Locating African history online: the "African History Extra" website
Mainstream discourses on African history have been shaped by frustrations; between its eurocentric foundations and afrocentric distractions, between indifferent western academia and Africanists struggling for a platform, and between popular reductive interpretations of the African past and researchers faced with a paucity of information.
=========================== #### Discover more from African History Extra All about African history; narrating the continent's neglected past Over 6,000 subscribers Locating African history online: the "African History Extra" website
==================================================================== ( Dec 30, 2021 3 Mainstream discourses on African history have been shaped by frustrations; between its eurocentric foundations and afrocentric distractions, between indifferent western academia and Africanists struggling for a platform, and between popular reductive interpretations of the African past and researchers faced with a paucity of information. These frustrations are a product of the incomplete mission to move Africa beyond the colonial library, where the mass of statistical information, books and observations were published and transmitted under the auspices of colonial authorities. More than half a century after the end of colonialism, just 3% of the papers published in four top history journals from 1997 to 2020 were about Africa. and only 10% were written by authors based in Africa ((
), this created a vacuum of information about African history and the frustrations that come along with it. But history provides a context for the modern world by allowing us to trace the origins of our current societal successes and failures; making it essential in informing our personal philosophies and world views. It's for this reason that the “vacuum of information” about African history is immediately filled with pseudo history and clichéd visual discourses in a vicious cycle that reinforces the interpretations of Africa's past found in the colonial library; reproducing discredited concepts about African achievements (or lack of) in governance, science and technology, writing, trade and economics, religion, architecture and art. Fortunately, the days of monopolizing the publication and transmission of information are behind us, with the proliferation of online content creators translating scholarly publications for a public audience, history is no longer seen as an esoteric field where knowledge is handed down to the masses from lofty ivory towers ( The majority of people learn about history from these online creators and less from their compulsory-level history classes in school, information about the wealth of Mansa Musa and the manuscripts of Timbuktu, about the Ethiopian Garima gospels and iconic Lalibela architecture, about the pyramids of Sudan and the walls of great Zimbabwe, has been popularized largely through the efforts of these online content creators using various platforms including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and message boards. The emphasis on conciseness accented by colorful illustrations on the interactive platforms used by these online creators divorces their form of discourse from the dependency on the colonial library and offers a potent alternative to the frustrations that characterize the understanding of African history. Like all new media however, online creators are faced with new challenges of which two are particular to them; the challenges of authenticity and obscurity. Despite (our) best efforts in disseminating and translating research written by professionals, the majority of online creators with large followings aren't specialists in the fields where they are focused and the specter of inauthenticity looms over their products, secondly some of their best products are buried under mountains of more popular content that suits the attention economy better which only serves to reinforce the perception of online creations as a minefield of shallow clickbait content. The best solution to both challenges is a collaboration between online creators and specialists to create a more realistic marketplace of ideas, allowing for a symbiosis between the excellent but attention-grabbing content which internet audiences are accustomed to and the amplification of the rigorous research from specialists, it this symbiotic platform that I hope to create with the African history extra website. ( In order to _narrate the continent's neglected past_, the African history extra website is envisioned as a free and interactive platform between content creators, specialists and enthusiasts of African history. It will include a **taglist section** on all topics regarding Africa's past such as economic history, political history, writing history, science and technology history, war history, architecture history, textiles history, art history and other miscellaneous topics. Besides this taglist, the the website will also have **chronological maps of African history** from the formation of complex societies during the Neolithic era, down to the eve of colonialism, divided by millennia or by century (e.g., an overview of Africa's ancient states and Neolithic cultures in the 3rd millennium BC or the history of African states during the 12th century AD) and would give a detailed introduction to the reader on African history through each period, allowing them to systematically track developments in Africa's past. The main page will feature the **story-format articles** which I've been publishing on my substack blog as well as **news of recent discoveries** about African history, **book reviews** and **book promotions**. The majority of articles in the taglist section and maps section will be composed by guest writers (preferably specialists) as well as the book reviews and promotions.
### Title: Locating African History Online: The "African History Extra" Website

### Description:
Mainstream narratives surrounding African history have been influenced by several frustrations, including:
1. **Eurocentric Foundations vs. Afrocentric Distractions**: Historical narratives often prioritize Western perspectives, which can oversimplify or misrepresent Africa's complex history.
2. **Indifferent Western Academia vs. Africanists' Struggles**: Many African historians find it challenging to gain recognition and a platform within mainstream academia.
3. **Reductionist Popular Interpretations vs. Research Gaps**: The portrayal of Africa's past in popular media often lacks nuance, leading to misconceptions that researchers frequently encounter due to insufficient data.

### Context of the Frustrations:
- The narrative gaps stem from the legacy of colonialism, which has shaped how history is recorded and understood.
- Recent statistics reveal that from 1997 to 2020, only 3% of papers in the top history journals focused on Africa, with merely 10% authored by African scholars. This indicates a significant underrepresentation of African history in scholarly discourse.

### Importance of Historical Understanding:
- History serves as a framework for understanding contemporary societal issues and is crucial in shaping personal beliefs and worldviews.
- The lack of credible information fuels the persistence of pseudohistory and clichés, which perpetuate outdated colonial perspectives regarding Africa's achievements across various domains, such as governance, science, art, and architecture.

### Changes in Information Dissemination:
- The rise of online content creators has transformed how historical knowledge is shared. They often translate academic research for broader audiences, challenging the traditional academic silo.
- Many individuals now learn about African history through digital platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook rather than formal education.

### Challenges Faced by Online Creators:
1. **Authenticity Concerns**: Many successful online creators may not be experts in their subjects, raising questions about the validity of their content.
2. **Obscurity of Quality Content**: High-quality educational material often becomes overshadowed by more popular, less substantive content, contributing to a perception of online history as superficial.

### Proposed Solution - African History Extra Website:
- The envisioned website seeks to bridge the gap between casual interest in African history and academic rigor.
- The platform will feature:
  - A **taglist section** categorizing topics (e.g., economic, political, and artistic history).
  - **Chronological maps** detailing African history from the Neolithic era to the pre-colonial period, offering readers systematic insights into historical developments.
  - **Story-format articles**, updates on recent discoveries, **book reviews**, and **promotions** to highlight new scholarship.
  
### Contribution to African Historical Narratives:
- The website aims to facilitate collaboration between content creators, scholars, and enthusiasts, encouraging a rich exchange of ideas and fostering a more accurate representation of Africa's diverse historical narratives. 
- By integrating engaging content with scholarly insights, the African History Extra website aspires to create a more informed community around the history of the continent.