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Were African Civilizations uncivilized
a man’s heirs are the sons of his sister only, to the exclusion of his own sons. This is something that I have seen nowhere in the world…” Because of this men do not feel jealousy. Women were also allowed to inherit property, and the husband was often expected to move into his wife’s house, unlike ancient societies, where women could not even inherit property. Women being treated as human beings rather then property is definitely a positive aspect of the African culture.
The Africans also had a religion that played a role in their culture just like every other “civilized” civilization. The Africans first had a polytheistic religion, like other civilizations of that time. Most African societies shared common religious ideas, such as a belief in a single creator god, and other lesser gods. Also, rituals were dedicated to their ancestors because they were believed to be closer to the gods. Additionally the Africans believed in afterlife, as did many of the other societies in the world at that time did. However, Islam was soon adopted (as a result of trade) in the grasslands south of the Sahara while in the mountains of Ethiopia, Christianity grew at the same time. The Africans were very strict with their Muslim faith. The African’s religious strictness and unique discipline showed they had morals and ethics in which to abide to and pass it on. This is very similar to the ancient Chinese’s forms of discipline, especially in duty to the family.
The early Africans took part in regional and global trade with the Mediterranean world and across the Indian Ocean. Despite some geographical problems such as deserts, major trading states emerged such as Kush, Axum, Ghana and Mali. Kushites were able to smelt iron ore to make weapons and tools, which is one of their achievements. Many of these states exported goods such as ivory, salt, gold, and slaves. The trading empires of these African societies, again, showed their advancements in their interaction with other peoples, just as the early civilizations of the Sumerians, Egyptians, and others of that time.
Thus, despite the opinion of early European historians, the African civilizations proved themselves to be very civilized. These facts completely destroy the myth the European scholars have created. Compared to some aspects of European civilizations, factors of Africa can prove the same testimonial of Europe being barbaric. The economy, government, and treatment of women are all prime examples of Africa's culture and history that prove this great continent to be civilized.