The Importance of African History - Essay Example

The Importance of African History The essay aims to discuss the importance and significance of studying the African history. The essay explores the way through which the African historical artifices have been used to educate people about the African history and eventually this education made people descent feel inferior. it has been unveiled that the African history has been depicted in very detailed in the African literature but people are generally not thought about the richness of the African culture and the significance of their history due to which gradually there is sense of degrading and inferiority has [penetrated inside the minds and psyches of the African people and they have accepted that the other nations are superior. Hence, it is important that the real history of the African people must highlight in front of the people so that here would be wide acceptance of their cultural richness. The Importance of African History The historical artifacts, arts and literature of any culture have been regarded as most significant and suggestive way to understand and develop the perception about that society or ethnicity. The norms and values differ from one civilization to the other. Therefore, a pre-set perception regarding any culture or ethnicity misleads and gives a false idea about their intellectuality. Consequentially, it turns into stereotype behavior, which promotes discrimination and hence, results in social turmoil (Manning, 1981). African culture and literature has an affluent and diverse history, which ascertains how morals, thoughts and attitudes were articulated as their past knowledge. Therefore, if one opts to learn the true essence of African culture and the richness it encloses, one needs to study its art to grasp a better understanding of their position in historical context and as a distinguishing nation (Diop, 1974). The leading nation and the most respected civilization, Europeans (the white) originated racial divergence on the basis of color and since then their notion has been promoted by the rest of the world. This inferiority status set by Europeans was only to justify the slavery. Hence, one imagines African past full of barbarism, poverty, lack of hygiene and intellectuality. Unfortunately, the literature on African civilization was also accumulated and written by European writers, who had the same prejudiced behavior and believed in inferiority of Africans over other civilizations. Therefore, historians felt a strong need to obtain neutral perceptions regarding African history and tried to locate varied sources on the subject. To avoid European influenced literature on African culture, the only solution left to obtain the insight of this diverse nation; was to study the writings of African writers. Though, little amount of written literature was found, but archeologist were able to gather structure of words, customs, language and work of art through oral rituals (Giblin, 1999). The utmost need for the historians was to find the truth and shed light on the origins of Africans to the world. One of the most renowned and controversial historian, Cheikh Anta Diop pronounced the historical origins of African civilization rationally and daringly association it with the famous Greek civilization. In his book, he claims that the ancient Greek civilization, which marveled in all the aspects of life and hence, became the founder of mathematics, science, philosophy, trigonometry, geometry and many more, were Negroes. Egypt consisted on black people, who prospered in all areas of life and left their mark of supremacy till date. As they build the marvels all around the world especially, the wonders in Egypt. They were not only educated, but also expertly skilled in various arts (Manning, 1981). History itself directs Greek association towards African civilization. The theories constructed on Egyptian research and science like Pythagoras theorem, platonic idealism, the theory of four elements of Thales of Miletus and concepts taken from Egyptian cosmology in modern science refers back to the intelligence of Black people. Herodotus, known as the father of history and whose credibility was and is never questioned by any scholar all around the world, confirmed the skin color of natives (Egyptians) as black due to the extreme hot weather of the country (Diop, 1974). Consequently, a famous British historian, Basil Davidson strongly supports the fact that Africans were the only nation, who opposed dictatorship by preferring to live in small communities or tribes rather than under a rule of one authority (Davidson, 1991). The practice of circumcision dated back from Egyptian times, as it was adapted by Arabs and Jews later, whose reference can be found in Bible. The social structure provided by Egyptians can still be found in African tribal culture. Africa and Egypt both have been Matriarchal societies (Diop, 1974). Therefore, their intellect on the bases of physical appearance should not be judged and the right to claim their achievements should have been acknowledged. Historians believe that live-stock keeping and farming existed in Africa before 300 BC. Due to the change in climate migration of some skilled people introduced the art to the southern regions as well, which evidentially prospered the Egyptian civilization especially, on the west of Nile due to its adequate climate and advancement in technology. Afro-asiatic, the language group of Egyptians can be visibly seen in African language up till now. The similarities between ancient Egyptians and Sub-Saharan Africans in religious beliefs, language, art and customs cannot be ignored. Throughout the history major achievements and prosperity has been associated to the Greece and then to the Europe. However, if one scrutinizes history it reveals that the bases of human civilization were originated by these black ignorant people. Historians have always viewed the contribution of Africans as slaves. The time before enslavement has never surfaced and their achievement as inventors, creators and rulers has been an elapsed phenomena. The need of awareness of African origins and their contribution towards human civilization can only minimize the wrong perceptions about their intellectuality and status as humans. In fact it is the only way through which discrimination due to racial status can be reduced and hence, can revive the confidence of Africans all around the world. The inspirational struggle of freedom and the courage of sustaining their culture in various parts of the world as slaves should be studied by all. The reasons to study African Diaspora are various; firstly it tells the story of inhumanity towards four million Africans captured to be slaves. Then it adds up to the hardships, separation from families, intense labor and consistent humiliation and eventually racist attitude for centuries, even after broken free from the slavery. The slave trade from the coastal areas of Africa to the North America made permanent changes in history and originated an Afro-American culture. The Afro-American culture was diverse in according to the demographic allocation of African slaves. They integrated African customs to the European and American culture along with the requirement of the new land and authority. They brought variation in cooking, crafting, religious practices, wood-crafting, story-telling and gospel singing. The change in English language made by African slaves was mainly influenced by their native languages for example, Gullah. In this way, African slaves were able to show their distinction to the new world, which forced them to adapt new ways, but could not stop being influenced them self. After the enslavement the prominent changes brought by Africans; were global, in the form of slaves they became ambassadors of African heritage and customs throughout the world. They were the first major population to be captured from their homelands as slaves, which eventually lead to change in economic and geographical status. Their contribution brought global changes in the industrialization and politics (Manning, 1981). The aim of studying African Diaspora and history of Africa is to understand how a thriving civilization progressed and prospered in the form of Greek civilization and later, faced the ultimate downfall in the form of slavery. The objective was to observe and study the heritage of a civilized and rich nation, who made the world wonder due to its advancement in all areas of life. However, the rapid change in the state of the same civilization in a different origin, made Africans more violent and hence, believed to be barbarians and ignorant. From thorn to the chains of slavery these colored people, did not let go of their customs, norms and moral values. Africans, according to historical context as rulers and even in the statues of slaves, remained the most courageous and influenced other cultures phenomenally. Their participation in the history of human civilization should not be neglected and hence, they should be entitled for the achievements of their ancestors. References Top of FormBottom of Form Top of Form Davidson, B. (1991). Africa in history: Themes and outlines. New York: Collier Books. Top of Form Diop, C. A. (1974). The African origin of civilization: myth or reality. New York: L. Hill. Giblin, P. J. (1999). Issues in African history: Masters thesis. The University of Iowa. Retrieved from http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/history/giblinhistory.html Top of Form Manning, P. (1981). “The enslavement of Africans: A demographic model”. Canadian Journal of African Studies, 15 (3), pp. 499-526.Bottom of Form Top of Form Okafor, V. O. (1991). “Diop and the African Origin of Civilization: An Afrocentric Analysis”. Journal of Black Studies, 22 (2), pp. 252-268. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More