AFRICA'S CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD CIVILIZATION
Africa contributed to the field of exploration. It is believed that Africans sailed to the American continent before Columbus. This can be supported by the fact that some statues of aboriginal gods in Central America have negroid features. Both Columbus and Balboa noted Africans in the Americas when they arrived there.
Africans made contributions to the scientific field. Archaeologists have found a early type of abacus among the Ishongo people who lived thousands of years in the Congo. This type of abacus was probably the oldest in the world. In the field ,of medicine, Africans have made outstanding contributions, for example: surgery and embalming. (See the Notes under
Egypt's contributions).
Tropical farming techniques developed by Africans have scarcely been surpassed to date.
Africans were probably the pioneers in the smelting of iron ore and its use. Note that the oldest piece of hammered iron in, the world was a dagger found in Egypt. The Kingdom of Meroe had iron-smelting as long ago as about 700 B.C. 25 million year old tools found in northeastern Ethiopia are believed to be the first evidence of culture among man's early ancestors. The tools are also the first evidence of group behaviour and the idea of home.
Africa has also made valuable contributions to the world in the field of art. This is especially true for the area of sculpting. Africans have used 'lost wax process' for-bronze casting for a very long time. The works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque -, mainly through the cubist revolution - have drawn on and extensively used ideas from African art.
Africa has also made tremendous contributions in music. This is especially true for the use of the drum. The drum served as a means of communication. African music has influenced such great composers as Anton Dvorak and George Gershwin. Musical forms such as rhumba, sambo and calypso all originated from Africa.
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Today" Africa is recognized as the cradle of the human family. Over five million years ago, ,
all of the six human types were found in Africa. Present scientific evidence suggests that all
races have descended from a common ancestor, a woman whom they names Eve. Eve lived in Africa over 200,000 years ago.
The community and communal attitudes developed by Africans have enhanced social harmony for members of the community and contributed to strong social organizations and enviable values.
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ReplyDeleteMr. Watkins it Shawn Alexis.Africa which has a very diversify culture and ritual has be passed down from generation to generation.Although, their cultural aspects were strictly forbidden in the days of slavery in which,the Afican slaves were not able to practice their traditions because the masters were afraid of the slaves and saw it as a way to plan revolts on the other hand, they were expected to do so as entertainment to their masters.In conclusion,although their practices were denied the slaves still found a way to practice these traditions which is regarded and practiced in modern day society.
ReplyDeleteIt's really shocking to read about Africa and realize that African people have made so much contributions in our world. You never really hear about the positve things that african people do, it's always the negative. It really opened my eyes while reading this,and I think that African people need to be given more credit then they seem to be getting these days.
ReplyDelete- Suwaida Farah
I find it very educating to learn all these things that i was previously never taught or aware of. Its fascinating to see how everything is interconected and can be traced back to Africa. It's so tragic that their history is being hidden and that because Africa was so ahead back in the time, they were manipulated and brought down so the opponent can move ahead. African role models should be more visible in the media so the general public is aware of the fact that African people are not what they are portrayed as, the stereotypes should just end.
ReplyDelete-Geti Faize