Tradition, Culture and Development in Africa: Historical Lessons for Modern Development Planning

摘要

The book seeks to dispel the notion that problems besetting the African continent are a product of indigenous customs, culture and tradition. The author interrogates claims and theories that trivialise Africans' achievements in the past and at the present. Specifically, the book portrays claims, such as those regarding Africa as a dark continent prior to the European conquest, as myth. Numerous practices and customs with potential positive contribution to development planning efforts in Africa are also enumerated, and the comparison with their Western equivalents made. The author's standpoint is that "efforts to obliterate [African] practices by agents of Western civilization affect, or can potentially affect, socio-economic development in Africa" (p. 1). He does not, however, advocate for the adoption of all aspects of African traditions and culture. The author rightly points out that he is "not persuaded by arguments that exalt every thread of [African] culture as a potential facilitator of development" (p. 7) and that some aspects of the African culture and traditions are repugnant. However, like all other cultures, changes are necessary if a particular aspect does not meet the needs of the day.