THE MISEDUCATION OF THE AFRICAN WOMAN - by Jefferson Nnadiekwe

The effects of reconstructive history can be so bad that it affects a long line of generations. Especially in this time where people are too nonchalant to make casual research, if it isn't work related. As Africans, it's imperative that we make the conscious effort to get familiar with our history, lest we fall into the mischief of western PR. For some people, it might be too late because the mindsets of a lot of Africans have already been influenced in certain topics.One of the persistent ones that has sunk into great depths, is the gender roles and marginalization in African societies. It's generally believed by advocates of gender equality that the traditional African society has always marginalized and suppressed women. Western culture is being credited to the rise of equality and fairness. While Africa is constantly condemned, we in the same breath heap praises and accolades to America and Europe for their good work in breaking gender based barriers. This however isn't the case. And to prove this, one has to consider pre-colonial Africa. It might come as a surprise to a lot of people the prominent positions African women held before the advent of the white man. In certain societies, it was common to see a council of female chiefs who had duties ranging from political to societal. After colonization, some of the things that the colonizers did was abolish such councils or impose their own choices which were men just like it was where they came from. Queen mothers were also common in Africa during pre-colonial times. These Queen mothers had authority and reference that only that of the King could rival. In fact, there are historical accounts of how some of these Queen mothers led their people in resisting British invaders. A prominent example of this is Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti people. It was during the periods of colonialism that patriarchy became accepted in African culture and solidified the subjugation of women. The same patriarchy that a lot of misguided and miseducated feminists claim is an original African culture. Yet, patriarchy was not Africa's primary system of political and social organization prior to colonization. Many matriarchal societies have existed throughout African history. Now, it cannot be said that specific roles didn't exist in these societies like all other societies around the world. But these roles weren't created with the purpose to belittle women as we have been made to believe. The female gender has and will always be sacred to an African man. He sees women as the source of life and even attributes the earth to a woman. Honor and exaltation are very important ways of appreciating women in traditional settings. It's a shame that we have allowed history to be butchered so bad that African societies have become the villains and chief proponents of women's marginalization. Granted that there are men amongst us who subscribed to the idea that women are inferior, however, it could be a part of the lingering effects of colonialism. Maybe modern African feminists need to revisit history of both cultures - African and Western. A little research could change the whole approach to a less antagonistic one. Time and time again, we have allowed our history told by foreigners to cause some sort of rift or the other. If you don't care to know your history, not only would an outsider tell it to you, but he would use the ignorance against you.

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