On the Evolution of the Philosophy of African History: An Afro-Arab Perpective

Abstract:
     Writing the African history, and its philosophical approaches, is a very critical precondition in our seek to understand Africa's current position and future. Although the continent itself is considered, at the very beginning, the real cradle of human race and its early civilizations, the present topic (Evolution of African Philosophy of History) still a problematic one, notably for the African academic communities. Until today, thinkers raise doubts on the very existence of a solid African Philosophy of History. This leads us to ask rational questions such as: Is there any form of the independent African Philosophy of History? If yes, what about its basic features and fundamentals? How far Arab historians involved in this issue and what about their vision to it? And what is the Arabic contributions to this project since early 20th century to the post-colonial era in Africa?
   The paper is trying to study the overall topic from its several aspects: methodologically, critically, and traditional concept of the historical subjectivity. The paper also tended to challenge the "ready-made ideologies" that have been followed by a punch of pan-Africanist historians during the previous century. This tendency was originally a main aim of the paper, in order to deconstruct the concept of African Philosophy of History and to provide preliminary critical insights, which, in turn, could be subject to further studies and reviews. In addition, the paper paid such attention to criticizing the Eurocentric ideas and philosophy of histories.
     The paper, accordingly, tended to discuss wide range of questions such as the very idea of History, its philosophy, evolution and African pioneers (in Africa and the diaspora). The paper also provided in-depth discussions to the Pan-Africanist historical writings, the Arab contributions in Africa's history writing (through two examples: Duse Mohammed Ali and the well-known Egyptian geographer Gamal Hamdan). The paper concluded with a brief discussion of the philosophy of the prominent African historian V. Mudimbe.