| Abstract: | It has been assumed that writing was brought to the Western Sudan in about the 11th century by the Arabs. The introduction of writing on the coast is credited to the Portuguese. But, since there was very possibly hieroglyphic writing among the Yoruba and Bini of Nigeria long before the visits of Prince Henry's men, so also were there probably other early writing systems elsewhere in West Africa. The Vai syllabary of Liberia and the Sierra Leone borders gives evidence of this. Some scholars have believed that Vai represents an evolution from pre-writing or pictographs to an advanced form of writing or a stage in the evolution of writing. Several are uncertain concerning the antecedents of the Vai script. An attempt is made here to answer some questions essential to any discussion concerning the history of Vai writing. Notes, figures, appendix. |
AfricaBib 
Periodical article
Leiden University catalogue
WorldCat