African Culture & Colonialism
description
Transcript of African Culture & Colonialism
Key Terms Defined• Colonialism - a monopoly exercised by the leaders of an
imperialist country, usually based on economic pressures in the dependent country or territory
• Colonization – the establishment of colonies in a place other than the homeland
• Culture - manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively
• Hegemony - leadership or dominance of one country or social group over others
• Imperialism - a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force
Capstone Integrative Project
The Colonial Project: Language and Colonizationin East Africa
• Comparison of Kenya and Tanzania• 20th century colonial & post-colonial periods• English and Swahili are official languages in each
country
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o(1938--)
Frantz Fanon(1925-1961)
Results of Research: Similarities• Missionaries started the
colonizing process• Swahili was imposed in
education, then English followed
• Swahili was a language of wider communication
• Hierarchy of languages: English > Swahili > local
• Educated elite vs. the common colonized subjects
Results of Research: Differences
Colonial Kenya• Aggressively oppressed by
British• Bloody struggle for
independence
Independent Kenya• Little change from colonial
period• English widely spoken
Colonial Tanzania• Relatively peaceful
relations with British• Non-violent gain of
independence
Independent Tanzania• Revulsion of British culture
& remnants of colonialism• Swahili widely spoken
Creating an Independent Major
• The Proposal http://pages.stolaf.edu/cis-treyelts/
– Themes• Literature and oral tradition• Variations of history• Cultural mixing • Colonialism
– Questions• How is Africa portrayed? Is this accurate?• Good and bad effects of colonialism?
Required Courses• ART 269, African Art History • ENGL 206, Top: South African Literature • ENGL 211, Hemingway in East Africa• ENGL 399, Sem: West African Feminist Literature• FREN 232B, Intermediate French II• HIST 151, Slavery in African History• HIST 189A, Top: Women in African Colonial History• HIST 292, Muslim Societies in Sub-Saharan Africa• HIST 298, IS/Slavery West Africa • MUSIC 237, World Music • SOAN 236, The Arab World • SOAN 398, IR: Gender and Sexuality in the Maghreb
Women in African Colonial History
• African feminist literature• Colonial literature on Africa– Primary sources– Secondary sources
• Historical methodology– Oral tradition– Life history method
French 232• Francophone Africa and Caribbean
• Themes– Identity– Colonialism– Negritude
Hemingway in East Africa
Serengeti
Lake Manyara
Mto wa Mbu
Ngorongoro Crater
Habitat for Humanity - Senegal
Colonialism• Neo-colonialism – new form of colonialism, using
capitalist and cultural imperialism to oppress another country
• Neo-colonial vs. Post-colonial era
• Strategic placement of power with educated elite
• Political corruption in African governments
• Cultural exchange vs. colonialism
• My potential perpetuation of colonialism
• We must acknowledge the issues
Future Plans
Michigan State UniversityPhD program in African History