The doctoral theses of Georges Balandier, professor at the Ecole des Hautes-Etudes—Sociologie actuelle de l'Afrique noire (“Current Sociology of Negro Africa”) and Sociologie des Brazzavilles noires (“Sociology of the Negro Brazzavilles”)—are the culmination of studies undertaken in French Equatorial Africa while he was working in the Office de la Recherche scientifique Outre-Mer (French Bureau of Scientific Research Overseas). They are equally far removed from metaphysical sociology and from a static ethnography which seeks pure states and original traditions. They treat a moving present, ethnic groups already formed, African societies concerned about European intervention and about their own deveoping future. “Sociology,” Louis Wirth used to say, “is the science and the art of human relations.” Humanity is indeed the object of sociology, but sociology should be as well a tool for humanity. Balandier's work is a precious tool for understanding present-day Africa beyond what appears on the surface, and perhaps even for helping to construct the new Africa.