Figure 1.--Even after World War II, images like this were common in Africa. This one is from a collective fishing near Yagoua in the far north of Cameroon (June 1958). These young Mossa women are not wearing clothes. Kirdi is a generic term for a heterogeneous grouping of several ethnic groups from northern Cameroon, that don't follow Islam. They include the Massa, Toupouri, Mafa, Tikar, Mofou and others. Their traditional culture is characterized by a very limited use of clothing. In some groups only the married women wore small loincloths. Children, teenagers and men wore nothing at all. The reasons for this were both by custom as well a population that could not aford clohing, especially for children. While De-Colonization was a huge dippointment, you no longer see cenes like this.

While De-Colonization did not lead to the huge, immediate improvements that were expected. In some cases conditions actually deteriorated. Overall condition's did improve. And this is clear from the photographic record. Given the elements working against the new nations (socialism, corruption, competence, tribal conflict, Cold War complications, port and other infrastructure, etc.), the failure of De-Colonization is understandable. But the question arises is why was progress made? Well one factor was surely the fact, that the wealth of the colonies were no siphoned off to the colonial power and foreign companies operating in the colonies. Another factor was the creation of public education systems. Academic quality varied, but even so wide-spread mass education began. And there was the beginning of the creation of some native technological and administrative capability that did not exist before DeColonization. This did nt bring Africa up to Western standards, but it did create a far superior situation to what existed during the colonial era. Foreign aid was of some benefit. This included bilateral foreign aid efforts as well as the United Nations and a range of NGO programs. Wide spread technological advantages in the West had some spill over impact. And there may have been other factors that wee are familiar with. Images of Africa before DeColonization show a population that often could not afford or could not be bothered with basic clothing. This is no longer the case in Africa, even with the children. There are also other indicators of improved life styles. We see cities clogged with cars and motor bikes as well as improving infrastructure. We now have percapita income data for most of the 200 or so countries around the world. Sub-Saharan African countries dominate the bottom of the list. This actually is an improvement given the fact that before DeColonization. much of the population was entirely outside the monied economy.

Created: 9:36 AM 2/9/2025
Last updated: 9:37 AM 2/9/2025