The history of Africa is mostly considered as a period after colonization of the countries by Europeans rather than the territories in their pre-colonial state. As for its empires and kingdoms, they were typically viewed by the colonizers as sources of raw materials needed during the Industrial Revolution. Therefore, the most interesting facts regarding the development of the continent are its peoples’ capability to resist colonization and their successes in exploring the world.
The progress of African states can be clearly seen from the achievements of citizens, especially in the Mali empire. They include the travels of its king to the American continent proved by the signs of the African presence in the later years. These circumstances allow concluding on the discovery of the land by these people prior to the beginning of European attempts and, more specifically, Columbus’ journey.
The resistance of the Zulu kingdom is one of the examples of the continent’s power in the war with Europeans. In the 1800s, it took several decades for Britain to colonize this territory since the confrontation consisted of numerous battles with almost equal amounts of casualties in the beginning (“The Zulu kingdom and the colony of Natal,” 2019). The fact that they managed to demonstrate a strong capability to resist changes the perception of pre-colonial Africa as a poorly organized land.
To summarize, the African entities in all their forms were unique divisions with specific powers and achievements helping them rule such a diverse society. Nevertheless, the question of the role of chiefdoms in the resistance movement and their importance for this historical period remains open. Most information on the topic is devoted to empires and kingdoms, whereas these peoples should have also influenced colonization outcomes.
Reference
The Zulu kingdom and the colony of Natal. (2019). South African History Online. Web.