**Fatshimetrie: Discovering the African Origins of the West**
For centuries, history has often overlooked the fundamental role of Africa in the construction of the modern world. It is in order to rectify this trend that the American academic and journalist Howard French invites us to delve into the captivating pages of his latest book, *Noires Origines*. Published in French translation by Calmann-Lévy, this work offers a striking historical fresco, highlighting the inseparable link between Africa and the rise of the West.
From the first lines of the interview, French transports us to the 14th century, to a time when the riches of the Mali Empire aroused the curiosity of Europe. Emperor Mansa Moussa, an emblematic figure of this era, shook European certainties by revealing the prodigious quantity of gold present in his kingdom. His legendary voyage to Mecca, uncovering priceless treasures and causing an economic shockwave, sparked a new impetus in the exploration of the African continent.
It was through the Catalan Atlas of 1375 that Europeans first discovered the wealth and grandeur of African emperors. The striking representation of Mansa Musa, seated on a golden throne, aroused covetousness and stimulated the spirit of explorers. African gold became an object of fascination and desire, a source of motivation for the great maritime explorations to come.
The thesis defended by Howard French in *Noires Origines* is as striking as it is innovative: the greedy expedition of the Portuguese in search of African gold was the unsung driving force of the great maritime explorations. While traditional history emphasizes the desire for conquest and the lure of gain, French reminds us that the race to Africa was above all a quest for wealth and knowledge, motivated by this masterful vision of the Emperor of Mali.
The first steps of the Portuguese on the African coast, although accidental, opened the way to fruitful trade with neighboring kingdoms. The chance discovery of ancient Ghana and its inhabitants adorned with gold marked a turning point in the history of relations between Europe and Africa. Portuguese ships, in search of precious metals, established strong commercial ties, thus inaugurating an era of prosperity and cultural exchange.
Thus, *Fatshimetrie* immerses us in the heart of a true historical epic, highlighting the deep ties that unite Africa and the West. Through Howard French’s fascinating story, a little-known part of our shared history is revealed, inviting each reader to rediscover the origins of our modern world.