Traditional African Communalism and the Neo-Communal Spirit in Africa

Communalism in traditional African Societies has become a common theme in most discourses on African Philosophy. This has made it crucial that detailed studies be done on this way of life to establish its underlying philosophical tenets and its impact on the people and societies in Africa. This book examines the reality of communalism in traditional African societies, the underlying philosophical issues, and the influence it has continued to exert on the continent since the end of colonialism. The book shows that the sustenance of communalism in traditional African societies was greatly enhanced by the people's apparent orientation towards the past. The period at and after independence was dominated by a neo-communal spirit as an attempt by Africans to restore their traditional values and ways of life, and as a way of confronting the challenges of post independent era. The book concludes that communalism has had a far-reaching impact on the African people and their societies, so much so that it continues to manifest itself in various forms in contemporary Africa. This book is ideal for studies on traditional African culture and it legacy in the present.