Abstract This paper explains that, despite the meager archaeological and anthropological findings that scalping was evident in pre-Columbian America, there is overwhelming proof that scalping originated in Europe and was imported by the Colonists to North America. The author presents the history of the long European tradition of scalping, which commenced as early as the 7th century B.C. with the Canute or Cnut, and continued throughout history even becoming entrenched in the etymology of European languages. The paper states that the Indians were not the original savages but rather the Europeans, who legitimized the practice of scalping with the Scalping Proclamation of 1756 by the governor of Pennsylvania, who offered rewards for the scalps of Indians---men, women and children. Many quotes. Illustration.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Argument
The Scythians
Scalping Traditions in Europe
The importation of Scalping
Conclusion
From the Paper "Counter to this perspective is the more conventional and generally accepted view that scalping was a rite and practice that can be found in pre-Columbian America. This assertion is based on a few archeological finds which hint at the practice of scalping through physical marks on skulls. However, there is no unanimity that these archeological finds are conclusive proof of the earlier practice of scalping by the indigenous inhabitants of the continent."
This paper reviews and critiques the overt generalizations in Paul Boahnnan and Philip Curtin's book "Africa and Africans," which was written to dispel certain myths about the African people and culture.
Abstract The writer of this paper focuses on the overtly condescending style of writing in "Africa and Africans' by Paul Boahnnan and Philip Curtin. An example of this style of writing can be seen by the fact that the authors blame the African people for their wasteful method of farming and the resulting food crisis. This paper details the manners in which the authors stereotype and over generalize in their description of African culture, art, society, religion and other lifestyle factors. The writer of this paper describes each chapter of the book and points out if and where the authors misrepresented certain facts. While the original intent of the authors was to dispel various myths of the African people and their culture, this paper proves why the opposite result was achieved.
From the Paper "Chapter two reiterates American ignorance in the opening sentence, wherein the authors state, "Africa is a part of the world about which Americans and Europeans can no longer afford to be ignorant." Although ignorance surrounding this continent does indeed seem prevalent across the Western Hemisphere, it is a mistake to assume that all Americans and Europeans are ignorant. However, this chapter becomes less controversial as it evenly describes the actual land and its geographical compositions, instead of general and populous compositions. Still, it seems paradoxical that the authors, while writing in hostile undertones of American ignorance, admit that much of the continent is navigable, due to its swells and basins; hence, it seems that the ignorance is more widespread than the asserted limitations to Americans and Europeans."
Abstract This paper contrasts West Africa and China on several dimensions. The author includes population, origins and early history and religion. The paper relates the current day economics, government and general global power.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to provide a very brief overview of differences and similarities between Africa represented by West Africa and Asia represented by China. The two areas are compared and contrasted on several dimensions including ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how AIDS is the most virulent disease even known to affect humanity, and Africa has been particularly hard hit. This paper examines this pandemic in terms of its incidence and its epidemiological profile. The paper focuses on Africa and more specifically on sub-Saharan Africa. In addition this paper pays special attention to the interesting case of South Africa and the crucial subject of mother to child transmission.
Abstract This paper examines the "Uhuru Africa" album by Randy Weston. Inspired by jazz legend Duke Ellington, Weston spent most of his career combining the rich music of the African continent with the African-American tradition of jazz. The author dissects Weston's "Africa" album -- which he calls a tribute to Ellington -- from its thematic and metaphoric perspectives, such as nature, animals, liberation, the past and the future. The author concludes by praising "Uhuru Africa" as Weston's jazz paean to Afro-American heritage and to Africa.
From the Paper "This style inspired Randy Weston, whose use of both hands separately on the keyboard parallels a drummer's control of separate rhythms with each hand. Randy Weston spent most of his career combining the rich music of the African continent with the African American tradition of jazz, mixing the rhythms and melodies of both continents. Uhuru Africa is a tribute to Ellington, most particularly in the second movement, African Lady, a metaphor for Africa and the drum, which Ellington identified with a woman."
Abstract This paper looks at rural-urban migration patterns in Africa. It examines patterns in South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana. The paper looks at the reasons for the migration and its effect on the rural areas and on the cities.
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at Christianity in Africa. This exploration of Christianity in Africa started soon after the death of Christ to the end of the 1800's. The writer discusses visits of the Apostles and conversions. The writer also examines the arrival of missionaries in the early 19th Century.
From the Paper "According to Pat Morrison writing for National Catholic Reporter, many Christians think that Christianity arrived on the African continent as the result of European-based missionary efforts. But a closer look at church history reveals a much different picture. Christianity spread to Africa soon after the death of Christ. The Acts of the Apostles chronicle visits by one or more of the Apostles to various fledgling Christian communities in North Africa. Morrison writes that historical records witness to ... "
Tags: Christianity, Africa, South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Missionaries, Portuguese, evangelical, monastics
Abstract This paper explores South Africa's experience as a divided nation and its process of recovery in the past two decades. First, the paper considers the issue of affirmative action in South Africa. The author then acknowledges that elements of apartheid still exist. In order to overcome this divisiveness, the author examines the experiences of other divided nations, such as Germany and Korea. The author concludes that apartheid in South Africa has not ended, but has merely gone 'underground' so that it can still be active but not in the overt sense that it used to be.
From the Paper "The promotion of a collective or a group identity, therefore, necessarily involves subordinating the individuality that is seen within the group. Furthermore, being able to strengthen one's identity based on race, religion, language, or caste is also considered divisive and threatening to the equality and the freedom of the country (Gramby-Sobukwe, 2002). Quotas are then viewed as being a means to help achieve an equality of outcome by working to deny an equality of opportunity or a fundamental right of various individuals (Gramby-Sobukwe, 2002)."
Abstract This paper endeavours to explore the impact of the slave trade on West Africa. It examines how the historical injustices of the slave trade have undeniably affected West Africa detrimentally in the political, economic and social arenas. It details the recent discussions by leaders of nations historically involved in the slave trade as they determine what reparations can be made to the victims of this inhumane practice. It gives an historical overview of the slave trade in general and specifically in West Africa.
From the Paper "Before embarking on the political, economic and social fallout of the slave trade on West Africa, it is important to give a brief description of this blight in history. From the middle of the 15th century, the Portuguese initiated the slave trade. They were followed by the Spaniards and at a lengthier period (1562) by the British. Then in rapid succession by the Dutch (approximately 1620), the French (approximately 1640), the Swedes, Danes and Prussians, before culminating in its most awful activities in the 18th century (Morel, E.D., 1920, 4). Foreigners conducted wholly unprovoked attacks on African villages and kidnapped the young people who were strong enough to work their sugar and coffee plantations as well as for domestic servitude in their homes. The export of Africans to the New World furnished the workforce for the colonial plantations and mines whose yield (gold, silver and, most importantly, sugar, cocoa, cotton, tobacco and coffee) were the principal components of global commerce (M?Bokolo, E., 1998, 2). The horror of the Africans being torn from their homes and their families is matched only by the horror of the number of Africans who perished in the course of transportation on the slave ships
??. the slaves could not turn around, were wedged immovably, in fact, and chained to the deck by the neck and legs?.not infrequently would go mad before dying of suffocation?.in their frenzy some killed others in the hopes of procuring more room to breathe?.men strangled those next to them, and women drove nails into each others? brains.? (Morel, E.D., 1920, 4)."
Tags: slave, trade, West, Africa, Black, political, social, history
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes AIDS in Tropical Africa. Issues covered include recent statistics relating to different countries within Africa, spatial distribution and patterns of spread, and an evaluation of the social, cultural, and behavioral reasons why AIDS is spreading so rapidly. The paper concludes with a discussion of strategies for prevention, projects to reduce the spread of AIDS, and the use of drugs in AIDS treatments in Africa.
Abstract The paper first illustrates the differences in the way Africa is depicted by the two authors, Conrad and Achebe. Particularly, it compares the depiction of the African landscape, the native peoples, and the culture of Africa in the two texts. Additionally, the paper discusses the contextual frameworks of the novels for a better understanding of why such contrasting images of Africa exist among them.
From the Paper "Chinua Achebe, in "Things Fall Apart", and Joseph Conrad, in "Heart of Darkness", present sharply contrasting images of Africa. This is most evident in comparing their depiction of the African landscape, the native people, and the African culture. However, any comparative analysis of the two works should be approached bearing in mind differences in their contextual frameworks. Viewed from such a perspective, it can be argued that the differences in the portrayal of Africa merely represent the reality of the two novels written with different purposes, from different cultural viewpoints and at varying points of human development."
Abstract This paper considers a plan by General Motors as to whether or not to build a plant in South Africa in the 1970s to take advantage of the access to cheap labor. F\The paper discusses how from a social point of view though there are good reasons why GM might not want to take this action. For one thing blacks are paid far less than whites in South Africa for doing the same job and whites in South Africa are paid far less than a laborer in the United States.
From the Paper "African history after the arrival of Europeans was a history of racial attitudes continuing after the end of the colonial era. In the modern era, apartheid was the major social structure affecting every aspect of South African society and South African relations with other parts of the world. Historians do not agree on the reason for the development of apartheid. What is clear is that more and more laws were passed to enforce a division of the races. Blacks were subject to searches, needed passes, were restricted in where they could live and work, and were generally treated differently than whites. Both races, however, were prevented from mixing. General Motors must decide whether or not to build a manufacturing facility in apartheid South Africa. From a business point of view, this could be justified on the basis of access to cheap labor."
Abstract This paper briefly compares and contrasts the role of the elderly in the US and Africa, how they are treated and their roles in society. The paper looks at the abandonment and isolation of the elderly in the United States and the integral and powerful role Africa's elderly play in both the tribal and familial structures. This paper briefly suggests that the US could benefit by emulating Africa's attitudes towards the elderly.
From the Paper "It is difficult to make generalized comparisons between the entire country of the United States with the entire continent of Africa, but if we focus on some of the dominant paradigms of the two areas, perhaps some useful discussion can be had. Looking at white, middle-class, urban and suburban people in the US, one can extrapolate some patterns in attitudes and lifestyle commonalities among the elderly that are relatively similar across the country. This is more difficult when looking at the entire continent of Africa, but if one focuses on the sub-Saharan portion, specifically in the less-urbanized and less Westernized countries, one can begin to make some generalizations about the lives of the elderly."
Abstract The paper explains that the iron age of a nation reflects the first uses of iron by the country for any productive purpose. This may include iron forged for weaponry, cooking utensils or tools. The paper discusses how for decades, scientists and archaeologists have argued about the dates of early iron production in Africa. MacIntosh contends that iron became a part of the African culture as early as 1300 B.C., while others contend that the use of iron in Africa still cannot be dated because of the continued archaeological findings that are uncovered. The paper shows that what is evident, however, is that the iron age in Africa was concurrent with the use of stone and other materials, which is perhaps the reason that dating iron use is hard to determine.
Abstract This paper asserts that in order to understand the reasons and roots of apartheid, one must first understand the history of South Africa. The author therefore provides a detailed historical account of South Africa from the fifteenth century until today, including colonization, slavery, industrial development and the leadership of Hendrik French Verwoerd, the prime minister responsible for introducing apartheid. The second half of the paper is devoted to a study of the anti-apartheid movement, culminating in the election of Nelson Mandela.
From the Paper "Until the fifteenth century tribes in South Africa remained isolated from the rest of the world. However, late in the fifteenth century the Portuguese began to explore the western coastline of South Africa in search of an easier route to Asia. By1497, five years after Christopher Columbus had crossed the Atlantic under Portuguese patronage, Vasco da Gama led a Portuguese expedition that rounded the tip of South Africa, sailed along the east African coastline, and then crossed the Indian Ocean reaching Calicut, India."
