Explore the Africa Collection at the SOAS Library

A selection from the Africa Collection at SOAS Library, as chosen by our Reader Assistants for October's Black History Month book display. 

Every month for the past two years, Reader Assistants have curated a book display in the corner of level E of the SOAS Library to showcase our vast resources.   

For the Black History Month display in October, we selected materials on African art, history, politics, and culture related to the 2025 theme Standing Firm in Power and Pride. It celebrates activists in Africa and the diaspora who fought for equal rights for Black people. The theme also encourages pride in the culture and achievements of Black people that are too often ignored or deliberately suppressed. 

These three books from our Africa collection were written by an accomplished comedian from South Africa, a philosopher and professor from Nigeria, and a historian and university president from the Sudan. 

While these titles cannot in themselves begin to capture the full richness of the collection or the diverse experience of Africans and people of African descent, my hope is that by reading them, you will have a deeper appreciation for the experiences and accomplishments of African people and be inspired to explore the collection further.

Stories from a South African childhood

Born a crime: stories from a South African childhood by Trevor Noah: The son of a Swiss father and Black South African mother, Noah weaves nuggets of history with stories of growing up in the final years of the apartheid regime. His talents as an engaging storyteller and comedian are on full display. Some of his anecdotes stem from his racialised experiences, while others hilariously capture the universal awkwardness of childhood and adolescence. Be ready to laugh and learn.  

Against decolonisation

Against decolonisation: taking African agency seriously by Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò: Táíwò argues that the evolution of the “decolonisation” concept from the struggle for political autonomy of oppressed peoples to an effort to eradicate all language, ideas, and culture even loosely connected to the colonisers is problematic. His thought-provoking response reminds the reader that modernity is not just a European concept, and African scholarship and culture rest on a rich tradition independent of being colonised or decolonised. 

An African history of Africa

An African history of Africa: from the dawn of humanity to independence by Zeinab Badawi: Badawi travelled throughout Africa and relied on African academics and locals for her research. She traces the history of Africa from the origins of humankind to its great empires, colonial period, and liberation. She concludes with an optimistic eye towards Africa’s growing influence on the world stage and its current entrepreneurial youthful population, who embrace technology and demand democratic freedoms.    

Explore more resources on Africa

See the classmarks for each African country on the Africa LibGuide. Maps and photos from Africa can be downloaded from the SOAS Digital collections. Papers and rare books in our archives can be viewed in the Special Collections reading room by appointment.