Question

Consider how we’ve traced these threads across our module:
Have we been able to discuss any of the six identities that we’ve considered this semester without contextualising them in terms of Africa’s colonial history?
What key terms did I highlight at the beginning of the semester and how do they relate to Africa’s colonial history?
Why of these six identities do you think I introduced national identity last? And why, when I introduced it, did I begin with a discussion of the Freedom Charter and the SA flag? in ANTHROPOLOGY Code: ANTD2614

Answer 1

Throughout this semester, we have consistently contextualized the six identities we have discussed in terms of Africa's colonial history. This is because colonialism has had a profound and lasting impact on the development of these identities, shaping everything from national borders to cultural practices.

At the beginning of the semester, I highlighted key terms such as colonization, decolonization, nationalism, identity, globalization, and post-colonialism. These terms are all directly related to Africa's colonial history, as they reflect processes and ideologies that have influenced the formation of identities in the post-colonial African context.

I introduced national identity last because it is often seen as the culmination of other identity formations. National identity is inherently tied to the history of colonization and decolonization, as countries in Africa grappled with the legacy of colonial rule and sought to assert their own distinct identities. By starting with a discussion of the Freedom Charter and the South African flag, I highlighted the complex and contested nature of national identity in the African context, underscoring the importance of historical context in understanding how these identities have evolved.