THE INDEPENDENTISATION OF AFRICAN HISTORIOGRAPHY

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 37 - 58

John Abbam Nyarko

https://doi.org/10.58851/africania.1603343

Abstract

This paper explores the evolution of African historiography within the broader context of global history, highlighting its significance as an academic discipline. The introduction underscores the critical role of history in understanding human agency and change, particularly in the context of Africa's colonial past, which has often been narrated through a Eurocentric lens. The methodological framework employed is comparative, examining African and non-African scholarly contributions, focusing on case studies that illustrate the diversity of perspectives in African historiography. Through a thorough analysis of pioneering figures such as Carl Christian Reindorf, alongside contemporary scholars like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Molefe Asante, the study reveals how indigenous narratives and oral histories have increasingly challenged established Eurocentric interpretations. Key findings indicate that despite the progress made in reclaiming African narratives, significant gaps remain within the historiographical tradition, primarily due to historical marginalisation. The paper further discusses the necessity of integrating digital history into African historiography, suggesting that such an approach can enhance accessibility and engagement with diverse historical narratives. This research advocates for an expanded understanding of African history as an essential component of global historiography, emphasising the importance of incorporating multiple methodologies and voices to construct a more comprehensive and nuanced historical narrative.

Keywords

History, African Historiography, oral history, digital history, global perspectives, indigenous narratives

AFRİKA TARİHYAZIMININ BAĞIMSIZLAŞMASI

Abstract

Bu makale, Afrika tarihçiliğinin evrimini küresel tarihin daha geniş bağlamı içinde incelemekte ve akademik bir disiplin olarak önemini vurgulamaktadır. Giriş bölümünde, özellikle Afrika'nın genellikle Avrupa-merkezci bir mercekle anlatılan sömürgeci geçmişi bağlamında, tarihin insan eylemliliğini ve değişimini anlamadaki kritik rolünün altı çizilmektedir. Kullanılan metodolojik çerçeve karşılaştırmalı olup, Afrikalı ve Afrikalı olmayan akademisyenlerin katkılarını incelemekte ve Afrika tarih yazımındaki perspektif çeşitliliğini gösteren vaka çalışmalarına odaklanmaktadır. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o ve Molefe Asante gibi çağdaş akademisyenlerin yanı sıra Carl Christian Reindorf gibi öncü figürlerin kapsamlı bir analizi yoluyla çalışma, yerli anlatıların ve sözlü tarihlerin yerleşik Avrupa merkezci yorumlara nasıl giderek daha fazla meydan okuduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Temel bulgular, Afrika anlatılarının yeniden ele alınmasında kaydedilen ilerlemeye rağmen, özellikle tarihsel ötekileştirme nedeniyle tarihyazımı geleneğinde önemli boşluklar kaldığını göstermektedir. Bu makale ayrıca, dijital tarihin Afrika tarih yazımına entegre edilmesinin gerekliliğini tartışmakta ve böyle bir yaklaşımın erişilebilirliği ve çeşitli tarihsel anlatılarla etkileşimi artırabileceğini öne sürmektedir. Bu araştırma, küresel tarih yazımının temel bir bileşeni olarak Afrika tarihinin daha geniş bir şekilde anlaşılmasını savunmakta, daha kapsamlı ve incelikli bir tarihsel anlatı oluşturmak için çoklu metodolojileri ve sesleri birleştirmenin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

tarih, Afrika tarih yazımı, Sözlü Tarih, Dijital Tarih, küresel perspektifler, özgün anlatılar

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