The ninth in the ten-volume set covering world cultures focuses on those located in Africa and the Middle East. More than 90 contributors shared expert information in descriptive summaries ranging from a few lines (due to available information) to five or six pages, providing demographic, historical, social, economic, political and religious information. Among the numerous cultures discussed, representing the major groups of both regions, are the Igbo, Nubians, Tiv, Shona, Bedouin, Chaldeans, Sakalava,and the Yemenis. The series places particular emphasis on the life of the people, and the factors that have caused cultural changes over time. Includes maps, ethnonym index, filmography, and glossary. The subject index is in a separate volume. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.