African Studies

The Nature and Scope of African

Studies
What is African Studies?
• Common Misconception: Limited to drumming/dancing.
• Academic Definition:
• Emerged in the 20th century; debates on scope.
• Eurocentric view: Sub-Saharan Africa only.
• Afrocentric view: Includes North Africa, Diaspora.
• Modern Scope:
• Study of Africa + Diaspora (culture, history, problems).
• Interdisciplinary, African-centred solutions.
Key Components of African Studies
1.Interdisciplinary Fields:
1. History, Religion, Literature, Geography, Linguistics, Economics, Sociology,
Anthropology, Political Science, Music, Philosophy, Art.
2.Incorporating Pure Sciences:
1. Herbal medicine, food science, preservation techniques.
2. Example: Standardizing traditional medicines.
Afrocentric Approach
• Molefi Kete Asante (1980):
• African-centered curriculum/solutions.
• Not monolithic culture; focuses on African agency.
• Beyond Africa:
• Study external influences (e.g., scramble for Africa, Cold War).
• Comparative studies with other regions.
Research Methodology
• Scientific Approach:
• Data collection (oral traditions, diaries, artifacts).
• Addresses issues: democratization, health, conflicts.
Historical Pioneers:
• Anta Diop, Louis Leakey challenged Eurocentric narratives.
• elf-Assessment Questions (True/False)
1.African Studies is only about Africans on the continent. (False)
2.Pure sciences are irrelevant to African Studies. (False)
3.African Studies focuses only on the past. (False)
4.Research methods are multidisciplinary. (True)
FACTORS FOR THE LATE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN STUDIES
Philosophical Arguments
• Eurocentric Claims:
• Toynbee, Darwin: Africa "inferior," no civilization.
• Justified slavery/colonization ("White Man’s Burden").
• Rebuttal:
• Egyptian pyramids, Mali/Songhai universities, Asante art.
• Basil Davidson: Africa’s dynamic history.
Historical Reasons
• Hegel’s View: "Africa has no history."
• Narrow definition: Only written records counted.
• Reality:
• Oral traditions, artifacts, non-literate societies had history.
• Leakey/Diop proved African civilizations.
Role of Missionaries
• Cultural Denigration:
• Rejected African names, music, religion.
• School curricula promoted European values.
• Literature: Portrayed Africa as "savage," unworthy of study.
Africans’ Role
• Collaboration:
• Slave trade: African raiders/chiefs sold captives.
• Colonial era: Chiefs as intermediaries (e.g., Native Police).
• Impact: Reinforced negative stereotypes.
Conclusion
• African Studies: Interdisciplinary, Afrocentric, inclusive of Diaspora.
• Late development due to racism, missionary influence, African collaboration.
• Reclaiming narratives through research.
The Evolution and Growth of African Studies
Introduction
• African Studies emerged as an academic discipline in the early 1900s
in the West.
• Gained prominence in African universities by the 1960s.
• Key Question: What factors drove its evolution?
Factor 1 – Black Student Movements (USA, 1960s)
• Demand: Inclusion of African-American/African Studies in curricula.
• Key Figures:
• W.E.B. Du Bois
• Marcus Garvey
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Outcome: Birth of Black Studies → African Studies.
Factor 2 – Emergence of African Nation-States
• Post-1960s Independence:
• Africa gained global attention (UN, Cold War politics).
• Cold War Impact: US/USSR funded African Studies programs.
• Example: US government funded university programs on Africa.
Factor 3 – African Universities & Scholars
• Pre-Independence: Curricula focused on European values.
• Post-Independence:
• African scholars redesigned curricula (e.g., art, music, religion).
• Key Institutions:
• University of Ghana (Institute of African Studies, 1961)
• Universities of Ibadan, Dar es Salaam.
• Scholars: Kwame Nkrumah ("African Personality"), J.F. Ajayi, K.O. Dike.
Factor 4 – Oral Tradition as Historical Source
• Challenge: Reconstructing non-literate African histories.
• Key Scholars:
• Jan Vansina (Belgian historian)
• Louis Leakey (Archaeologist)
• African historians: Ki-Zerbo, Adu Boahen.
• Impact: Legitimized African historiography.
• Quote: "Oral tradition is the archive of the voiceless."
Factor 5 – African Studies Association (1957)
• Mission: Promote interdisciplinary research on Africa.
• Criticisms:
• Dominated by Western scholars.
• Headquarters in USA (not Africa).
• Achievements: Annual conferences, journals (African Studies Review).
Objectives of African Studies
1.Study Africa holistically (history, culture, languages).
2.Restore the African Personality (Nkrumah’s vision).
3.Preserve cultural values against globalization.
4.Find African solutions to African problems.
5.Promote unity among diverse African nations.
Impact of African Studies
6.Academic: Global recognition (e.g., SOAS, UCLA programs).
7.Religion: African Traditional Religion as a field of study.
8.Anthropology: Replaced derogatory terms (e.g., "tribe" → "ethnic
group").
9.Diaspora Ties: Strengthened linkages (research collaborations).
• Example: Ethnomusicology (Dr. Ephraim Amu, Prof. Nketia).
Challenges & Criticisms
• Globalization: Erosion of African cultural practices.
• Neocolonialism: Western dominance in research agendas.
• Identity Crisis: Youth disconnecting from traditions.
• Discussion Prompt: How can African Studies address these challenges?
Conclusion
• African Studies evolved through activism, independence, and academic
rigour.
• It restores Africa’s past, asserts its identity, and solves contemporary
problems.
• Call to Action: Preserve cultural heritage; support African-centered research.
• Closing Quote: "Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt will always
glorify the hunter." – African Proverb.
CHALLENGES FACING AFRICAN STUDIES
• Key Challenges Overview
1.Inadequate Resources
2.Lack of Interest in African Studies
3.Scarcity of Publishing Houses
4.Disagreements Among Scholars
Inadequate Resources
• Fieldwork Challenges:
• High costs of research (language mastery, informant payments).
• Health risks for researchers.
• Funding Issues:
• Limited government support in Africa.
• Dependence on foreign grants.
Lack of Interest in African Studies
• Irony: Foreign scholars dominate the discipline.
• Student Apathy:
• African Studies is often chosen only when compulsory.
• Consequence:
• Perpetuation of Western-centric narratives about Africa.
Scarcity of Publishing Houses
• Problems:
• Few publishers for African Studies research.
• Long delays and high costs for publication.
• Impact:
• Limited dissemination of African scholarship.
Disagreements Among Scholars
• Key Conflicts:
• Direction of the African Studies Association (ASA).
• Dominance by Western scholars → Splinter groups (e.g., African Heritage
Studies Association).
• Result: Fragmentation of the discipline.
The State of African Studies in Ghana
• Pioneering Institutions:
• Institute of African Studies (IAS), Legon (1961, founded by Nkrumah).
• University of Cape Coast (UCC): Offers BA, MA, and PhD programmes.
• Courses:
• Democratization, African Economies, Slave Trade, Conflict Management, etc.
Problems in Ghana
• Infrastructure: Lack of office space (except IAS, Legon).
• Funding: Declining research support.
• Goal: Shift from Eurocentric to African-centred solutions.
African Studies Outside Africa
• Global Interest:
• USA: Northwestern, Stanford, Michigan State.
• Europe: SOAS (London), Uppsala, Birmingham.
• Asia: Kyoto University.
• Trend: Rising enthusiasm post-1990s democratization.
Conclusion & Discussion
• Progress: African Studies is now institutionalized globally.
• Challenge: Africans must lead in studying their own realities.
• Discussion Question:
"Why are Africans less enthusiastic about African Studies than
foreigners?"
AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND CULTURES
INTRODUCTION TO THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
Origin of the Name "Africa"
• Possible Etymologies:
1.Ifriqiya: "Sunny place" (Tunisia).
2.Latin: Afri- (Carthaginians) + -ica (land) = "Land of the Carthaginians."
3.Biblical: Named after Epher (Abraham’s grandson).
4.Greek: Aphrike ("without cold").
5.Egyptian: Af-rui-ka ("birthplace," linked to the womb).
6.Others: "South wind" (Michele Fruyt), "foam" (Greek aphros).
• Key Point: Names reflect climatic/geographic features.
Geography of Africa
• Key Facts:
• Size: 2nd largest continent (30.2M km², 15% of world population).
• Regions:
• Atlas Range (North Africa).
• Coastal Plains & River Basins (e.g., Nile, Congo).
• Plateau Region (East/Southern Africa; Mt. Kilimanjaro = 13,321 ft).
• Geographical Engines (Asante, 2007):
• Saharan Generator (fertile ancient Sahara).
• Rainforest (agriculture, civilizations like Kongo).
• Great Rift Valley (cradle of humanity).
Misconceptions About Africa
• Historical Misrepresentations:
1."Dark Continent": Stanley’s myth of mystery/savagery.
2."Natives": Burton’s derogatory label; Baker’s "stagnant mind" claim.
3.Hegel’s View: "Africa has no history."
4.Hamitic Hypothesis: All advancements attributed to Caucasian
"Hamites."
5.Grandmothers’ Tales: Cannibals, tailed people, dragons, etc.
Refutations:
• Iron Age tools, organized kingdoms (e.g., Ghana, Zimbabwe).
• Pre-colonial trade networks (trans-Saharan, Indian Ocean).
Great African Civilizations
1.Ancient Egypt (4000 BCE): Pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphics.
2.Nubia/Kush: Iron smelting, Meroë trade hub.
3.Axum (Ethiopia): Obelisks, Ge’ez script.
4.West African Kingdoms:
1. Ghana, Mali (Timbuktu University), Songhai.
5.Southern Africa:
1. Great Zimbabwe (Monomotapa), Zulu Kingdom (Shaka).
• Key Point: Advanced governance, trade, and culture predated
European contact.
Africa in Antiquity
• Archaeological Evidence:
1.Proconsul (25M years ago, Lake Victoria).
2.Australopithecus (Lucy, 3M years, Ethiopia).
3.Homo habilis (tool-making, Olduvai Gorge).
4.Homo erectus (migration out of Africa).
• Theories:
• Monogenic: Humans evolved once in Africa.
• Polygenic: Multiple origins (discredited).
• Quote: "Africa is the cradle of humanity." —Cheikh Anta Diop.
Africa in the Contemporary World
• Global Contributions:
1.UN Peacekeeping: Missions in Liberia, Darfur, etc.
2.Leadership: Kofi Annan (UN), Nelson Mandela.
3.Regional Bodies: AU, ECOWAS, SADC.
4.Economics: OPEC, WTO, IMF participation.
5.Culture: Nobel laureates (Wole Soyinka), sports (CAF/FIFA).
• Challenges: Stereotypes ("one country"), but rising influence.
Self-Assessment Questions.
1.Define Gondwanaland.
2.List two misconceptions.
3.Monogenic vs. polygenic models?
4.Three African contributions to civilization.
CULTURE AREAS OF AFRICA
• Introduction
• Africa is a diverse continent with distinct geographical and ecological
regions.
• Indigenous peoples have adapted uniquely to their environments.
• Objective: Understand culture areas, traits, classifications (Herskovits &
Marquet), and their significance.
• Theories of Culture Development
Three schools of thought:
1.Evolutionist School (Tylor, Spencer):
1. Cultures evolve linearly from simple to complex.
2.Diffusionist School (Smith, Boas):
1. Cultures grow through contact and borrowing.
3.Sociological School (Durkheim, Strauss):
1. Culture is a holistic, interconnected system.
Definition of Culture Areas
• Newman (1971): Geographic region with culturally similar groups.
• Key Features:
• Shared beliefs, rituals, and practices.
• Significant differences from neighboring areas.
• Example: East African Cattle Area vs. Congo Basin.
Culture Traits
• Material Culture: Tangible (e.g., tools, buildings).
• Non-Material Culture: Intangible (e.g., language, norms).
• Patterns: Traits fade from core to margins due to diffusion (e.g.,
Ghana’s border languages).
Herskovits’ 10 Culture Areas
1.Hottentot (Southern Africa)
2.Bushman (Kalahari)
3.East African Cattle Area
4.West Africa Sub-Area
5.The Congo
6.Guinea Coast Sub-Area
7.East Horn
8.Eastern Sudan
9.Western Sudan
10.Egyptian Area
Importance of Culture Areas
1.Promotes geographic and cultural understanding.
2.Highlights livelihood adaptations (e.g., pastoralism vs. farming).
3.Aids comparative studies for policy-making.
4.Supports tourism and anthropology.
Critiques of Culture Areas
5.Lack of consensus: Herskovits vs. Murdock’s classifications.
6.Over-simplification: Ignores internal diversity (e.g., Kikuyu vs.
Maasai).
7.Static view: Neglects migration and dynamism.
8.Subjectivity: Traits ranked arbitrarily.
Conclusion
• Culture areas help map Africa’s diversity but face critiques for rigidity.
• Dynamic interactions (e.g., migration, trade) challenge fixed
boundaries.
• Key Takeaway: Culture is fluid; classifications must adapt.