How can Africa recover control of his own history

How can Africa recover control of his own history If one speaks that Africa has lost the "control" over its history is meant that his past was described for a long time from a strange point of view. Colonial powers, missionaries and Western science ignored or distorted local traditions and played down the achievements of pre-colonial societies. The "recovery of control" is not a single task, but a whole bundle of measures. The recovery can be carried out under the following conditions: One of the most direct way is the change of the curricula. It is important to include the history of pre-colonial states (for example Mali, Aksum, Benin) into the school and higher education programs and to explore local knowledge systems and oral traditions - rather than supporting European sources. The focus on "local heroes" and for certain peoples significant events helps to develop their own historical identity. The movement for decolonization of education gains momentum. For example, protests such as #rhodesmustfall in South Africa has caused many universities to rethink their teaching content. It is important to support African historians, archaeologists and anthropologists so that they can explore the past with resort to their own methods and sources (oral traditions, artifacts, local languages). This helps to create a narrative "out of the inside" instead of looking at the story through the glasses of an external eye-catching angle. Much historical knowledge is not stored in written sources, but in oral traditions - in stories, songs and rituals. The systematic cooperation with the carriers of these traditions as well as their recording and interpretation are an important part of this process. In addition, the colonial archives must be recalated. One should not only look for the "official" version, but also after the votes of resistance and documents of local communities. It is not enough to complement African themes only; Rather, it has to be consciously analyzed, as colonialism rewritten the story. Which events have been concealed? Which narrative were promoted? How did artificial limits that tore ethnic and cultural connections? The understanding of the mechanisms of this transcript process is the first step to a more balanced history image. History does not exist in the airplier room. It should be considered in the context of anthropology, sociology and economics to show the complexity of the past - not only politics, but also everyday, trade, cultural exchange and technological achievements. It should be part of global debates on the historical memory, but at the same time defend the right to determine the topics as discussed. It is important to avoid neo-colonial practices in which western researchers or foundations specify which projects have priority. Film, literature, museum exhibitions and digital projects are effective instruments to make their own history and awaken the interest of young people. Of course, this is a complex and lengthy process. On this way there are obstacles: resource deficiency, resistance of conservative forces and persistent influence from the outside in certain areas. But the gradual work in these directions already shows initial successes. More and more African countries and academic communities seek to recall the right to write their own story. If there is talk of successful decolonization movements in Africa, there are usually different scenarios: some countries acquired their independence through negotiations, while others had to lead an armed struggle. Ghana (1957). The country often applies as a "pioneer" of decolonization in Subsahara Africa. The leader of the movement, Kwame Nkrumah, built up the Convention People's Party (CPP), which achieved electoral successes, even as an Nkrumah was imprisoned. Finally, the gold coast (as the country was said then) in 1957 under the name Ghana an independent state. Decisive here was the focus on non-violent methods - political campaigns, boycotts and cooperation with the colonial authorities. The example of Ghanas inspired many other countries of the continent. Algeria (1962). Here, however, the path went differently. A comprehensive and bloody armed fight. The independence war began in 1954 and developed into a lengthy conflict. Finally, France recognized the sovereignty of Algeria in 1962. This example shows that armed resistance could be an effective means in view of the hard resistance of the colonial power. The countries of the "annual Africa" (1960). This year, as a time of mass-like independence to independence in history, one of the history: equal to 17 states in Central and West Africa became sovereign. Among other things, the Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Senegal and Chad belonged to them belonged to them. This is illustrated as after the Second World War of general pressure on the colonial powers and as the solidarity between different African movements accelerated the process. Portuguese colonies (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde). Again, the decolonization of lengthy armed conflicts was accompanied - the Portuguese colonial war. The independence of these countries was reached in 1975, after the political regime change in Portugal itself. Zimbabwe (1980) and Namibia (1990). These examples come from a later phase. In Zimbabwe (then Südrhodesia), a guerrilla movement set the regime of the White Minority under pressure, and in 1980, representatives of the local population reached power. Namibia, which was under the control of South Africa for a long time, gained independence in 1990. South Africa (1994). The end of apartheid and the election victory Nelson Mandelas are also part of the comprehensive decolonization process, which aimed to overcome systemic racist inequality and to return political control to the local population. It is important that success does not always mean a stable and flourishing state immediately. Many countries faced independence with major challenges confronted - from economic difficulties to political crises. However, the movements for sovereignty and right to self-determination can undoubtedly consider successfully if one considers the main objective: political independence.