Colonialization In Africa Essay, Research Paper

Each country in the entire world has experienced a great deal of change whether it be Religion, beliefs, food, or education. You may think that just because you live in the United States that every state has evolved the same, well not really at all the East coast was all founded years before the West and just like America other countries follow a similar pattern like Africa. There are so many different African countries that all have such different pasts and different stories. Even back when the countries were being inhabited or colonized, they were so similar being in the Sahara, yet so different in. So if all these places are so close yet so different does it change the atmosphere , or how does the colonialization of Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Africa change the face of the continent? Well here are some examples of four completely different African countries; Tunisia (north), Malawi (south), Djibouti (east), Sierra Leone (west). You will be amazed with all the different histories and cultures each individual country has.

Tunisia, a small beautiful country that sits at the top of the African coast was taken over by the French after they found interest in Tunisia’s great location. The French signed the Bardo Treaty, which acknowledged Tunisia as a French protectorate. In the late 1880?s a group of French settlers colonized the region along the northern coast. The settlers exerted a Western influence on the hitherto Arab culture. Tunisia has changed drastically from the colonization days they have enhanced into a culture that cares deeply about education, and the well being of all people. Tunisia?s main language is Arabic, yet French and English are widely spoken all over the country. Islam is the main religion, but there are also roman Catholics most of whom are French. Education is widely important and encouraged. The literacy rate is relatively high 40% higher then the other north African countries. The Government controls all of the school through its ministry of national education. The government has changed the most of all these, in the nineteenth century Tunisia gained its independence, and Tunisia elected its first legislature, and dethroned Tunisia’s traditional monarch. So how does Tunisia compare to the rest of Africa much better the southern parts o Africa?

On the southern tip of the continent of Africa sits a small country called Malawi. Malawi was first inhabited by South Africans that migrated after Shaka the Zulu leader was taking over lands, and people of south Africa. Soon after that a Scottish missionary and explorer named David Livingstone brought Malawi to life. After that The British soon took over. Malawi has also evolved since then, the population there now reaches over 7.7 million, 99% of them being African, and 90% of Malawians still live in very rural areas. Throughout the country the population is spread out very unevenly and more the half the population lives in the southern regions. The life expectancy is 45 years old, Malawi has not changed much in the ways of health, and the healthcare provided. 157 out of 1000 births die, and if the children are lucky enough to survive 30%-50% die by the age of 5. Another huge cause of death is AIDS (acute immune deficiency syndrome) This is because the Malawian government paid less than 1% of its budget to health care programs and awareness. by 1989 2500 cases of AIDS was brought to life but doctors believe that at there are at least 5 million cases not reported. Moving on to the eastern part of the continent lets see how they differ.

Djibouti, a tiny country that rest on the very tip of the African horn. When Djibouti was founded it was named The French territory of Afaras and Issas. Which came from the two tribes that live between the borders. Both Issas and Afaras are Muslim. For some residence tribal customs are more important then religious matters. Muslim religion has had a huge effect on Djibouti’s educational system. When Djibouti became a French colony several catholic mission schools were opened. About 50 years ago a public school system opened with many teachers most of whom were French. Although most parents were afraid to send there children to school in fear that it would weaken there religious back ground, they would send there children to religious schools before real school and so most students would enter the first grade at age 12 or 13. Knowing that Djibouti is serious about education it is surprising to know that 90% of the population does not know how to read or write. So how does the last section of the continent compare to the others?

Sierra Leone a western country that was founded by the Portuguese in 1482. 6% of the people are Christian, and 28% are Muslim, and a large number of the other people stick to old African beliefs, faiths and practices. Yet they all believe in one supreme God, is way out there and is extremely to busy to be occupied with the daily affairs of the people down here on earth. The African prayers ae generally for good health , good crops and good hunting, and they mention their innocence of any intentional evil. They have sacrifices of generally chicken and goats and after they sacrifice them they eat it. The sacrifices are meant to rid the people of any evil and to hold them a spot in the larger kingdom above.

As you can see all these different places have such different traditions and pasts, yet they do have they?re similarities also, such as most of them being founded by the French. This world is a huge place and in Africa the colonialization of all the different countries changed, by bringing in more religions and better education, and better independent governments leaving these small countries free from persecution.