Understanding African History - Black History Month Feature

The history of Africa would not be complete without including the Nile Valley civilizations. Cheikh Anta Diop was right to state that the history of Black Africa will remain suspended in the air and can not be written correctly until African historians dare to connect it with the history of Egypt. Ancient Egypt was a black civilization. This is an unsurmountable fact, as is the other Nile Valley Kingdom of Kush (Nubians). The Nubians were neighbors to Egypt, and their kingdom is another important African civilization mostly overlooked. The influence of the kingdom extended to the Middle East, and they were also known for their gold mines. Not that far from them existed the Kingdoms of Aksum and Ethiopia. Egypt, at a point in time, even had Nubians as their pharaohs, by a campaign led by King Piye of the kingdom of Kush. The Nile Valley civilizations were some of the world's earliest civilizations and the most advanced at the time, these were early Engineers, Mathematicians, Astronomers, Architects, and Philosophers amongst others whose knowledge influenced the world greatly. We must not forget that present-day civilization is derived from past civilizations.

Aside from the Egyptian and Kushite/Nubian civilizations, there had been later early civilizations in Africa. Arab writers observed in the area of North Africa and Sudan an exceptional number of ancient ruins of other magnificent civilizations. These writers lamented repeatedly of the vanished glories of North Africa. North Africa (Maghreb) was earlier inhabited by blacks mostly Berber and Tuareg tribes around the 7th century, but later Arab, Ottoman presence and Barbary Coast slavery (white slavery) influences would change the “race” over the years so as ancient Egypt had also experienced due to invasions from the Hyksos, Romans and others. During the 9th century, these

Berbers, largely from North Africa and other islamized Africans who were collectively referred to as Moors, invaded Spain at a period when Europe was experiencing a dark age in their history and colonized the region for centuries. This group, which included scholars, men of science and lovers of knowledge, introduced their knowledge to that important region of Europe which would develop an education useful into the renaissance age of Europe. It is important to remember that Europe was not more advanced than those societies at the time.

There were other subsequent great African civilizations such as the Sahelian kingdoms, the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire. Other kingdoms eastward as well, such as the Bornu Empire. These were wealthy African states that were major producers of gold and other important trade commodities. Some of these kingdoms, aside from their formidable armies, had powerful rulers also such as Sundiata (known as the lion king), Mansa Musa (the generous king), and Sonni Ali (the magician). One Arab writer also complained about the desertion of the great Ghana Empire by its inhabitants and suggests they might have dispersed southwards into the interior of Africa to mix with other nations of black people. During the period, there existed other wealthy thriving kingdoms settled in the forest regions. Some Africans had migrated to this newly found region, cleared the thick forests and started new civilizations, among them; Bonoman kingdom (beginning of the Ashanti kingdom), Oyo Empire, Benin Empire, the Kingdom of Nri alongside other states. These are largely present-day Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, amongst other countries. In southern Africa, there also existed the kingdom of Zimbabwe and Kilwa. Some historians believe other factors aside, campaigns also played a role in the mass migrations in Africa. It is also known that some later tribes migrated in search of gold/minerals and better land, etc.

It is interesting to observe how colonialism has succeeded in creating a bad image of Africa through false literature that is still relevant today. False literature and arts have done a lot of harm to the world. In this modern-day, it takes a better channel, which is through mainstream media, leaving negative imprints on the mind. This system has created people ignorant of their history and dismissive of their rich culture. One can not pretend not to see how some black diasporans abroad struggle with their African heritage. The constant misinformation they absorb makes some believe they are lucky not to have been born in Africa. The system/society has brainwashed some to be ashamed of that identity, that culture, and that language. Breeding a level of self-hatred and low self-esteem. But times are changing, and people are starting to see clearly through the lies and going back to their roots; self-love. And when the love comes, it comes strong.

The psychological effects of European colonialism surpass the economic effects. Even most African leaders are influenced by the colonial hangover - there needs to be a shift in mindset. Yet still, there remains some colonial curriculum in African schools that needs to be revised. A look at the disparity between the written sources of Mali Empire’s Timbuktu scholars and the Songhai rulers of the Sahel about the West African Emperor Sonni Ali would inform you that throughout history the pattern of historical distortion has repeated. Colonizers have always sought to change history in their favour. It is fair to point out that this theft of history can not be placed on the same pedestal with other colonizers. African people have influenced many cultures in the world without being aware of it. There remains a relentless effort to paint them as second class citizens in world affairs. Just look at terms such as “third world countries”. Big International media houses keep generalizing with negative reportage about Africa.

The arrival of Europeans to Africa spelt an age of exploitation driven by transatlantic slavery and colonialism. The strategy of divide and conquer had worked very well against Africa in the past and is still effective in the present. In the past, European slavery and colonialism thrived on seeds of discord - one society against the other. It was the only way European domination was possible. War captives of these internal African conflicts were sold into slavery. For most of these societies, they needed advanced European weapons to defend themselves from becoming victims, too, and to get that meant payment in slaves which resulted in attacking other vulnerable societies/groups.

Millions of African lives were lost to slavery. After the horrors of slavery the continent would endure another cycle of colonialism. Both generated great wealth for the European/Western countries at the expense of Africa.

After colonialism, it would still be evident that a house divided can never stand strong. It remains clear that the strength/economies of countries united would always be at odds with fragmented states. Today, the former nations, which were colonizers, still remain united through blocs and effective cooperation, while the former colonised states remain divided and... (story continues)

Further Reading
Cheikh Anta Diop. The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality. Edited and translated by Mercer Cook.

Ibn Khaldun among the Ruins. Princeton University Press

Liberty Writers Africa. How North Africa lost its Black Population and turned White.

Stanley Lane-Poole. The story of the Moors in Spain.

Davis, Robert. Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast, and Italy 1500-1800.

Trigger, B.G (1969). The Myth of Meroe and the African Iron Age. International Journal of African Historical Studies.

Basil Davidson (1959). Old Africa Rediscovered. Victor Gollancz Ltd. P.165