A Review of Yurugu: An Afrikan-Centered Critique of
European Cultural Thought and Behavior
By Dr. Marimba Ani.
First Africa World Press Books 2014 (First Edition, First
Printing Africa World Press, 1994)
By Mboya Ogutu
Introduction
Dr. Marimba Ani is forthright and unapologetic on the polemic tone of this magisterial milestone in African-centered ideological
and political (anthropological) study of European culture. The book “Yurugu,”
is a 570-page relentless analysis of the source (“asili”-further on) and
mechanics of European ideology. It is determined that European ideology, which
informs its nationalism is intrinsically imperialist in tendency. The main purpose
of Dr. Ani’s study is to unmask this ideology, therefore providing tools to appraise
and counter it, “ideologically and politically.”
In essence, this is a study of European culture in its
totality by a non-European, an African. An intriguing if not vital twist in the
sense of the colonized using anthropology to dissect the imperialist! Let us
appreciate what has been done here:
The prevalent African-centered studies on the European
& African interactions focused on historical developments. The battle of
minds that Africans were waging against the Eurocentric academy, temples and
media were mainly to assert the priority of Africans in matters civilization (the
point of departure being the Nile Valley civilizations as Black African and anterior
to “miraculous ancient Greece”).
But a coherent and comprehensive understanding of
European culture through the African-centered perspective was lacking.
Dr. Ani states that anthropology has been a Eurocentric
tool fabricated to feed the culture’s core tendencies. Eurocentric anthropological
studies on Africans and other peoples are devoid of the colonial and/or
exploitative condition they endure under European hegemony. In other words, these
studies miss the notion of culture as an ideological & political phenomenon,
instead spewing sterile mechanical supposed reflections of the “objects” of
study. This, Dr. Ani asserts is a control strategy by the imperialists.
Dr. Ani sets out to correct these self-serving Eurocentric
omissions. She reminds us that members
of cultures contrast themselves with other cultures, informed by their
respectively held worldviews. This is to “think politically” (a fruit of
ideology). Further, members of cultures “act politically” when contemplating
the benefits or otherwise, and manner of engaging with other societies.
Thus, Yurugu as an anthropological study from an
African point of view, sets out to study European ideology and therefore
political behaviour (the essence of culture). This is a methodology, it
bears repeating, that imperial anthropology carefully bypasses in their warped studies
of oppressed cultures. Yurugu is therefore a seminal innovation and remains an important
reference point for African-centered intellectual and political resistance against
white supremacy.
Symbolism
The book is awash with carefully chosen symbols, providing
clarity to the subject at hand. They are also emotive. The obvious place to
start is the title “Yurugu,” adapted from Dogon mythology. Yurugu is a congenitally
impaired entity. His development is accordingly stunted, rendering him predisposed
to inciting upheaval and strife in creation. Dr. Ani assimilates Yurugu as a
symbol of European irresponsiveness to the spiritual realm, which she asserts
is the foundational reality and ordering essence in African thought. Yurugu’s afflicted
image will stay with the reader throughout the study.
Swahili terminology is effectively applied in the
development of key concepts. This technique resonates with the African reader and
facilitates understanding of the concepts used.
“Asili” is the nucleus or “seed” of European culture. It is the root of
European creed.
“Utamawazo” is determined by the asili. It informs
and influences the manner of thinking in the collective culture. In other words
what one could identify as uniquely European ideology is its utamawazo.
The “utamaroho” is the propulsive force of the
collective culture. “Utamaroho” inspires the concerted actions of the
members of the culture. The three concepts, created for analysis are inextricably
linked, and overlap dynamically.
Readers should not be unduly daunted by the Swahili
terminology (do we not endure Latin insertions in the European Academy? Dr. Ani’s
use of an African language to develop concepts is commendable) and inevitable density
or complexity in some areas of the book, which must be tackled to be fully appreciated
and grasped.
Early in the book a set of eight diagrams summarizing the
key concepts and their interrelatedness are provided. These symbols further aid
the reader in understanding the material as study progresses.
Each chapter of the book begins with an epigram from
Ayi Kwei Armah’s classic novel, “Two Thousand Seasons.” These symbol-laden
epigrams infuse a rhythmic and informative ambience to the polemic nature of the
book. It proves to be an effective device.
To further give the book its unapologetic African thrust,
the four parts (see below) of the book open with spectacular drawings of curved
African (Dogon?) masks.
The Key Theme
We are told that aspirations and actions of peoples
with cultural affinities coming together in their common interests is universal.
Europeans also do so but with an exception in its quality and thrust. Due to the
nature of the asili (the cultural kernel) of European culture, it is driven by
a sustained need for supremacy at the expense of other cultures as its mode
of being. In other words, the autonomy of other cultures in a live-and-let
live milieu is intrinsically impossible to the European cultural mindset. Dr.
Ani is asserting that once Africans internalize this imperialist outlook of the
European culture, it becomes easy to gauge and resist ideologically and
politically.
Structure of the book
After a glossary of key terminology, and the diagrams alluded
to above, the book is divided into four main parts with ten chapters. The
conclusion is separate. More on it shortly.
In a broad sweep, Dr. Ani identifies and elaborates on
the historical development of European thought (ideology) and culture. Opinion
leaders of the culture and their powerful influence on it, is skillfully demonstrated.
Evidence of the book’s premise (European ideology
& politics which are intrinsic components of the culture; which is imperialistic in
essence), is also provided. This is tied to the way (methods) this “wildly
successful” expansionist compulsion is sustained.
A) The first part elaborates on “Thought and Iconography.”
The asili of European culture is identified as “genetically”
predisposed to separation of mind and matter as reason over emotion. However,
this tendency is revealed as beginning to take focused shape after Plato’s
teachings on the superiority of abstract perfections over the crude material
phenomena.
This mode of thought is strengthened through the
progression of European history and has come to be a given in its untamawazo
(thought process). The full implication this bifurcated worldview leads to an
imperialist outlook with “superior and rational” Europeans lording it over
inferior, emotion-driven Africans.
The unification of intermittently or persistently warring
European tribes is finally completed within a Judeo-Christian framework.
Europeans fan out across the planet with an ideology suffused with the singular
righteousness of saving “heathens.” “Universalization,”
of essentially European beliefs, a key plank of European imperialism is
elaborated on here.
The European idea of “beauty” is shown projected by the culture as universal. “Whiteness,” as fine and superior, and virtuous; are some of the aspects of European ideology discussed here under the culture’s aesthetics.
B) The second part covers “Image and National Consciousness”
C) Part three elucidates on “Behavior and Ethics.”
Here, Dr. Ani incisively demonstrates European rhetoric
and behavior as steeped in hypocrisy. High minded European discourse on
Christian ethics, freedom, and democracy, for example are deftly exposed as guises
for European Nationalism.
The power of the soaring European rhetoric to neutralize
African opposition, even co-opting unwitting Africans into their own
destruction is discussed Readers are informed that the European culture has
found mechanisms for managing its latent internal aggression by exporting it. Readers
are kept abreast of the fact that European rhetoric and behavior has an
internal aspect (for the culture’s members) and an external aspect, to hypnotize
non-members into imagining the “universal “values proselytized are meant to be
implemented and sustained.
D) Part four elaborates on “Ideology” of
the European culture.
The notion of “progress “as sold by the European
culture and its disarming charm to the mind of the conquered African is thoroughly
discussed here. Again, the common thread of the European culture’s tendency to universalize
its own notion of progress is dissected.
In the final
analysis, Dr Ani masterfully lays out the basis of European culture: its knowledge
systems including its sense of beauty, symbolisms applied and perceived purpose
of existence; combine to inform conduct. These come together in a uniquely
consistent manner to pursue the culture’s imperialistic inclination.
The conclusion of the book is carefully crafted to provide
an important summary of the material once again for quick review. Here the
configurations of European cultural nationalism (which have been identified as
essentially imperialistic or expansionist) are outlined:
Its humanism, liberal ideology, trivialization of the
spiritual & glorification of material might, and theories of white
supremacy designed and activated to engender perpetual self-doubt and conformity
to oppressive conditions.
Conclusion
This is an important work for Africans interested in understanding
the core drivers of European culture. It is highly recommended.
The reviewer is the author of "The PAST IS PRESENT ahead of time," available at:https://www.amazon.com/past-PRESENT-ahead-time-novel-ebook/dp/B0BY1N2XYH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KKJMEUNFJXC2&keywords=mboya+ogutu&qid=1684887944&sprefix=mboya+ogutu%2Caps%2C393&sr=8-1
Dr. Marimba Ani image source: https://seshmedewnetcher.com/dr-marimba-ani/
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