abriefhistoryofafrica

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African Music Before Colonization

“Traditional” is a word to describe African music before colonization. Even though traditional African music varied from region to region, a lot of it was similar. More focus in African music before colonization is on rhythm rather than melody. Almost all social events are accompanied by music. From childbirths to deaths, music is used. 

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Take a minute and listen to these traditional African Music samples!

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African Music During Colonization

Since colonization brought about a lot of urbanization, music got more urbanized as well. The people that now lived in urban areas brought new instruments and musical styles, which overtook traditional African music. Musicians represented their countries with their music, so the music became diverse. With the invention of the radio and recording studio, music was able to spread a lot more. Later, African music started imitating Latin music.

references:

“Music of Africa.” New World Encyclopedia. N.p., 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.

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The Scramble for Africa

What is the Scramble for Africa?

The Scramble for Africa was the time period (1876-1914 roughly) in which major Europeans powers fought to claim land in Africa in competition for resources, as well as economic and political power (Sparknotes, 2017). This fight affected much of the continent–so much so that the only countries that are recognized for having low colonization rates are Ethiopia and Liberia.

While many groups of people in African countries tried to resist colonization and European control/imperialistic influence, some leaders also found it easier to work with European rulers to try to ensure safety for their people in regards to the transatlantic slave system and kidnapping–although it was very rare, even for members of royal families, to be positive of their safety. In African Voices of The Global Past, we see this demonstrated in the letter Queen Njinga Mbande of Ndongo and Matambe writes to a Portuguese Commander who is stationed in Angola:

“I have complained so much to the past governors, who have always promised to return my sister…and she was never returned…. “ (as cited by Getz, 2014).

references:

Getz, T. R. (2014). African voices of the global past: 1500 to the present. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group.

The Scramble for Africa. (2017). Retrieved February 8, 2017, from http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/1871-1914/section5/page/2/

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Want to know more?? Check out this video!

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dXpAVE3frk)

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Colonization in Africa as of 1914. The countries listed are, from top to bottom:

Spain, Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, and Belgium.

The countries colonized by each European power correspond with the color next to the country.

(Photo is public domain by Tristan-baeu)

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Our GHS is focused on Africa, but it’s a big continent. How much do you really think you know about it? Take this quiz to find out.

Kelto, A. (2016). Quiz: Do You Know Enough About Africa to Win Big on ‘Jeopardy!’?. NPR

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Sickle Cell Anemia and Malaria took out a lot of explorers that tried to take on the African terrain, yet many natives did not succumb to it. Why you ask? The African population has a high prevalence of heterozygous, or one for and one against, sickle cell traits. The sickle cell trait, if it were homozygous (both the same) for the gene, would cause the individual to be susceptible to Sickle Cell Anemia, but if it was homozygous against the gene, the person would be at risk of developing malaria. Since they are heterozygous, they are protected from Sickle Cell Anemia and Malaria. Here’s a link to a scientific article that goes more in depth.

Luzzato, L. (2012). Sickle Cell Anaemia and Malaria. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 4(1). doi: 10.4084/MJHIC.2012.065

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There’s more to Africa than meets the eye, but what meets the eye is beyond gorgeous. Check out these images of 12 different countries in the continent.

PeaceCorps. (2015). 12 African Countries You Didn’t Realize You Wanted to Go To. Buzzfeed

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Think you know exactly when the world hit the height of dehumanization? What if I told you the height of dehumanization was also the depth. That’s right, Im talking about the transatlantic slave system. Watch the video embedded here and see which of your preconceived notions change! 

Green, John. “The Atlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course World.” YouTube, uploaded by CrashCourse, 5 July 2012, https://youtu.be/dnV_MTFEGIY.