Africa’s Triple Cultural Heritage
This presentation explains the importance and effects of the TRIPLE
HERITAGE on the present-day spatial organization and development of
Africa. In chronological order, this triple heritage is related to the
INDIGENOUS, ISLAMIC, and WESTERN influences.
A- Introduction
B- Indigenous heritage
Africa
D- Western Influence
Dr. Mabaye Dia
Assistant Professor of Geography
Winthrop University
C- Islamic Influence
(Major landforms in Africa, Osei, 2003)
B- Indigenous heritage
The history of the indigenous heritage is categorized into five major periods:
B-1- Africa as the cradle of man
B-2- The era of ancient civilizations
B-5- The era of modern kingdoms
B-3- The Iron and Late medieval period
B-4- The Bantu migratory
B-1 Africa as the cradle of man
 Zinjanthropos (1.8 million years old ) was discovered in the Olduvai
Gorge in Tanzania (Mary Leakey, 1959)
 Lucy was discovery in the site of Hadar in Ethiopia (Donald Johanson
and Tom Gray, 1974)
Zinjanthropos (1.8 million
years)
Lucy: 3.2 Million
Years
These discoveries are strong indications that the African Rift Valley
system was the first home of man.
The first people of Africa lived in small bands of hunter-gatherers.
About 12,000 years ago, hunter-gathers began to sett1e permanently along
the Nile River to domesticate plants and animals and exchange goods.
Thus, by 3,500 B.C. they developed structured political arrangements based
on kinship and co-residency.
Controversy exists as to whether ancient Egypt was white or black. Earlier
historians allude to the fact that ancient Egypt was a white civilization, but the
Afrocentric school, based on the work of Cheikh Anta Diop (1974), argues that
it was black. Graham (1994) suggests that Egypt consisted of many colors;
The important issue is that Ancient Egypt (3000 to 1070 BC) was an African
civilization.
B-2 The Era of Ancient Civilization
(Ancient and Early Medieval Civilizations of Sub-Saharan Africa, Aryeetey-Attoh, 2003)
 These ancient societies have not been researched as extensively as Egypt, they
were civilizations in their own right. All these civilizations were characterized by
permanent settlement, domestication of plants (cereals and roots) and animals,
and well-established political structures.
Other distinguishing features were their use of iron in making tools and the
long-distance trade networks they established.
Kush was known for its impressive architecture (ruins of Meroe still exist today),
irrigation systems, scripts, and for its large iron industry.
B-3 Late Medieval Civilizations (Medieval Era: 475-1450 AD)
(Late Medieval and Modern Kingdoms of Sub-Saharan Africa, Aryeetey-Attoh, 2003)
B-4 Bantu Migrations in Sub-Saharan Africa
•Based on linguistic associations, cultural trait similarities, and archeological
artifacts have determined that beginning in about 5000 B.C. a series of migrations
from the Benue River begun to fan out eastward and southwestward.
•It is speculated that these migrations were caused by (Rowntree and Al., 2000)
The need for more land for settlement and agricultural purposes as the
original land culd no longer support the fast growing population.
Ethinic wars forced some groups to leave for other places to the down south
The search for game especially the elephant for ivory trading purposes
B-5) The Era of Modern Kingdom (After 1450 A.D.)
Toward the end of the medieval period, especially after 1600, a number of modern
kingdoms emerged, particularly in the forest belt and in areas where the Bantu
migrations had spread.
In West Africa: the Cayor, Baol, Futa Toro, Fouta Djallon, Jolof, Kaarta,
Segu, Macina, Ashanti, Gonja, Benin, Borgu, Nupe, Dahomey, and Oyo
In central and East Africa: the Kuba, Lunda, Lozi, Kazembe, Malawi,
Burundi, Rwanda, Buganda, Bunyaro, Nkore, Shona, and Angola.
In Southern Africa: the Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho, and Swazi.
Modern kingdoms emerged on the demise of the earlier medieval civilizations
and were precipitated by trade in gold and slaves with north Africa, as well as
the need to form political associations to protect both their trade routes and
themselves.
C- Islamic Influence
Islam is not an African religion; it was introduced from the major source region,
Arabia. Islam, however, is part of the Africa's heritage and its social, cultural, and
religious fabric.
Islam has existed in Sub-Saharan Africa since at least A.D. 700-1300. Today,
the religion has a major influence on the cultural, economic, and political systems
of regions, especially in the Sahel and Savanna belts of West Africa and along the
coast of East Africa
(Diffusion of Islam in Africa, Rowntree and Al., 2000)
The Three specific paths of diffusion in Sub-Saharan Africa
The first was by contact between Arabian traders and the people along the
coast of East Africa and its surrounding islands (Zanzibar, Pemba, and the
Comoros). This first wave of Islamic influence began around 700 A.D. These
contacts and the subsequent spread of Islam were confined to the coast;
The second wave of Islamic diffusion began around A.D. 900 and continued until
the nineteenth century, For the most part, of the diffusion process was enhanced
by trade via Trans-Saharan routes and Jihads, Holy Wars.
The third way in which Islam diffused to Sub-Saharan Africa was by trade
between Egypt and Arabia and within the horn of Africa (the easternmost African
extension of land between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden): Islamization
and Arabisation.
 Islam introduced a new religion and an Arabic language, helped in the
formation of states, influenced the development of Swahili as a trade language,
established the basis for an Arabic educational system, and influenced food
choice and dress patterns.
 The relationship between Islam and indigenous cultures was more of a
conversation than a domination: "Wolofisation" of the religion in Senegal
(Amadou Bamba); “Pularization”of Islam in Fulani community of the Futa
Toro Kingdon (Umar Futiyu).
 Reaction against Christianity as the colonial religion led to Islamic conversions:
The use of the African drum in religious practices, the acknowledge of
polygamy, Islam has been less critical of female circumcision.
D-The Western Influence
 European contact of any consequence with Africa started in the middle of the
fifteenth century (c. 1450).
Of the three influences on Africa, the European influence was the shortest,
and yet, the strongest and most pervasive in the region.
 The Western influence on Africa can be divided into four main periods (economic
changing need of Europe:
D-1The period of initial contact (1450-1500s)
D-4 The colonial period (1880s-1960s) D-2 The period of enslavement (1500s-1840s)
D-3 The age of land exploration (1840-1880s)
D-1The Period of initial contact with Africa ( c. 1450s)
•The first meaningful contact between Europeans and Africans was, to a large
extent, incidental rather than planned. Europe was searching for a sea route to
India because Arabic people, who controlled the land route, posed a threat to their
trade in silk, porcelain, and spices.
•Portugal was the first country to sponsor expeditions to Sub-Saharan Africa,
followed by the Dutch, Danes, British, French, Germans, Italians, and Spaniards.
•The first contacts were in West Africa and limited only to the coast, partly
because established kingdoms prevented Europeans from penetrating the
interior to disrupt their trade.
•Coastal trade included the exchange of gold, ivory , cola nuts, and palm products
from Africa for alcohol, guns, and sugar from Europe.
D-2 The Enslavement of Sub-Saharan Africans to the Americas
(1500s and 1840s)
Trade between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa continued until Europe
'discovered' the Americas in 1492. The potential of the Americas to provide
commodities such as tobacco, sugar cane, and cotton changed the nature of the
relationship between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
 The native Indian population had either been decimated by European
diseases or could not be held as captive labor to work on plantations.
Therefore, Europe turned to Africans as a source of workers for their
plantations (Rowntree and Al., 2000)
(Rowntree and Al., 2000)
The abolition resulted from humanitarian efforts in the United States and
Europe.
The activities of the "Back to Africa Movement" and the "Maroon"
communities, were instrumental in this effort.
Western-educated and freed slaves such as Olaudah Equiano of Nigeria and
Ottabah Cugoano of Ghana also played a major role in the abolition process.
D-3 The age of land exploration (1840s-1870s)
In spite of the fact that Europe's interests in Sub-Saharan Africa had waned
after the era of slavery, The INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION provided an
impetus for Europe to maintain its presence in the region.
Between 1840 and 1890, land explorers such as Henry Stanley (an American
employed by King Leopold of Belgium), David Livingstone (along the Zambezi),
and Mungo Park (along the Niger River).
In Southern Africa, the British and Dutch (Boers or Afrikaners) had begun to
colonize territory during this period. This was largely due to the appeal of the
Mediterranean climate and the abundance of mineral resources in the region:
Anglo-Boers War (1899-1909)
D-4 The colonial period (1880s-1960s)
The reports of explorers about the resource potential of Sub-Saharan Africa
led to intense competition for territory amongst European powers and set the
stage for the “scramble” for territory
European nations met in Berlin (Berlin Conference, 1884) to determine the
ground rules for the partitioning of Sub-Saharan Africa into British, French,
Portuguese, German, Belgian, Italian, and Spanish territories (Rowntree and
Al., 2000)
Apartheid: An official policy of racial segregation (white, coloured (mixed race),
Indian (South Asian), African (black)) that shaped political, legal and social
relations in South Africa for nearly 50 years.
The
colonial
period in
SubSaharan
Africa
lasted for
only
about 75
years for
most
countries,
but it had
the most
pervasive
impact.
European Colonization in 1913.
(Rowntree and Al., 2000)
D-4-1 The Economic Impacts of Colonialism
Te prime objective behind Europe's colonization of other regions was to
extract agricultural and mineral resources to feed the burgeoning industries at
home (Europe).
Europe had to link Africa to the world economy in a peripheral and subordinate
manner to reap the benefits of its policy
The dual economy consisted of a modern cash crop (cocoa, coffee, tea, rubber,
timber, cotton) and mineral (gold, bauxite, copper) export sector that coexisted
with a traditional, food crop (millet, maize, yam, plantain) sector geared largely
for local consumption.
D-4-2 The Political and Socio-cultural Impacts of Colonialism
Colonialism has resulted in three major political and Socio-cultural dilemmas
for present-day countries:
The arbitrary way in which the region was partitioned at the Berlin
conference of 1884. Basically, geometric lines were drawn on a map to
form colonies without any regard to the distribution of ethnic groups
To Ensure law and orde, Each colonial power relied on its own
administrative: (British, indirect ruel); (French: assimilation);
(Belgians were paternalistic and governed their territories)
 Political independence was accompanied by the adoption of Western
models of government, which were characterized by the nation-state
concept: separation of the executive, legislative, judiciary, and military
D-4-3 Independence from the West
 Colonialism was largely detrimental to the social and economic well-being of
Africans.
 After World War I (1914-1918), with Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1936, a
nationalistic attitude emerged in Sub-Saharan Africa with an emphasis on
independence and self-determination.
After World War II
 First, the independence of India (then known as the Jewel of the British
Empire) in 1947 stirred much optimism in African colonies.
Second, Pressure Groups who had witnessed the inhumanity of colonialism,
while fighting side by side with their African counterparts in World War II,
began to urge leaders in European capitals to end colonization.
Third, African Students such as K. Nkrumah (Ghana), C.A. Diop (Senegal),
and L.S. Senghor (Senegal) returned home to organize political platforms. In
Kenya, the Kikuyu-led Mau Mau movement (J. Kenyatta) resisted the colonial
and missionary annihilation of local culture.
Fourth, civil rights movements in the United States linked their cause to the
independence struggles in Sub-Saharan Africa, giving them more recognition in
the United States (the new world power after World War II).
Fifth, Europe was decimated during World War II and had to turn to America
for help in reconstructing its economy and infrastructure. This made the cost of
administering colonies even more burdensome
The
cumulative
effect of these
factors resulted
in Ghana being
the first colony
to attain its
independence
in 1957. By
1965, almost all
African
countries had
obtained their
independence.
Conclusion:
1.
The history of Africa is the result of the combined effects of three main
influences: Indigenous, Islamic and Western (especially colonialism).
2.
Because several ancient, medieval, and modern civilizations existed in various
parts of Africa, subtle differences exist in the effects of the indigenous
heritage from region to region. Yet, there are some underlying commonalities
that link the cultures of Africa.
3. The Islamic influence is localized mostly in the northern savanna, Sahel, and
desert regions of West Africa and the coastal regions of East Africa.
4
The effect of the trans-Atlantic Stave Trade was devastating, especially in the
middle belt of West Africa
5
All colonial powers were bound by the single purpose of extracting resources
from their colonies, thus relegating African colonies to a state of economic and
cultural dependency.