Basil Davidson’s book on West Africa before the colonial era provides a very traditional and fact-oriented narrative of the traditional and embattled concept of Atlantic history to 1850. In sixteen chapters, Davidson explores the majesty of the West African kingdoms and contacts within and among their neighboring borders regarding trade with commodities, religion, art, education and warfare. Davidson’s approach offers many fascinating stories on kingdoms in West Africa to present a detailed history of West Africa before the colonialism during the mid-nineteenth century. Davidson explores the consistent struggle of prejudice and indifference that has plagued West Africa for centuries. He focuses on the achievements and complexity of the pre-colonial peoples of West Africa to illustrate social and political independence before the invasion of European colonial rule. He emphasizes that until recent years, the conversation regarding the rich and ancient history of Africa was mute, the belief was that Africa had no history. Therefore, the people of Africa were inferior and backward, thus creating myths and various forms of racism and inequality. Looking at the scholarship on Africa, Davidson reminds us that most published history is dominated by the colonial and post-colonial periods rather than pre-colonial as it is difficult to research. Moreover, the extent of languages, rare or non-existent sources including the need for professional services such as archaeological and geographic surveys are expensive and can over extend budgets for research. Davidson’s passion for communicating and informing the public about the great kingdoms of West Africa and its history is a fantastic and well thought out production. In chapter one, David... ... middle of paper ... ...ched in and took away continents identity; its country’s were raped and plundered as well as their wealth and independence. The relevance of West African history exists and is important to the world. Davidson’s ability to communicate the role of kinship, of belief and idea systems, the expansion of art and culture as well as the diffusion of learning and language across West Africa in its elegance can not be duplicated. The growth of the slave trade is almost forgotten as Davidson’s illustrates the beauty and rich culture of West Africa before 1850. Davidson encourages the reader to ignore the modern boundaries perceived by Western beliefs and ideologies and embrace that Africa was created and nurtured by Africans, and for Africans. The book under review is well written and balanced and offers a wealth of information regarding African history before colonialism.
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.
Mazrui, Ali A. "The Re-Invention of Africa: Edward Said, V. Y. Mudimbe, and Beyond." Research in African Literatures 36, no. 3 (Autumn 2005): 68-82.
In the first segment of his film series, Different but Equal, Basil Davidson sets out to disprove the fictitious and degrading assumptions about African civilization made by various Western scholars and explorers. Whether it is the notion that Africans are “savage and crude in nature” or the presumed inability of Africans to advance technologically, these stereotypes are damaging to the image and history of Africa. Although European Renaissance art depicts the races of white and black in equal dignity, there was a drastic shift of European attitudes toward Africa that placed Africans in a much lower standing than people of any other culture. The continent of Africa quickly became ravished by the inhuman slave trade and any traditional civilization
The "DBQ Project" What Is the Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa? (2012): 257. pp. 177-177. Print.
The Portuguese arrived in Benin, in modern Nigeria, between 1472 and 1486 to find an established and ancient kingdom with remarkable social and ritual complexity, with art that was comparatively naturalistic, and with a political system that was, on the surface, recognizable to the Europeans: monarchy. Even more importantly, they found a land rich in pepper, cloth, ivory, and slaves, and immediately set out to establish trade (Ben-Amos 35-6). Though we often imagine "first contacts" between Europeans and Africans as clashes of epochal proportions, leaving Europeans free to manipulate and coerce the flabbergasted and paralyzed Africans, this misjudges the resilience and indeed, preparedness, of the Benin people. The Benin were able to draw on their cultural, political, and religious traditions to fit the European arrival in an understandable context. Indeed, as the great brass plaques of the Benin palace demonstrate, the arrival was in fact manipulated by the Benin to strengthen, not diminish, indigenous royal power.
Mackie, R. (2008), ‘The Art of the Benin: Changing Relations between Europe and Africa I: The conquest of the Benin in the 1890’s’, in Brown, R (ed.), Cultural Encounters (AA100 Book3), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 16-32
In the middle of the 15th century, Portuguese explorers began to establish trading outposts along the western coast of Africa, thus beginning the first steps toward imperialism by European nations. It is estimated that the first trading of Africans as slaves by the Portuguese began in 1444. The West African kingdom of Benin, however, still suc...
“Different but Equal” is a video in which Basil Davidson, the narrator, attempts to expand and heighten the understanding that Western civilization has about Africa. Often thought of as underdeveloped or uncivilized, Basil focuses mainly on the accomplishments of Africans throughout the years and uses them to contrast the surprisingly popular belief of African inferiority. Just a few of the main issues being brought up are how Europeans routinely discredited African accomplishments, the often disputed race of the Egyptians and their society, and why the thought that Africans are ‘uncivilized’ isn’t accurate. The video uses science, archaeology and history combined with the input of well-known researchers to give a more accurate depiction of
Western attitudes to African people and culture have always affected how their art was appreciated and this has also coloured the response to the art from Benin. Over time, concepts of ‘Race’, defined as a distinct group with a common lineage, and ‘Primitive’ which pertains to the beginning or origin,, have been inextricably linked with the perception of Africa. The confusion of the two in the minds of people at the end of the 19th century, and some of the 20th, caused a sense of superiority amongst the ‘White Races’ that affected every aspect of their interaction with ‘the Black’. The ‘Civilisation’ of Africa by conquest and force is justified by these views.
For as long as Africa has existed, others have sought to wield power over the land, resources and inhabitants. In earlier days, Africans were abducted away into the slave trade and more recently, Africans were utilized as built in labor with their territories during the era of colonization in the 1800’s. However any discussion of Africa after this point of achievement of independence to current day has been grossly underwhelming. Author Frederick Cooper seeks to change our view of African today with his book Africa Since 1940; His writings demonstrate the severely warped manner in which Africa is viewed and seeks to show that despite supposed independence Africa has still been suppressed and therefore put at a disadvantage. This in turn has negatively impacted the way in which we as outsiders view the continent.
"Africa Before Transatlantic Slavery: The Abolition of Slavery Project." Africa Before Transatlantic Slavery: The Abolition of Slavery Project. E2BN, 2009. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. .
Toyin, Falola. “The Power of African Cultures.” Woodbridge, Suffolk, United Kingdom: University of Rochester Press, 2003. Print
...’s depictions of both traditional and modern beliefs in varying degrees illustrate the importance of both in contemporary Nigerian culture, as well as the greater Africa as a whole, and how both are intertwined and cannot exist without the other. In effect, she skillfully subverts stereotypes or single perceptions of Africa as backward and traditional, proving instead, the multifaceted culture of Africa. She further illustrates that neither traditional African nor western culture is necessarily detrimental. It is the stark contrast of the fundamental cultures that inevitably leads to clashes and disagreements. In the end, what holds African countries such as Nigeria together is their shared pride. Modern, western influences can bring positive changes to society, but new cultures cannot completely eradicate the foundational cultures to which a society is founded on.
While Collins does a succinct job of examining the economic and political factors that heightened colonization, he fails to hone in on the mental warfare that was an essential tool in creating African division and ultimately European conquest. Not only was the systematic dehumanization tactics crippling for the African society, but also, the system of racial hierarchy created the division essential for European success. The spillover effects of colonialism imparted detrimental affects on the African psyche, ultimately causing many, like Shanu, to, “become victims to the white man’s greed.”
An overwhelming majority of African nations has reclaimed their independence from their European mother countries. This did not stop the Europeans from leaving a permanent mark on the continent however. European colonialism has shaped modern-day Africa, a considerable amount for the worse, but also some for the better. Including these positive and negative effects, colonialism has also touched much of Africa’s history and culture especially in recent years.