It is utterly sad and depressing that many people today have come to accept the idea that the only metric for measuring modernity in today’s world is through a Western lens. This idea has erroneously enforced the narrative that westernisation is synonymous with civilisation.
What many of the people who have held this view do not know or perhaps mischievously prefer to ignore is that the African continent, with its rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and historical narratives, has been a thriving cradle of civilisation long before the advent of Western influence. Long before the interruption by Europeans, Africans were already on their journey to civilisation. African civilisation was and still is, an embodiment of a unique mixture of complex social structures, innovative technologies, and profound philosophies
There has been a growing trend, particularly in the post-colonial era, to equate Westernisation with civilisation and progress. This perspective, while pervasive, is not only fundamentally flawed but also indicative of the lasting impacts of colonial attitudes and the pervasive influence of global Western hegemony. Africans must recognise and accordingly adjust to save whatever is left of their culture, tradition, philosophies, and experience.
Across most African nations, colonialism was so thorough—especially among the former British protectorates such as Nigeria, Ghana, and a few other countries—that in its aftermath, their ‘Africaness’ essentially hollowed out. Using colonial tools such as religion and politics, they supervised the eroding or even destruction of the civilisations of the peoples whom they colonised without their express consent and permission.
In most of these African countries that were affected, today, their language, political ideology, socio-economic structures, education, and everything else that makes up a nation, even down to popular culture, do not originate from them. These African nations were essentially reconfigured to have a total dependence on foreign political philosophies and ideas and their shifts and movements.
The sad truth that many of the present leaders in these countries have failed to come to terms with is that this position that they presently occupy is the feeblest position a state and its people can be in, because it is a position of chronic subservience. This explains why whatever is normalised in the West immediately gets picked up in these countries, and similar processes ensue.
Sadly, this age-long system has resulted in most of these African nations being slowly emptied of their essence, and becoming relics. This explains why they do not have any difference in substance from a statue or a museum, and all they do is look up to their former colonial masters for direction.
Come to think of it, celebrations of Africa on the international scene mostly involve dancing, music, traditional fashion, and other cultural artifacts, and hardly do these exhibitions ever showcase African-originated economic ideas, social ideologies, or intellectual theories. It is not that these do not exist, but the world has successfully convinced everyone – including Africans themselves—that everything African is inferior.
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Ironically, Africans were not the only people who were colonised by Europeans. Many other nations in the world were colonised but they were not injected with this virus that breeds mediocrity. For instance, Middle Eastern nations are examples of cultures that accepted material modernity but did not allow themselves to be westernised ideologically. They have retained their political systems, which, given their theocratic cultural framework, seem best suited for these countries. Every time Western nations have tried to disrupt those systems and install a Western-style democracy, it has failed and this explains why they have their trajectory and are not doing badly among the comity of nations.
What everyone, both the West and Africans, must learn to come to terms with is that civilisations are multifaceted, intricate systems of human organisation and cultural expression that flourish in various forms across the globe. They are the manifestations of collective human creativity, intelligence, and adaptability. Civilisations are characterised by their unique social, political, and economic structures, their distinctive arts, sciences, and technologies, and their specific philosophical and moral frameworks.
Western civilisation, with its origins in the intermingling of ancient Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian cultures, is just one among many, including Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and yes, African civilisations. Each of these civilisations has contributed uniquely to the collective human experience and collective human knowledge. To equate civilisation with Westernisation is to ignore the vast diversity of human experience and accomplishment, and that is not only an error but deeply insulting to the sensibility of Africans.
There is a consensus that African civilisations, such as the ancient Egyptian, Kushite, Axumite, Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe, and Zulu empires, among others, have made invaluable contributions to human civilization. From the astronomical knowledge of the Dogon people of Mali and the ancient scripts of the Ethiopian Ge’ez to the sophisticated urban planning of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe and the groundbreaking medical procedures of the ancient Egyptians. African civilizations have significantly shaped human history and culture, and this is something any sensible person will deny.
Despite all these realities, the narrative being set out there that Westernisation equals civilisation implies that Africa was a ‘dark continent’ before the arrival of the Europeans. This narrative is not only false but also a gross underrepresentation and distortion of Africa’s vibrant history and cultural heritage. Africans must do anything within their power to stop it.
The phenomenon of Westernisation in Africa can be primarily traced back to the era of colonisation when European powers imposed their cultures, languages, and administrative systems on the continent. While it is undeniable that the process has brought certain technological and infrastructural developments, it has also led to the erosion and marginalisation of indigenous cultures, languages, and knowledge systems. The time for Africans to own up to these narratives and fix them has come.
In this context, Westernisation has often resulted in a loss of cultural identity and self-esteem, leading to what Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe referred to in his book as a ‘cultural dislocation.’ This is what has led to an unhealthy dependency mentality, where Western ideas, technologies, and solutions are seen as superior or more desirable, undermining local innovation and creativity. Today, Africans are on social media, battling Elon Musk for placing restrictions on Twitter when they can build and grow their own social media platforms.
It is, however, noteworthy to state the caveat here that the idea being propelled here is not to reject Western ideas, technologies, or systems outrightly. Of course, the world is getting increasingly interconnected, and cultural exchange is both inevitable and beneficial. However, the point being pushed here is for Africans to start challenging the narrative that Westernisation equals civilisation and progress. This is false and must be systematically dismantled.
In conclusion, Africans must learn to take pride in their rich cultural heritage and make conscious efforts to preserve, promote, and build upon it. The world will never learn to respect Africa except Africans show the world how to respect them. Africans must get conscious and try to imbibe the right mentality into themselves to attain freedom from mental slavery.
