Most Western societies regarded this method untrustworthy as a means of gathering and preserving information. As a result, Non-African historians used written documentation to chart the history of the continent. If this was missing, it was assumed that nothing worth recording had happened.
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Is it true that Africa has no history?
Africa has a rich and complex history but there is widespread ignorance of this heritage. A celebrated British historian once said there was only the history of Europeans in Africa.Kush was an African superpower and its influence extended to what is now called the Middle East.
Did Africa have a writing system?
Perhaps the most famous African writing system is ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. These developed later into forms known as Hieratic, Demotic and, through Phoenician and Greek, Coptic.As mentioned above, the Bohairic dialect of Coptic is used currently in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Was Africa rich before?
Africa has a rich and in depth pre-colonial history of magnificent and unspoken wealthy and developed empires and kingdoms. In the 12th Century, the Mali Empire was larger than Western Europe and regarded as one of the wealthiest states in the world.The empire reigned in North West Africa before the Kingdom of Kongo.
Why Africa is called dark?
Africa was known as the “Dark Continent” because it remained unexplored for a fairly long period of time. Factors that made is difficult for the explorer to venture in to the continent of africa were: The largest desert in the world, the Sahara Desert acted as a natural barrier for the European explorers.
Did Africans write their history?
The history of Africa has tended to rely on written evidence. But Africans had their own particular system of recording past events, situations and traditions, before Europeans started writing about it. This was based on collecting oral testimonies.
When did Africa learn to write?
‘2 Yet writing – in the form of Egyptian hieroglyphs – emerged in Africa from the 4th century BCE. In Ethiopia, the Ethiopic script was developed in the 4th century CE, and in Sudan the Meroïtic script was created about 180 BCE. The Tifinagh script is of particular importance for West Africa.
When did African start writing their literature?
Early African Literature: An Anthology of Written Texts from 3000 BCE to 1900 CE.
Who started slavery in Africa?
The transatlantic slave trade began during the 15th century when Portugal, and subsequently other European kingdoms, were finally able to expand overseas and reach Africa. The Portuguese first began to kidnap people from the west coast of Africa and to take those they enslaved back to Europe.
When did Africa rule the world?
In ancient times, the Oracle of Amon at Siwah was the most celebrated, and Heliopolis, Memphis, and Thebes, were representatives of the best of Egyptian civilization and culture.
What was the name of Africa before it was called Africa?
Alkebulan
In Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan. Alkebu-lan “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden”.” Alkebulan is the oldest and the only word of indigenous origin.
Who discovered Africa?
Portuguese explorer Prince Henry, known as the Navigator, was the first European to methodically explore Africa and the oceanic route to the Indies.
Why is Africa called the mother continent?
Africa is sometimes nicknamed the “Mother Continent” due to its being the oldest inhabited continent on Earth.Africa, the second-largest continent, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Which continent is known as Black continent?
Africa
Africa, the second largest continent, is known as the “Dark Continent”.
Why is African history important?
African history enables the history student to acquire knowledge of their own country and the African continent. viii. African history has a practical use in international relations and diplomacy. Its study promotes international understanding and sympathy.
How far back does African history go?
The history of Africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans and—at least 200,000 years ago—anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens), in East Africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of diverse and politically developing nation states.
What has Africa given to the world?
10 things Africa has given the world
- Coffee. Italians gave it to us short and strong, Americans served it filtered then ratcheted up the calories by adding syrups, whipped cream and even pumpkin.
- Modern art.
- Mathematics.
- Mobile phones.
- Nando’s.
- Ubuntu.
- Jazz.
- Shea butter.
What’s the oldest country in Africa?
Ethiopia is the oldest independent countries in Africa. Unlike other African countries, Ethiopia remained independent until 1935, when Italy under Benito Mussolini invaded the country but only for a brief stint.
Which African language is the oldest?
Africa is known for being home to some of the ancient languages in the world. Although it is hard to be certain that a particular language spoken in Africa was the oldest, many people agree on the name of Ancient Egyptian. The name of the Khoisan languages also shows up often during such discussions.
What’s the oldest writing in the world?
cuneiform script
Cuneiform is an ancient writing system that was first used in around 3400 BC. Distinguished by its wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets, cuneiform script is the oldest form of writing in the world, first appearing even earlier than Egyptian hieroglyphics.
How important is African literature?
African literature is not important only because of its relevant setting and relatable storylines. It also increases our social consciousness, and raises awareness of social, political, and economic crises that the African continent is facing.
