CULTURAL WAR IN AFRICA
THE NEAR TOTAL DESTRUCTION
OF AFRICA'S CULTURE AND RELIGIONS
BY WESTERN IMPERIALISM
Africa's original religions as a percent of population.
As late as 1871 most of Africa was free of western imperialism.
However, by 1914 almost all of Africa had been seized by European states.
The results were grim.
In the Belgian Congo over six million Africans were slaughtered.
In German Southwest Africa almost a million were murdered.
More ominously, was the near total
extermination of Africa's native religions and culture
and their replacement by Christian denominations and ideas from Europe.
Never before in history has there been such a
complete and rapid
destruction of native cultures and religions.
Starving survivors of Imperial German genocide in Namibia before World War I.
Over a million Hereros were slaughtered.
Nobody in the west really cared.
Nobody built these people a Holocaust Museum in Washington.
Fortunately, direct western imperialism did not work and collapsed after World War II
However, its legacy remains with a continent
dominated by a foreign religion, Christianity
and western European ideas, economic power and culture.
It has not been a happy story.
Africa has had the worst development record in
the world
as well as the bloodiest civil wars.
More ominous has been the wholesale destruction
of Africa's
magnificent wildlife and natural wonders.
All too much of Africa looks life this after its resources have been looted by western economic interests.
THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN CULTURE AND RELIGION
Around the world Christianity is in retreat and primeval religions are being reborn.
Will Africa return to its ancient, original roots?
Will this be necessary to avert disaster?
It's a subject worth considering.
In the world of popular culture there are already signs.
Might not Africa need to return to its ancient religious roots to return to its former glory?
