Alberto Costa e Silva fala sobre a história da África além dos documentos oficiais

Summary

The script discusses the misconception that Africa lacks history, as once claimed by historian R.G. Trev. It emphasizes the rich historical records, including African-written chronicles and oral traditions, which have been documented since ancient times. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding African history as both a science and an art, and how it has been shaped by various sources, including archaeological findings. The narrative also touches on the reinterpretation of history by different generations and the significance of local histories in understanding the continent's past.

Takeaways

• 😀 The historian R.G. Trev, in a 1961 BBC interview, infamously claimed that Africa had no history, which was a deeply offensive statement to many scholars dedicated to African studies.
• 📚 The Journal of African History was first published in England in the same year as Trev's statement, marking the beginning of a scientific approach to the study of African history.
• 🌟 The Cambridge History of Africa is an eight-volume work that, along with other monumental pieces, has helped to establish African history as a discipline both ancient and new.
• 🏛️ African history has been documented in various forms, including travel books, chronicles of discovery and conquest, and works by Arab and Ethiopian authors, showcasing its long-standing tradition.
• 📜 There are numerous local histories and chronicles written by Africans in their own languages, such as Arabic, Ge'ez, and Ajami, which are crucial to understanding the continent's past.
• 🗺️ Archaeological findings have been instrumental in proving that Africa is the cradle of humankind, with evidence of early hominids and Homo sapiens.
• 🏺 The study of African history is not just about monumental structures but also the everyday lives of people, which are often overlooked but are essential to understanding the continent's rich heritage.
• 👵 Oral traditions play a significant role in African history, despite the challenges of their preservation and the potential for reinvention over time.
• 🔍 Each generation of historians reinterprets historical sources, which means that the narrative of African history, like any other, is subject to change and reevaluation.
• 🌱 The history of Africa is deeply intertwined with the present, as it shapes the identity and understanding of the people and their past, making it a living, evolving discipline.

Q & A

What did the British historian R.G. Trev say about Africa's history in 1961?

R.G. Trev famously stated in a BBC interview that Africa had no history because the people who wandered in the wilds did not have history.

What was the speaker's personal reaction to Trev's statement?

The speaker felt personally insulted by Trev's statement, as he had been studying Africa since 1948 and was dedicated to the study of African history.

What was the significance of the first issue of the Journal of African History in England?

The first issue of the Journal of African History marked the beginning of a scientific journal dedicated exclusively to the study of African history, challenging Trev's claim.

What does the speaker consider the discipline of African history to be?

The speaker considers African history to be both an old and new discipline, being new as a science and old as an art.

How did the study of African history evolve in the mid-20th century?

In the mid-20th century, African history began to emerge from travel books and accounts of different worlds, and it started to uncover past structures and modes of life of the present.

What are some examples of early African historical writings mentioned in the script?

Examples include the 'Divan dos Reis de Bornu', the chronicle of Kilwa, 'História de Mina', and 'História de Etiópia' by Pero Vaqueiro.

What does the speaker suggest about the abundance of historical sources for Africa?

Contrary to the notion of scarcity, the speaker suggests that there is an excess of sources for African history, including local written sources and oral traditions.

How does the speaker address the issue of bias in historical sources?

The speaker acknowledges that historical sources can be prejudiced, but emphasizes the importance of reading them carefully to understand their context and the true nature of the events they describe.

What role does archaeology play in the study of African history according to the speaker?

Archaeology plays a significant role by revealing the origins of humanity and the existence of ancient civilizations, but it has limitations, especially in preserving wooden and earthen structures.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of local and everyday histories in Africa?

The speaker believes that local and everyday histories are crucial for understanding the full scope of African history, as they provide insights into the lives of ordinary people and their contributions to the past.

How does the speaker relate the study of history to the understanding of the present and future?

The speaker views history as a construction, similar to the future, and emphasizes that the study of history helps us discover who we were and who we continue to be, as it is embedded in our identity and heritage.