afrocentric

Afrocentrism is a scholarly and cultural framework that centers African peoples and the African diaspora in the study of history, culture, and society. It seeks to correct biases in traditional historiography and to foreground African agency, experiences, and worldviews, while allowing for diverse methodologies and interpretations. Afrocentrism is closely related to the broader movement of Afrocentricity, a methodological stance that emphasizes African perspectives in interpretation and pedagogy.

The modern expression of these ideas arose from 20th-century decolonial thought and Pan-African activism. Cheikh Anta Diop argued for Africa’s central role in world history and in ancient civilizations. Molefi Kete Asante popularized Afrocentricity in the 1980s as a concrete method for scholars and educators to analyze events from an African-centered viewpoint. Influential strands include attention to precolonial African achievements, the African diaspora’s cultural contributions, and the use of African languages and worldviews in analysis.

Proponents contend that Afrocentrism helps illuminate Africa's historical contributions—ancient Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, West and East Africa—as well as the cultures of the African diaspora. It has informed education, literature, art, and cultural policy, and it is associated with pan-African and Black studies projects.

Critics warn that Afrocentrism can verge on essentialism or overstate Africa’s influence without rigorous cross-cultural context. Debates focus on methodological rigor, sourcing, and the risks of political bias. Proponents argue for a balanced approach that integrates Afrocentric perspectives with evidence from multiple sources.