Contrary to popular belief, exploring African culture and education through history is not possible by taking the entire African continent as every region will have historical specifics and unique features. Still, if we try to sum up, African education would have to be focused on identification of an individual and the strong connection to nature. Starting with the planting seasons and the attitude to soil and harvest methods, one implements the challenges and responsibilities as a part of the academic curriculum. While the labor is essential, the education in Africa also involves music, dance, sculpture, and the beautiful culture of beadwork. Since many African languages are so-called tone languages, the gestures and an emotional constituent plays a vital role in understanding the African culture.
Exploring African Culture and Education Through History
– Tribal Culture and Oral Expression.
If one wishes to explore education through the lens of African culture, it’s important to learn more about tribal perception and sharing of information. While the use of writing has not been widely in use, the use of tonal language systems and body gestures have been used to copy the traits of animals to talk about anger, happiness, joys, and sorrows. While modern learners can easily write and approach GrabMyEssay as a solution for specific challenges, tribal people of Africa asked for help by using the dance and metaphors that were shown orally. Sharing emotions with each other, they spoke to each other and taught things at a much deeper level.
– The Use of Arts and Crafts.
If you take a quick look at the African culture, you will instantly see that the use of traditional crafts have been shared between generations and among the families. While the work has been done at a certain degree of creativity, the singing, tribal music and percussive backgrounds have been used. It was a unique way to share and teach important information. It is also a reason why the use of arts and crafts has been an integral part of learning. Even choosing a modern African school these days, one can see the presence of games and traditional crafts classes. They take the role of a break between the lessons to learn more about the African culture.
– Ceremonial Dances.
The most challenging part of ceremonial African dances is the purpose. While many dances may seem hypnotic and repetitive, they always talk about a certain event in history and work on stress relief and the development of stamina and inner strength. The dances have always been in the blood of the African people where the focus has been on diversity, communication, and the cultural systems related to each region.
– Ndi Igbo Culture.
The educational history of Igbo land is one of the wealthiest cultures in terms of responsibility and survival. The reason for that is the focus on self-assistance. The education has helped to erase the gender roles in a certain sense as girls were taught to be able to survive and take on male roles. At the same time, the girls were taught to become good wives by showing genuine respect and raising the children according to strict morals. As you learn the history of this unique culture, make sure to explore the role of independence and the use of entrepreneurship. While the white missionaries have tried to change the learning methods of Ndi Igbo, they still remain true to their beliefs.
The Cultural Values and Education
While it may seem as a minor part, African education through the lens of history has also shaped education in the United States and beyond. Even though the reasons why these values became transferred are far from being positive (the woes of slavery), many Western educators have learned more about hospitality, the importance of chastity before marriage, the courage to tell the truth, respecting the elders not because of their belongings and heritage, and the hard work. One can say that quite a lot of these values are not directly directed to spending time with a book or writing an assignment, these values have shaped the perception of learning through hard work and striving for being a good person who shows genuine love and cares.
BIO
Olivia Evans loves Africa from the bottom of her being as she learns and explores all the time. As an educator and analyst, she focuses on cultural points and global methods of learning. Follow Olivia to explore Africa and use your new skills to expand your personality.
