I could not celebrate African Liberation Day and the 50th Anniversary of OAU/AU with these questions still pending:
Is the the Arab the Black man's favorite conqueror?
Are the Arabs conquerors and occupiers?
What is the source of some Black people's fascination with the Arab and his religion and his culture?
Why cast off European colonialism to embrace Arab culture and religion instead of "African" culture and religion?
~Kwasi Akyeampong
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On Pan Afrikanism, 50 years of ALD…
Let me contribute to this debate thus;- Yes it is surprising that black Afrikans and especially Afro Americans, even the so regarding as "militantly Revolutionaries" ones are totally silent, mute when it comes to issue of Arab slave trade to black Afrikans. But that is what happened in East Afrika..!
Silent too when it comes to Arab enslaving black Afrikans in Sudan to Sahel (why?)
As for continental unity, that Nkrumah idea while it is theoretically gullibly appealing, however realistically it is impracticable, at most for now. First (and that’s Kwame’s Achilles heel) it seeks to unite black Afrikans and the Arabs of north at a time when the latter still regards not the former (and their cultures and way of worship) as co-equal.
Secondly, it downplay the fact that most of our Nationalist leaders, through practicing tribalism and other forms of favoritism, have failed to unite their own people in the one country that they rule. How do you expect them to do better in the union govt?
Again the colonial inherited govt Leviathan bureaucracy has proved to be the big problem to Afrikan societies...the bigger the Afrikan govt is, the bigger is the problems and burdensome to its citizenry. in fact instead of going bigger may be nature is forcing us to (re)think of going smaller, as exemplified by success of secessionist movement (Eritrea, south Sudan) that have inspired other politically marginalized people all over black Afrika, to try follow suit, due to the failures of central govt, as the same only takes care of a particular region-example where the president comes from, ignoring the rest of the country.
Instead of thinking of "going bigger than Congo and Nigeria" in territorial sizes, let each Afrikan nation just concentrate on industrialization basing on what it has, regardless its (Rwandese) size. Power and respect comes through successful industrialization (Japan, China South Korea) regardless of (Israel’s) geographical size!
But if the idea of "united as one" is still appealing, then let it be done at most at regional level. Thus may be at Ecowas and Sadc.
However, united Afrika should mean united people of Afrika, not united govt of Afrika
Finally from Nkumah’s only co-equal (Nyerere) who on 1997 came to see that..."north Afrika for geographical, historical, cultural, language and religious reasons is part of Western Europe (it being its second Mexico) and Middle East". And that "Afrika south of sahara, sub Sahara Afrika, you are on your own”…and that “the next bunch / generation of your leaders have to bear that unto mind”..!
Wa-salaam from Dar-Es-salaam
Brother Kwasi,
I am also a bit perplexed at the question. I agree with Orlando; The question is strange??>Is the the Arab the Black man's favorite conqueror? This is an oxymoron "favourite conqueror" in self or country? I do not believe the Arab or anyone (Europeans) have or every will conquer the Black man! We are too strong, determine, persistence, and too many" We[ African Americans] were not conquered by the Arabs. We became Muslim for a number of reasons, but not because we were conquered by the Arabs. As for our brothers and Sisters in West Africa. They are predominately Muslim and have been so for nearly a thousand years [1200] during which the Songhai Empire became the most sophisticated , literate and advanced society BECAUSE OF ISLAM. During a later period it was the AKAN voodun[Ashanti, Dahomey, OYO Confederation] and animist who engaged and collaberated with the Christians to capture us {Muslims and animist} in the interiors and bring us here. The ARABS did not bring us here, it was the coastal voodun and animist and yes, some Muslims who retaliated and also entered the trade. I think what may be needed here is a real version of history, because the so-called Arab slave trade of which you speak DID NOT CONCERN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRIBES. That trade was conducted by the Voodun and animist to the Muslims to east Africa prior to the TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE for SALT. These same African tribes sold us for rum and guns. THIS IS HISTORY, So we must come face to face with it, so that we can HEAL and progress. WHO IS OUR GREATEST ENEMY NOW.??? Lies and mis-characterization and mis-interpretations of what we need to do to progress from here> And one thing I know for sure is that dividing Africans by this type of Muslim and non-Muslim talk is DESTRUCTIVE RUBBISH, usually fostered by the small amount of Voodun tribes in NIGERIA who are now fighting with the MUSLIMS. ....So my suggestion is for us to celebrate African Liberation day with a look to the future..and leave this small but vocal group of NIGERIAN revisionist alone, because ironically it is these same dark forces [African Voodun] who sold us both to the Arabs and to the Europeans.
Brother Kwasi,
It's very unfortunately you would not celebrate a glorious day for continent, self and your brothers and sisters. Fear not we at www.africadaymelbourne.com celebrated the night away for you and anyone else who would not give back for the sacrifices of the African and UNITY!
Is the the Arab the Black man's favorite conqueror? This is an oxymoron "favourite conqueror" in self or country? I do not believe the Arab or anyone (Europeans) have or every will conquer the Black man! We are too strong, determine, persistence, and too many.
What is the source of some Black people's fascination with the Arab and his religion and his culture? As in all religion we must have faith and fear, some people need directions, rules and guidance to be a good human being to be measured and be rewarded by faith (book).
Why cast off European colonialism to embrace Arab culture and religion instead off "African" culture and religion?THe European (christian) has no morals as many do not follow their book diligently or word for word as the majority of Arabs to the detriment of being cast a radical. If you have tried the European way for a number of years (decades) and see yourself or country in a same or worst situation...why not try something different? what's the saying"if you continue to make the same mistakes or the same anything and expect a different outcome, you must be crazy (something like that)...Now go enjoy Africa Day my brother
Peace, Love N, Knowledge (PLAN)
OG