Introduction to African History: Sources & Methods
Did you know that history isn’t just written—it’s spoken, remembered, and even hidden in plain sight?
If we let others tell our story, we’ll always be playing catch-up in a game we were never meant to win. That’s why in this class, we’re not just going to learn history—we’re going to uncover it. We’re going deep into the sources and methods that reveal the truth about Africa’s past, the way historians separate fact from fiction, and how the legacy of African knowledge production has always been at the heart of world history.
This isn’t your typical history lesson. We’re talking about the real historical method—how Black scholars and African historians have been putting in the work for centuries to correct the lies and omissions that have shaped the way we see Africa today. We’re breaking down oral traditions, written records, material culture, and even how we interpret history so we can make sense of the past and claim our future.
And let’s be clear—this is not just about history for history’s sake. This is about empowerment. About seeing ourselves as the world-changing people we’ve always been. Because if you don’t know the past, you can’t understand the present, and you sure won’t be able to shape the future.
By the end of this class, you’ll not only know where to find Africa’s history—you’ll know how to analyze it, question it, and use it as a tool for self-liberation. Because five minutes a day keeps the miseducation away!
Are you ready? Let’s get to work.