Africa: An Overview of the Continent (AFST201 Lecture 2024) PDF

AFRICA An Overview of the Continent Teaching Team: Rowland Caesar Apentiik September 5th, 2024  Content Overview TOPICS OBJECTIVES Describe specific contributions of African soci...

AFRICA An Overview of the Continent Teaching Team: Rowland Caesar Apentiik September 5th, 2024  Content Overview TOPICS OBJECTIVES Describe specific contributions of African societies to African Contributions to science, technology, trade, and cultural exchanges. Analyze how African civilizations interacted with other Global History and regions, including Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and how these interactions influenced global developments. Perspectives Critically evaluate how traditional Eurocentric historical African history from an narratives have marginalized African contributions and understand the biases that influenced these narratives. African perspective Articulate the importance of viewing African history from an African perspective, highlighting the contributions of African scholars and historians in reshaping historical narratives.  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Science Ancient Egypt: ○ Mathematics many modern high-school-level concepts in mathematics first were developed in Africa, as was the first method of counting Egyptians scripted textbooks about math that included division and multiplication of fractions and geometric formulas to calculate the area and volume of shape The ancient Egyptians considered a circle to have 360 degrees and estimated ᴨ (pi) at 3.16 Source: Blatch, S. (2013, February 1). Great achievements in science and technology in ancient Africa. ASBMB Today. August 22, 2024, https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/020113/great-achievements-in-stem-in-ancient-africa  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Science Ancient Egypt: ○ Astronomy Egyptians charted the movement of the sun and constellations and the cycles of the moon. They divided the year into 12 parts and developed a yearlong calendar system containing 365 ¼ days A structure known as the African Stonehenge in present-day Kenya (constructed around 300 B.C.) was a remarkably accurate calendar Source: Space in Africa Source: Blatch, S. (2013, February 1). Great achievements in science and technology in ancient Africa. ASBMB Today. August 22, 2024, https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/020113/great-achievements-in-stem-in-ancient-africa  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Science Ancient Egypt: ○ Medicine Some of these practices were the use of plants with salicylic acid for pain (as in aspirin), kaolin for diarrhea (as in Kaopectate), and extracts that were confirmed in the 20th century to kill Gram positive bacteria Other plants used had anticancer properties, caused abortion and treated malaria — and these have been shown to be as effective as many modern-day Western treatments. Source: Your Egypt Tours Source: Blatch, S. (2013, February 1). Great achievements in science and technology in ancient Africa. ASBMB Today. August 22, 2024, https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/020113/great-achievements-in-stem-in-ancient-africa  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Technology Architecture: ○ Pyramids The mysterious rulers of Nubia, in present-day Sudan, erected hundreds of tombs and temples that rival Cairo’s. Showing the relationship between the African civilizations, the Kushite pyramids depict bilateral trade, movement of people and knowledge. Source:National Geographic  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Technology Architecture: ○ Great Mosque of Djenne Djenné is the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa. In the ninth century, merchants founded Djenné near an older settlement that had been established as early as 250 BCE. The Great Mosque of Djenné is situated in a large market square, making it a constant presence in the everyday lives of residents. Source:National Geographic  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Technology Agricultural Practices: ○ Irrigation systems Nile River Irrigation: The ancient Egyptians utilized the annual flooding of the Nile to irrigate their crops through a system of canals and basins, harnessing the floodwaters for agriculture. Qanats: Underground tunnels and channels used in ancient North Africa, particularly in Persia and the Middle East, to transport water from mountain aquifers to agricultural fields. Source: The Independent Uganda  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Technology Agricultural Practices: ○ Crop cultivation Ancient African civilizations, especially along the Nile River, relied on the annual flooding of rivers to enrich soil and support crop cultivation. The practice of rotating different crops in the same field to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest and disease buildup. Source: The Economist  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Trade Trans-Saharan Trade ○ Caravans, often consisting of hundreds of camels and traders, were essential for crossing the harsh desert environment. They transported valuable goods such as gold, salt, and textiles, linking North Africa with sub-Saharan regions. ○ The Trans-Saharan trade routes, such as the routes through Timbuktu and Gao in West Africa, facilitated trade between North African and West African civilizations. Source: World History Encyclopedia  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Cultural Exchanges Art and Music: ○ Traditional Art Forms Bambara dance headdress of wood in the form of an antelope, representing the spirit Chiwara, who introduced agriculture; from Mali. Masks are central to many African cultures and are used in ceremonies and performances to embody spiritual beings or historical figures African sculpture includes a wide range of styles and purposes, from ceremonial figures and totemic sculptures to functional objects. African textiles are known for their vibrant colors, patterns, and symbolic meanings. Source: Britannica  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Cultural Exchanges Art and Music: ○ Music Traditional African music often features multiple rhythms played simultaneously, creating intricate patterns that are fundamental to the music's texture. This complexity influences many global music genres, including jazz and contemporary music. Instruments such as the kora, mbira, balafon, and shekere vary widely in construction and sound, reflecting regional musical styles and cultural practices. Each instrument contributes uniquely to Source: Britannica the continent's rich musical heritage.  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Contributions to Cultural Exchanges Art and Music: ○ Dance Dancers often perform movements that are closely aligned with the complex rhythms of accompanying music. Dance is integral to various ceremonies, rituals, and social events, including initiation rites, weddings, funerals, and festivals. Dance serves as a medium for storytelling, with movements that express individual and communal experiences Source: Britannica  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES African Civilizations and Asia Trade and Interaction: ○ Silk Road Connections African civilizations, particularly those in North Africa, engaged in trade with Asia via the Silk Road. This network of trade routes facilitated the exchange of luxury goods and resources between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. ○ Through cultural exchanges and interactions, African societies and Asian civilizations shared cultural practices, art, and knowledge. Technological Influence: ○ African traders received technological innovations and luxury items from Asia, such as advanced metallurgy techniques and intricate textiles. ○ In return, they supplied valuable African resources, including gold, ivory, and exotic animals, which influenced technological and material cultures in Asia. ○ The movement of scholars, traders, and artisans facilitated the spread of technological knowledge and scientific advancements.  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES African Civilizations and the Middle East Arab-African Relations: ○ African civilizations, particularly in North and East Africa, established extensive trade networks with the Middle East. ○ Key trade hubs like Cairo and Tunis were central to this exchange, facilitating the flow of goods such as gold, spices, and textiles. ○ African scholars and traders engaged with their Middle Eastern counterparts, leading to the transfer of various intellectual traditions, including religious, philosophical, and scientific knowledge. Scientific Contributions: ○ African and Middle Eastern civilizations shared astronomical knowledge, including techniques for celestial navigation and calendar systems. ○ The Middle East played a crucial role in preserving and expanding African scientific achievements, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age, leading to innovations that influenced later European scientific developments.  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES African Civilizations and Europe Early Exploration: ○ The trans-Saharan trade routes and coastal navigation helped European explorers access valuable resources and gain a deeper understanding of African geography. ○ Interactions between African societies and early European explorers, such as the Portuguese in the 15th century, facilitated the exchange of knowledge about African cultures, technologies, and resources. Colonial Impact: ○ During the colonial era, European powers exploited African resources, including minerals, agricultural products, and labor. ○ This exploitation was driven by the economic interests of European countries and had a profound impact on African economies, often leading to economic dependency and disruption of traditional practices. ○ European colonization imposed foreign cultural, social, and political structures on African societies, often leading to the erosion of indigenous cultures and traditions.  AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES Top 10 African Contributions To World Civilization HomeTeam History. (2020, April 8).Top 10 African Contributions To World Civilization. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c0cvuAD5jc  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Reinterpreting History African historians have emphasized the importance of oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, and local histories that were previously overlooked or dismissed. African historians have brought attention to the continent's significant contributions to global civilization, including advancements in science, mathematics, architecture, and governance. They have documented achievements such as the Great Zimbabwe ruins, the advanced metallurgy of the Nok culture, and the scholarly work of figures like Ibn Khaldun. Scholars have engaged in the recovery and interpretation of ancient manuscripts, inscriptions, and artifacts, including those from Timbuktu and other historical sites.  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Notable African Scholars Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist acclaimed for his unsentimental depictions of the social and psychological disorientation accompanying the imposition of Western customs and values upon traditional African society. Although primarily known as a novelist, Achebe's works, including "Things Fall Apart," offer critical insights into pre-colonial and colonial African societies, challenging colonial narratives and providing a rich portrayal of Igbo culture. Chinua Achebe (1930–2013)  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Notable African Scholars Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright and political activist who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Soyinka's work addresses African history, politics, and culture. His writings often critique colonialism and explore traditional African themes. Wole Soyinka (1934–Present)  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Notable African Scholars Cheikh Anta Diop was an Afrocentric historian, anthropologist, physicist and politician who studied the human race's origins and pre-colonial African culture. His work, such as "The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality," argues for the central role of Africa in world history. Cheikh Anta Diop (1923–1986)  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Notable African Scholars Amílcar Lopes Cabral was an agronomist, nationalist leader, and founder and secretary-general of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde; PAIGC), who helped lead Guinea-Bissau to independence. Cabral's writings focus on the liberation struggles in Africa and the importance of understanding African history as part of the broader struggle for independence and self-determination. Amílcar Lopes Cabral (1924–1973)  AFRICAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVES Notable African Scholars Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a Kenyan writer who is considered East Africa’s leading novelist. His popular Weep Not, Child (1964) was the first major novel in English by an East African. Ngugi’s work critiques colonialism and advocates for African languages and cultural revival. His historical and cultural analyses emphasize the importance of indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1938–Present)  REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS 1. In what ways are modern African technologies or innovations influencing global industries today? 2. How can we see African cultural influences in today’s global music, fashion, or art? 3. What role do African countries play in global trade today, and how does this reflect historical trade connections? 4. Why is it important to include African achievements in discussions about global progress and development? 5. How does acknowledging African perspectives in historical narratives help combat stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa today? See you next Tuesday!