Records of Captain Clapperton's last expedition to Africa, Vol. 1 (of 2)

In this vivid first‑hand account, a weary survivor of a doomed African trek recounts his journey across the lands between Badagry and the kingdom of Houssa. Battling fever and the loss of his commander, he is driven to document the customs, songs, and daily life of the peoples he encounters, from the warlike Falatahs to the serpentine worshippers of distant tribes. The narrative balances stark observations of hardship with moments of unexpected kindness, offering listeners a textured glimpse of early nineteenth‑century West Africa.

Written as an earnest report to the British government, the memoir also serves as a personal quest to honor his late captain’s unfinished plans. Lander’s descriptive voice brings to life bustling markets, vibrant ceremonies, and the uneasy relations sparked by unfamiliar writing tools that locals mistook for sorcery. Listeners will be drawn into the rich tapestry of language, music, and belief that shaped a continent on the brink of change, all filtered through the humble yet determined eyes of an attendant yearning for home.