The neglect of West African civilisation in the records of history has had detrimental effects on the growth of African cultures and traditions. Despite numerous Empires and Kingdoms that evolved in the region and shaped its cultural uniqueness, West Africa remained a mystery to the Greco-Roman scholars who had more interest in the Nile River and the civilisation along it. This contributed to the undermining and decline of cultural practices of this region in mainstream historical discourse, which ultimately led to underdevelopment in the region.
The emphasis placed on Western civilisations in history books has contributed to a distorted view of world history, which has undermined Africa’s contributions to human civilisation and progress.
West Africa, however, boasted advanced civilisations such as the Ghana Empire, which controlled major trade routes and provided wealth for its people. The Mali Empire, on the other hand, was ruled by Mansa Musa, believed to be one of the wealthiest people in history. The Songhai Empire also rose to power in the 15th century, and its capital, Timbuktu, was an intellectual powerhouse with a vast library and renowned scholars. These empires and many other kingdoms of West Africa developed sophisticated systems of administration, unique cultures, and advanced technologies.
The immense wealth generated through trade in salt, gold, and spices allowed Western African societies to develop complex artistic and architectural styles. The highly skilled craftsmen produced exquisite art in gold, metalwork, and bronze sculptures of exceptional beauty and technical proficiency. The Benin Kingdom bronzes, which were looted by British colonialists in the 19th century, are a testament to the quality of West African art.
The delay in discovering and engaging with West African civilisation by the Europeans further worsened the already precarious situation. The Portuguese explorers and traders arrived rather late as compared to their engagement with other parts of Africa, and therefore, had not much insight into the cultural and geographical nuances of the region.
Moreover, the most significant interaction between the British and West African civilisation was when the British colonial expedition looted and destroyed the Oba’s palace in the city of Benin in 1897. This act of hostility resulted in the loss of over 900 bronze sculptures according to report, which were pieces of invaluable artistic and technical expressions of the West African civilisation. This points to the fact that the early interactions between Africans and Europeans, especially in the earlier years of colonialism, were usually marred by violence and plundering.
The under-representation of West African civilisation significantly impacted the development of African culture and could be linked to negative stereotypes and underdevelopment that characterised the African continent as a whole. Western societies generally favoured the brilliance of ancient Egyptian civilisation over the brilliance of the West African civilisation, which allowed for African arts and culture to become less prominent and celebrated across the world.
The decline of the North African Savannah to the Sahara Desert by the 3rd millennium BC had a profound effect on West African civilisation and is a contributing factor to its development. It led to the growth of Kingdoms built on profitable trade routes, such as the trans-Saharan trade of salt and metals, which brought wealth to the region.
It is important to recognise and celebrate the richness and diversity of African culture and history, particularly West African civilisation despite colonialism, which has been underrepresented for far too long. The marginalisation of African cultures in traditional historical narratives continues to have a profound impact on the representation and development of African nations on the global stage. Thus, there is an urgent need for more archaeological and scientific exploration and research on African ancient civilisations and a re-evaluation of traditional historical perceptions of African culture.
