Decentering of African Culture by European and Western Nations - Assignment Example

    Social Diversity    Abstract This paper will look at how Europe and western nations contributed to the decentering of indigenous cultures. In addition, the paper will provide illustrations of the impacts of decentering of African culture by European and western nations. It will also go on to assess the features of African cultures before the final periods of the nineteenth century. Moreover, there will be a discussion of how African culture was modified as a result of European expansion. Finally, the paper will analyze how the modification is representative of loss of centeredness as asserted by Sayre. It is evident that the European impact on native populations started a cultural change to the Western culture (Sayre, 2013). Introduction The focus of European and western nations turned to decentering the culture of native populations in the new world and dominating populations in the new world. This was after the Western region of the world had started enhancing its communication, military, and extending naval technology. The western population was resolute to enforce their desire on the helpless populations and get hold of these areas as a section of their own. The final period of 19th century and early period of 20th century created western cultures that attained modern communication, stout military presence, and technological advancement. The advancement of European and western cultures socially, economically, and politically impacted other civilizations. Different cultures started to be fearful of the authority of European civilizations as the western populations continued to become solid. In contrast, the native populations did not desire to conform to the cultures and values of western and European nations because they had their specified way of thinking and possessed their own values (Sayre, 2013). This paper will assess and interpret a quote from Sayre’s book by answering a number of questions that relate to it. Question 1 This loss of centeredness would mean that by the closing periods of 19th century and the beginning periods of 20th century, the sense of centeredness and tradition that had characterized native societies for a number of years was either in the course of being destructed or was facing a threat. All over the world, non-European societies suddenly established that they were described as regions of new colonial powers created by Europeans or westerners. Consequently, this would result in the deteriorating of conventional cultural activities, social systems, and political leadership that was in existence for several years (O’Brien, 2005). The native populations’ cultures were not prepared for a decentering of their own practices which in the end would make these populations lose their uniqueness. In addition, globalization that started in the 19th century and continued in the 20th century was also a significant component of the decentering of native populations. Finally, the loss of centeredness would mean a specified cultural group would have to alter or modify cultural aspects, for example, traditions, media, music, and fashion. Question 2 The European or western cultures had a tremendous impact on the culture of Africa. The impact of western or European civilizations on Africa can be grouped in a number of phases. The phases include economic, political, and social. Economic Impact A foremost impact of European culture on native populations was the progressive incorporation of African cultures into the capitalist system of the world, within which African populations operated largely as a place for obtaining raw materials for western or European industries. There was enforcement of taxation, which compelled African cultures into wage labor. Western nations also made agricultural activities to be modified in the direction of producing cash crops and basic commodities, for example, palm oil, sisal, cocoa, among others. There was a rapid change in production pattern of food commodities to cash commodities. This condition led to starvation and hunger in Africa. African culture was continuously made a producer of basic raw commodities (Asante 2007). Moreover, the western or European culture led to a complete modification of African life. African populations were compelled to produce cash crops. Political Impact European cultures had an impact on Africa’s natural borders without due choice to precursor cultures and institutions. The western or European cultures dismantled and submerged native cultures, and in its position, a foreign decree was put in place (Oliver & Anthony, 1994). Prior to this, conventional institutions were presumed as both custodians of cultures and political authorities. In addition, there was the establishment of Westminster liberal democracy. This does not mean that Africa did not posses its own design of democracy but the characteristic democracy in Africa and its course were overcome by the western influence. For example, in 1993, in Nigeria, the nation embraced open-secret design in the general elections which was fundamentally commended to be extra triumphant in terms of voting. Currently, the national assembly members do no highlight a profound comprehension of the philosophy and concepts behind the making of laws. Social Impact Western culture had a social impact in Africa. The extended family was replaced by the nuclear family. Customary African family principles were interrupted extremely fast. Extended family that was perceived to be a tremendous mechanism like a social security, social spirit in the African society was now replaced by nuclear family. The social relations were also impacted by the European culture. Africans started to lose appreciation for age. There was no more reverence for principles that Africans held (Asante 2007). Young people now found it problematical to acknowledge elderly people. Also, Africa now has children arising from single parents. This situation is exclusive to the Western culture. Western education also became a condition for African culture to become part of the contemporary world. Question 3 African culture possessed a number of their customs and the area thrived before the influence of European culture. The African culture existed quietly in significant villages constituting of households, with every village comprising a single leader. In addition, music, dance, and art constituted a large section of the African culture. Part of African culture was to dance at the stages of the agricultural period, passing of the seasons, or phases of human development (Oliver & Anthony, 1994). The African continent was a successful nation in the previous times. For instance, Ghana managed the entire trading activities, for example, slavery, ivory, salt, and gold, among others. A number of Africans switched to Christianity merely to avoid slavery. Africans did not have to agonize about foodstuff as there was sufficient for all. Question 4 European culture interfered with customary way of life in the African continent. African people were subjected to suffering and humiliation. Western nations imposed forced labor so as to accomplish their building programs and fetch the advantages for the European society. Therefore, the traditional African labor practices were changed from voluntary and communal to forced labor. In addition, European culture was imposed on the local people because it was presumed to be advanced. For instance, European nations compelled their agricultural methods on Africa and in the course interfered with the lands, which was more suitable for customary slash and burn agricultural activities (Sayre, 2013). Also, numerous Africans started going to schools. They also went to western schools and came back with ideas, for example, nationalism, Marxism, and liberalism. Question 5 Western or European culture found its way into the local culture deteriorating the social and political systems, and cultural practices. Due to European extension, the idea of European or western superiority started to highlight itself. This caused a loss of centeredness for a number of enslaved and diminished cultures. This is evident in areas, for example Africa, India, China, japan, or Native America (Sayre, 2013). Individuals from these areas are extremely proud in their original areas. Nevertheless, because of European extension, there is the occurrence of cultural loss of centeredness. A number of people from these cultures presume they are less advanced than Westerners. Conclusion The foremost fact about the cultural history of Africa is the junction upon the native tradition of the exterior changes from the western or European cultures to which the region has been rendered for a long period. The lifestyle and principles linked with the cultural practices have been incorporated and to a capacity indigenized on Africa. This examination offers an extensive view on the happening of Western culture in the African continent, an assessment made since the beginning of the 20th century by a number of significant African cultural philosophers (Sayre, 2013). References Asante, M. (2007). The history of Africa. New York: Routhledge. O’Brien, P. K. (2005). Oxford atlas of world history. New York: Oxford University Press. Oliver, R., & Anthony, A. (1994). Africa since 1800. New York: Cambridge University Press. Sayre, H. M. (2013). Discovering the humanities (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Incorporation.  Read More