From 1883 to 1885 the medical doctor and anthropologist, Carl Passavant, travelled in West and Central Africa. The over 90 photographs contained in this book are rare evidence of the West and Central African coastal region at the eve of colonialism. The images document missions stations, trading stations, cities, people and means of travel along the coast between Madeira and Angola. The text in combination with the photographs convey a fascinating survey of the region which Passavant journeyed.