African contributions to European maps of Africa
A recent initiative to correct the way Africa is represented on maps has highlighted the need to re-examine the history of European map-making in Africa. According to a study, African guides and oral knowledge played a significant role in the creation of these maps, challenging the assumption that Europeans were solely responsible for them.
The study, which focused on colonial-era mapping of West Africa, found that much of the geographical information on these maps was based on African observations. European explorers relied on African guides, interpreters, and merchants to provide them with valuable information about the region.
For example, a French explorer's 1861 map of the Sahara was based on information provided by his guide, Cheikh-'Othmàn. In fact, more than a third of the map was based on local sources.
African guides and intermediaries not only provided geographical information but also helped European explorers navigate the region. They drew routes on the ground with sticks, indicating the distances between localities.
The study also found that African rulers often restricted European travel, resulting in blank spaces on the maps. However, this was not always due to a lack of knowledge, but rather a deliberate attempt to prevent European colonization.
Despite this, European mapmakers continued to use African knowledge to create maps that facilitated colonial conquest and territorial division. The study highlights the need to acknowledge the complex intercultural encounters that shaped the history of map-making in Africa.
