Historical Demography and Demographic History in Africa: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

The history of the African population remains to be written, although encouraging beginnings have been made. Interdisciplinary contributions that combine history & demography, as well as certain areas within social science & medicine, make possible new research opportunities. Reviewed are theoretical & methodological problems of African historical demography; investigation has demonstrated unnecessary conflicts, eg, those between qualitative & quantitative approaches, those of objectives, & those between disciplines. Both conventional & unconventional data sources & methods are examined with a view toward their utilization in African historiography. The dearth of research in this area is chiefly attributable to pessimistic attitudes of the difficulties involved. 1 Table. Modified HA.