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Is there such a thing as “Continental Identity”?

This discourse delves into the concepts of "Continental Identity" and "National Identity," examining how geographical unity may influence cultural unity. From American and European identities to Africanity, we explore how societies are structured through shared values, kinship, and cultural practices. We analyze the impact of history, migration, and colonialism on identity formation, highlighting the complexities of belonging within various continents. The conversation also reflects on anthropological insights regarding culture and society, emphasizing the significance of communal heritage over individual distinctions.

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Is there such a thing as “Continental Identity”?

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Is there such a thing as “Continental Identity”? • American/North American • European • Asian • Latin American • African • Middle Eastern

  2. What about National Identity? • American, Canadian • British, French, German, Russian, etc. • Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, etc. • Brazilian, Chilean, Mexican,Cuban, etc • Nigerian, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Malawian, etc. • Saudi Arabian, Israeli, Iraqi, Egyptian, etc.

  3. Continental and National Identity • American/North American (American, Canadian) • European (British, French, German, Russian, etc.) • Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, etc.) • Latin American (Brazilian, Chilean, Mexican,etc.) • African (Nigerian, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Malian, etc.) • Middle Eastern (Saudi, Israeli, Iraqi, Egyptian, etc.)

  4. Anthropologist Jacques Maquet asks • Can geographical unity be translated into cultural unity? • What conceptual tools are necessary to grasp this unity?

  5. Two anthropological concepts: Society • A group of persons whose organized activities ensure that the material and psychological needs of each of its members will be satisfied. • Its members regard themselves as forming a unit with well-defined boundaries.

  6. Culture • The complex totality of material objects, items of behavior, and ideas acquired in varying degrees by each member of a given society • Shared values • Society could not exist without Culture

  7. Africanity • A unique cultural face • Totality of knowledge, behavior, ideas, and objects that constitutes a common heritage • Transcends ethnic (tribal) and national specifics

  8. Not mysterious • Not an essence • Not esoteric • Not a body of knowledge • Totality of cultural factors common to hundreds of societies

  9. Content of Africanity • Sources-- result of a double process of adaptation and diffusion • Differs from other attempts • intellectual (Negritude) • political (Pan-Africanism)

  10. Sources • Similar experience • Migrations • Isolation • Colonial penetration and industrialization • Nationalization

  11. Similar experience • Use of the environment for livelihood • Subsistence is hard, food scarcity • Hunting and gathering (Bow) • Shifting agriculture • Herding (Spear)

  12. Migrations • Bantu migration • Diffusion of ideas, techniques, and languages

  13. Isolation • Boundaries • Rivers and coastlines limited transportation • Valuables (gold and slaves) taken out • Little technology brought in (until recently)

  14. Colonial penetration and industrialization • Arbitrarily cut up and turned into colonies and then countries • Imposition of social, political and economic domination

  15. Colonial penetration & industrialization • Extractive and money economies • Civil servants and bureaucracies

  16. Nationalization • During similar time periods • Stress and political upheavals

  17. Contents of Africanity • Kinship and social aspects • Political • Daily Life • Economic

  18. Contents of Africanity: kinship • Importance of the family, not individual • Child has intimate and secure contact with the mother and many relatives • Permanent groupings

  19. Contents of Africanity: Kinship • Ascribed status • Importance of ancestors • Focus on fertility • Marriage is a group decision

  20. Contents of Africanity: Daily life • Little personal insecurity and loneliness • Social sanctions • Importance of small-scale, village life

  21. Contents of Africanity--Political • State societies based on surplus • Stateless societies attuned with nature • Territorial power and sacred power of elders and chiefs • Some class and caste societies

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