Voices of Africa's past: a brief note on the autobiographies of itinerant scholars.
an african description of turn-of-the-century Europe.
=========================== #### Discover more from African History Extra All about African history; narrating the continent's neglected past Over 6,000 subscribers Voices of Africa's past: a brief note on the autobiographies of itinerant scholars.
=================================================================================== ### an african description of turn-of-the-century Europe. ( Jun 23, 2024 30 Among the most significant works of African literature produced during the pre-colonial era were the autobiographies of itinerant scholars which included descriptions of important social institutions and recorded key events in the continent’s history. The autobiography of the Hausa ethnographer ( during the 19th century. al-Kanawi’s detailed account includes the amount of tuition paid to teachers, the length of time spent at each level of learning, as well as the core curriculum and textbooks used by students across the region. _**"al-Sarha al-wariqa fi'ilm al-wathiqa"**_ (_The thornless leafy tree concerning the knowledge of letter writing_), by Umaru al-Kanawi. ca. 1877, Kaduna National Archives, Nigeria. The autobiography of the ( provides a first-hand account of the social upheaval in the kingdom brought about by the presence of Portuguese priests and their Catholic converts at the capital. Zara Yacob describes the ideological conflicts between the various political and religious factions, which influenced his radical philosophy that rejected received wisdom in favor of rational proofs. The autobiography of ( includes important information on the scholars who taught him in West Africa before his career as a teacher at the Egyptian College of al-Azhar. The Mathematician lists at least five of his West African teachers whose level of scholarship and intellectual influence contradicts (
. _Folios from a copy of Muhammad al-Kashnāwī's mathematical treatise, titled **'Bahjat al- āfāq',** completed on 29th, January 1733_. Bibliothèque nationale de France . The careers of many African scholars often involved traveling between different cities and regions in their capacity as teachers, merchants, or diplomatic liaisons. Umaru al-Kanawi's account documents the conduct of trade along the complex commercial networks that linked the Asante kingdom (in modern Ghana) to the Sokoto empire (in northern Nigeria). Zara Yacob’s description of his flight from Aksum through various localities until the town of Emfraz is a precious first-hand account of asceticism in Gondarine Ethiopia. The travelogue of Muhammad al-Kashnāwī provides one of the earliest internal accounts documenting the journey of West African pilgrims to the cities of the Hejaz. The autobiographies of Africa's itinerant scholars therefore constitute important sources of Africa's past. In the second half of the 19th century, the emergence of scholarly communities in the East African kingdom of Buganda led to the production of some of the most remarkable accounts documenting the voices of Africa's past. In the late 19th century, one of the kingdom's most prolific scholars, Ham Mukasa, wrote an autobiography that documents many key events in the kingdom's history. He also wrote a lengthy travelogue of his journey to England in 1902, describing the various societies and peoples he met along the way in meticulous detail: from the Somali boatmen of Yemen, to the mistreatment of Jewish traders, to the "shameful" dances of the Europeans, to the coronation of king Edward, to medieval torture devices. He met with the Ethiopian envoy Ras Mokonnen, the Chinese prince Chun Zaifeng, the Lozi king Lewanika from Zambia, and Prince Ali of Zanzibar. **The autobiography of Ham Mukasa and his travelogue describing turn-of-the-century Europe are the subject of my latest Patreon article.** **please subscribe to read about it here:** ( * * * _**Timbuktu, Mali, ca. 1895**_, Archives nationales d'outre-mer. * * *
### Voices of Africa's Past: A Brief Note on the Autobiographies of Itinerant Scholars

#### Overview of Autobiographies
- **Significance**: The autobiographies of itinerant scholars produced during the pre-colonial era are crucial for understanding African history, as they document social institutions, key events, and individual experiences.
- **Focus**: This note highlights notable works that reflect African perspectives on turn-of-the-century Europe and the complexities of their scholarly journeys.

#### Notable Autobiographies
1. **Umaru al-Kanawi's Autobiography**
   - **Background**: A Hausa ethnographer active in the 19th century.
   - **Content**: Al-Kanawi's autobiography includes detailed information about:
     - Tuition fees paid to teachers in his region.
     - Duration of each educational level.
     - Core curriculum and textbooks utilized in West African education.
   - **Significance**: Provides insight into the educational practices and scholarly values of the time.
   - **Source**: _“al-Sarha al-wariqa fi'ilm al-wathiqa”_ (_The thornless leafy tree concerning the knowledge of letter writing_), written around 1877, preserved in the Kaduna National Archives, Nigeria.

2. **Zara Yacob's Autobiography**
   - **Background**: An Ethiopian scholar who discussed his experiences during a period of social upheaval.
   - **Content**: His autobiography presents:
     - The impact of Portuguese priests and their converts on his kingdom.
     - Ideological conflicts among various political and religious factions.
   - **Significance**: Highlights the clash of cultures and the emergence of rational thought challenging traditional beliefs.

3. **Muhammad al-Kashnāwī's Accounts**
   - **Background**: A mathematician who traveled extensively.
   - **Content**:
     - Lists prominent West African teachers who influenced his education.
     - A detailed travelogue documenting the pilgrimage of West Africans to Hejaz, one of the earliest records of such journeys.
   - **Significance**: Emphasizes the intellectual lineage and networks across Africa.

#### Trade and Cultural Exchange
- **Umaru al-Kanawi's Trade Documentation**: 
   - **Details**: His accounts outline trade networks linking the Asante kingdom in modern Ghana to the Sokoto empire in northern Nigeria.
   - **Significance**: These records highlight the economic relationships and cultural exchanges within the continent.

#### Ham Mukasa's Contributions
- **Background**: A prolific scholar from the East African kingdom of Buganda in the late 19th century.
- **Autobiography**: Documents key historical events in Buganda.
- **Travelogue (1902)**: 
   - **Details**: Provides observations from his journey to England, including:
     - Encounters with various peoples (e.g., Somali boatmen, Jewish traders).
     - Critique of European customs and events, such as King Edward's coronation.
     - Meetings with significant figures, including Ras Mokonnen, Prince Chun Zaifeng, Lewanika of Zambia, and Prince Ali of Zanzibar.
   - **Significance**: Offers a unique perspective on European society from an African scholar's viewpoint.

#### Conclusion
- **Importance of Autobiographies**: The autobiographies of African itinerant scholars serve as vital resources for understanding the continent’s history, providing personal insights into educational practices, cultural exchanges, and experiences during significant social changes.
- **Further Reading**: A detailed exploration of these themes, particularly Ham Mukasa's autobiography and travelogue, is available in the latest article on Patreon. 

This structured breakdown presents a clear understanding of the significance of African itinerant scholars and their contributions to documenting history.