Why is there not much African history?

It has differentiated itself from other continental areas of historiography due to its multidisciplinary nature, as Africa’s unique and varied methods of recording history have resulted in a lack of an established set of historical works documenting events before European colonialism.

Does Africa have a rich history?

Africa has a rich and in depth pre-colonial history of magnificent and unspoken wealthy and developed empires and kingdoms. In the 12th Century, the Mali Empire was larger than Western Europe and regarded as one of the wealthiest states in the world. The empire reigned in North West Africa before the Kingdom of Kongo.

How did Africa record its history?

But Africans had their own particular system of recording past events, situations and traditions, before Europeans started writing about it. This was based on collecting oral testimonies. As a result, Non-African historians used written documentation to chart the history of the continent.

Why is it important to study the history of Africa in parts?

Studying African history and politics gives us a deeper understanding of world history and especially of current events. African Studies are important to students who want to understand their neighbors — and themselves. You become a better-informed global citizen when you study Africa.

Why does Africa have a rich culture?

Africa was the birthplace of the human species, between eight million and five million years ago. Today, its culture reflects the diverse populations that inhabit the continent. The African people have a rich tradition of arts and crafts, including sculptures, paintings, pottery, and ceremonial and religious headgear.

Why did Europeans destroy African history?

Europeans destroyed these systems in large areas of Africa when they developed the trade in enslaved Africans. Local systems were badly affected and overwhelmed by the demands of the new trade in enslaved Africans, a trade imposed by the better developed guns and ships of the Europeans.

Who said Africa no history?

Even Hegel, in an apparent attempt to besmirch Africa, once asserted that “Africa is no historical part of the world; it has no movement or development to exhibit” (Hegel: 1956, 99, The Philosophy of History).

What is Af Afrocentric history?

Afrocentric history emerged strongly during the 1950s and 1960s, in tandem with Africa’s emergence from colonial rule. Newly emerging histories served as an antidote to the pernicious views of imperial and colonial historiography. These had dismissed Africa as a dark continent without history.

How can Africa turn its destiny around?

For millions of Africans, life is often nasty, brutish and short. Science, technology and innovation can turn their destiny around

Why has Africa fallen behind the Western world?

Africa has fallen behind because its people, despite their historical abilities in science, have not done this in an organised manner. The more the western world was able to invent and innovate in the past 300 years, the more “civilised” it became.

Does Africa have a long history?

Demonstrating that Africa has a long, complex history was only one step in an intellectual journey. But demonstrating that Africa has a long, complex history was only one step in an intellectual journey with many successes, frustrations and failures. The long 20th century ended. A new one beckoned.