Colonialism in Africa, and the Question of Independence.
Following the apology by the German President regarding the devastation that had occurred in the Maji Maji War in Tanzania and the coming commemoration of the Independence of Tanzania on 9th December 2023, it is inevitable to point out that the embarked journey of African Liberation is still an Intriguing and significant Topic to Africans.
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Introduction;
In November 2023 the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier apologized to Tanzania regarding the Maji Maji War as it was estimated between 200,000 and 300,000 members of the Indigenous Tanzanian population were murdered during the so-called Maji Maji Rebellion (1905 – 1907), This episode, considered one of the bloodiest uprisings in colonial history, involved systematic destruction by German troops of fields and villages, further highlighting the dark legacy of colonialism.
Colonialism in Africa
Independence in Africa would have never been a concept if there hadn’t been colonialism in the first place. It was colonialism that brought this phenomenon, Colonialism occurs when one nation subjugates another, conquering its population and exploiting it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon its people[1]. The African Continent faced tremendous colonial rule in the 1880s which spurred and regulated Colonialism in Africa, but how and what was Africa before the European Invasion?
Africa Prior Colonialism.
It is mostly known that Africans lived in societies as it was home to hundreds of vibrant, dynamic cultures populating all parts of the vast continent. Within those regions we today call West or Central Africa, for example, diverse groups distinguished themselves from one another through a complex range and combination of languages, religions, arts, technologies, and evolving worldviews[2]
Although the majority of discussions on great technology advancements, science et cetera are derived from places like Ancient Greece and Rome, few publications speak of how these scientific origins and technological advancements discoveries came thousands of years after African developments[3]?
Metal Engineering
Advances in tool-making, including steam engines, metal chisels, copper and iron tools, and weapons, surpassed European achievements. Notable progress in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda over 1,500 to 2,000 years ago was remarkable and predated European developments.
Architecture
Sophisticated built environments, such as the stone complexes in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, showcased the architectural prowess of African societies. In the 13th century, the empire of Mali boasted impressive cities like Timbuktu, with grand palaces, mosques, and universities.
Health and Medical
Prior to Colonialism, medicine in what is now Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, was more advanced than medicine in Europe. Some of these practices were the use of plants with salicylic acid for pain (as in aspirin), kaolin for diarrhoea (as in Kaopectate), and extracts that were confirmed in the 20th century to kill Gram-positive bacteria, also, African cultures performed surgeries under antiseptic conditions universally when this concept was only emerging in Europe.
Navigation
Long before Europeans explored the coasts of Africa, numerous overland trade routes crisscrossed the continent. These routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures among African societies. Notable trade routes include the trans-Saharan trade routes connecting North Africa with West Africa and the East African trade routes. Many ancient societies in Africa built a variety of boats, including small reed-based vessels, sailboats and grander structures with many cabins and even cooking facilities.
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Colonialism in Africa & Struggle for Independence
Colonialism in Africa brought about disruption and destruction to Africans among its effects include the toll of deaths, massive societal disruption, emotional and spiritual destruction, loss of free will and many more.
The Struggle for Independence in Africa was sacrificial to most African Nations, From Ghana in 1957 to Namibia in 1990 and the release of the Late Nelson Mandela, it is quite clear that there was a thirst and a sense of pride in Africans which brought about African Heroes,
Among them are,
Mau Mau Uprising, which occurred from 1952 to 1960, was a secret society, that rebelled against British colonial rule in Kenya, seeking independence which was led by Dedan Kimathi
Algerian War of Independence, which lasted from 1954 to 1962. Algerian nationalists fought against French colonial rule to gain independence for Algeria.
Guinea-Bissau War of Independence, which took place from 1963 to 1974. Guinea-Bissau fought for independence from Portuguese colonial rule.
Zimbabwean War of Independence (Second Chimurenga): Occurred from 1964 to 1979. Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) sought independence from British colonial rule, with the majority black population opposing minority white rule.
These conflicts reflect the struggles of African nations against colonial powers, highlighting the complex dynamics of independence movements and the impact of colonial legacies on the continent.
However, the question of Independence remains intact: Are African Nations free or is Independence just an Illusion?
To say Africa is truly free is incorrect because, while the struggle for independence in Africa marked a triumphant chapter in the continent's history, the journey toward sovereignty remains an ongoing challenge. The persistence of externally imposed borders, economic dependencies, adopted legal systems and Eurocentric education systems which shape the content of education but also influence the very mindset of the citizens it seeks to educate all contribute to a nuanced understanding of the term "independence."
Acknowledging and addressing these challenges is crucial for African nations to chart a course toward a future where true autonomy and self-determination are not just aspirations but tangible realities, or else it is just Neo–Colonialism.
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[1] Erin Blakemore, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/colonialism
Accountant at CORAL CAPITAL LTD
1 年Congratulations Mariana, well done, for remarkable journey from Colonialism to Independence