Thesis: Due to geographic, cultural, and historic evidence, Egypt is an Afrocentric so studying it should be considered Afrocentric. However, due to social constructs and the colonization of Africa, many wrongly do not consider studying Egypt as Afrocentric.
Abstract: Egypt, like all other African countries has an extensive history rich with a unique culture and belief system. Unfortunately, Ancient Egyptian culture and history is buried under a synthesized backdrop for what is European history. Though the nation was influence by many cultures over the years, Egypt must still hold onto its true origins by rediscovering and challenging it’s own history in order to reinvent it as an Afrocentric nation that founded a unique Afrocentric cultural ideology that deals with the self determination of the Pan-African ideology in culture, philosophy, and history.
Critical Review of Scholarship: In an article by Shahira Amin, an Egyptian journalist, that discussed how modern day Egyptians perceive themselves, their history, and their culture. Surprisingly, rather than consider their culture and selves as African, Egyptians consider themselves as “Arab Muslims.” Identity of self encompasses many factors, including religion, however, it is because the culture was buried under a backdrop for what is European history, and modern day Egyptians don’t view themselves as Africans. Amin’s article also emphasized Egyptians revisiting their true African roots.
In Egypt, Africa and the Ancient World by Joseph Cervello Autuori and Is Studying Egypt in Its African Context ‘Afrocentric? by S.O.Y. Keita discusses the history of Egypt before and after the colonization era. Similar to all African countries that were colonized by Europeans, Egypt was influenced by the cultures of the people who occupied it, however, initially, Egypt has an Afrocentric culture like the one that of it’s African counterparts. In addition, online articles, Egypt’s Place in
Cited: SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2014. Talmadge Anderson, James Stewart, Introduction to African American Studies: Transdisciplinary Approaches and Implications. (Black Classic Press, 2007), 29. Frederick Douglass, Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself. (Boston: The Anti-Slavery Office, 1845), 37. “Dr. Nathan Hare,” Black Think Tank, last modified Feb 5, 2014. Asante, Molefi K. "Afrocentricity." Latest Books. Afrocentricity, 13 Apr. 2009. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.