Africa, dark only because of our ignorance of it, comes alive through the eyes and voices of its people in this classic work. First published more than two decades ago and now thoroughly revised and updated, the book lets Africans speak for themselves through autobiography, traditional and modern literature, historical and contemporary documents, letters and diaries. In Volume 2, we are introduced to African societies and cultures in all of their richness and diversity. Coming of age, family values, changing gender roles, rites of passage, the search for identity in the modern world, and many other aspects of African life are skillfully woven into a coherent narrative under the overarching themes of continuity and change. These voices from African will help us to know Africans as people, sharing in their thoughts and feelings, beliefs and aspirations. In the end we will know more about ourselves because we will know more about the common humanity that all people share.