Mbarara University of Science and Technology
DVS 1203 Political Economy of Africa and Development
Tutorial Discussion
Qn 1: Discuss the factors that facilitated state formation
in Pre-Colonial Africa
Approach
Define a state
Explain briefly that pre-colonial Africa had states i.e. Centralized
Kingdoms like Yoruba states, Zulu, Ethiopia, Mali, Dahomey, Buganda,
Bunyoro, Rwanda, Burundi e.t.c
Pre-Colonial states had achieved or were in the process of achieving
statehood (state formation) by explaining the characteristics of a state
e.g. Government (there existed arms of government like the Executive
headed by the King and hierarchy of chiefs, Parliament and Judiciary)
Territory, Population, Sovereignty, Instruments of coercion like the
army e.t.c
Discuss the factors that facilitated state formation which include:
Presence of strong and charismatic leaders like Kabalega, Shaka Zulu,
Samori Toure, Mwanga e.t.c. These leaders provided leadership,
engaged in wars for state expansion e.t.c.
Military strength/Army. These kingdoms had standing armies which
provided defense against enemies, engaged in conquering neighbors
for more territory. Examples include the Abarusura of Bunyoro, the
Buganda army e.t.c
Existence of political systems of government headed by the Kings. The
kings’ orders and decisions were implemented by the hierarchy of
chiefs. This made it possible for these kings to exercise their authority.
State Ideology and use of state symbols like coat of arms, regalia.
Kingdoms used symbols of spears, lions, leopard, shield to symbolize
power and authority.
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Religion which provided order and stability in society. Kings were
believed to be divine and godly. As argued by the Divine Right of Kings
theory, kings were seen as God’s agents, able to speak to God and
having authority and power that came from God. These beliefs enabled
kings enjoy respect and power reducing on opposition and
disobedience from the population.
Presence of natural resources like gold, iron ore, salt. These were
sources of revenue for the kingdoms through trade with neighboring
states
Trade. Towns emerged on trade routes like Timbuktu, Cairo, Gao e.t.c.
Trade was also a source of revenue for the kingdoms through taxation.
Geographical location and physical features like lakes, rivers (fishing,
settlement along water bodies, [Link], R. Niger, [Link], [Link]
e.t.c)
Favorable climate that favored agriculture
Fertile soils which favored agriculture
Presence of small scale industries e.g. salt mining in Bunyoro and
Tooro, canoe/boat industry in Busoga, cloth industry in old Kongo
kingdom, bark cloth industry in Buganda, papermaking, sugar refining
and distillation of gasoline in Egypt
Technological development (blacksmiths, artisans, science, universities
of Sankore in the city of Timbuktu,
Collaboration with the outside world e.g. Buganda got guns from the
Arabs
Mining e.g. extensive mining of gold in the forest of modern Ghana
that supplied the trans-Saharan gold trade , copper mining in Katanga
and Zambia, iron ore mining in Sierra Leone
Cultures (languages, beliefs, norms e.t.c) which provided stability,
unity, order, belonging and these are foundations for nation state
building, nationalism e.t.c
Any other relevant points/ideas
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Conclusion
N.B The above points can be used to answer the question below:
Qn 2: Discuss the factors that facilitated development in
Pre-Colonial Africa
Approach
Introduction where students define, explain and give examples of
pre-colonial societies
Define development
Raise an argument that pre-colonial societies had achieved socio-
economic and political development before contact with Europeans.
Refute the argument by Euro-centric scholars that development and
civilization in Africa started with the coming of Europeans
(Missionaries, Explorers, Trading Companies and colonialists).
Discuss the above given factors that facilitated development in pre-
colonial Africa.
Conclusion with an emphasis that pre-colonial African societies had
developed before colonialism