Group 7

Colonial Identities

By Anthony Shelley,

Aubrey Robinson,

Kai Winslow, and Qui Ton

Main Questions

1. Why did the colonies accept Christianity?

2. Why was education important in places such as African colonies?

3. How did the idea of an African identity take shape?

4. Why were Africans split into tribes?

5. What made Europeans think they were superior?

Why did the colonies

accept Christianity?

Christianity and Western culture were brought by Europeans to their colonies. Thousands of missionaries spread the religion to the people, as well as culture. The colonies accepted Christianity because of lost faith in the old gods, it had more freedom for oppressed groups in society, and it was associated with education.

Europe's strong military power took over the native populations and established colonies. As natives were defeated by the Europeans, they lost faith in their old religions. They saw the power that the Christian God could give and adopted Christianity as their own. Soon, they fused elements of their old African religions into Christianity.

Christianity's morals and ideals gave more rights to oppressed groups. To the young, the old, and women, it provided more freedom than previous religions. They found more opportunities with missions.

Christianity was also linked with Western education. Mission schools were the main source of education to the people, especially in Africa. This encouraged more conversion to Christianity in order to receive education.

Why was education important

in places such as African colonies?

To native people, education gave power, escape from European control, better jobs, and higher social statuses.

As he talked to us, it seemed to me that the secret of his riches came from his education, his knowledge of reading and writing, and that it was essential for me to obtain this power.

The boy says that knowing how to read and write was essential to being successful. It gave a power that made people superior. It allowed them to be more equal to educated Europeans. Mobility towards a higher social status could be achieved with an education. Education could also give access to better occupations in places such as the government or missions. Income earned from those jobs could buy goods and other luxurious imports.

How did the idea of an African identity take shape and what was it?

African identities took shape by dealing with oppression and racism from Europeans.

Identities were mainly based on race and ethnicity. As colonial life grew hard for Africans, they began to think of themselves as a larger group, rather than a bunch of people who speak different languages. This was an attempt to bring a mutual African culture, just like European culture.

One idea that supported this African identity was that Africans had the same historical characteristics as Europeans. Africans linked ancestry to large, ancient empires such as Ethiopia and Mali. C. A. Diop, a scholar from Senegal, said that Egypt was built by Africans. Since Egypt had much influence on Europe, Europe's success was ultimately the product of Africa.

Another idea emphasised the differences of Africa and Europe. Edward Blyden said that each race was different, but helped form the world in their own way. Africans were united and cooperative while Europeans were competitive and fragmented. Africa lived as one with nature, but Europe wanted to control nature. Blyden called Africa "the spiritual conservatory of the world."

Africans had long seen the differences between themselves, such as language, villages or clans, but had not divided each other into tribes. However, the British introduced tribes by governing some people who spoke the same language as one group. Africans split into distinct ethnic groups, or tribes, because it helped organize political systems among a certain people.

In certain places where there was competition for jobs, houses, and education, being part of a tribe was useful. People who shared things like culture or hometown began to think of themselves as a tribe. Some benefits of being in a tribe were support of other members and security.

One example of a tribe is the Igbos in southeastern Nigeria. At first they had no single political system, only some related languages. As more people moved to Nigeria, they started seeing what they had in common and what was different from other Nigerians. Later on, they called all Igbos across Nigeria to make cooperation and unity as a tribe.

What made Europeans think they were superior?

Europeans saw themselves as superior because of their strong military power, growing religion, and modern education.

Europe's military was able to defeat Africa's less developed armies. This allowed Europe to establish colonies in Africa. The idea of having colonies means that Europe had control over Africa's people. Europe's colonization of Africa gave it a sense of power and control.

Europe's missionaries spread Christianity to much of the colonies. Europe's conquer of Africa, with the help of God, discredited African religions. Christianity's takeover of previous African religions made it seem more of the real religion.

The education of Europeans was far more advanced and modern than in Africa. Western education was valuable and coveted in Africa. It was able to do alot to help Africans in their lives, such as giving access to better jobs and higher social status.

All of these characteristics of Europe made Europe seem superior to Africa. Although they were more advanced in warfare and education (which helped spread Christianity), there was nothing that naturally made them a superior race.

Why were Africans split into tribes?

A boy in Kenya describes a teacher of a mission school,