The Author....Robert Dick-Read

    Whilst travelling in Mocambique in the 1950’s the author became interested in Africa’s past relationships with the nearby island of Madagascar where the language spoken is more similar to those of the Pacific islands than to any in Africa.

    In 1959, while studying for a diploma in anthropology back in England, he had an opportunity to participate in a major seminar on “Indonesia and Africa” organised by Professors Roland Oliver and John Fage at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.  The seminar discussions were inconclusive, but – convinced that Indonesian penetration of Africa had once been far greater than is generally realised - he continued his researches privately.

    Robert Dick-Read’s intriguing book – the culmination of years of study - flows smoothly through the early history of the Indian Ocean, from the islands and waterways of Indonesia, to Madagascar and the hinterland of Africa, exploring historical and cultural byways that are almost certainly new to many readers.

    In the process there emerges evidence of a hugely important but, until now, largely neglected period in Africa’s history – the influence of Indonesians in both East and West Africa throughout the 1st millennium A.D., and possibly even earlier.

    Robert Dick-Read’s interest in African culture dates back to his first visit to South Africa, where Zulu design and Chopi music left strong impressions. Subsequently he became more deeply involved in the world of African arts and crafts, at first commercially, but later setting up a museum for the Nigerian government in Bamenda (now in Cameroon).  He made two television films about early churches and other antiquities in Ethiopia for David Attenborough’s “Adventure” series on BBC TV in the early 1960’s.   He also made several educational films for Encyclopaedia Britannica in the Sudan and Egypt.   In 1964 he published a travel book – “Sanamu: Adventures in Search of African Art” relating his experiences in many parts of Africa.

    In 1963 he married Sara Girling, the fashion editor of a well known London magazine.  He has two sons, both born in the British Virgin Islands where the family lived for 25 years.  One is an artist, the other, the editor of an international surfing magazine.  Robert and his wife now live in Winchester, England.    

Thurlton Publishing  
September 2004