COLONISATION
INTRODUCTION
In the GENESIS NARRATIVE we established that Africa is the “cradle of mankind.” African Empires have existed in the past and centres of civilization were established.
WHAT EXACTLY IS COLONISATION?
The Oxford English Dictionary says its “the act of taking control of an area or a country that is not your own, especially using force, and sending people from your own country to live there.”
Using the above as a ‘working definition’ there are various distinct periods of Colonisation in Africa’s history where people with military might invaded parts of Africa and established a presence in these areas, exclusively for their benefit, in most cases not caring about the people or the environment they found there.
The most significant of these periods is the one in the 1980’s identified as the ‘Scramble for Africa” or the “Division of Africa.” This period is dealt with as a separate sub section because though by definition it is part of Colonisation, due to its far reaching effects on Africa (effects which are felt even now), this period warrants separate attention.
Using the above as a ‘working definition’ there are various distinct periods of Colonisation in Africa’s history where people with military might invaded parts of Africa and established a presence in these areas, exclusively for their benefit, in most cases not caring about the people or the environment they found there.
The most significant of these periods is the one in the 1980’s identified as the ‘Scramble for Africa” or the “Division of Africa.” This period is dealt with as a separate sub section because though by definition it is part of Colonisation, due to its far reaching effects on Africa (effects which are felt even now), this period warrants separate attention.
WHAT EXISTED BEFORE COLONISATION?
Africa has always been a land endowed with abundant natural resources. Good rains, good soil, mineral wealth, wide variety of plant and animal life, access to the sea, rivers and many lakes; one could go on and on.
Though these attributes are not evenly distributed across the continent and various regions have endemic diseases, destructive pests, some with soil fertility in the top soil only, the African people have managed to innovate or relocate and develop tools and devices that have helped them not only survive but be productive.
The various African Empires and Civilizations which existed in the North, North East, West, East and Southern Africa utilized the resources available in their regions and were able to get involved in intra Arica trade and exchange. Empires like Egypt, Axum (Ethiopia), Kush (Sudan) and the ones in the North Eastern region generally and the Eastern coastline would in turn trade and exchange goods with Mediterranean, Arabic, Indian Ocean and Chinese Empires or City States.
“Anthropological, historical (including historical linguistics), and archaeological evidence points to the existence, on the one hand, of intra-African trade and, on the other, of external trade between Africa and those outside the continent”.(1)
The areas with good land domesticated and cultivated wild grains and were able to successfully introduce crops from outside Africa. According to the ‘Oldways Whole Grain Council’, Africa has more native grains than any other continent including its own species of rice, millet, sorghum, barley and varieties of wheat.
From the forest areas came oil palm, rafia palm, kola nuts, honey and medicines.
The coastal areas produced salt, an essential commodity in those days, very important to all societies due to its preservative properties for transportation of perishables and also its flavour enhancement nature.
From West and Southern Africa came gold and copper with the development of the expertise of the Goldsmiths and Blacksmiths whose exquisite work was much sought-after outside Africa.
Where there was iron and tin especially in the North East, Ironsmiths produced tools and weapons in enough quantities to supply the export market.
From the animal kingdom, exotic animals were captured and traded, donkeys were domesticated and camels were trained to carry the heavy loads to trade centres and of course, ivory was in abundance. Did I forget to mention tortoise shells? The above is just a summary since precolonial time covers a long period and the activities during that period especially in the various regional areas cannot be fully addressed. The crux of the matter is – Africa had A LOT GOING ON and did not really need anyone or anything else to interfere.
Though these attributes are not evenly distributed across the continent and various regions have endemic diseases, destructive pests, some with soil fertility in the top soil only, the African people have managed to innovate or relocate and develop tools and devices that have helped them not only survive but be productive.
The various African Empires and Civilizations which existed in the North, North East, West, East and Southern Africa utilized the resources available in their regions and were able to get involved in intra Arica trade and exchange. Empires like Egypt, Axum (Ethiopia), Kush (Sudan) and the ones in the North Eastern region generally and the Eastern coastline would in turn trade and exchange goods with Mediterranean, Arabic, Indian Ocean and Chinese Empires or City States.
“Anthropological, historical (including historical linguistics), and archaeological evidence points to the existence, on the one hand, of intra-African trade and, on the other, of external trade between Africa and those outside the continent”.(1)
The areas with good land domesticated and cultivated wild grains and were able to successfully introduce crops from outside Africa. According to the ‘Oldways Whole Grain Council’, Africa has more native grains than any other continent including its own species of rice, millet, sorghum, barley and varieties of wheat.
From the forest areas came oil palm, rafia palm, kola nuts, honey and medicines.
The coastal areas produced salt, an essential commodity in those days, very important to all societies due to its preservative properties for transportation of perishables and also its flavour enhancement nature.
From West and Southern Africa came gold and copper with the development of the expertise of the Goldsmiths and Blacksmiths whose exquisite work was much sought-after outside Africa.
Where there was iron and tin especially in the North East, Ironsmiths produced tools and weapons in enough quantities to supply the export market.
From the animal kingdom, exotic animals were captured and traded, donkeys were domesticated and camels were trained to carry the heavy loads to trade centres and of course, ivory was in abundance. Did I forget to mention tortoise shells? The above is just a summary since precolonial time covers a long period and the activities during that period especially in the various regional areas cannot be fully addressed. The crux of the matter is – Africa had A LOT GOING ON and did not really need anyone or anything else to interfere.
HISTORIC PERIODS OF COLONISATION
The notable recorded periods of colonisation cover:
- The period before and during the Greek Empire
- The period of the Roman Empire
- The fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of European sea powers
- The advent of Islam
- Before the ‘Scramble for Africa’
The next articles will cover each of these periods, the form Colonisation took, the effect on the African people, their response and the long term effects on the people and the area.
SOURCES;
Documenting Precolonial Trade in Africa by Shadrek Chirikure (1)
