T Nation

Africa's Early History

Politics and World Issues
#1

As I sit back and look at the history of the world it seems as though the country of Africa wishes to live life in its purest form without all the un-natural man-made devices, and capitalist mentality. I believe without Americans and Europeans having captured slaves and taking over the diamond trade, it would be one of the best countries in the world !!!

By that I dont mean economically, I mean environmentally and alot higher life expectancy then they currently have. I know much of Africa’s early history has been lost, but if anyone has anything that might further educate me on the country I would appreciate it.

#2

Which country in Africa? It is a pretty diverse pace.

#3

[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Which country in Africa? It is a pretty diverse pace.[/quote]

I thought the whole country walked around butt naked carrying big vases on their heads. No?

#4

Africa was the the country where noble savages once lived.

#5

Africa, its not just a country anymore.

#6

Actually I enjoyed the Michener book about South Africa, the title escapes me right now.

#7

Africa has too many countries and too many warring groups to develop economically. The level of literacy is terrible (Rwanda is 5%, for ex!) along with AIDs, and the few elite leaders being schooled in some sort of socialistic hogwash (like Mugabe).

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. It only has what order it does as a holdover from the colonial era. Most of Africa is sinking back into the primordial swamps as we speak.

I think also that the State Department advises that Americans don’t travel to any country in Africa (though I can’t confirm that). Yikes!!!

#8

[quote]Headhunter wrote:

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. ![/quote]

Speculation at best. I am sure many of you would love to think this is so, but your desire doesn’t make it true.

#9

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. !

Speculation at best. I am sure many of you would love to think this is so, but your desire doesn’t make it true.[/quote]

Certainly the former french colonies haven’t fared too well, to put it mildly - hard to imagine they would have been even worse off sans the colonization, though I suppose we don’t really have a counterfactual.

However, to the OP, I’d be careful about romanticizing Africa’s (a continent!) history/society prior to european/american intrusion. It was - like native america - no Eden. Rather, intense tribal warfare & the capture and use of slaves, particularly in mining, was more the norm - and prevalent far before the “adventurers in the Africa trade” arrived.

It is indeed very true that the continent is enormously wealthy in natural resources. I have read - though haven’t confirmed this - that Africa has so much arable land it practically could feed the entire world.

#10

[quote]Africa has too many countries and too many warring groups to develop economically. The level of literacy is terrible (Rwanda is 5%, for ex!) along with AIDs, and the few elite leaders being schooled in some sort of socialistic hogwash (like Mugabe).

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. It only has what order it does as a holdover from the colonial era. Most of Africa is sinking back into the primordial swamps as we speak.

I think also that the State Department advises that Americans don’t travel to any country in Africa (though I can’t confirm that). Yikes!!![/quote]

Islamic Rage Boy is a Kashmiri, not an African. I’m not sure why his picture is relevant to this discussion.

#11

I wonder if the OP really thinks Africa is a country…

And, really, I wouldn’t ignore the potential of Africa. Many countries have had success in curbing malaria and AIDS related deaths. And while most of Africa is considered econimically irrelevant by many Americans and Europeans it’s worth pointing out that at one time people thought the same about Brazil, China, India, etc.

#12

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. !

Speculation at best. I am sure many of you would love to think this is so, but your desire doesn’t make it true.[/quote]

We have no way of knowing. I am sure it would be different. I cannot see how it would be worse if European and Islamic intervention didn’t occur.

#13

Africa is a continent I meant to say ,lol.

#14
#15

[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. !

Speculation at best. I am sure many of you would love to think this is so, but your desire doesn’t make it true.

We have no way of knowing. I am sure it would be different. I cannot see how it would be worse if European and Islamic intervention didn’t occur.[/quote]

Agreed Zap, but the history of natural resources being plundered to this day is the main reason most of Africa is in such a horrendous state.

On Ancient Africa: I wonder when the African continent and the Indian sub-continent were one big land mass if humans existed there?
I mean i’ve seen south Indians who could easily be mistaken for one of my Nigerian friends in the UK (the physical characteristics i mean).

#16

[quote]Shire wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. !

Speculation at best. I am sure many of you would love to think this is so, but your desire doesn’t make it true.

We have no way of knowing. I am sure it would be different. I cannot see how it would be worse if European and Islamic intervention didn’t occur.

Agreed Zap, but the history of natural resources being plundered to this day is the main reason most of Africa is in such a horrendous state.

On Ancient Africa: I wonder when the African continent and the Indian sub-continent were one big land mass if humans existed there?
I mean i’ve seen south Indians who could easily be mistaken for one of my Nigerian friends in the UK (the physical characteristics i mean).[/quote]

South Asians are dark, but they’re not part of the same genetic haplogroup as sub-Saharan africans.

#17

[quote]PRCalDude wrote:
Africa has too many countries and too many warring groups to develop economically. The level of literacy is terrible (Rwanda is 5%, for ex!) along with AIDs, and the few elite leaders being schooled in some sort of socialistic hogwash (like Mugabe).

Without European colonisation, Africa would be far worse off today than it is. It only has what order it does as a holdover from the colonial era. Most of Africa is sinking back into the primordial swamps as we speak.

I think also that the State Department advises that Americans don’t travel to any country in Africa (though I can’t confirm that). Yikes!!!

Islamic Rage Boy is a Kashmiri, not an African. I’m not sure why his picture is relevant to this discussion. [/quote]

The story took place in Sudan, where the Muslims wanted to behead a volunteer 1st grade teacher. She let a little boy name his Teddy ‘Muhammed’.

It is delusional thinking of this sort that prevents logical economic development, much like the delusional thinking inherent in ghettoes.

#18

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
Which country in Africa? It is a pretty diverse pace.

I thought the whole country walked around butt naked carrying big vases on their heads. No?[/quote]

If the plate lipped people got together with the vase head folks, what do you suppose Martha Stewart would do to complete the set? After bringing in the neck ring folks that is.

#19

[quote]jp_dubya wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
Which country in Africa? It is a pretty diverse pace.

I thought the whole country walked around butt naked carrying big vases on their heads. No?

If the plate lipped people got together with the vase head folks, what do you suppose Martha Stewart would do to complete the set? After bringing in the neck ring folks that is. [/quote]

I think she’d liven up the place with few good 'ole drunk Irish people, some short Asian people who are good at math and can’t drive, and some American white guys who can’t jump and/or dance.

#20

to the OP- judging by the responses to this thread, I would look elsewhere for information on African History. This board isn’t really the place to go for anything race related as of late.

and ya not like anything as timeless or as breathtaking as the pyramids ever emerged from the primordial swamp that is africa.