Beykoz Akademi Dergisi 2651-5393 Beykoz Üniversitesi 10.14514/beykozad.1551757 European and Region Studies Avrupa ve Bölge Çalışmaları SÖMÜRGE ÖNCESİ AFRİKA'DA SİYASET: AFRİKA MERKEZLİ BİR YAKLAŞIM POLITICS IN PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA: AN AFRICAN-CENTERED APPROACH https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3020-8550 Yılmaz Özgür 12 17 2025 13 2 569 585 09 17 2024 12 05 2025 Copyright © 2013, Beykoz Akademi Dergisi 2013 Beykoz Akademi Dergisi

Bu çalışma, sömürge öncesi Sahra Altı Afrika'nın çeşitli siyasi sistemlerini inceleyerek, Avrupa sömürgeciliğinin başlangıcından önce var olan karmaşıklığa ve çeşitli yönetim yapılarına odaklanmaktadır. Afrika merkezli bir sosyoloji yaklaşımı kullanan araştırma, hem İgbo ve Tiv gibi merkezi olmayan toplumları hem de Mali İmparatorluğu ve Benin Krallığı gibi merkezi devletleri araştırmaktadır. Analiz, bu siyasi sistemlerin belirli sosyal, ekonomik ve kültürel bağlamlarına nasıl uyarlandığını ortaya çıkarmak için tarihi metinlere, arkeolojik kanıtlara ve sözlü geleneklere dayanan karşılaştırmalı bir metodolojiye dayanmaktadır. Çalışma, Afrika siyasi tarihini genellikle marjinalleştiren veya basitleştiren Avrupamerkezci anlatılara meydan okuyarak, bunun yerine sömürge öncesi Afrika yönetiminin yaratıcılığını, dayanıklılığını ve karmaşıklığını vurgulamaktadır. Bunu yaparak, Afrika toplumlarının kendi siyasi kaderlerini şekillendirmedeki faaliyetini ve yenilikçiliğini vurgulayarak, Afrika tarihinin daha ayrıntılı ve saygılı bir şekilde anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

This study examines the diverse political systems of pre-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the complexity and variety of governance structures that existed before the onset of European colonialism. Utilizing an African-centered sociology approach, the research explores both decentralized societies, such as the Igbo and Tiv, and centralized states like the Mali Empire and the Kingdom of Benin. The analysis is rooted in a comparative methodology that draws on historical texts, archaeological evidence, and oral traditions to uncover how these political systems were adapted to their specific social, economic, and cultural contexts. The study challenges Eurocentric narratives that often marginalize or simplify African political history, instead highlighting the ingenuity, resilience, and sophistication of pre-colonial African governance. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to a more nuanced and respectful understanding of African history, emphasizing the agency and innovation of African societies in shaping their own political destinies.

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