Africa in the SOAS Library
- Africa collection includes publications on and from the whole continent of Africa, except for Egypt which is covered by the Islamic Middle East Section.
- Main strengths of the Africa collection are in vernacular languages, linguistics and literatures; anthropology and ethnic minorities; religion; economics, finance and statistics; development issues; politics and government; law, including customary law; film, the press and media studies.
- Extensive African language collection covering hundreds of languages from the whole continent with a few exceptions. Publications in Arabic on, mainly, North Africa are located in the Islamic Middle East Section; publications in Amharic and related Semitic languages on Ethiopia are located in the Ancient Near East, Semitics and Judaica Section; publications in Malagasy on Madagascar are located in the South-East Asia Section.
Key journals
The Library holds an extensive collection of journals for African research, both in print and electronic format. Please check the Library catalogue to see if the Library has specific journals. Below is a list of some of the key journals held:
- Africa: journal of the International African Institute
- Africa Confidential
- Journal of African Economies
- Journal of African History
- Journal of African Law
- Journal of Contemporary African Studies
- Journal of Modern African Studies
- Journal of Religion in Africa
- Research in African Literatures
- Review of African Political Economy
Reference Material
The Library holds many reference works for African research and many of the print works will be found in the African Reference Section which is on Level D, the first floor of the Library, at stacks 188-193. Many reference works are available electronically as well.
Special Collections in SOAS Library & Archives
- Hardyman Madagascar Collection
A unique collection on Madagascar, donated in 1991 by Mr and Mrs J.T. Hardyman. While reflecting Mr Hardyman's life and work as a missionary in Madagascar it covers a range of subjects and includes a large number of works in the Malagasy language. - Society for Libyan Studies Collection
The Library of this archaeological society is held on permanent loan on Level F (mobile stack area). It covers mainly history and archaeology in Libya, North African and further afield and includes books, journals and pamphlets. African Languages Collection
SOAS Library is unique and unparalleled in that all African languages are collected. The range extends from linguistic studies through creative literature to works of scholarship in African vernacular languages.
Enquiries
| Ms. Dawn Wright | Mrs Barbara Spina |
| E-mail: dw3@soas.ac.uk | E-mail: bs24@soas.ac.uk |
| Tel: +44 (0) 20 7898 4158 | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7898 4157 |
Relevant Departments & Centres in the School
Related links
African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK)
Based within SOAS, ASAUK was founded in 1963 to promote lively debate in the academic study of Africa. It holds a biennial conference, smaller meetings and sponsors a variety of workshops and symposia organized by Africanists around the country.
CAMP
(Co-operative Africana Microform Project) Based at the US Center for research Libraries, University of Chicago, CAMP promotes the preservation through microfilming of publications and archives on and from Africa. It then makes these available on request to students and researchers at member libraries, of which SOAS is one. Materials so acquired and conserved include mainly historic newspapers and journals; government publications; personal and corporate archives; personal papers of scholars, government leaders and journalists; writings in European and African languages.
International African Institute
Based within SOAS, the IAI seeks to promote the study of Africa and its languages and cultures, through publications, seminars and an international journal, Africa.
SCOLMA
(Standing Conference on Library Materials on Africa) A forum for the provision of materials for African studies in UK libraries. SOAS Library is an important member institution. SCOLMA publishes a journal, African Research and Documentation. Its activities include regular meetings and seminars, including international conferences. Under its Area Specialisation Scheme participating libraries specialise in the acquisition of materials from particular areas of Africa and act as information centres.
Royal African Society
The central office of the RAS is based within SOAS. The society promotes links between Africa and Britain and encourages understanding of Africa and its relationship with the rest of the world through its journal African Affairs and through other meetings and events.
