African Empires

[squirrelmadness]

Popular culture's depiction of the pre-colonial peoples of the non-European world is a shameful thing, and the prevailing view of Africa is an excellent example of this. For whatever reason, the most common viewpoint seems to be that the peoples of Africa were a race of "noble savages" who lived, child-like, in an idyllic but abysmally primitive

Comments

[bijouxdejais]

Thank you for taking the time to share some brushstrokes of late 19th/early 20th African history; unfortunately most people are underinformed about African cultures. The only point I'd like to emphasize (which you expressed nicely) is the great diversity of peoples and cultures on the African continent; there is a widespread tendency to think of Africa as one conglomerated nation.

[faerydragonet]

That is a really sad commentary on the neglect of such wonderful and diverse cultures in Africa at the time. Africa has such beautiful history.

[athenaprime]

Not to mention a seriously long one. Egypt was, and remained, a world superpower for more time than Christendom has been around, and modern African Studies show an amazing, diverse, and complex sophistication in social thinking originating (and enduring) throughout African cultures.

This is a wonderful article. Thanks to GD for posting it, and the eye candy, especially the hats!

[the_nordic_one]

Very well done, sir! My ancestors, well some of them, would be proud!

[capt_insomniac]

The second-to-last photo is of some importance as a visual record for the military minutae contained within

[bijouxdejais]

Somewhat off topic, but I just wanted to express how much I enjoy the intelligent and polite discussion/contribution I so often see in this group; it's truly a wonderful thing. I've learned much here. If only this could be the norm...

I too have had an issue of non european history

[iaymael]

I am actually working on a pan Polynesian late seam/early diesel persona. Many of the islands of Polynesia were of course european colonial territories. What many did not know is that Hawaii's Kalakaua actually had some hope of building a Polynesian confederation. So in my little neck of the universe, what happens in costume, weaponry, and culture when a polynesian confederacy, with the backing of vernsian technology (because it WOULD be something Nemo would support) begins a war to gain its independence?