The Anthropology of Africa: Challenges for the 21st Century

Abstract

This paper discusses the transition process of anthropology as an academic discipline in Africa. Although, anthropology is viewed as an archaic discipline, it is now being realized that it is relevant to modern society. As a result, it is a dynamic discipline. Initially, anthropology functioned as "gateway" to African cultures during the colonial era, but today, it remains a "gatekeeper". Africanists and African anthropologists now challenge some misconceptions about African societies apart from reconstructing the history of the continent. This paper is an attempt to examine the discipline in a continuum. In doing this, the paper discusses its colonial origin, its contemporary role and what the future holds for it. Evidences abound that among social science disciplines, it enjoys low patronage hence, the dearth of professionals in Africa. While the majority of the professionals are foreign-trained, foreign literature still dominates our libraries. Apart from this, the government does not adequately recognize its relevance to development; hence, there is low employment opportunity. Foreign experts are invited to analyse our culture, making the target problems more complex than they met them. The current development issues all over the world therefore suggest new roles for the discipline. Hence, anthropology needs to assume a prominent position in development purposes of Africa in the new millennium, which is "preceded by dwindling resources and clouded with uncertainty and fear of the unknown, catastrophes, and crises which require relevant and responsive theoretical and methodological applications in the teaching and learning of anthropology.