This book reconceptualises Sudanic Africa to include the Ethiopian highlands in the East. It argues that to fully understand this belt of the continent, one must understand the relations between the rulers and their primary producers - either herders or farmers. Thus, the book explores the role of agricultural land in these states - who owned it? Under what circumstances? Who was granted special circumstances? For what purposes? Using documents dating back to the 13th century, it recalls attention to the role of the state and focuses on the relations between rulers and ruled.