Description
GHANA
Book Summary
A travelogue that combines history, sociology, and direct observation to dismantle myths about Africa. Fernando Ballano Gonzalo traveled along the coast of Ghana in late 2004 and early 2005, using exclusively local means of transport. The result is a narrative that sheds light on little-known historical and sociological aspects of African history, with special attention to the slave trade castles and their current legacy.
What is it about?
The book chronicles a journey along the entire coast of Ghana, from the slave castles of Elmina and Cape Coast to the fishing villages and local markets. Through its pages, the author debunks common tropes and prejudices about the African continent, while offering a deep look at the historical memory of the slave trade. The journey, undertaken via public transport and involving direct contact with the local population, allows the reader to discover a complex reality where ancestral traditions, traces of colonialism, and contemporary challenges coexist.
Main themes
- History of the slave trade on the coast of Ghana and its architectural legacy in the fortress castles.
- Historical memory and its transmission in Ghanaian coastal communities.
- Sociological and cultural reality of Ghana at the beginning of the 21st century.
- Journey of exploration and personal discovery using local means of transport.
- Dismantling myths and stereotypes about Africa and its history.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in travel literature with historical and sociological depth, especially those seeking to understand the reality of Africa beyond the clichés. Also for travelers planning to visit Ghana or the West African region, as well as students and enthusiasts of the history of the African continent and the slave trade.
What this book provides
- A documented, first-hand perspective on the history of slavery in Ghana.
- An authentic travel narrative that shows daily life and local traditions.
- Rigorous historical and sociological information presented in an entertaining and accessible way.
- Keys to understanding the complexity of contemporary Africa through a critical lens.
Technical specifications
- Author: Fernando Ballano Gonzalo
- Publisher: Confluencias
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Travel literature
- Collection: Cities and Men
- Publication date: March 2025
- Number of pages: 360
- Weight: 295 g
Editorial review
A work that unites the rigor of a historical essay with the immediacy of a travelogue. The author manages to build bridges between Ghana's slave-trading past and its current reality, offering the reader a reading experience that both informs and provokes reflection. Recommended for those looking for travel literature with substance and a commitment to historical truth.