Lost Kingdoms of Africa Series 2

[Plynkes]

Dr Gus Casely-Hayford and his Indiana Jones hat are back. The new series started tonight on BBC4 and, um... you just missed it. Sorry (there's always iPlayer).



The first series covered Benin, Great Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Nubia. Tonight's episode was all about the Asante empire. Very interesting subject matter to me (well, I would say that, wouldn't I?). I love this guy's style too and could watch his shows all day. He's pretty chilled out about everything and presents it all in a very even-handed manner. He isn't there to make political points, or hand out blame, or expound on some new crackpot theory, and his only agenda seems to be an interest in talking about African history. Kind of refreshing for a docco in this day and age, really.

There were some lovely shots of the current king's bodyguards in their ceremonial regalia and with their old muskets. They looked just like the fellows in the Osprey book, and wouldn't have looked out of place taking potshots at Garnet Wolseley. Also interesting listening to the interviews that even the Ghanaians can't seem to agree whether it's pronounced Asante or Ashanti.

Next Week: Zulus.

BBC haven't said who Eps 3 and 4 are about yet, or if they have I can't find it.

[gringo]

missed it tonight as well as packing orders.......Zulu one should be good

may have to get up early and iplayer it tmr!!

looked like a fascinating and quite a glamorous empire in the wider

sense of the word!

regards
Ged

www.gringo40s.com

[HerbyF]

I am going to have to find some way to watch this. I am very interested in the campaigns in west & central Africa. Well all of colonial Africa actually. This series is something I will have to look out for.

[Steve F]

Agh!  I thought it was a repeat of the first series.  I'll have to catch up.

[Frank]

That’s sounds interesting…never heard of it! Is there a DVD available?

[Steve F]

It seems that last night's edition is being repeated on BBC 4 on Thursday 2 Feb at 11:10pm GMT.

There's a DVD out next week, but I'm not sure which series it contains:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Kingdoms-of-Africa-DVD/dp/B0051GHTOI/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1328004555&sr=1-1

EDIT: Press release below says
Ep 3 will be Berber Kingdom of Morocco
Ep 4 will be Bunyoro and Buganda (modern Uganda)
http://madnewsuk.com/2012/01/24/uk-tv-lost-kingdoms-of-africa-series-2/

[Plynkes]

A US Region 1 DVD of the first series is available. Region 2 is released in a few days. It is also on Youtube if you want to check it out first. Dr. Gus is an art historian by trade, so his focus isn't on military history. He does touch on it, but not in any detail. I still think he is well worth watching, though.


Edit: Steve beat me to it. 

[Rhodes]

For those with Netflix, the first season appears to be available for streaming.

Chris

[Colonel Tubby]

I found it to be a really informative program - had no idea it was the second series, BBC kept that quiet.

It was nice to see a history progam where the presenter didn't think he was more of a star than the subject and avoided repeating himself ever 5 mins.

If you missed it and have a chance to see it I highly recommend watching.

[carlos marighela]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for these.

[Plynkes]

Ep 4 will be Bunyoro and Buganda

My favourites!

Gotta love the swagger of those Nyoro nobles, stepping out with their pimp canes.


We gon' party like it's yo' birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's yo' birthday

[H.M.Stanley]

My favourites!

Gotta love the swagger of those Nyoro nobles, stepping out with their pimp canes.


We gon' party like it's yo' birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's yo' birthday

 

"and then we gonna chop you up sucka ..." 

[Steve F]

You know, this series is entertaining and informative, but I keep wondering what they'd make of British history if all they had to go on was the Crown Jewels, the Sealed Knot and some Morris dancers.

[Plynkes]

Well now I know what colour to paint barkcloth. Time to paint my Mtesa figure, I think. If only I had some soldiers for him to boss about, but other than the Kabaka himself, nobody makes Baganda figures.

[inkydave]

Well now I know what colour to paint barkcloth. Time to paint my Mtesa figure, I think. If only I had some soldiers for him to boss about, but other than the Kabaka himself, nobody makes Baganda figures.

And good for the terrain too. Lusher than I imagined.Lovely red/brown soil.(except in the salt pans). Time to find lots of Pegasus hobbies banana plants I think. Also seeing the canoes in the flesh as it were really brought home the size