WHAT DO WE DO WITH AFRICAN COMMUNALISM?

Abstract

If the development of Africa shall be founded on African philosophy, the foundations of African philosophy must be strong, dynamic and clearly articulated. Communalism is arguably one of the cornerstones of African Philosophy. It has variously constituted foundation for African philosophy, framework for African personhood and touchstone for African identity. A number of African nationalist leaders sought to build the socio-political and economic structures of their nascent independent states on communalism. In the heat of the struggles, the exuberance of emergence and the confusion of neocolonialism, many scholars have made many claims for communalism that have evoked diverse critical reactions. While a number of the claims are difficult to substantiate, some of the reactions have also been extreme. Social life in post- independence African societies has also called to question the non-periodized claims on behalf of communalism. The undifferentiating reference to traditional mode of living, current social reality and/or philosophic notions and concepts of communalism has introduced much confusion in the discourse of communalism in African philosophy. This paper undertakes conceptual dialogue with the various participants in the African communalism symposium in order to unpack the confusion of reference and ascertain what foundation and service communalism as an African philosophy can constitute for and render to the present and future of African development.