Visual representations of colonial Africa

Many people who are interesting in conducting research on precolonial Africa often do not know where to start. Here, we have compiled an initial list of some prolific photographers and videographers who covered different parts of the continent. The list is going to be updated regularly as we discover more resources.

Basel Mission Archives 

Antoine Freitas, Angola 

Philippe Koudjina, Benin 

Joseph Moïse Agbodjelou, Benin 

Michel Kameni, Cameroon 

Thérèse Bella Mbidan, Cameroon 

Armand Denis, DRC

Alice Harris (1870-1970), DRC

J Audema, DRC

Eliot Elisofon, DRC 

Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren

F.W.H Arkhurst in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast

W. S. Johnston, Freetown

Anna Rein-Wuhrmann, Cameroon 

Alex Agbaglo Acolatses, Togo 

Philippe David, Togo

Neils Walwin Holm

Chief Solomon Osagie Alonge, Nigeria 

Jonathan Adagogo Green

Gerhardt Ludwig Lutterodt, Nigeria

Walwin Holm, Ghana 

James Kobla Bruce Vanderpuije, Ghana 

Edmond Fortier, Senegal 

Washington de Monrovée 

Decampe

Meïssa Gaye

Mix Gueye 

Bonnevide

Hautefeuille 

Hostalier 

Doudou Diop 

Adama Sylla

Arthur and Alfonso Lisk-Caew, Sierra Leone 

Sanlé Sory, Côte d’Ivoire

Cornelius Yao Augustt Azaglo, Côte d’Ivoire 

Philip Kwame Apagya, Ghana

James Barnor, Ghana 

Felicia Ewurasi, Ghana 

Malick Sidibé, Mali

Seydou Keïta, Mali 

Akinbode Akinbiyi, Nigeria 

Santu Mofokeng, South Africa 

Guy Tillim, South Africa