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Reasons Why Afrika Fell To Europeans & Arabs
Civilisations rise and fall, but the fall of a whole continent is quite something. We have working theories from scholars pertaining to this topic, and we can use it as a model to build on.
THREAD/
Civilisations rise and fall, but the fall of a whole continent is quite something. We have working theories from scholars pertaining to this topic, and we can use it as a model to build on.
THREAD/
Let’s explore some reasons why Afrika met its demise
1. Religion
Religion is a touchy subject but this isn’t to say your that religion is bad. This is to say that Afrikans that converted to foreign religions had unwavering loyalty to their religions over national security
1. Religion
Religion is a touchy subject but this isn’t to say your that religion is bad. This is to say that Afrikans that converted to foreign religions had unwavering loyalty to their religions over national security
Take the Songhai Empire; it is considered by many to be the biggest empire in West Afrikan history and its downfall led to a very tumultuous time around that region. The Songhai seemed disillusioned by some false idea of religious brotherhood with their neighbours in Morocco.
In truth, the Moroccans (Arabs) only viewed Songhai, for the most part, as a source of wealth. The fact that they were fellow Muslims didn’t really matter. After the Moroccans defeated the Songhai at the battle of the Tondibi, some sources say that the Songhai were protesting...
...about being attacked by another Muslim nation. This, if true, is very telling because it gives us insight into the moral attitudes of the people and their naive disposition.
No matter our beliefs, the preservation of nation and peoplehood can’t be neglected.
No matter our beliefs, the preservation of nation and peoplehood can’t be neglected.
2. Diversity
Human beings originated from Afrika and this naturally saw the rise of human diversity. Afrikans are said to be the most genetically diverse people on earth. Linguistically, we also have a plethora of languages spoken in one region. Let alone the whole continent.
Human beings originated from Afrika and this naturally saw the rise of human diversity. Afrikans are said to be the most genetically diverse people on earth. Linguistically, we also have a plethora of languages spoken in one region. Let alone the whole continent.
Even though today we admire Afrikan diversity, it became nearly impossible to unify all these groups of people, with different languages, into one homogenous group. Because of this diversity, Afrikan failed to invent a Pan African identity… even on a small scale.
How do we solve this issue as Afrikans? We acknowledge and value diversity. However, we should also acknowledge the fact that we are all a related group of people and develop a strong Pan African identity. Our enemies don’t pick and choose based on tribe, language or skin tone.
3. Natural Resources
Afrika almost had all natural resources humans need to thrive and survive. This can be bad because it made Afrika a target.
Ancient Arabs had this aphorism, “Against the camel’s mange, use tar and against poverty, make a trip to Sudan.”
Afrika almost had all natural resources humans need to thrive and survive. This can be bad because it made Afrika a target.
Ancient Arabs had this aphorism, “Against the camel’s mange, use tar and against poverty, make a trip to Sudan.”
For the Arabs, Sudan meant Afrika below the Sahara.
Another resource available was human labour… able to survive in all types of weather conditions (hot, cold, etc). Again, this means Afrika was a target and outsiders became sophisticated in finding ways to destabilise and...
Another resource available was human labour… able to survive in all types of weather conditions (hot, cold, etc). Again, this means Afrika was a target and outsiders became sophisticated in finding ways to destabilise and...
... conquer the continent. Due to Afrikan diversity, it was easy for Europeans and Arabs to manipulate certain groups of people to go against other Afrikan groups.
This led to the slave trade and the slave trade left Afrika bankrupt of young and capable hands and minds.
This led to the slave trade and the slave trade left Afrika bankrupt of young and capable hands and minds.
4. Desertification
The desertification of North Afrika had devastating consequences on the rest of Afrika. Some of the Afrikans that are now further South, were once thriving in the Northern region of the continent. This desertification led to the forced migration of many people
The desertification of North Afrika had devastating consequences on the rest of Afrika. Some of the Afrikans that are now further South, were once thriving in the Northern region of the continent. This desertification led to the forced migration of many people
Mass migrations made it easy for outsiders to come in and sweep through with little resistance.
An example is the invasion of North Afrika by the Arabs; North Afrikans at the time had moved from thriving to surviving in new conditions which affected their culture, civilisation
An example is the invasion of North Afrika by the Arabs; North Afrikans at the time had moved from thriving to surviving in new conditions which affected their culture, civilisation
Losing elements of your culture, history and civilisation is difficult to deal with especially when many of these cultures massively relied on oral history to know and understand its origins.
5. Human Error
Afrikans didn't take time to study the disposition of other groups.
5. Human Error
Afrikans didn't take time to study the disposition of other groups.
They assumed Europeans and Arabs’ disposition was similar to theirs. This isn’t true for some ethnic groups, but the same can’t be said of the majority of the ethnic groups in Afrika.
Also, Afrikan men seemed to have this need to uphold moral uprightness and at times...
Also, Afrikan men seemed to have this need to uphold moral uprightness and at times...
...they maintained this in the face of social and economic annihilation.
Is there evidence for this? King Oba Ewaure of ancient Benin is said to have predicted that Benin City would be burned down in the future. 500 years later, this “prophecy” came to pass.
Is there evidence for this? King Oba Ewaure of ancient Benin is said to have predicted that Benin City would be burned down in the future. 500 years later, this “prophecy” came to pass.
You’d imagine that from his prophecy, King Oba Ewaure would be hesitant to allow outsiders into his kingdom. However, he decided to take the moral high ground. These are the words of the king, “Never make a stranger suffer and whatever else you may do to a foreigner, you...:
"...must not kill him. Forgive his transgressions because he doesn’t know the laws by which you live. Give him time and teach him the laws of your land"
We must understand that no matter our beliefs, the preservation of nation and peoplehood can’t be neglected.
We must understand that no matter our beliefs, the preservation of nation and peoplehood can’t be neglected.
To end it off, what do we gain from learning this? Well, understanding what happened can help us shape the tools needed to build for our future. We must be able to identify and acknowledge what went wrong, so that we may garner the socio-political and economical capacity to...
...remedy the issue. This isn’t a doom and gloom message; this an encouragement to make the most glorious comeback in the history of humanity.
Enjoy the weekend, fam
Enjoy the weekend, fam
