Debunking European Myths: Historical Misrepresentation of Africa

578 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Colonialism and its impact on african culture

Historic Europeans have set the African race up for constant rebellion throughout history. African Myths started to prevail when early European explorers began writing about their findings in Africa. The false claims created controversy that still affects the view of the African race in present day. Benjamin Ben Jonah, a 12th century Spanish explorer, traveled to Africa as part of his voyage and wrote about his findings. “There is a people who like animals, eat of herbs that grow on banks of the Nile, and in the fields. They go about naked and have not the intelligence of ordinary men. They cohabit with their sisters and anyone they find.” This statement along with others sends out a negative view causing others to ridicule and become uninterested …show more content…

Many explorers believed that Africans were the descendants of Ham, who saw his father naked. Genesis 9:18-26. It is then the context of the bible had become part of the customs in early civilizations and establishments. Early settlements had strong Christian beliefs which increased the negative views of Africa and its people as they believed Africans to be cursed, incompetent people. Compared to the early historians, today’s revisionist scholars believe that Africa had a history. Today, some of their primary concerns are food, shelter and other economic issues concerning the development of the countries. Before present day scholars, Africa was described as a place that lacked resources and nothing to express. In the past, African history has been re-evaluated with the early settlements of the Europeans and their interactions with slave people. Iain Smith, a historian at the University of Warwick, speaks about African history stating that “white minority is generally responsible for what we now know about African history.” The information presented in our textbooks are ideas of the white supremacy a century ago. A lot of the information presented in our textbooks is presumed fictional as many early historians has prejudice towards

Show More
Related

  • DBQ ESSAY

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, during the 15th and 16th centuries Europeans visited the Atlantic Coast in the African states to observe for gold and silvers. They took advantage of the Africans to get their desires when the Africans acknowledged them to be equal which drove into Africa’s downfall.

    Read More

  • Andrew Larson 's The Student 's ' Ten Commandments '

    1505 Words  | 4 Pages

    Concerning the nature of myths, one can often find that they are built on broad generalization lacking the premises necessary to make a solid conclusion. Such was the same myths, Pier Larson sought to disprove in his essay “The Student’s ‘Ten Commandments’.” Larson discuss damaging and caustic stereotypes that have worked their way throughout history to create a narrative that often subordinates Blacks when promulgated by a more affluent European society . One myth in particular appears to be quite troubling for its contradictory nature-that being the myth: all Africans are Black. Additionally, to be African is to be Black, Africans are not culturally diverse, and that Africans share one, essentially unified culture. Not only do I find these troubling for their outright abasement of African culture, which is plain to see, but rather for the duplicitous logic that lead to the creation of such myths, and why they remain so harmful when they are continued to be spread in contemporary.

    Read More

  • Africa's Advanced Civilization Before European Arrival

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    Prior to the arrival of European traders, the continent of Africa had developed sophisticated society as it demonstrated its ability to maintain advanced civilizations, withhold three major empires, and gain wealth through trade. Although European traders did advance organized society in Africa, it would be false to say that prior to their arrival Africa was underdeveloped.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Basil Davidson's 'Different But Equal'

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    In summary, Davidson successful traces Africa’s earliest origins and demonstrates that this is a civilization far from having no arts, technology, sophistication and unique culture. Culture and civilization as we know it today can be traced back to Africa, and modern science has verified the early perceptions of Europeans to be wrong. He provides more than adequate evidence of Africa having a history complete with vast and rich civilization, including archaeological finds and specialized interviews with distinguished scholars and philosophers. Despite the fact that society possesses a more positive attitude towards African civilization today in terms of recognition, equality, and acceptance than in the past, negative stereotypes are still acknowledged and modern day racism unfortunately exists. I believe that the existence of Davidson’s work and videos such as Different but Equal are crucial to challenging these stereotypes and discrimination in order to create a more accurate image of Africa and its history. Overall, Davidson proves that the continent of Africa is home to a history that is just as meaningful, comprehensive, and progressive as that of any other civilization in the

    Read More

  • Scramble For Africa Dbq Essay

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    In many accounts of the Africans, the Africans were in disagreement with the European's Scramble for Africa. Ndansi Kumalo an African veteran wrote in 1896 if many of them to give or keep their land. In a distrustful and agony tone he spoke of how the poor treatment of the Africans in the Ndebele rebellion against the British advances in South America to convince many others not to stay because it has impacted many Africans and many died in the process of it. He says “So we surrendered to the White people and were told to go back to our homes and live our usual lives and attend to our crops. They came and were overbearing. We were ordered to carry their clothes and bundles (Doc.4).” A German military officer in 1896 wrote in a newspaper article about the reactions of the Africans about the white settlers. In an awed tone he wrote about the 1906 account of the Maji Maji Rebellion in German East Africa and to give an example of how the Africans believed in a magic medicine would help them defend themselves against the white settlers (Doc.8). Mojimba an African chief in 1907 described a battle in 1877 on the Congo River against British and African mercenaries to a German catholic missionary. In an appalled and hateful tone he used this description to show that these whi...

    Read More

  • Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa

    631 Words  | 2 Pages

    By 1885, little to no independent countries existed throughtout the whole African continent. This was due to the imperialism done by strong European countries. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, and Spain are to blame. There are many possible contributing factors as to why the European countries decided to completely carve up Africa, split it up, imperialize the whole of the continent. Because of the need for resources Africa could supply, the European desire for power, and the European's reaction to the White Man's burden, they took control of almost every square mile in Africa through imperialization.

    Read More

  • European Imperialism in Africa

    1417 Words  | 3 Pages

    Europe, in the late 1800’s, was starting a land grab on the African continent. Around 1878, most of Africa was unexplored, but by 1914, most of Africa, with the lucky exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, was carved up between European powers. There were countless motivations that spurred the European powers to carve Africa, like economic, political, and socio–cultural, and there were countless attitudes towards this expansion into Africa, some of approval and some of condemnation. Europe in this period was a world of competing countries. Britain had a global empire to lead, France had competition with Britain for wealth and so did other nations like Germany and Russia.

    Read More

  • African American Studies Essay

    1286 Words  | 3 Pages

    Next is John Henrik Clark, who refers to African America Studies as Africana Studies because he believes that Black tells you how you look, not who you are. He goes on to state that he calls African American Studies “a dilemma at the crossroads of history” (Clark 32). This is because European people knew history well enough to distort it and use it, as well as political weapons such as the gun and bible, to control the world. This is the reason why a look at African culture will show what Africana Studies are about or should be about. Africana Studies should embrace the Africans all around the world, in places like Africa, North and South America, the Caribbean Islands even those in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Clarke states that Africa is

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast African American And European Imperialism

    408 Words  | 1 Pages

    During the 1800’s imperialist European powers such as England invaded Africa and captured slaves. They took the slaves and traded them to the Americas and other countries in return for various goods. African tribes were not equipped with the proper materials and resources to be able to fight back, in result they were taken. Some of the Africans helped the English and other European imperialists to capture their own people.

    Read More

  • Colonial And Post Colonial Literature: A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah

    1900 Words  | 4 Pages

    The voice of Africa has evolved over the decades. There was a time when the writings and the teachings of Africa Society and culture came from the European writers given their side of the story only. Colonial and Post Colonial Literature has taught us that there is always another voice and another side of a story. Literature from Africa at one point had no voice for itself. Colonial Literature is the writing and studies of the native cultures and societies of Africa. This is a time when the European nations conquered and controlled Africa. Many of the native people sold out to the white people to help overthrown their own families and community to have power, weapons and money. There were some famous writers that came from this time like Chinua

    Read More

  • The African Cultural Impacts Of African And African Cultures

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    distinctions between African and European culture, their religion shared some characteristics. The Africans believed in a supreme being or a creator, but they had never given this being the name of God or Jesus Christ. They also had lesser gods, but they took on various different names. Blassinggame simply states it as being “In America, Jehovah replaced

    Read More

  • African Americans In The Nineteenth Century: Whites Vs. Slaves

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    A catalyst to this development of the new society is the noted differences the Africans and whites possess. Many of the Africans despised the whites, so they tired to stay as far away from them as possible, this rift in the peoples created the main African culture, purely based on the opposite ideas that the whites held. On the other hand, many times the White people would help out the Africans, and a bond would form between the slaves and their master. Although the groups tried to remain different in this situation, the ideas between the two mingled together and they influenced each other.

    Read More

  • The Psychological Impact of Colonialism on the Victimization of Africans

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    Africa’s struggle to maintain their sovereignty amidst the encroaching Europeans is as much a psychological battle as it is an economic and political one. The spillover effects the system of racial superiority had on the African continent fractured ...

    Read More

  • The Effects of Imperialism in Africa

    557 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources. Colonizing other countries would then lead to growth and a better reputation for the dominating country. There are many examples of imperialism throughout European history. When many European countries “scrambled” for Africa, it seemed as though Africa had no say in anything. During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for their own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused.

    Read More

  • Colonialism In Africa Essay

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is no doubt that European colonialism has left a grave impact on Africa. Many of Africa’s current and recent issues can trace their roots back to the poor decisions made during the European colonial era. Some good has resulted however, like modern medicine, education, and infrastructure. Africa’s history and culture have also been transformed. It will take many years for the scars left by colonization to fade, but some things may never truly disappear. The fate of the continent may be unclear, but its past provides us with information on why the present is the way it is.

    Read More

More about Debunking European Myths: Historical Misrepresentation of Africa

Open Document