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All history and peoples of the world have their
beginning in Afrika. It is commonly known and accepted by the majority
of historians, anthropologists, scholars, theologians, etc that
Afrika is the birthplace of humanity and civilisation.
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Notttinghamshire
Many people know next to nothing of Afrikan History
and the immense contributions that Afrikan people have made and
continue to make to human advancement.
It is precisely because
the history of people of Afrikan origin has been undervalued or
excluded from mainstream society at large, that the season of Afrikan
historical and cultural activities are so important.
Nottingham, along with many other cities, is teeming
with relics/examples of Afrikan History. Much of Nottingham's historical
growth was based on the textile industry and in particular the manufacture
of lace from cotton and silk.
The technology developed in that industry locally
is regarded as having been crucial to the success of Britain's industrial
revolution, both before and during the 19th century.
However, it is an inescapable fact that Britain's
industrial revolution was financed largely via the profits made
from the 'triangular trade' of cotton, sugar and Afrikan slaves.
(see Eric Williams' 'Capitalism and Slavery').
Moreover, for Nottingham's famous cotton stockings
to be produced during the 19th century which was the time of Nottingham's
greatest expansion, an enslaved Afrikan in the Caribbean or in the
Southern States of North America had to pick the cotton or cut the
cane.
It is evident therefore
that Nottingham owes a large part of its prosperity to the enslavement
and exploitation of Afrikans as a vital ingredient in the success
of the industrial revolution in general and the textile industry
in particular.
One former slave became a prominent person in Nottingham.
His name was who was born in present day Sierra Leone and is
recorded as being one of the first Afrikans to reside in Nottingham
in the 1700's.
Apart from being a vehement critic of the inhumane
slave trade, George went on to be a successful and wealthy businessman
who contributed immensely to the life of Nottingham.
He married a local girl and as a result there are
some White European people living in Nottingham today who are directly
descended from this great Afrikan man.
Believe it or not, there are many Afrikan symbols
all over Nottingham. A prime example of this is the Council House,
particularly the entrance which is flanked by a lion on each side.
The lion is native to the continent of Afrika and is a symbol of
great importance in Afrika, that has had a profound influence on
contemporary society.
The symbolism of the presence of two carved Afrikan
lions on either side of the entrance to the council house represents
the role of the lions as the "keepers who open and shut the gate"
into the worlds yesterday, today or tomorrow.
This same concept is symbolised by lions that flank
the entrances to libraries, museums, educational establishments
and other buildings in and around Nottingham.
In the modern era, Nottingham as with other British
cities, experienced immigration of people of Afrikan origin, mainly
from the Caribbean, in the 1950's and early 1960's.
Once again the needs of British industry were met
by the hard labour of its overseas subjects. In Nottingham this
manifested itself in people of Afrikan descent working at Raleigh's,
John Players, Nottingham City Transport, Nottingham Health Authority
etc.
In 1958 Nottingham made national and international
news with a wave of racist violence against Afrikan-Caribbean settlers,
which became known as 'race riots'.
From the above one can identify that Afrikan History
has left an indelible mark on the history and economic and social
development of Nottingham and Afrikans currently living in the city
will play an important part in shaping the future of Nottingham.
This is why Afrikan History is important and not
just to the people of Afrikan origin but to everyone; not just because
it is the history of Afrikan people but it is a history of a people
who have had and still have a profound impact on world civilisation
and culture.
Kwame Osei is an Afrikan Historian
and Director of East Midlands African-Caribbean Arts (EMACA).
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here... for full event listings for Black History Month 2005 in
Notttinghamshire
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