserve the integrity of the original publications. In some instances, the current spellings are also provided for easy reference.
Please report errors to: info@encyclopaediaafricana.com / research@encyclopaediaafricana.com

Support Encyclopaedia Africana

Help us create more content and preserve African knowledge. Your donation makes a difference! [Donate Now]

Working Hours

8:00am–4:30pm, Monday-Friday

Office Location

Campus of CSIR Airport Residential Area, Accra-Ghana

The Encyclopaedia Africana Project is an AU Flagship Project with the mission to produce and publish peer reviewed articles devoted mainly to Africa and its people.

Encyclopaedia Africana