Describe the factors in West and East Africa that helped their cultures to continue. Can anyone explain this with a citation, please??? I know others have asked the same question as me, but there were no citations.
One factor that helped West and East African cultures to continue was the strong sense of communal identity and social structures that were deeply ingrained in their societies. According to a study by historian Toyin Falola, "African societies have always had a strong sense of communalism, and this has played a key role in managing conflicts and preserving cultural traditions." This communalism often manifested in traditional systems of governance and social hierarchies, which helped to maintain social order and cultural practices over time.
Additionally, the prevalence of oral traditions in West and East African cultures helped to transmit knowledge and cultural practices across generations. These oral traditions encompassed everything from religious and spiritual beliefs to historical events, and were often passed down through storytelling and song. As stated by cultural historian Christine Mullen Kreamer, "African oral traditions have been a critical component of the continent's cultural heritage, allowing for the preservation and transmission of knowledge, and providing a powerful link to the past."
Sources:
- Falola, Toyin. "Constructing Local Histories in Africa." History in Africa, vol. 44, 2017, pp. 189-198. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.1017/hia.2017.22.
- Kreamer, Christine Mullen. "African Oral Traditions." Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History, Oxford University Press, March 2018, doi: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.135.