This reminds me of when Europeans tried to claim the ancient city of Zimbawa wasn’t built by Africans because it was too impressive, but when they learned it wasn’t, the people assigned to preserve it decided to destroy much of structures.
Too impressive? It's just a circular rock wall ffs. Which means Europeans thought that the people in Zimbabwe were so primitive and backward that a circle rock wall was something they couldn't do. Yikes. It speaks for itself.
Your Tokyo analogy is striking. No one thinks of Tokyo as an American/Western city even though it clearly incorporates Western technologies like skyscrapers, cell phones, cars, and even attire (suits, etc). The same was true of Africa's Bamum civilization. They incorporated foreign influences to their pre-existing architecture, but end product is still driven by their own innovation and is distinct from whatever influenced them. (Also, fun fact. Even ancient traditional Japanese architecture wasn't 100% free from foreign influences. The iconic Japanese pagoda and torii (gate) actually derived from the Indian stupa and torana, respectively. But obviously, no one says, "therefore, Japan wasn't built by Japanese." Of course it was. We all recognize that humans can borrow influences to create something entirely new and unique. But for some reason, the same consideration isn't given to Africans that innovate upon pre-existing ideas. Gee, I wonder why...) Finally, I've noticed a disturbing pattern in the way racists rationalize African innovation: First, they assume they can't innovate. Then when that's proven wrong, they attribute the innovation to a foreign, non-African people. Then when _that's_ proven wrong, they label the innovation "instinct." They said it about music. They said it about survival. They even said it about architecture in this very video (the quote by Marie Pauline Thorbecke at 11:30). It goes to show that racists have already made up their minds about black people and go through great lengths to see confirmation bias in every little thing.
Many colonials at the time atrributed civilization or anything impressive to foreign influence as you said despite influence being quite normal in the grand scheme of history. Rhodesia also did something similar with Great Zimbabwe. Another thing ive noticed is when they cannot prove it wasnt made by them, they attack the structure itself in a sort of 'i never liked it anyway' sort of way and try to emphasize their flaws.
@@ExcooseMwah Exactly. For example, some people say Great Zimbabwe is just a wall, nothing special. But it was apparently special enough for colonial Europeans to have attributed it to the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Vikings. Anyone besides the natives.
Can you imagine being so shocked by the fact that Africans were able to create buildings so beautiful and grand that you feel like you need to say it came from European influence? Even though I'm sure they've been using their own architectural style long before the Germans arrived! 😂
Unfortunately I get comments from people like that every single day. Any and everything good about African history or culture is either automatically attributed to foreigners or denied outright as "misinformation."
I'm actually German and I literally can't imagine thinking that. Like, they knew that these buildings were older than contact with Europe, right? Absolutely bizarre way of thinking.
Back in the early 20th century, that way of thinking was just another day in the office among Europeans. It was at the zenith of the colonization of Africa. Unfortunately, that mindset still made its way into the thoughts of some moden day bigots as well.
They weren't shocked, they were just that hateful. I take it you've never ran across someone so filled with hate that they lie about everything. They will see blue, but lie and tell you they see orange.
learning about history makes my heart ache,how deprived we are of thse treasures and aesthetics. imagine if architecture of downtown african cities maintained the style and motifs once used!
14:40 Yeah I agree, the old palace is way better looking than the new one. The photos obviously can't do it justice due to the technology of the time, but it's a shame we lost such an amazing piece of architecture.
Some other kingdoms in that part of Cameroon still have their old Palaces and/or new ones in the traditional styles (e.g. the Bafut and Bamileke peoples among others).
I am not to surprised that Europeans thought the buildings our ancestors built wasn't made by us because of the negative stereotypes they had back then and even to this day. We are the first house builders, and we make things according to the environment around us, but due to colonialism and racism they dismissed our knowledge but now with more info like this are coming out we can be proud of who we are.
There's more to Africa than just the slave trade, it had heroes, artists, kings, and Emperors equal to that of any other place on Earth, and it's not right that all this history is overlooked or ignored.
Future African Architecturers, Let embrace, develop and modernize our Ancient architecture. Let our future african cities have a true African identity with pillars and sculptures not the current one we are doing.
@allanluis3696 yep I love african artistry it looks futuristic already and combine that with ancient african hairstyles and u have a whole never level of beauty we were doing way before any futuristic and sci fi vision came into place looking at ancient igbo and many other patterns and home styles it gave a wakandan like vibe which makes total sense
@@FromNothing Maybe not in this instance but it can be when its referring to all black Africans because we existed all over the continent (and still do) + the Sahel Region is part of the Sahara while being peopled by mostly black people. It's not a term to be defending since it is commonly used to separate us from one of our oldest civilisations. Ju0rd meant no harm by it though quite clearly but it can still be a very nasty term that black people should drop when referring to ourselves since it has no basis in history due to the ancestors of the Ancient Egyptians even coming from the south.
Great Grandmother Africa manifested the human race as every human being on Earth has the same mitochondrial DNA which point to the fact that we all descend from the same group of women in Sub Saharan Africa. Africa has made countless contributions to humanity from textiles ,art, culture, natural architecture , jewelry!Great video!
I had no idea that there were arguments about the structures of African buildings in African countries. Why do people argue about everything Black and African people do? Sometimes things are done. And sometimes Black and African people do those things. There's amazing stuff EVERYWHERE. So there's no need for people to be all like, "What?! Africans? building that?! No way! Never!" What's the big deal? Why do people want to discredit everything? A building is a building. Just because you think the building is cool doesn't mean you have to fight tooth and nail to prove that that building isn't African somehow. People are crazy! There are great buildings everywhere! Sometimes you wanna say, "Relax, Bro. there are buildings, and amazing cultural things everywhere. You don't have to slander Black people because you saw some buildings that you thought were cool. It doesn't make you any less white (or whatever other race you are) If you think, 'Hey, I think that African thing (building, food, song, clothes, etc) is cool! I like it.'" Why not see it, and just go about your day? It's not like you're gonna think that way about African stuff again. If you are racist, it's normally just a fluke that you happen to like that thing made by the people you hate/don't like. That's life. This video is crazy! I had no idea there were people discrediting building structures. What's left? 😟 They think we can't do anything! It's just a building! 😠 Why would they go a mile and a half for a building! This is nuts! There are many cultures that can make roofs, bricks, and carvings/designs. EVERYONE DOES THAT! YOU CAN'T GET THAT FROM SOMEWHERE BECAUSE EVERYONE DOES THAT! HOW CAN THEY ACCUSE US OF STEALING SOMETHING SO UNIVERSAL???!!!! 😡 What's next? Air?! "Hmm... I don't know. I think Africans stole breathing from White people! Uh, oh! How dare they?! Can't they think of anything original on their own? Why are they always stealing common life necessities? Darn those Africans!" Yeah, if you can't tell, I'm just done. Nothing against you, but this video really took me there. 🙁 But that's not your fault. I do realize that.
@@soda8736 Stop lying in Zimbabwe today it is taught that racists did not want us to claim our history and attributed it to aliens, Europe While at it when the Portuguese came to Zimbabwe a period of 100yers from the 1600s all kings where there to this day people in rural areas still built houses stones and bricks that resemble great Zimbabwe. Our culture has no concept of out of space beings only One God who created everything , angels, evil spririts and ancestors who communicate with God on our behalf that is it.
Cool! It is interesting to see how German colonizers operated here compared to Namibia in the same period. The king probably heard of the atrocities and decided to spare his people the same fate. Fortunately a lot of knowledge has been retained about these beautiful structures and I would hope that at some point this will get a revival.
I just found your channel and I'm so excited! I'm a travel blogger and I recently started to create travel videos. My favorite continent to travel to is Africa. I'm obsessed with African history and culture and I love that I can get travel ideas from your channel!
@@FromNothingI hope you get to go as well! You deserve it. This is such good work and well-needed since so many of us didn't learn about all of the incredible things from African history, but we should have. Thank you for creating these accurate and historical videos. I plan to binge-watch many of these in the next few weeks!
African architecture is so beautiful and unique amongst the whole continent! I know people always look at Egyptian architecture as the epitome of african culture, but in my opinion, sub Saharan African architecture was always more impressive to me. Mainly because sub Saharan African architects didn't have the recourses like Egypt had, but they still made beautiful cities, like the one you showed us today. Eventually one day, we will see african architecture like this in video games, anime and other media. Thank you for another great video!
Thank you!!! And yes that is my end goal with this content and community. I want popular media and culture to develop genres and trends on the backbone of African history and culture represented with as much respect and dignity as European and Asian civilizations.
Love learning about the urban design in African antiquety. Growing up when all of this information was obscured by racist archeologists describing anything natively African as "native detritus", it's really refreshing to see what was really there.
THANK YOU FOR SAYING "EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE" I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEEEEEEEEEARS STOP CALLING IT MUD. It's not mud. mud is just dirt and water, earthern architecture are specific earth based elements mixed with water, it's not the same. It why people call American "mud" architecture "adobe" but African architecture of the same material is called mud.
Because when they saw how the current people were living primitive it didn't make sense. Also the local people dont even claim those structures most of time. They often have superstitions about them. So its not crazy that somebody from another place with not a whole understanding of the entire Africa could think someone else built the structures..
Really great information. It’s encouraging to learn that some colonialism wasn’t the worst of the worst and that some Europeans got along with Africans without brutally exploiting them. It doesn’t make colonialism overall any better but it provides welcome relief and stories of triumph instead of of the standard narrative that makes things look so completely one-sided.
Colonisation operates at a systemic level. Even in the most brutal colonies there were some Europeans who got along well with Africans. Especially the missionary societies who would even lobby against their own countrymen on the side of the natives. But at a systemic level every single colonial system in Africa had one purpose, to exploit the natives for the benefit of Europeans and this cannot be overstated. Those who mean well do not have to political influence of the social and economic elite.
@@user-vw6bk4pb4l that -- is brilliant analysis and absolutely right. The Cameroonians by cooperating with the German colonizers avoided the horrific brutality German colonizers inflicted in Benin and the rest of West Africa they colonized. Thanks for pointing that out. We must never lose sight of that. God bless you and yours.
Fascinating how old palace was this beautifull impresive structure with lot of craft and art put into it and new one looks like every other unkempt zámek but even lamer.
Africa is so big, we in the US struggle to comprehend how culturally diverse that continent is. Maybe Europeans are better at this, since there are so many different countries close by. It would be strange if someone thought that all Europeans were like the Italians. Similarly, if we look at different areas in Africa we will find many cultures, languages, and traditions, not just one.
Please don’t forget that most if not all of the great pyramids of Egypt were built and constructed mainly by African/black folks. Ethiopia also had great structures way before any European or Muslim entered their mind or sight.
Stop trying to include Egypt in every conversation about African civilizations, other farucan kingdoms have the right to their own credit without having to speak about Egyptians
I do want to add that the german history in Kamerun is unfortunately very bloody. In the southern parts they had rubber plantations that easily rivaled Leopoldian Congo in cruelty
@@FromNothingI would have expected stone paving, given the climate being prone to tropical downpours and localized flooding. Looking forward to more information about this.
12:40. Tokyo, or more specifically is skyscrapers IS a mimick. Sorry but it is. They should have at least tried to make their traditional designs more prominent
Nobody in their right mind would call Tokyo a copy of ... oh boy, a bit of Japanese history is necessary to unpack this complexity, don't underestimate the ability of westerner to find inferior anything not done like them OR done like them, it's a trap, let's say there is a reason in france the word japonism is almost a slurs
I do Not have time right now to watch more than just the intro. I think it is so funny when somebody says that something is too beautiful to be built by xxxxxxxx xxxxxx. Get real. Every culture, every civilization loves beauty. Sometimes survival overwhelms beauty. Think about it, where did man start his ascent to where we are not today?
W video as always. I find almost amazing how racists always use the same rhetoric when it comes to african architecture : - "Africans can't build this". When proven wrong - "They got foreign influence" When remembered every civilisation, especially eurasian ones, got foreign influences - "Well, it is not that impressive anyway" or "it was just instinct". I mean, why do these guys hate Africa so much ? It's not like acknowledging Africa's genius is gonna belittle Europe's. But for some reason, they seem to think it would.
@@FromNothing I saw a lot of carvings on drums and poles when I was a kid. We were told they were worshiping idols. NOT realizing it was just artists signing their names. 😥
There is this book called "Stealing From The Saracens", i haven't read it yet, i've only watched youtube videos with the author, Diana Darke, some excerpts from the book and so.. These saracen people appear to be presented as (white!) arabs, in history books aswell as in the book's story/line. A book review from you in the near future, is possible?
The bamun kingdom got their own writing system they still use today back then before the last king only priest secret society know how king njoya where the first one who want everyone in his kingdom to write and read not just the elite that why some believe he invented the writing system fun facts the new king who visited the German museum this year seat on His great grandfather thrown after 115 years took by the German
Africans tribes lived in caves until 1900s ( Nok caves) all peoples in different continents lived in caves. And all people at one point practiced canablism. Even Africans buddy.
Just think how much we could accomplish if we weren’t always so focused on race and trying to prove one’s own superiority or another’s inferiority. Cultures wax and wane as the confluence of intelligence and creativity enter into a culture. Building is a human trait, it will be influenced by the level of obtainable technology and the realities of the environment. People’s have always migrated and “good” ideas will migrate with them and be adopted by where they end up. So let’s focus on the amazing power of human creativity, ingenuity and drop all the racial undertones
The mentality that you have right now is exactly why people try to avoid letting "history repeat itself." Knowledge of the past is how you preserve the good and get rid of the bad.
Cool video, but I almost didn't watch it, due to the current title with its racist undertone. There's no need for click-baiting such good content bro. The title would be more inviting by simply stating "Incredible Traditional Sub-Saharan Architecture".
I never said they were a Japanese invention. You missed my entire point. I said that Tokyo is a Japanese city built from American influence. But it's not a "mimick."
Finally some true ancient african architecture.. but still, nothing as impressive as the great chinese wall, the aztec and mayan temples, and the buildings of the ancient roman empire
It's a historical video essay on the aspects of old african architecture... No one even needs to be having a dick length contest for "validity" sake lol.
None of these are even beautiful let alone anywhere near comparable to what Europeans built. Why do you do this to yourself man? Just let it go. It's fine to have no architecture or anything of significance.
@@AdamWood-dx7xm I'm not trolling or being sarcastic. It's time to let go of the copeium and just accept the reality as it is. I mean for crying out loud there are small towns in Albania, one of Europe's poorest and smallest countries that have more architectural, cultural and historical significance than anything built in pre colonial Sub-Saharan Africa put together. Just look at Gjirokastra and it's 12th century fortress and 16th century bazaar. Nothing in Sub-Saharan Africa comes close to a tiny town in Southern Albania. That's embarrassing.
@@AdamWood-dx7xm Because they haven’t contributed anything to ancient or modern civilization. 0 architecture, 0 important empires, 0 inventions, 0 impressive landmarks etc. Always been a net negative and burden on humanity. Their burden will only grow as their population keeps exploding. The future for planet earth is really bleak.
![[LIVE] BABYMONSTER(베이비몬스터) - DRIP | 두시탈출 컬투쇼](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UG05pxLGwzc/mqdefault.jpg)
Red Spirit Mask's part on the Musgum architecture:
th-cam.com/video/gUZEVntb2gs/w-d-xo.html
😁😁
Loved this vid as well
racism makes one say the craziest things, doesn't it?
this one guy said Sub-Saharan African history was just Jewish propaganda lol so pretty much
@@juord Lol
White people always joining other people's lifestyles claim that we're all the same 👈🏿 they wannabe equal to chosen people of Israel 🤣🤣🤣
This reminds me of when Europeans tried to claim the ancient city of Zimbawa wasn’t built by Africans because it was too impressive, but when they learned it wasn’t, the people assigned to preserve it decided to destroy much of structures.
There's lots of videos full of crank commenters claiming aliens called the Annunaki built them.
Too impressive? It's just a circular rock wall ffs. Which means Europeans thought that the people in Zimbabwe were so primitive and backward that a circle rock wall was something they couldn't do. Yikes. It speaks for itself.
@@bletrick3352”speaks for itself”
How…
@@deshawnmoore1731You know, hes not gonna answer you.
Well no one new who built it even the people who lived in that area though ghost or Aliens built it. They still dont really know who built it.
Your Tokyo analogy is striking. No one thinks of Tokyo as an American/Western city even though it clearly incorporates Western technologies like skyscrapers, cell phones, cars, and even attire (suits, etc).
The same was true of Africa's Bamum civilization. They incorporated foreign influences to their pre-existing architecture, but end product is still driven by their own innovation and is distinct from whatever influenced them.
(Also, fun fact. Even ancient traditional Japanese architecture wasn't 100% free from foreign influences. The iconic Japanese pagoda and torii (gate) actually derived from the Indian stupa and torana, respectively. But obviously, no one says, "therefore, Japan wasn't built by Japanese." Of course it was. We all recognize that humans can borrow influences to create something entirely new and unique. But for some reason, the same consideration isn't given to Africans that innovate upon pre-existing ideas. Gee, I wonder why...)
Finally, I've noticed a disturbing pattern in the way racists rationalize African innovation: First, they assume they can't innovate. Then when that's proven wrong, they attribute the innovation to a foreign, non-African people. Then when _that's_ proven wrong, they label the innovation "instinct."
They said it about music. They said it about survival. They even said it about architecture in this very video (the quote by Marie Pauline Thorbecke at 11:30). It goes to show that racists have already made up their minds about black people and go through great lengths to see confirmation bias in every little thing.
Very brilliant and accurate analysis about racists, thanks for sharing that insight.
Well, im sure they did at one point. Its just a matter of "Do we like X people?". People try to do it to China even today.
Many colonials at the time atrributed civilization or anything impressive to foreign influence as you said despite influence being quite normal in the grand scheme of history. Rhodesia also did something similar with Great Zimbabwe. Another thing ive noticed is when they cannot prove it wasnt made by them, they attack the structure itself in a sort of 'i never liked it anyway' sort of way and try to emphasize their flaws.
@@ExcooseMwah Exactly. For example, some people say Great Zimbabwe is just a wall, nothing special. But it was apparently special enough for colonial Europeans to have attributed it to the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Vikings. Anyone besides the natives.
China and russia think of japan as being a western puppet
Can you imagine being so shocked by the fact that Africans were able to create buildings so beautiful and grand that you feel like you need to say it came from European influence? Even though I'm sure they've been using their own architectural style long before the Germans arrived! 😂
Unfortunately I get comments from people like that every single day. Any and everything good about African history or culture is either automatically attributed to foreigners or denied outright as "misinformation."
@@FromNothing Despite the fact that you use numerous sources...
I'm actually German and I literally can't imagine thinking that.
Like, they knew that these buildings were older than contact with Europe, right?
Absolutely bizarre way of thinking.
Back in the early 20th century, that way of thinking was just another day in the office among Europeans. It was at the zenith of the colonization of Africa. Unfortunately, that mindset still made its way into the thoughts of some moden day bigots as well.
They weren't shocked, they were just that hateful. I take it you've never ran across someone so filled with hate that they lie about everything. They will see blue, but lie and tell you they see orange.
learning about history makes my heart ache,how deprived we are of thse treasures and aesthetics. imagine if architecture of downtown african cities maintained the style and motifs once used!
I feel the same way. Fortunately, through the power of art, film, animation, and gaming, we'll be able to resurrect it to some extent.
14:40
Yeah I agree, the old palace is way better looking than the new one.
The photos obviously can't do it justice due to the technology of the time, but it's a shame we lost such an amazing piece of architecture.
I'm very grateful that we have such a large archive of historical photos for some African kingdoms.
@@FromNothingSince we have photos, paintings, and a map for the old palace, we could always rebuild it in the future perhaps
@@xuanluu4873 LET'S GOOOO!
Some other kingdoms in that part of Cameroon still have their old Palaces and/or new ones in the traditional styles (e.g. the Bafut and Bamileke peoples among others).
I am not to surprised that Europeans thought the buildings our ancestors built wasn't made by us because of the negative stereotypes they had back then and even to this day. We are the first house builders, and we make things according to the environment around us, but due to colonialism and racism they dismissed our knowledge but now with more info like this are coming out we can be proud of who we are.
I'm making a Sub-Saharan African Fantasy setting and this building look so beautiful 😍! I'm thinking making a fantasy version of this building.
Amazing, feel free to share!
Are you indigenous African? There is no such thing as Sub Sahara Africa only indigenous Africa and none indigenous Africa.
"Sub-Saharan" denotes the region south of the Sahara.
@@FromNothingIt's a derogatory word. Don't like the connotation or hidden agenda behind it.
Did you even watch the video? 🙄
There's more to Africa than just the slave trade, it had heroes, artists, kings, and Emperors equal to that of any other place on Earth, and it's not right that all this history is overlooked or ignored.
They ignore all that because they had to enslave the mind first before the body.
It is a violent shithole
Future African Architecturers, Let embrace, develop and modernize our Ancient architecture. Let our future african cities have a true African identity with pillars and sculptures not the current one we are doing.
@kayodeoseni2999 that would look so beautiful the shapes the designs itself already look futuristic
this is what I want. No need to copy everything from foreigners. Rebuild what was lost.
@allanluis3696 yep I love african artistry it looks futuristic already and combine that with ancient african hairstyles and u have a whole never level of beauty we were doing way before any futuristic and sci fi vision came into place looking at ancient igbo and many other patterns and home styles it gave a wakandan like vibe which makes total sense
@@l3loodforpride426 I can dig it. I'm excited for this to occur, in my lifetime.
Sub-Saharan African Architecture is really amazing, love it
African Architecture is really amazing. "Sub-Saharan" is a colonial racist term.
@@2pafc_online while I can see that I use it to specifically describe which part of Africa.
There is nothing racist about the term.
@@FromNothing Maybe not in this instance but it can be when its referring to all black Africans because we existed all over the continent (and still do) + the Sahel Region is part of the Sahara while being peopled by mostly black people. It's not a term to be defending since it is commonly used to separate us from one of our oldest civilisations. Ju0rd meant no harm by it though quite clearly but it can still be a very nasty term that black people should drop when referring to ourselves since it has no basis in history due to the ancestors of the Ancient Egyptians even coming from the south.
@@juordyou used ‘Sub-Saharan’ to be specific? That covers a great amount of land mass and cultural diversity. How is that specific?
Love from asia, this beautiful wooden buildings remained me of what we have in east asia. It would be better if they are preserved well.
I got the same feeling when I first saw this architecture. It looks like a hybrid between East Asian and Polynesian traditions.
@@FromNothing some even have elements of south east Asia wodden structures.
Great Grandmother Africa manifested the human race as every human being on Earth has the same mitochondrial DNA which point to the fact that we all descend from the same group of women in Sub Saharan Africa. Africa has made countless contributions to humanity from textiles ,art, culture, natural architecture , jewelry!Great video!
Another video on African architecture? Yay!
And it's on the architecture of the Kingdom of Bamum? Bigger Yay!
I had no idea that there were arguments about the structures of African buildings in African countries. Why do people argue about everything Black and African people do? Sometimes things are done. And sometimes Black and African people do those things. There's amazing stuff EVERYWHERE.
So there's no need for people to be all like, "What?! Africans? building that?! No way! Never!"
What's the big deal? Why do people want to discredit everything? A building is a building. Just because you think the building is cool doesn't mean you have to fight tooth and nail to prove that that building isn't African somehow. People are crazy! There are great buildings everywhere!
Sometimes you wanna say, "Relax, Bro. there are buildings, and amazing cultural things everywhere. You don't have to slander Black people because you saw some buildings that you thought were cool. It doesn't make you any less white (or whatever other race you are) If you think, 'Hey, I think that African thing (building, food, song, clothes, etc) is cool! I like it.'"
Why not see it, and just go about your day? It's not like you're gonna think that way about African stuff again. If you are racist, it's normally just a fluke that you happen to like that thing made by the people you hate/don't like. That's life.
This video is crazy! I had no idea there were people discrediting building structures. What's left? 😟
They think we can't do anything! It's just a building! 😠
Why would they go a mile and a half for a building! This is nuts! There are many cultures that can make roofs, bricks, and carvings/designs. EVERYONE DOES THAT! YOU CAN'T GET THAT FROM SOMEWHERE BECAUSE EVERYONE DOES THAT!
HOW CAN THEY ACCUSE US OF STEALING SOMETHING SO UNIVERSAL???!!!! 😡
What's next? Air?!
"Hmm... I don't know. I think Africans stole breathing from White people! Uh, oh! How dare they?! Can't they think of anything original on their own? Why are they always stealing common life necessities? Darn those Africans!"
Yeah, if you can't tell, I'm just done. Nothing against you, but this video really took me there. 🙁
But that's not your fault. I do realize that.
wow, this style of African precolonial architecture is impressive. It almost resembles traditional Japanese and Chinese architecture
Great video my friend. Always fun to work with you! :D
I can't understand how anyone can see any of this and think it's anything but a product of the local culture, specifically material culture.
The local people of Zimbabwe and Kilwa think ghost or Aliens built the structures around them, so why wouldn't someone think someone eles built them..
@@soda8736 there's crazies for everything. There are brits who think aliens built the stonehenge.
@@soda8736 Stop lying in Zimbabwe today it is taught that racists did not want us to claim our history and attributed it to aliens, Europe While at it when the Portuguese came to Zimbabwe a period of 100yers from the 1600s all kings where there to this day people in rural areas still built houses stones and bricks that resemble great Zimbabwe. Our culture has no concept of out of space beings only One God who created everything , angels, evil spririts and ancestors who communicate with God on our behalf that is it.
@@soda8736No they don't you white supremacist
Cool! It is interesting to see how German colonizers operated here compared to Namibia in the same period. The king probably heard of the atrocities and decided to spare his people the same fate. Fortunately a lot of knowledge has been retained about these beautiful structures and I would hope that at some point this will get a revival.
What they got up to down there was horrific.
These are the same people today policing Africans on 'human rights.'
He gave the king a back handed complement
Facts 😂
I just found your channel and I'm so excited! I'm a travel blogger and I recently started to create travel videos. My favorite continent to travel to is Africa. I'm obsessed with African history and culture and I love that I can get travel ideas from your channel!
That's awesome. I aspire to do the same thing in the future. I'd love to be able to visit and show the places that I discuss in my videos first hand.
@@FromNothingI hope you get to go as well! You deserve it. This is such good work and well-needed since so many of us didn't learn about all of the incredible things from African history, but we should have. Thank you for creating these accurate and historical videos. I plan to binge-watch many of these in the next few weeks!
Thank you so much! I'll check out yours as well.
very solid video
i had no idea a kingdom like this existed in the cameroonian grasslands
also shoutout to hausa architecture was great !
African architecture is so beautiful and unique amongst the whole continent! I know people always look at Egyptian architecture as the epitome of african culture, but in my opinion, sub Saharan African architecture was always more impressive to me. Mainly because sub Saharan African architects didn't have the recourses like Egypt had, but they still made beautiful cities, like the one you showed us today. Eventually one day, we will see african architecture like this in video games, anime and other media. Thank you for another great video!
Thank you!!! And yes that is my end goal with this content and community. I want popular media and culture to develop genres and trends on the backbone of African history and culture represented with as much respect and dignity as European and Asian civilizations.
Please refrain from the term "Sub Saharan." It is a derogatory term that undermines African achievements.
@@2pafc_online I didn't mean it in a disrespectful way, but I understand nevertheless.
I don't understand why people are so suddenly getting offended by that term. There is nothing offensive about it whatsoever.
@FromNothing Then you don't understand what you are saying\is being said @"SUB SAHARAN"!!! WHICH TODAY IS USED TO DESIGNATE "B-L-A-C-K"!!!
Still doing awesome man! Learning quite a bit.
Sir the journey you are embarking on is indefinite. There is no turning back. Welcome brother.
Love learning about the urban design in African antiquety. Growing up when all of this information was obscured by racist archeologists describing anything natively African as "native detritus", it's really refreshing to see what was really there.
Gorgeous!
Also agree the classic wooden palace looked way better than it's replacement.
I love this dude man💯a non racist, non bias person telling nothing but the truth and facts
THANK YOU FOR SAYING "EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE" I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEEEEEEEEEARS STOP CALLING IT MUD. It's not mud. mud is just dirt and water, earthern architecture are specific earth based elements mixed with water, it's not the same. It why people call American "mud" architecture "adobe" but African architecture of the same material is called mud.
Your videos always make me feel proud of my ancestors. Thank you for all of your amazing content!
Based off of that map, that building was huge! There was a ton of rooms on that thing.
How prejudiced do you have to be to assume that any impressive innovation a culture shows must be the influence of outside forces?
Yout just had to be a typical early 20th century European to think that way. Nowadays you have to be friends with Mr.Bigot
Because when they saw how the current people were living primitive it didn't make sense. Also the local people dont even claim those structures most of time. They often have superstitions about them. So its not crazy that somebody from another place with not a whole understanding of the entire Africa could think someone else built the structures..
bro you killed this video
This is where Versace got his famous signature emblem, from the Bamun people of Cameroon! 🇨🇲
as a european all of these have a distinct black design.
This is fascinating, and supports the view that building with stone is not inherently more sophisticated.
That argument in the middle had me dying
Affirmation, Civilization began in Africa
Really great information. It’s encouraging to learn that some colonialism wasn’t the worst of the worst and that some Europeans got along with Africans without brutally exploiting them. It doesn’t make colonialism overall any better but it provides welcome relief and stories of triumph instead of of the standard narrative that makes things look so completely one-sided.
Colonisation operates at a systemic level. Even in the most brutal colonies there were some Europeans who got along well with Africans. Especially the missionary societies who would even lobby against their own countrymen on the side of the natives. But at a systemic level every single colonial system in Africa had one purpose, to exploit the natives for the benefit of Europeans and this cannot be overstated. Those who mean well do not have to political influence of the social and economic elite.
@@user-vw6bk4pb4l that -- is brilliant analysis and absolutely right. The Cameroonians by cooperating with the German colonizers avoided the horrific brutality German colonizers inflicted in Benin and the rest of West Africa they colonized. Thanks for pointing that out. We must never lose sight of that. God bless you and yours.
you cracked the secret code of hut construction
Fascinating how old palace was this beautifull impresive structure with lot of craft and art put into it and new one looks like every other unkempt zámek but even lamer.
Africa is so big, we in the US struggle to comprehend how culturally diverse that continent is. Maybe Europeans are better at this, since there are so many different countries close by. It would be strange if someone thought that all Europeans were like the Italians. Similarly, if we look at different areas in Africa we will find many cultures, languages, and traditions, not just one.
I love learning new things like this! Thanks :)
Jabari, ❤ your insights and information keep the videos up please
Im so glad i found this video! We've always created beautiful things, and i want to tap into that.
This channel is so helpful for making my comic! 👊
Please don’t forget that most if not all of the great pyramids of Egypt were built and constructed mainly by African/black folks. Ethiopia also had great structures way before any European or Muslim entered their mind or sight.
Stop trying to include Egypt in every conversation about African civilizations, other farucan kingdoms have the right to their own credit without having to speak about Egyptians
"Return the Slab, or Suffer my Curse!"
Gorgeous buildings and architecture.
Great video!!
I do want to add that the german history in Kamerun is unfortunately very bloody. In the southern parts they had rubber plantations that easily rivaled Leopoldian Congo in cruelty
Great video. The culture of the Bamenda grasslands is fascinating. I also love their architecture. 👍
Really enjoyed it brother
I never get tired of being addressed as a denizen of the empire!
1:17 Nah, but I'm going to give them to the humans in my TRPG. Goblins just don't seem appropriate.
Thank you for speaking for us
New Sub. Xcited to be here 🙏🏾
Correction: 15:00 Should be Akauku, not Akuaka.
Hey bro where can I find sources on this topic?
Africa has the most diverse influential architecture
@glchouin on a certain bird 🐦 app is involved in a dig in Ile-Ife, Nigeria that has discovered a paved road dated to the 13th c.
Yes potsherd pavement was practiced in many Yoruba and Edo cities in the past.
@@FromNothing Yes, they've found that and those stone paved. Dig is still on.
@@FromNothingI would have expected stone paving, given the climate being prone to tropical downpours and localized flooding. Looking forward to more information about this.
@@k.c1126 Well potsherd pavement is just as resilient because it's composed of fired clay. Essentially the same material as a red brick.
@@wkw2693 What?
Where can I find more information on the akuaka writing system?
I said it wrong, it's Akauku
Nice.
could you do a video on the lies we haven't built more than two storey building back in the days
12:40. Tokyo, or more specifically is skyscrapers IS a mimick. Sorry but it is. They should have at least tried to make their traditional designs more prominent
Nobody in their right mind would call Tokyo a copy of ... oh boy, a bit of Japanese history is necessary to unpack this complexity, don't underestimate the ability of westerner to find inferior anything not done like them OR done like them, it's a trap, let's say there is a reason in france the word japonism is almost a slurs
Amazing ❤
I love the series so much but the eyes of the cartoon scare me so much ngl 😭😭
This is how westerners operate. They have a mindset then develop the narative to suit the presumed bias.
I do Not have time right now to watch more than just the intro. I think it is so funny when somebody says that something is too beautiful to be built by xxxxxxxx xxxxxx. Get real. Every culture, every civilization loves beauty. Sometimes survival overwhelms beauty. Think about it, where did man start his ascent to where we are not today?
W video as always.
I find almost amazing how racists always use the same rhetoric when it comes to african architecture :
- "Africans can't build this".
When proven wrong
- "They got foreign influence"
When remembered every civilisation, especially eurasian ones, got foreign influences
- "Well, it is not that impressive anyway" or "it was just instinct".
I mean, why do these guys hate Africa so much ? It's not like acknowledging Africa's genius is gonna belittle Europe's. But for some reason, they seem to think it would.
The gospel of white supremacy ..
thanks
ARE THESE MY ANCESTORS, AND WHY THEY NEVER TAUGHT ME IN SCHOOL.
I thought it was the "Shumon" script that was used by the Bamoun people
There were a few precurses, but the final one is the Akauku script. (I spelled and pronounced it wrong in the video). Shumom was a secret language.
@@FromNothing I saw a lot of carvings on drums and poles when I was a kid. We were told they were worshiping idols. NOT realizing it was just artists signing their names. 😥
There is this book called "Stealing From The Saracens", i haven't read it yet, i've only watched youtube videos with the author, Diana Darke, some excerpts from the book and so.. These saracen people appear to be presented as (white!) arabs, in history books aswell as in the book's story/line. A book review from you in the near future, is possible?
The bamun kingdom got their own writing system they still use today back then before the last king only priest secret society know how king njoya where the first one who want everyone in his kingdom to write and read not just the elite that why some believe he invented the writing system fun facts the new king who visited the German museum this year seat on
His great grandfather thrown after 115 years took by the German
you wanna look at ancient Indian temples. Unreal
👍🏿👍🏿💪🏿💪🏿👏🏿👏🏿
❤❤❤
This Immigration problem shows what a waste of time and how incompetent the EU is. Fuck all clue or interest in solving it.
I'm From England btw 👋
Facts i too felt the same that's its mostly mud huts
So if you saw a mud hut next to a grand structure , would you think the same people built it?
Check Francis Kere designs.
Already did. I truly hope his designs become more widespread in Africa.
Talents are given to human beings not based on their colour.... those beautiful ancient buildings were built by humans
interesting
10 seconds in i can see where this is going 🙄
these devil's was leaving in caves eating each other when African leaving good life
Africans tribes lived in caves until 1900s ( Nok caves) all peoples in different continents lived in caves. And all people at one point practiced canablism. Even Africans buddy.
🧿🔩🧿
?
@@FromNothing just fun pictures. A comment for the algorithm. Lol
The modern version is kind of ugly.
Sorry but where is the first episode?
It's publicly available on my channel. There is also a Playlist for this series.
🗿👍
Just think how much we could accomplish if we weren’t always so focused on race and trying to prove one’s own superiority or another’s inferiority. Cultures wax and wane as the confluence of intelligence and creativity enter into a culture. Building is a human trait, it will be influenced by the level of obtainable technology and the realities of the environment. People’s have always migrated and “good” ideas will migrate with them and be adopted by where they end up. So let’s focus on the amazing power of human creativity, ingenuity and drop all the racial undertones
to be fair to the mzungu critics, those buildings do look rather precarious structurally😅😂
Man.. let go of the past and just do something amazing now!
The mentality that you have right now is exactly why people try to avoid letting "history repeat itself." Knowledge of the past is how you preserve the good and get rid of the bad.
Cool video, but I almost didn't watch it, due to the current title with its racist undertone. There's no need for click-baiting such good content bro. The title would be more inviting by simply stating "Incredible Traditional Sub-Saharan Architecture".
First
The first shall be last !
Sorry, skyscrapers are not a japanese invention. They may give them a japanese feel, that's about it.
I never said they were a Japanese invention. You missed my entire point. I said that Tokyo is a Japanese city built from American influence. But it's not a "mimick."
Finally some true ancient african architecture.. but still, nothing as impressive as the great chinese wall, the aztec and mayan temples, and the buildings of the ancient roman empire
Ok
If you want something that more to you're taste look up Somalia anicent architecture.
It's a historical video essay on the aspects of old african architecture... No one even needs to be having a dick length contest for "validity" sake lol.
If this individual felt secure in their own sense of history they wouldn’t feel compelled to write this comment.
None of these are even beautiful let alone anywhere near comparable to what Europeans built. Why do you do this to yourself man? Just let it go. It's fine to have no architecture or anything of significance.
You are either trolling or being sarcastically in support of the video, “fine to have no architecture or anything of significance.”
@@AdamWood-dx7xm I'm not trolling or being sarcastic. It's time to let go of the copeium and just accept the reality as it is. I mean for crying out loud there are small towns in Albania, one of Europe's poorest and smallest countries that have more architectural, cultural and historical significance than anything built in pre colonial Sub-Saharan Africa put together. Just look at Gjirokastra and it's 12th century fortress and 16th century bazaar. Nothing in Sub-Saharan Africa comes close to a tiny town in Southern Albania. That's embarrassing.
@@AdamWood-dx7xm Because they haven’t contributed anything to ancient or modern civilization. 0 architecture, 0 important empires, 0 inventions, 0 impressive landmarks etc. Always been a net negative and burden on humanity. Their burden will only grow as their population keeps exploding. The future for planet earth is really bleak.
@@bletrick3352 The Mali Empire solos your argument.
@@dotenks No, it really doesn’t, like at all.
Your Video Title seems to be racist. Better check your heart Brother, it's out of wack.