Brief History Of Africa Before Colonialism -- How did we get there?

Summary

This video script from 'African Elements' explores the dramatic shift in West Africa's fortunes, from the prosperous empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to the era of the slave trade and colonization. It challenges the Eurocentric view of African history by highlighting the wealth and global trade connections of African kingdoms before European expansion. The script discusses the pivotal role of trans-Saharan trade, the impact of external forces like the fall of Constantinople, and the internal dynamics that led to the tragic 'maafa' or great disaster. It also addresses the complex issue of African involvement in the slave trade, emphasizing the historical context and the diversity of African identities.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Forbes Magazine recognized Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire, as the wealthiest person in history, with an estimated wealth of $400 billion.
• 🌍 West Africa experienced a significant decline from its prosperous past, entering a period known as the 'maafa' or great disaster, due to the slave trade and colonialism.
• 🔄 The narrative of Africa's history is often skewed by focusing on a narrow timeline, which misses the continent's earlier wealth and prosperity.
• 📈 The rise and fall of African empires is tied to global economic systems, with Egypt being a key nexus for trade between the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa.
• 🌊 Europe's expansionist tendencies were driven by a lack of natural resources, leading to a focus on controlling trade routes and expansion into Africa.
• 🔗 The trans-Saharan trade routes were crucial for West African empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, facilitating wealth through trade, particularly in gold and salt.
• 📉 The fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent shift in global trade routes led to the decline of the trans-Saharan trade, impacting West Africa's prosperity.
• 🚢 The discovery of sea routes to Asia by Europeans effectively bypassed Africa, leading to the decline of the trans-Saharan trade and the rise of the slave trade.
• 🔄 West Africa's internal conflicts and the demand for slaves by European powers during their expansionist phase contributed to the growth of the slave trade.
• 🤝 The concept of a unified African identity did not exist historically, with people identifying more with their specific ethnic groups than a broader African identity, influencing their actions during the slave trade era.

Q & A

Who was Mansa Musa and why is he considered the wealthiest person ever to have lived?

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the West African empire of Mali. He is considered the wealthiest person ever to have lived because Forbes Magazine estimated his wealth at $400 billion, which is significantly more than the current net worth of billionaires like Bill Gates.

What does the term 'maafa' refer to in the context of West African history?

The term 'maafa' in Swahili refers to the great disaster, which describes the period of West Africa's history following the decline of its prosperous kingdoms, leading into the era of the slave trade and colonialism.

How did the decline of the Roman Empire impact Europe and its trade with Africa?

The decline of the Roman Empire led to a significant disruption in trade routes, plunging Europe into a period of turmoil known as the medieval period. This decline resulted in increased crime rates, high infant mortality, malnutrition, and warlordism, while also cutting off Western Europe from its critical lifeline to Asia.

What was the significance of the trans-Saharan trade routes for West African empires?

The trans-Saharan trade routes were crucial for West African empires as they linked them to global trade networks, allowing the exchange of valuable goods like gold and salt. This trade was central to the prosperity of empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

How did the Islamic expansion into North Africa affect Western Europe?

The Islamic expansion into North Africa significantly cut off Western Europe from its critical trade lifelines, leading to a period of decline characterized by increased crime, high infant mortality, malnutrition, and warlordism.

What role did the fall of Constantinople play in the shift towards the Atlantic slave trade?

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 forced Europe to seek alternate routes to Asia, leading to the age of exploration. This shift in focus from land-based trade to sea-based trade routes effectively cut Africa out of the picture, causing the trans-Saharan trade to fall into disuse and contributing to the rise of the Atlantic slave trade.

Why did the wealth and prosperity of West Africa decline so rapidly?

The rapid decline of West Africa's wealth and prosperity was due to a combination of factors, including the fall of Constantinople, which redirected trade routes, and the subsequent rise of the Atlantic slave trade, which exploited the region's internal conflicts and chaos.

How did the concept of slavery evolve in West Africa during the period of the slave trade?

Slavery in West Africa was not new, as it had been practiced alongside expansion and conquest for centuries. However, as the region descended into conflict and chaos, the demand for slaves by European powers like Portugal led to an increase in the trafficking of slaves, which was one of the commodities West Africa had in abundance.

What was the impact of the fall of the Roman Empire on the perception of Africa's historical development?

The fall of the Roman Empire and the subsequent decline of Europe led to a skewed perception of Africa's historical development. This period highlighted a moment when Europe was in decline while Africa was thriving, challenging the narrative that Africa had no historical development or movement.

How did the identity of West Africans influence their participation in the slave trade?

West Africans did not identify as Africans in the same way Europeans did not identify as Europeans. They identified with their specific ethnic groups, such as Ibos, Ashante, Dahomeans, and Yorubans. This identity influenced their participation in the slave trade, as they did not view the trafficking of slaves from other groups as being any different from the historical practice of taking slaves after conquest.