These artistic depictions are courtesy of Anheuser-Busch Inc. who 25 years ago set about creating a Great Kings and Queens of Africa Cultural Arts Series. It should be noted that these are just a minority of the many kings and queens of various kingdoms, states and groups that ruled throughout Africa's long ancient to medieval to relatively modern history. They are comprised of benevolent monarchs, anti-colonialists, anti-slavers and yet at once also include warriors, slave-traders, controversial figures and more. The point is, despite their royal titles, they are humans with all the strengths and weaknesses therein. Yet their places in history (good, bad or otherwise) are a testament to African culture and achievement.

Artists Include: Biggers, Thomas Blackshear II, Higgins Bond, Alexander Bostic, Dorothy Carter, S. Clay, Paul Collins, Floyd Cooper, L.D. Dillon, Debra Edgerton, Ezra, H.M. Rahsaan Fort II, Roy E. La Grone, Leonard Jenkins, Jonathan Knight, Charles Lilly, Ann Marshall, Dow Miller, Dean Mitchell, Carl Owens, Jerry Pinkney, Alfred J. Smith, Lydia Thompson, and A. Wade.

For information to go along with these figures see the main website: http://www.abcorpaffairs.com/gallery/

[For any dissenters, the information provided is still good despite whatever conflicts of interest one has with the sponsor. And furthermore, rest assured that Africans have been drinking beer thousands of years before Anheuser-Busch came into existence. Cheers.]