HSE Publishing House

This book summarizes the results of research conducted by leading Russian Africanists on a wide range of problems associated with the historical consciousness of African societies in the colonial and post-colonial eras. This historical consciousness remains largely unexplored in Russian and foreign historiography. An attempt is made to explain the phenomenon of the birth of African historical thought and its national branches in both their conflict and cooperation with the Western historical tradition. The main stages of its evolution are reconstructed from a regional perspective. Analysis of the forms of African historical thought is carried out in broad cultural-historical, socio-political and inter-civilizational contexts. The results of this study are important for the study of the real past and for the identification of specific sign systems inherent in African culture at key stages of its development. 
This publication is intended for a wide audience, especially historians, political scientists, cultural scientists, anthropologists, sociologists and journalists.