With the failure of Atlantic slave trade European imperial powers had started discussion on a peaceful means of controlling Africa. This was one of their strategies to exploit Africans on African soil. Following this meeting Europeans did design an artificial boundaries that never been part of Africa and which still have become sources of conflict among Africans.
This political boundary did not only affect the political map of the continent. It has also a direct impact on the complex social structure of Africans. It has directly or indirectly affected their language, art, religion and other social values.
The cultural dominance of European colonizers has directly affected the cultural values of most African countries. A time- old indigenous African art was pushed away and overshadowed by the culture of imperialists.
The traditional African art was considered too “traditional and uncivilized”. The native religious practices were neglected and replaced by European religion. Imported manufacturing goods from European countries dominated Africa’s land and the traditional art centers and artifacts were forced to leave the local market for imported goods.
Sameuel Endalemaw is painter. This journalist met him at Addis Ababa Museum while he was displaying his painting. Sameul`s work are centered on the Victroy of Adwa and its positive impact on the black people.
According to Samuel, Adwa is Ethiopians’ identity. If Ethiopia had been defeated by white imperialists the world of its art would have been a different animal. Ethiopia has its own distinctive painting style. If the country had lost the battle of Adwa its art could have been forgotten or overtaken by the western painting style.
Worku Belachew, is journalist and African Studies Association President. He believes that owing to colonization and its legacies almost all African countries were forced (directly or indirectly) to abandon ingenious culture and follow “white angels”.
Because of the victory of Adwa Ethiopians have maintained their two world: The physical world and the invisible (social) world that coexist with the physical world. Had we been the victims of colonialism this physical and social world could have been affected directly.
Colonialism has paralyzed African cultural practices and forced Africans to think whatever is white is superior. This dominance did not end after colonialism. It has left its mark on various cultural practices and art works.
“Thanks to the victory of Adwa”, says Worku. As compared to other African countries Ethiopia has kept its cultural identity. Due to the heroic struggle of our forefathers, Ethiopia has kept its independence. Adwa did not only protect Ethiopia from colonization. It has also helped us to preserve our cultural institutions, which are complex by their nature. The more we protect these complex institutions, the more we preserve our identity. This is what happened to Ethiopia. When imperialists control most African countries they directly or indirectly paralyze those institutions.”
Adwa did not only keep our sovereignty. It was also an alarm for white imperialists to think beyond the box. According to Worku, beside colonization, modernization has also systematically affected African culture and art. There were times when African art was a victim of Western painting style which is bad for indigenous art. According to him, it is us who are responsible in preserving our identity. They new generation should value the history of their forefathers and value the culture of their ancestors.
The Ethiopian Herald March 3,2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
