Encyclopaedia Africana

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Dawit I (reigned 1380-1412) was one of the most powerful medieval emperors of Ethiopia. He was the son of Emperor Newaya Krestos. His reign coincided...

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Ras Dasta Damtaw (1892- February 26, 1937) was famous for capturing the prince Lej Iyasu, nominal ruler of Ethiopia, after his disposition in 1916. He...

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Joseph Dawson (1834- 18?) was active in helping draw up the constitution of the Fante Confederation in the 1860s, and later acted as an intermediary...

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Leon Chefneux (1853 – 1927) was a French trader and adventurer who helped Menelik II [reigned 1889 -1913] in some of his business and diplomatic dealings...

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Francis Chapman Grant (1825-1908), a prominent figure in the Fante Confederation of 1868-73, and a member of the Gold Coast Legislative Council, was one of...

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Ghartey IV (c. 1820-July 30, 1897), was King (Odefa) of Winneba, the port 35 miles (56 km) west of Accra, from 1872-97. He was also...

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Na Gbewa (“Na” meaning paramount chief), or Bawa, the common historical ancestor of the founders of the Mamprusi, Mossi, and Dagomba states of what is...

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Andreas Aku (1863-1931), a notable clergyman, theologian, and author, became the first Indigenous head of the Ewe Presbyterian Church in 1922. He was one of...

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Clement Anderson Akrofi (July 1, 1901-July 1, 1967) was an educator, theologian, and linguist. He became the foremost authority on the Twi language in his...

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Muhammed Zangina was the Ya Na (paramount chief) of Dagomba in what is now, northeastern Ghana in about the early 18th century. During his reign...

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

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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.