THE MEASUREMENT OF TIME IN AFRICA

Abstract

In this paper, I attempted to revisit the concept of time in Africa both during the precolonial and post- colonial times. Some scholars have alleged that Africans have no idea of time while some who refuted the former opined that if Africans ever have the faintest idea of time then their mode of measuring it is unscientific and unstandardized. I observed in this paper that indeed there is a peculiar mode of measuring time in Africa which is marked by events, landmarks, activities etc. which are contrary to the conventional western mechanisms and expressions. I contend that the idea of “absolutizing†western time over other traditions is denying them their uniqueness and their peculiarities that accurately define them. I propose the need for rigorous conversations among heterogeneous African traditions to single out a unique time for Africa that will capture all African peculiarities.