News & Events

The Quagga was literally shot out of existence as a species in the second half of the 19th century, with the last attested reports of Quagga in the wild dated to 1878 in South Africa. In a new ASCL Working Paper Jan-Bart Gewald explores the possible connection between the rise of diamond mining in South Africa and the passing of the quagga.

This Highlight showcases the photobook James Barnor: Stories - pictures from the archive (1947-1987), celebrating the work of Ghanaian photographer James Barnor (1929- ), whose photos are on display in FOMU Antwerp until 10 March 2024. The exhibition includes some rare issues of DRUM magazine from the ASCL Library collection.

The Jury of the Africa Thesis Award is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2023 Award is Rachel Dubale, graduate from the Research Master African Studies at Leiden University, with her thesis “They think we can eat the condominium”. Chronicles of Economic, Social and Political Practices in Addis Ababa’s Condominiums.

The ASCL celebrated its 75th anniversary at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden in September 2022. It was a festive day with colleagues, students, alumni, and societal partners. This Occasional Publication presents the keynote speeches of the day, giving insight into the Centre’s rich past and present.

Are you thinking about doing a master's degree and are you interested in Africa? Join us for the presentations on African Studies during the Master's Open Day on 16 February at Leiden University.

Mayke Kaag has been appointed Professor of the Anthropology of Politics and Governance in Africa at the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology on behalf of the ASCL. Kaag will further develop research on the politics of education in Africa, and on trust, distrust and trust making in African politics and governance.  

On 23 January, Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi died in Harare at the age of 66. His lyrics often carried social messages about HIV/Aids and coded political commentary.