The African Continent seems to refuses to develop. As the rest of the world make great strides in development, the African continent seems not only stuck, but moving backward. The images of Africa as backward continent continues.
It helps no one to sugarcoat the current state of Africa. In order to better understand Africa we have went back to excavate books written long time ago. Books that shed light on the heart of Africa's backwardness.
The masterclass establishes a clear tension between how Africa is currently described and how it has been documented historically.
- Modern Romanticization: Recent accounts of Africa are characterized as "glowing" and "romanticized." However, the text asserts that this literature is often not "frank" or "open."
- The "Reality" Gap: The source argues that the reality on the ground does not meet the standards set by these glowing modern narratives.
- The Historical Alternative: In response to the lack of frankness in modern writing, the text looks "backwardness to excavate" the works of "scholars of yore." These historical accounts are described as providing an "open manner" of storytelling regarding the continent.
Key Themes in Historical Characterization
A review of the historical literature reveals several recurring themes used to describe the African continent. These themes reflect the prevailing academic and social perspectives of the era:
- The Concept of "Darkness": Africa is frequently described as the "Dark Continent" or the "Heart of Darkness." This terminology suggests a place of mystery, obscurity, or a lack of light/civilization.
- Primitivity and Prehistory: Scholarly works from institutions like Oxford and Cambridge categorized Africa as "primitive" and "prehistoric," often likening it to a "primeval forest."
- Naturalistic Association: Some scholars framed the study of Africa within the context of "zoology," positioning the continent and its contents as subjects of biological or animalistic study rather than purely human history.
Survey of Historical Sources and Authors
The source cites several specific authors and titles that shaped the historical Western perspective on Africa. These are categorized by their thematic focus and the background of the authors.
Academic and Philosophical Works
These works represent the perspectives of established historians and philosophers from prestigious European institutions.
Author | Affiliation/Role | Key Concept or Title |
|---|---|---|
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel | Philosopher | Characterized the region as "Dark Africa." |
Sir James George Frazer | Cambridge University | Wrote on "Primitive Africa." |
Edward Burnett Tylor | Oxford University | Wrote on "Primitive Africa." |
Trevor-Roper | Oxford Historian | Authored works on "Primitive Africa." |
Exploratory and Narrative Works
These publications stems from explorers and authors who documented their travels and observations through a narrative lens.
Author | Title of Work | Primary Theme |
|---|---|---|
Joseph Conrad | The Heart of Darkness | The metaphor of darkness. |
Henry Morton Stanley | Through the Dark Continent (1878) | The exploration of a "dark" territory. |
Henry Morton Stanley | In Darkest Africa (1890) | Reinforcement of the "darkness" motif. |
Thomas Pakenham | Africa as a Dark Forest | The continent as a dense, impenetrable wilderness. |
American Perspectives
The text highlights that American scholars and figures also contributed to this specific historical narrative.
- Paul Du Chaillu: Africa: The Study of Zoology. This work frames the continent through a biological and zoological lens.
- Theodore Roosevelt (1910): Africa: A Primeval, Prehistoric Forest. The former president’s account emphasizes the ancient and undeveloped nature of the African environment.
Conclusion
The source concludes that while these historical books and their perspectives may not be endorsed in a modern context, they remain extant and provide a "frank, open manner" of telling Africa's story that differs fundamentally from contemporary romanticized accounts. The "excavation" of these texts reveals a consistent historical framework that defined Africa as primitive, prehistoric, and "dark."
