作者: J. Whishaw

Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish explorer of African geography whose work laid the foundation for Western understanding of the African continent”s interior regions. Park is best known for his pioneering journey along the Niger River. An explorer of fervent tenacity, Park”s expeditions were marked by difficulties, but his observations and descriptions were crucial in dispelling the ignorance surrounding Africa. “The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805” remains his seminal work, documenting his travels with vivid descriptions of the landscapes, peoples, and challenges he faced. His narrative style combines elements of personal diary, scientific observation, and travel literature, reflecting both the empirical spirit of the Age of Enlightenment and the human curiosity of the Romantic period. Park”s contributions as one of the first European explorers to provide accurate accounts of the region and his literary style were significantly influential in shaping European notions of Africa in the early 19th century. His works are not merely exploratory journals but also provide a lens into the cultural and societal norms of the African communities he encountered.