This review focuses on Cheikh Anta Diop’s “Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology.” Diop emphasizes the importance of understanding our own history, culture, and intrinsic value to avoid internalized inferiority shaped by external influences. By reconnecting with our roots, recognizing our heritage, and appreciating our ancestors’ contributions, we can develop a sense of pride and self-worth independent of external validation. The book provides a detailed account of humanity’s evolution, particularly highlighting Africa’s contributions, especially Egypt’s, to modern civilization. In this review, I will highlight passages that I believe encapsulate the book’s essence and uphold Afrocentric ideals, using Diop’s framework that defines cultural identity in 3 dimensions: historical, linguistic, and psyche [consciousness].

History

A cohesive historical narrative significantly impacts both individual and collective identity by providing a sense of continuity and pride. It fosters a deeper understanding of our heritage. This unified historical perspective helps to counteract fragmented and often negative portrayals of our past,
empowering us as a people to reclaim and celebrate our contributions to human civilization.

Imagine the injustice of being marginalized or erased from historical narratives simply due to the color of our skin. The loss of our national and continental sovereignty, along with our historical consciousness, caused by prolonged foreign occupation and interference, has resulted in the
stagnation, regression, and disintegration of our people.

Another major challenge is our role in perpetuating the regional divisions imposed by colonization, which ignore our closely connected and shared heritage. These divisions continue to fragment our history.

Diop’s work reveals Egypt’s pivotal role in ancient civilization, countering Western narratives, and highlights cultural connections noted by Greek historian Herodotus. He also mentions key works like “Tarikh es-Sudan” and “Tarikh al-Fattash”, which offer insights into the histories of ancient Sudan and West Africa.

The Greek physician Galen demonstrated stark hypocrisy in his account of blacks, reducing us to crude stereotypes, while he regularly sought the wisdom of Imhotep at the Temple of Memphis. He had to reconcile his admiration for an esteemed African polymath with his dehumanizing views of black people. Galen’s contradictory stance highlights deeply ingrained prejudices and the lengths people will go to discount our legacy and at the same time deny our humanity.

Language

As a society progresses from prehistory to history, it becomes aware of the importance of historical events and develops methods to preserve them. This transition helps societies learn from their past, understand their identity, and shape their future. Language plays a crucial role in transmitting historical knowledge, with unique words and expressions reflecting cultural practices, social norms, and values.

Diop explores the importance of language in the development of civilization and the preservation of culture. One of his interests lies in hieroglyphics, an ancient Egyptian writing system that dates back
approximately 5300 years. This system was used to record language and preserve cultural, religious, and administrative texts, documenting the history, beliefs, and daily life of ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphs used symbolic imagery to convey sounds, words, or ideas, allowing for diverse expression. The study of hieroglyphs reveals insights into Egyptian beliefs about death and the afterlife, as well as their cultural, religious, and philosophical views.

This statement, though critical, is valid and prompts self-examination. How can I deeply understand my culture if the language I predominantly speak shares no cultural context? Even though my native language is Shona, I predominantly think and write in English. This is indicative of the impact of colonial and post-colonial influences on language and identity. It highlights how colonial languages can overshadow native languages, shaping our thought processes and critical expression, and reflects
broader issues of cultural assimilation and preservation.

In “Black Africa”, another book by Diop, he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing African languages in government, education, and culture, relegating European languages to elective or secondary status. He argues that relying on a foreign language for unity is a form of “cultural
abortion.” Diop believes linguistic unity among African nations would enhance supranational governance, aiding in Africa’s quest for sovereignty, self-determination, and development.

Psyche

The psyche [consciousness] deeply shapes both individual and collective identity, influencing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It also informs existential beliefs, values, and our understanding of our role in the world, shaping cultural and spiritual identities, while for others fostering a sense of connection with the divine. This exploration of the psyche enriches our collective narratives and enhances our shared understanding of humanity.

Similarly, for African philosophy to thrive, it must draw on the rich history of African intellectual traditions, including ancient wisdom, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. This foundation is crucial for maintaining its authenticity and distinct identity. Without this connection to its roots, African philosophy risks becoming a mere reflection of external ideas, particularly those imposed during colonialism. To avoid this fate, African philosophy must consciously reconnect with its historical traditions, revitalizing indigenous knowledge systems and ensuring its relevance and resonance with the African experience.

According to Diop, while ancient cosmogonies (beliefs about the origins of the universe) were once deeply intertwined with self-conscious philosophical thought, they have since become degraded and fossilized over time. In precolonial eras, these cosmogonies were likely viewed as complex and coherent systems of thought, deeply connected to the philosophical understanding of the world. However, with the passage of time and the influence of external forces such as colonialism, these
beliefs have lost some of their depth and complexity. While they may still hold cultural and spiritual significance, they are no longer seen as fully developed philosophical systems in the contemporary context.

Learning about these ancient cosmogonies is important, but so is building upon them. Our goal should be to evolve our cultures from their essence, ensuring that African philosophy thrives by reconnecting with its historical traditions.

Conclusion

Let us heed this call to action by cultivating awareness and consciousness, recognizing that liberation is not just a physical act but a philosophy that must first exist in our minds before manifesting through our actions. Without this awareness, we remain passive, often perpetuating oppressive
structures. Only through understanding our subjugation and the systems that enable it can we contribute to meaningful change and strive for a liberated future.