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- Convenor:
-
Dmitri Van den Bersselaar
(Universität Leipzig)
- Stream:
- History, politics and urban studies
- Location:
- Khalili Lecture Theatre
- Start time:
- 12 September, 2006 at
Time zone: Europe/London
- Session slots:
- 1
Short Abstract:
none
Long Abstract:
'Modernity' was central ! to late colonial as well as independent Africa. Linked to the notion of 'development', the project of modernity was of crucial relevance during the period of decolonisation, when departing colonial governments, African nationalists, expatriate business, African middle classes, and newly independent African states all mobilised images of modernity in support of their respective agendas. This panel examines the questions of what were these images of modernity? why were they so widely shared? how were they produced, consumed, and interpreted? and: what happened to the project of modernity following the initial independence period?
Accepted papers:
Session 1Stephanie Decker (LSE)
Paper long abstract:
During the 1950s the Gold Coast and Nigeria saw a number of official building projects, for example the Kumasi institute, that equipped the 'new nations' with appropriately impressive architectural artefacts, many of which were starkly out of place compared to the existing indigenous architecture, new private buildings and colonial-style houses. The architecture of British business establishments also underwent a decisive change during decolonisation, emulating many of the official building projects in their decidedly modernist style. (Most of the evidence presented comes from the two imperial banks, Bank of British West Africa and Barclays Bank DCO, which embarked on programme of rebuilding old branches and establishing new ones.)This paper argues that British firms intended to realise a number of objectives with this investment: by participating in the new symbolism of progress and modernity, they gained the goodwill of African politicians, notables and customers. New buildings provided solid evidence of their intention to invest in a new infrastructure of services in the country and it underlined companies' intention to outstay the Empire and become part of the economic set-up of the soon to be independent states.
Ola Uduku (Univesrity of Liverpool)
Paper long abstract:
This paper examines the power of the built environment, in shaping the socio-political imagery of the nascent independent nation states in Africa from the late 1950s to the end of the 1960s. It tests the thesis that the new 'international-style modern' architecture and planning that was adopted after the Second World War, became synonymous with progress and the development aspirations of the newly independent republics. By using three case studies, one educational, one residential and one commercial, it examines the visual significance of these edifices in influencing the view and imagery of progress and development in newly emerging nation states. Its conclusion comprises a critique of the success of these edifices then - in the 1960s, and their legacy now, - 50 years, on as images embodying a past era of thwarted progress.
Dmitri Van den Bersselaar (Universität Leipzig)
Paper long abstract:
Following World War II, references to progress and modernity were frequently used in West Africa to sell policies, politicians, commodities, and services. During the 1950s and 1960s, advertising for a diverse range of products, including cigarettes, cosmetics, air travel, banking, beer, whiskey, and schnapps gin, evoked connections with an international world that was modern, successful, and ambitious. By 1970, however, marketing for schnapps gin specifically had changed to allude to African tradition and a link to the traditional status of chiefs and elders. This paper examines why producers chose the language of modernity to sell schnapps gin in West Africa, why African consumers rejected the claim that schnapps gin was 'modern', and why they responded positively to advertising that positioned it as 'traditional'. This exploration provides insights into the various ways in which the concept of 'modernity' was used and interpreted on a day-to-day level during the decolonisation era. The sources used for the paper include local Nigerian and Ghanaian newspapers; oral history interviews with consumers in Ghana and Nigeria; as well as the company archives of distillers. The paper contributes to our understanding of the cultural history of the decolonisation era, and to a developing literature on marketing and consumption of imported commodities in twentieth-century Africa.