African history could be regarded as the record of the sum total of human activities and developments that had taken place over a period of time in Africa and had come to shape the region. African history like other region or continent histories is relevant and worthy of learning to the international world, More so, there are qualities that are found in the history of Africa that makes it distinct from other histories .
Africa had experienced an interplay of activities and drama from the evolution of man, rise and fall of empires, to the advent of colonization, independence movements etc. which shaped the contemporary African states setting we have today and are essential in understanding the problems and intricacies of the contemporary African society.In a few points, I will list out why African history is essential to the global world.
According to scientists, Africa is home to the first human beings that ever walked the earth, we could say Humans first evolved in Africa, and much of human evolution occurred on that continent. . The fossils of early humans who lived between 6 and 2 million years ago come entirely from Africa.such as the oldest Australopithecus fossil , which was found in Hadar , Erhiopia by Donald Johanson and was named Lucy.
Secondly Africa was home to several empires that were advanced, big and powerful during their hey days, such as the Old Ghana empire, Mali empire, Oyo empire, Kanem Borno amidst others. The rulers of these empires were very powerful with large armies , they controlled large expanses of land with efficient methods of taxation and some of these rulers were so rich that their names were known far and wide, such as Mansa Musa (once ruler of Mali) who was so rich in gold that you can't easily decide the richest between him and the biblical King Solomon. Your study about empires will not be complete without previewing some of these old African empires .
Africa had witnessed some of the world's earliest discoveries and inventions that dates back to many centuries ago, in relations to several aspects of human life like literature (Egyptian Hieroglyphs) Art, (Benin, Nok arts), Architecture, Tools etc.
Africa is home to series of ethnic groups who have contributed to history one way or the other through their diverse cultures, traditions, trade and wars.such as the Yoruba in south western Nigeria, The Bantu in South Africa etc.
Finally Africa is essential in understanding the racial situation in the world today, from the events of the slave trade which forcefully and permanently dispersed many Africans to American and European settlements, colonization and apartheid system in some parts which led to several independence and nationalist movements.
John Olanipekun
President, Isha Ife
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