A West African Philosophy of Calm
Holism: West African philosophy is also holistic in nature, meaning that it views the world as a whole rather than as a collection of separate parts. This is reflected in the concept of Asase Yaa, which is the Akan word for the Earth Mother. Asase Yaa is seen as the embodiment of all things living and non-living, and she is a source of great power and wisdom.
Ancestral wisdom: West African philosophy places a high value on ancestral wisdom and tradition. This is reflected in the concept of Sankofa, which is a Twi word that means “go back and get it.” Sankofa is the belief that we should learn from the past in order to create a better future.
West African philosophy has had a significant impact on Western thought, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for people all over the world.
Here are some examples of West African philosophers and their ideas:
Anta Diop (1928-1986) was a Senegalese historian, anthropologist, and linguist. He is best known for his work on the African origins of civilization, which challenged the Eurocentric view of history. Diop argued that ancient Egypt was a black African civilization, and that the Egyptians had a significant impact on Greek and Roman culture.
Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) was the first president of Ghana. He was a philosopher and political theorist who developed the concept of Pan-Africanism, which is a movement for the unity of all Africans. Nkrumah argued that Africa should be united under one government, and that Africans should work together to achieve their full potential.
Leopold Senghor (1906-2001) was the first president of Senegal. He was a poet and philosopher who developed the concept of Negritude, which is a movement that celebrates the African experience and culture. Senghor argued that Africa had a unique contribution to make to the world, and that Africans should be proud of their heritage.
These are just a few examples of the many important West African philosophers and their ideas. West African philosophy is a rich and diverse field that has much to offer the world.