The End of the 1914–1918 War in Africa

Samson, Anne

doi:10.7311/0860-5734.27.3.05

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the East Africa campaign, it is estimated that 177 micro-nations participated, each with their own language or variation. The need for interpreters and officers to learn Swahili, Bemba, Hindi, Urdu and so forth to obtain intelligence and issue instructions which were clearly understood was paramount (Samson, 2018c). Today the issue concerns definition and acceptability of terms used.…”

Section: Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

Unravelling the Past: World War I in Africa

Samson

2021

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Africa’s involvement in World War I presents the researcher with challenges that few researchers of the Western Front are likely to encounter. The centenary years of the War have seen a range of publications on the conflict in Africa: from Marike Sherwood who claims little has been written on Africa’s involvement to others who have tended to rely on online articles that are limited in scope and draw on dated publications, thereby perpetuating myths. A handful of researchers are breaking new ground through their accessing of archival material. Authors such as David Killingray and Joe Lunn, writing on West Africa over two World Wars, unwittingly set the scene for how Africa as a whole has been perceived. However, an outcome of the centenary commemorations of the War has been new and varied insights to Africa’s contributions, not least the different approaches taken by Africans and non-Africans, academic and enthusiast, and those interested in the conflicts of French (West) Africa and the rest of Africa. Engagement with the diaspora and people from the across the continent has reinforced the diversity of Africa in contrast to the published narratives and interpretations of the war which have generally been homogeneous in their approach. This study provides an opportunity to explore recent historiographical developments of the war in Africa. In particular, it aims to show that by treating Africa as a single entity (‘Africa is a country’), misconceptions have been perpetuated and experiences of World War II conflated with those of World War I. In addition, the complexities, challenges and rewards of researching Africa’s involvement in World War I are highlighted in the article.

show abstract

Section: Languagementioning

confidence: 99%