East African Culture, Lifestyle and political System Before the Arrival of European Enslavers Case Study: Uganda in the 19th Century

Abstract

The concept of history and culture in Africa in general and in East Africa in particular has been distorted by foreigners and their racial prejudices; it has a big impact on the history and economy. This problem is still influencing the African society in present day. While the Europeans arrived in east Africa and explored it they found a world that was totally different from theirs world, they discovered new people and new culture, as the Africans were different in behaviour Europeans thought that they ‘savages’ and “backward”. In addition they considered themselves civilised and well educated. What European used to do in the African societies seems to be racist as they used to cut ties between the original African past and their present. They also used to alienate the Africans from their identity and their Africanness. Despite all the proofs that show the originality of African culture, African past, African personality, African governments; Europeans insisted on calling the indigenous people in Africa ‘inhuman’, ‘savage’, ‘barbaric’, ‘backward’ and ‘uncivilised’,. All these lies and claims were a pretext to settle in Africa. Because they found a wealthy land they could not let all wealth without benefiting from it. Besides, they used to impose their civilized thought, culture and their faith to facilitate the penetration in the East African society, and successfully they ended up colonizing the African land. Moreover, the Europeans trained Africans that Western culture, religion and politics, were good and their societies were highly civilised they respected other people’s religious practices, rituals and the human right. This way trying to win African’s trust allegiance.