Colin Legum Africa Since Independence

¶ … Africa Since Independence" Review

Africa, as a continent, went through an extended colonial period. Although the entire continent was not involved, the greatest part of the nation was and many achieved independence from other nations in a relatively short span after world War II. Legum says that at the end of the War only five nations had achieved independence (though one, South Africa, was still under a form of dominance) and that over the next 15 years that number was quadrupled (2). The fact that so many nations experienced freedom from colonial rule in such a short period of time meant that they all went through periods of romanticism, disillusionment and reality at roughly the same time. "Africa Since Independence" examines the cultural, political and religious renaissance of the many countries that occupy the African continent and how they have risen through the periods suggested in the book as markers.

He begins the book by looking at Africa through the eyes of the people of the continent and trying to determine what differences they saw during colonialism and after that the rest of the world did not see. He says that whereas Europeans see a vast continent with a large indigenous population, the people of the continent celebrate the different cultures that exist (Legum 3). He says this has been true throughout their history. Legum shows throughout the book how history, both pre-colonial and colonial, has effected this latest era. He is successful in linking African history, that is the many African histories, to the future that is being written presently.

The story of Africa relates well to the rest of the world because it seems that much of the world was a European colony at one time or another. European ships sailed to every port in the world at one time or another, and those nations eventually either fought for or passively gained their freedom through one method or another. The book points out he similarities many of these nations experienced with others around the world.

The fact that it is a book of global significance makes it also a book of personal significance. Since no nation many nations can say that their beginnings were the result of freedom from European rule, it is an easy thing to relate to what this book says. It is an important book also because it does not just relate the periods which are important to African independence, it shows the cycle that all nations go through when they shake the bonds of colonialism. It is a fact that many of the indigenous populations were replaced, but the people that call those nations home can relate to the three periods the African nations experienced.

It is interesting that Legum has the stance that many would also have regarding all post-colonial nations. Though he speaks little of the fourth era and realizes that some nations have not reached that stage as of yet, he does acknowledge that those which have progressed through the first three stages to realize a cultural renaissance unlike any they have seen since before colonialism. South Africa, for example, is becoming a nation that acknowledges its entire history, and is starting to embrace the whole of it. Native tribes and Afrikaaner people alike can be proud of the progress the nation has made (Bauer & Taylor).

Legum is very optimistic regarding the future of the continent. He sees the return of those first moments of euphoria that accompanied the original freedom from colonialism (72). He says this because it has been a cultural revolution in which people who were long made to suppress their heritage have now been able to embrace it. He believes that the Africa of the past will spread a new renaissance that the people of the present and future can enjoy.

One nation that comes to mind as a similar case is Australia. The indigenous people of that nation are fast realizing a cultural renaissance because they are allowed now, even encouraged to, explore who they are historically. Many South Pacific nations are having the same kind of feelings as they get closer to their roots. The similarities between many of these and Africa as a group of nations is impressive.