African History Research Articles

Visual Community Autoethnography and Heritage: Selected Cairns in South Africa

Cultural heritage practitioners and activists in South Africa engage in community autoethnography both in process and in the product. We spent over seven years collaborating with post-conflict museums that include community autoethnographic products in their tours and/or exhibits. This collaborative research focused on oral storytelling as adopted by the museum guides. This storytelling includes community visual autoethnographic products that engage the viewer in a performative manner. One example of such products is cairns. These sacred sites are similar in structure to those found in the landscapes across the world, including in South Africa, and are mostly linked to the indigenous hunter-gatherers or the early herders or farmers. However, the cairns focused upon in this paper memorialize three historical eras in the South African history of conflict and reconciliation: colonial conflict between the Voortrekkers and the British and the isiZulu-speaking people in KwaZulu-Natal in the 1800s; forced removals in Cape Town in the 1960s to 1980s; and the dawn of democracy in the 1990s after the release of President Nelson Mandela. The research identifies some of the elements of cairns that give them global relevance, and posits guidelines for post- and present-conflict communities on how cairns as community autoethnographic heritage sites can still evolve and stimulate sustainable community relevance and engagement.

Planning Urban Regeneration through Heritage Tourism: The Case of Kliptown, South Africa

Literature on heritage tourism planning in sub-Saharan Africa is underdeveloped. The aim in this paper is to investigate one highly significant heritage site, which is located in metropolitan Johannesburg, South Africa’s leading urban tourism destination. The specific focus is on Kliptown, a township of modern Soweto, situated 25 km south-west of Johannesburg city centre. In South African history, Kliptown is important in the anti-apartheid struggle for hosting the 1955 Congress of the People and the signing of the Freedom Charter. The planning of Kliptown as a destination for heritage tourism and its local impacts for physical area regeneration are analysed. It is demonstrated that at Kliptown, as has been the case with several other heritage tourism projects implemented during the post-apartheid period, the promised developmental effects for local communities have not materialised.

Water and History in Southern Africa

AbstractHow has water shaped the history of a region that is bordered by ocean, brimming with ephemeral rivers, and yet prone to drought? This article explores water histories in Southern Africa over the past two hundred years. Using oral traditions, epic poetry, archival sources, and secondary anthropological and archaeological literature, I examine how Africans and Europeans related to, claimed, and used different bodies of water. In the first section I discuss how water was central to isiNguni conceptions of social and political life. In the second section I discuss how European empires used water to enclose and dispossess African land and to build hydropolitical colonial orders over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I conclude by reflecting on afterlives of these water histories in the present.

O afrykańskiej historii, znaczeniu teorii oraz edukacji historycznej w Nigerii. Z Olufunke Adeboye rozmawia Ewa Domańska

In this interview, conducted during the XXIII International Congress of Historical Sciences in Poznań (2022), Olufunke Adeboye (Professor of Social History at the University of Lagos, Nigeria) discusses the problems of decolonisation of African history, the relations between academic historiography and popular history, new trends in historical writing, the importance of theory for historical research, and the problems of historical education in Nigeria.

Socialism in Contemporary African Art: Butchering the End of Time

Abstract This introductory essay and accompanying special issue of ARTMargins explore the role of African socialisms in contemporary art. Artists looking at Africa's radical history face the challenge of responding to a generalized amnesia about the continent's protagonism on intellectual and political radicalism after 1945. Working with under-researched themes, scarce historical records, and apprehensive oral sources, these artists are often tasked to amplify forgotten pasts while simultaneously critiquing the political contingency of historical investigation in global contemporary art. Global contemporary art—largely shaped by the neoliberal transition that followed the very histories explored by these artists—is often shown in its limitation to engage with socialist history critically. Through the authors’ analyses, many artworks nuance discussion of the erasures, fixed narratives, and nostalgia for Africa's socialist past. Looking to this past, artists attempt to reorganize contemporaneity and its typical disregard for history beyond romanticization. Talho (2014), a work by Mozambican photographer Filipe Branquinho, is analyzed as a case study raising central questions on contemporary artists’ engagement with Africa's socialist past.

Analisis Kegagalan Consociational Approach dalam Perjanjian Naivasha Sudan

The Second Sudanese Civil War was a conflict between the Sudanese government and a separatist group from South Sudan, namely the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). It was the most prolonged violent conflict in African history (1983-2005). The conflict officially ended after the signing of the Naivasha Agreement in 2005. In this agreement, there was an effort to resolve the conflict with a consociational approach that carried out project sharing between the conflicting parties. However, this agreement did not succeed in making Sudan free from conflict. This article will present an analysis of the failure to implement the consociational approach in creating positive peace in Sudan and South Sudan The findings of this research are that the power-sharing carried out in this agreement only involves elites. Apart from that, the distribution of resources other than oil has yet to be carried out, which should also be divided, taking into account identity factors.

A Study Of Health Consequences Due To ‘Female Genital Mutilation’ In African Novels With Special Reference To Abraham Verghese’s Cutting For Stone And Alice Walker’s Possessing The Secrets Of Joy

The nations should be put to an interrogation whether women in their provinces are surviving safe? The discursive readings will fail to deny the fact that women in each nation have always been considered secondary or being subjugated by several modes. The existence of women has been restrained by the male strategists who exploit them to imposing the prerogative of their dominion and masculinity. Masculinity does not believe in mere exploiting women, it also imposes upon women to represent themselves as commodities to be served to men, be it to getting their genitals circumcised to prove that they are ‘untouched’ and ‘virgins’. Female Genital Mutilation is a long- existing brutal practice which forces women to undergo their genital mutilation at their early ages. They are asked to get their genitals circumcised because it is an obligatory practice imposed by the supercilious imaginary customs of the males, in most of the communities. To understand the condition of women in this context, this paper analyzes the African history of enforcing the native women to undergo their genital mutilation (FGM), as being made as mandatory. To understand this locus, this paper dwells in the reading of the historical process of the female genital mutilation (FGM) being practiced worldwide, especially in Africa. To bring light in a more concentrating manner, the paper reads Abraham Verghese’s first novel Cutting for Stone (2009) that is almost set in Ethiopia during the 1960s and the 70s and Alice Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy (1992). Besides, many other African novels are also discussed in brief.

An Africological Excavation of Colonial Discourse

This article argues that epistemologies are significantly relevant to the decolonial project and the advancement of discourse around human interactions. Moreover, it is asserted that the decolonization of the mind can only occur within the context of changing the framework through which we understand the world and its history. As a concept, decolonizing the mind is dependent upon correcting dislocation and disorientation that leads to confusion about reality. However, decolonial discourse is often vulnerable to assume its own colonial orientation and can still be entrapped in centering European and Arab experiences regarding African history; it is the interrogation of those elements that Africology promotes. This paper demonstrates an imperative for a restructuring epistemology that is, inclusive of a multiplicity of perspectives. From the Africological vantage, the universalisms of European and Arab centered epistemes are grounded in cultures that in reifying their own existence, are antithetical to the free existence of those who do not adhere to their beliefs and values.

Deconstructing The Conundrum in the Historiography of Acephalous Societies in Nigeria 1900-1990

An ambivalent appellation, acephalousness or non-centrality led to misinterpretations of the political systems and structures of Nigerian societies that obviously were not as professionalized as those in the erstwhile Empires and Emirates. Yet, the acephalous societies had political structures as much as the centralized ones. From the times of David Hume, Friedrich Hegel through to Hugh-Trevor Roper, African history faced distortions; and presented as unworthy of any kind of academic study. This was, unarguably, a crop-up from a Eurocentric misperception and misconception whereof Africa became labelled the “Dark Continent: waiting to be discovered by Europeans. Seemingly a justification of the colonization of Africa, African historians, nonetheless, became challenged to the best approaches in writing her history. Another challenge was the misconception that documentation or written history was the only acceptable history. Arab/Muslim scholars effectively covered the socio-political and economic activities in the centralized societies where they found employment as scribes or chroniclers. This study, first, attempted grasping at the contents, perspectives and methodology of African history; second, it examined the challenges inherent in the study of acephalous or stateless societies and, third, provided ample ways of addressing the challenges. The findings revealed that beyond written documents, oral traditions and the application of the interdisciplinary research approach were integral and indispensable parts in the historiography of African societies, especially of the acephalous. Using the primary and secondary sources, the study concluded that in spite of the limitations of oral traditions, they remained indispensable in interrogating the history of acephalous societies.

ЭТНОПОЛИТИЧЕСКИЙ КОНФЛИКТ В ЮАР КАК УГРОЗА ЕДИНСТВУ СТРАНЫ

The ethnopolitical conflict in the of South African Republic (RSA) is one of the most complex and multifaceted problems of our time, threatening the unity and stability of the country. This conflict has its roots in deep history, Apartheid not only entrenched racial inequality in legislation, but also created persistent social and economic gaps between the various ethnic groups of South African Republic. The key moment in South Africa's history was 1994, when apartheid was officially abolished and the African National Congress (ANC) came to power under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. However, even after two decades since the end of apartheid, South African Republic continues to face serious ethnopolitical challenges related to conflicts among various African peoples, as well as with the white population of Afrikaners and descendants of the British. In recent years, there has been a tendency in the African National Congress (ANC) to strengthen leftist nationalism, which has become the subject of serious discussion and analysis in the political context of the Republic of South African Republic. The situation of discrimination against the white population is aggravated in the context of the policy of the African National Congress (ANC) aimed at supporting the black majority. In general, South African Republic has a complex and multifaceted pattern of discriminatory practices that affects various segments of society. These practices are causing serious concerns and debate among the public, politicians and activists. An essential role in the search for balance and sustainable development of the country is played by the opposition, in particular the Democratic Alliance, which offers alternative views on the governance of the country and supports democratic institutions.

COVID-19-related stigma within a rural South African community: A mixed methods analysis.

Infectious disease-related stigma is a pervasive global issue that impedes disease control efforts by increasing reluctance to seek treatment or engagement in prevention behaviors for fear of ostracism. Despite this, there is limited research on COVID-19 stigma in Africa, specifically rural South Africa, which has faced infectious disease-related stigma throughout the HIV epidemic. Population-based surveys were conducted among 1,662 adults living in the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (AHDSS) area in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in August-October 2020 and August-October 2021. Surveys measured anticipated COVID-19-related stigma from low to high levels. Changes in stigma between surveys were compared using Wilcoxon ranked sign tests, and log-binomial models estimated the association between socio-demographic factors and anticipated stigma at both intervals. Qualitative interviews were conducted in 2022 among 31 adults who completed the original surveys, and the data were analyzed thematically to describe anticipated, perceived, and enacted stigma. Anticipated stigma significantly decreased from the first to the second survey (p-value:<0.0001). Stigma was significantly higher among older age groups. In 2020, those less knowledgeable about COVID-19 were 2.24 times as likely to have higher levels of anticipated stigma compared to those who were more knowledgeable (RR:2.24, 95% CI: 1.90,2.64). Fear of being stigmatized influenced willingness to disclose infection. Participants perceived COVID-19 stigma as similar to HIV/AIDS stigma, but concern and fear reduced over time, with differences observed across generations and sexes. For some, fear of death and mistrust of others endorsed enacting stigma toward others. While COVID-19 stigma decreased over time in rural South Africa, different forms of stigma persisted and influenced participants' willingness to reveal their COVID-19 infection status. Given South Africa's history with infectious disease-related stigma hindering public health efforts, it is crucial that government bodies prioritize strategies to mitigate stigma in rural communities.

Multi-faceted traditional and ritual resources of africa

People who wrote about Africa had western-mindedness pushing their history back from the real stories all through the years till the twentieth century. The Africans were mentioned by the earlier writers as barbarians and animals. The real history of the black continent is unearthed by African historians and scholars with proper proof and authentication. The bias notion on the African ancient races could be washed off by the significant documents produced from archeological and historical evidence. The objective of this paper is to display the historically hidden treasures of African tradition and the rituals practiced in African regions that could play a different role in rethinking the study of the African continent.

O ESVAZIAMENTO DAS DIRETRIZES CURRICULARES NACIONAIS NA BASE NACIONAL COMUM CURRICULAR

ABSTRACT: This article analyzes the near absence of the National Curriculum Guidelines for Basic Education (in Portuguese, DCN) in the Common National Curriculum Framework (BNCC in Portuguese). We conducted a documentary study with a critical approach to the curricular debates anchored in the Historical-Critical Pedagogy theoretical-methodological foundations. The aim is to analyze and reflect on the educational guidelines for groups underrepresented in curricular educational policies to debate the formation processes of the subjects. The categories of analysis were: 1) modalities of education (Indigenous School; Quilombola School; Rural; Special; Youth and Adult; Vocational and Technological Schools); and 2) contemporary thematic axes (Environmental education; Human Rights Education; Education for young people and adults deprived of liberty in penal institutions; Education of Ethnic-Racial Relations and the Teaching of Afro-Brazilian and African History and Culture; School assistance for children, adolescents and young people in itinerant situations). The results indicate a silencing and a setback in the BNCC, concerning some modalities and thematic axes that had their rights guaranteed in the DCN. On the other hand, in the BNCC, though presenting the principles of equality and universality, the subjects are homogenized, disregarding the differences and subjectivities that exist or may exist. We advocate for an education that effectively considers Brazilian society's diversity and profound inequalities, seeking an omnilateral formation of subjects from a social transformation perspective.

Ifrīqiyan Ceramics. Connectivity and Interaction Across Medieval Africa

Ifrīqiyan Ceramics. Connectivity and Interaction Across Medieval Africa

Unravelling Second-Order Concepts in South African History Textbooks

This paper explores the progression of second-order concepts in seven purposively sampled South African CAPS-compliant history textbooks. History knowledge encompasses both the substantive and procedural knowledge types, with second-order concepts forming an integral component of the latter. Textbook writers and educators use this knowledge in their domains without a predetermined trajectory. These concepts are not mere skills but fundamental notions guiding historical practice. Their meaningful integration into learning materials forms a necessary toolkit for historical inquiry. Drawing from a broader PhD study,1 a Bernsteinian (1990) framework and the 'big six' concepts articulated by Seixas and Peck (2004) are used to analyse the content of seven chapters, one per book, telling the story of the history of South Africa across grades three to nine in the foundation, intermediate, and senior phases of the South African school curriculum. A continuum was populated, articulating the strengths of the second-order concepts ranging from a powerful presence to those weakly incorporated. The findings indicate a sporadic presence of the six concepts-historical significance, continuity and change, cause and consequence, historical perspectives, and the moral dimension across the textbooks. There is a more inclusive focus in the senior grades and less so in lower grades. The concepts also lack continuous and cumulative development. If these 'structural' historical concepts provide the basis for historical thinking, it is unclear how they advance through the grades with increasing levels of complexity. The methodology of history is thus not a universal or one-size-fits-all endeavour but an iterative process inculcating concepts that are nuanced and inherently abstract.

Livros brancos, imagens negras: uma abordagem (in)disciplinar

This paper aims to contribute with elements for the problematisation, expansion, and improvement of the study of African history textbooks in Brazilian education. Textbooks are often limited by new stereotypes, with images that erase the violence present in interracial relationships. On the other hand, the authorship of these images in textbooks still does not belong, for the most part, to black artists and intellectuals. We propose an approach to the art of Rosana Paulino, with the aim of thinking about how her work: a) incorporates elements that allow us to recognise the presence of black women in the contemporary artistic context; b) calls into question the proliferation of a vision of the world that excludes women; and c) profiles any content of African History from an anti-racist horizon.

Sacred Ecology of an African Landscape: Evidence from the Mau Forest Complex, 1600-1895

The study is a historical examination of the spiritual dimensions and sacredness of the Mau forests; the nature of engagements and benefits obtained from sacred forests; governance practices and dynamics aspects of sacred forests; and the implications of dynamics on human-ecology interaction sustainability among the Ogiek. The study equally portrays the effects of human intrusions on the state of sacred forests and their provisions. Before the advent of colonialism, communities in and around the Mau Forest had elaborate traditional systems of forest land utilization. Indigenous religious beliefs and practices served to maintain a harmonious relationship with the natural environment. Thus, this paper offers an in- depth historical study of how religion was used to conserve the Mau Forest, arguing that present-day ecological challenges are best solved when one first understands the underlying historical topography, and when strategies based on modern practices are modified by blending them with indigenous practices. In doing so, I propose a model of political ecology that considers cultural, social and religious change dimensions of African history.

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA VERSUS BLACKS’ CIVIL RIGHTS IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA: A READING OF THE STORY OF OLAUDAH EQUIANO

This article aims at presenting and demonstrating through Equiano's story how the Traditional Africans of pre-colonial Africa perceived and dealt with the issue of human rights on the one hand; and on the other hand, it examines how the question of the rights of Black Americans are perceived and treated in American society today. In doing so, the study has used the theory of post-colonialism and comparative literature to analyze and interpret the two situations. As expected results, study has demonstrated that traditional Africans had established some social norms and rules which protected and guaranteed the basic rights of the populations without discrimination. However, it has been able to show that in the United States of today, portrayed as one of the most democratic nations and defenders of human rights, the basic rights of black Americans are still not guaranteed. They continue to experience multifaceted discrimination every day.

Applying History: Towards a Responsive Writing

This article discusses African historiography with an emphasis on Nigeria. It posits that the themes in African historiography have continued to evolve, with historians of different eras paying attention to a broad spectrum of issues. The need at one point was to recall the glory of Africa’s past, and to debunk Eurocentric bias and prejudice by early European writers of African history was a central theme in historical research on the continent. Thus, it was employed to address pressing issues of nationalism and to combat Afro-pessimism. The article suggests that contemporary historians can use historical writing to understand, analyse, and make recommendations for policymakers in Africa in such areas as governance, trade, and bilateral relations. Looking at contemporary issues, it has become clear that today’s historians can do more to contribute to finding solutions to some of the current challenges in different African communities.

Rainbow nation discourses among Black millennial history teachers in relation to post-apartheid South African history

Generational experiences create unique contextualised meanings for society. This is the case with millennials in South Africa, many of whom use social media to organise their lives and engage with issues pertinent to them, such as South Africa being a rainbow nation. Some of these millennials are history teachers who, when at work, have to teach an official history which may contradict some of their social media engagements. This motivated this article of which the aim was to identify the dominant conversations when relating to the rainbow nation among a selected group of Black millennial history teachers. In this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) we used a qualitative approach in which 10 participants were involved in photo elicitation, semi-structured interviews, and focus-group discussions. Data were thematically analysed. The findings reflect millennials mainly engaged with violence, coloniality, victory, unity, and identity. The findings further suggest that the discourses were both contending and overlapping. We argue that millennial history teachers in South Africa hold different views about the rainbow nation: even though they paint the notion with predominant negativity, there is evidence of underlying positivity about it.