Isaac Samuel
@rhaplord.bsky.social
Finance | History | Trance
Patreon http://patreon.com/isaacsamuel64
Substack https://www.africanhistoryextra.com/
Patreon http://patreon.com/isaacsamuel64
Substack https://www.africanhistoryextra.com/
Pinned
The surgeons and physicians of pre-colonial Bunyoro and Buganda: a caesarean section at Kahura, ca. 1879.
www.patreon.com/posts/149046...
www.patreon.com/posts/149046...
Reposted by Isaac Samuel
If y'all are interested in warfare in precolonial Africa, there is a pretty good introductory text: Warfare in African History by Reid
a.co/d/076wxRmF
a.co/d/076wxRmF
February 8, 2026 at 7:13 PM
If y'all are interested in warfare in precolonial Africa, there is a pretty good introductory text: Warfare in African History by Reid
a.co/d/076wxRmF
a.co/d/076wxRmF
Taleh, Somaliland
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
February 8, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Taleh, Somaliland
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
The stone forts at Nioro and Koniakary, Mali
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 6:19 PM
The stone forts at Nioro and Koniakary, Mali
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Tata of Tiong-i, Mali. ca. 1892.
Palace of the emir of Kano, Nigeria, ca. 1891
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Palace of the emir of Kano, Nigeria, ca. 1891
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Tata of Tiong-i, Mali. ca. 1892.
Palace of the emir of Kano, Nigeria, ca. 1891
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Palace of the emir of Kano, Nigeria, ca. 1891
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Gate in the city walls of Logone-Birni, ca. 1930, Cameroon.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Gate in the city walls of Logone-Birni, ca. 1930, Cameroon.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Remains of a double-arched gate of a city wall, with a platform for archers. ca. 1880-1950. Bauchi, Nigeria.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Remains of a double-arched gate of a city wall, with a platform for archers. ca. 1880-1950. Bauchi, Nigeria.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Town wall and moat, Nigeria, circa 1899.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Town wall and moat, Nigeria, circa 1899.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
walled town on the banks of the Logone river.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 5:48 PM
walled town on the banks of the Logone river.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Storage vessels for provisions inside the old fort at Fachi, Kawar, Niger.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
February 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Storage vessels for provisions inside the old fort at Fachi, Kawar, Niger.
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www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
The dervishes constructed several massive stone fortresses with 12-14 ft thick walls rising 35-50ft above the barren landscape.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
In November 1575, the army of Bornu encamped before the walled town of Amsaka, initiating what would become one of the best-documented episodes of siege warfare in pre-colonial West Africa.
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
The dervishes constructed several massive stone fortresses with 12-14 ft thick walls rising 35-50ft above the barren landscape.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
“The history of warfare and military systems in pre-colonial Africa is incredibly complex and quite unlike the spontaneous and short-lived affairs often found in Hollywood depictions (which are inaccurate even for most European military history).”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
In November 1575, the army of Bornu encamped before the walled town of Amsaka, initiating what would become one of the best-documented episodes of siege warfare in pre-colonial West Africa.
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:45 PM
“The history of warfare and military systems in pre-colonial Africa is incredibly complex and quite unlike the spontaneous and short-lived affairs often found in Hollywood depictions (which are inaccurate even for most European military history).”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
In November 1575, the army of Bornu encamped before the walled town of Amsaka, initiating what would become one of the best-documented episodes of siege warfare in pre-colonial West Africa.
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:42 PM
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
The stone fortresses of Somaliland and the anti-colonial Dervish movement (ca. 1899-1920)
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
February 8, 2026 at 4:13 PM
The stone fortresses of Somaliland and the anti-colonial Dervish movement (ca. 1899-1920)
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
www.patreon.com/posts/stone-...
Reposted by Isaac Samuel
Oh can’t wait for this one!
Tomorrow's Patreon article is about fortresses and static warfare in pre-colonial Africa
February 7, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Oh can’t wait for this one!
Tomorrow's Patreon article is about fortresses and static warfare in pre-colonial Africa
February 7, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Tomorrow's Patreon article is about fortresses and static warfare in pre-colonial Africa
Dowla's house, Massowah (Eritrea), ca. 1833
Abyssinian doorway, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Shoan warrior, Abyssinia, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Triumphal Entry Into Angollala, Ethiopia. ca. 1845
#archivesxt
#ethnographxt
Abyssinian doorway, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Shoan warrior, Abyssinia, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Triumphal Entry Into Angollala, Ethiopia. ca. 1845
#archivesxt
#ethnographxt
February 6, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Dowla's house, Massowah (Eritrea), ca. 1833
Abyssinian doorway, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Shoan warrior, Abyssinia, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Triumphal Entry Into Angollala, Ethiopia. ca. 1845
#archivesxt
#ethnographxt
Abyssinian doorway, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Shoan warrior, Abyssinia, Ethiopia. ca. 1842
Triumphal Entry Into Angollala, Ethiopia. ca. 1845
#archivesxt
#ethnographxt
"Ancient Ruins discovered at Zinbabye supposed to be the Residence of the Queen of Sheba."
The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper, Volume 42. July to December, 1890.
#archivesxt
The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper, Volume 42. July to December, 1890.
#archivesxt
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
"Ancient Ruins discovered at Zinbabye supposed to be the Residence of the Queen of Sheba."
The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper, Volume 42. July to December, 1890.
#archivesxt
The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper, Volume 42. July to December, 1890.
#archivesxt
Architecture of Djenne, Mali, ca. 1897
#archivesxt
#archivesxt
February 5, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Architecture of Djenne, Mali, ca. 1897
#archivesxt
#archivesxt
Diai-Boukari, a marabout from Futa Toro, Senegal. ca. 1820
Amar, Queen of Juida (Ouidah). Benin. ca. 1849
Representation of costumes from Senegal in 1888.
#ethnographxt
Amar, Queen of Juida (Ouidah). Benin. ca. 1849
Representation of costumes from Senegal in 1888.
#ethnographxt
February 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Diai-Boukari, a marabout from Futa Toro, Senegal. ca. 1820
Amar, Queen of Juida (Ouidah). Benin. ca. 1849
Representation of costumes from Senegal in 1888.
#ethnographxt
Amar, Queen of Juida (Ouidah). Benin. ca. 1849
Representation of costumes from Senegal in 1888.
#ethnographxt
Colonial writers claimed that the stone ruins of Engaruka and western Kenya were built by an ancient ‘Azanian civilization’ of Hamitic stock,
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
February 4, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Colonial writers claimed that the stone ruins of Engaruka and western Kenya were built by an ancient ‘Azanian civilization’ of Hamitic stock,
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
dams, canals, and stone terraces at Engaruka
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
February 4, 2026 at 2:07 PM
dams, canals, and stone terraces at Engaruka
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
In the 15th century, a community of Iron Age farmers constructed over 2,000 ha of stone terraces, fields, and canals at Engaruka, Tanzania
“At a distance, the extreme regularity and precision of the terraces is strangely reminiscent of an amphitheater.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
“At a distance, the extreme regularity and precision of the terraces is strangely reminiscent of an amphitheater.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
Who Built Engaruka? (ca. 1400-1800): Stone Architecture and Historical Controversies in Eastern Africa
During the 15th century, a community of Iron Age farmers constructed an extensive landscape of stone-terraces, stone-lined fields, house platforms, stone circles and irrigation canals covering over 2,...
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:51 AM
In the 15th century, a community of Iron Age farmers constructed over 2,000 ha of stone terraces, fields, and canals at Engaruka, Tanzania
“At a distance, the extreme regularity and precision of the terraces is strangely reminiscent of an amphitheater.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
“At a distance, the extreme regularity and precision of the terraces is strangely reminiscent of an amphitheater.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
“Colonial writers claimed that the stone ruins of Engaruka were built by an ancient ‘Azanian civilization’ of Hamitic stock,
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
Who Built Engaruka? (ca. 1400-1800): Stone Architecture and Historical Controversies in Eastern Africa
During the 15th century, a community of Iron Age farmers constructed an extensive landscape of stone-terraces, stone-lined fields, house platforms, stone circles and irrigation canals covering over 2,...
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:48 AM
“Colonial writers claimed that the stone ruins of Engaruka were built by an ancient ‘Azanian civilization’ of Hamitic stock,
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
supposedly because the present inhabitants were too “barbarous to have learned it themselves.”
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/who-built-...
The stubborn resilience of “artificial” borders:
“Wherever the state retreated, a warlord filled the authority vacuum
Because in an order defined by a Hobbesian struggle for survival, a flawed border offered more predictability than the abyss of anarchy.”
warontherocks.com/2026/02/the-...
“Wherever the state retreated, a warlord filled the authority vacuum
Because in an order defined by a Hobbesian struggle for survival, a flawed border offered more predictability than the abyss of anarchy.”
warontherocks.com/2026/02/the-...
The Middle East’s Westphalian Moment? From Chaos to Realism
Recall the image etched in memory: a bulldozer driven by fighters of the self-proclaimed Islamic State smashing through the earthen berm on the Iraq-Syria
warontherocks.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
The stubborn resilience of “artificial” borders:
“Wherever the state retreated, a warlord filled the authority vacuum
Because in an order defined by a Hobbesian struggle for survival, a flawed border offered more predictability than the abyss of anarchy.”
warontherocks.com/2026/02/the-...
“Wherever the state retreated, a warlord filled the authority vacuum
Because in an order defined by a Hobbesian struggle for survival, a flawed border offered more predictability than the abyss of anarchy.”
warontherocks.com/2026/02/the-...