AFRICAN HERITAGE, IDENTITY AND SUSTAINABILITY: NAVIGATING GLOBALIZATION AND POST-COLONIAL REALITIES
The present work on “African Heritage, Identity and Sustainability: Navigating Globalization and Post-Colonial Realities” is proudly rooted in the rich soil of our African heritage, culture, and identity, which are the very essence of our being. From the majestic pyramids of Egypt to the vibrant markets of Lagos, our heritage is a testament to the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience of the African people, and above all, our Is-ness. Yet, for centuries, our culture has been subjected to erasure, appropriation, and marginalization. Our identities have been distorted, silenced, and fragmented. The legacy of colonialism, slavery, and oppression has left deep scars, threatening to disconnect us from our roots. This background reveals not only the beauty but also the significance of this work. This book is one of the products of the 2024 International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS), held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, 22 – 25 May, 2024. Immense thanks to the Emmanuel Kanu Educational Foundation for their generous support, which made this conference possible. This work of several chapters by scholars of the Association for the Promotion of African studies, seeks to reclaim, rediscover, and celebrate the beauty, diversity, and complexity of African heritage, culture, and identity. Through the voices, stories, and experiences of Africans across the diaspora sounding in this work, it aims at weaving a tapestry of our shared humanity. It explores the intricate threads of tradition and modernity, the struggles and triumphs, the pain and the joy. It delves into the nuances of identity, belonging, and citizenship, and examines the ways in which our heritage informs our present and shapes our future.
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