A school history teacher recently shared an intriguing encounter in the “My Turn” column: a curious pupil bluntly asked why they should bother learning about people who were long gone. To this student, history seemed like a dusty archive of tales about the deceased—irrelevant to the vibrant realities of the living. It was a stark reminder of how some see the past as nothing more than a graveyard of forgotten figures.
Nothing could be further from the truth! Humanity is a seamless continuum, intricately woven with threads of the past, present, and future. None of these elements stands alone, nor can one be deemed more significant than the others. The past shapes the present, and the present lays the foundation for the future. Who we are today is a direct result of who we were yesterday, and the decisions we make now will chart the course for where we find ourselves tomorrow. History is an integral part of humanity for several compelling reasons, as outlined below:
History serves as a mirror, reflecting who we are, where we come from, and the path we have traveled as societies. It offers a rich tapestry of humanity’s cultural, social, and intellectual evolution, helping us understand not just our origins but the forces that have shaped our identity and way of life.
Furthermore, history is a wellspring of lessons and wisdom. By examining the triumphs and missteps of the past, we glean insights that shape our values and guide our choices for the future. It empowers humanity to avoid repeating old mistakes while building on previous achievements. Take the cabinet crisis of 1964, for instance—it serves as a powerful case study, offering practical lessons on navigating challenges to avert similar outcomes today.
Moreover, history is the foundation upon which cultural identities, traditions, and shared experiences are built. It bridges generations, fostering a deep sense of belonging and continuity. The people of the Bible exemplified this connection to history—they never lost their bond to the Hebrew patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Even today, Jews proudly trace their heritage back to Abraham. In contrast, many African family lines seldom stretch beyond the memories of a great-grandfather or great-grandmother, leaving a gap in the continuity that history so profoundly provides.
It should be added that history shines a spotlight on humanity’s moral and ethical struggles – wars, injustices, revolutions – provoking deep reflection on what it truly means to be human. Through this reflection, we begin to see how the struggles of the past have indelibly shaped the world we live in today. Consider the profound social impact of the mfecane in Southern Africa, the mass migration of Nguni peoples in the nineteenth century.
Finally, the historical record of humanity’s scientific, artistic, and social advancements highlights our boundless creativity and resilience. Consider the example of Great Zimbabwe, the magnificent stone city built by the Karanga people in what is now Zimbabwe. When European explorers first encountered these awe-inspiring structures, they refused to believe that Africans could have been their architects, attributing the work to alien peoples. However, the historical evidence firmly points to the local African population as the brilliant minds behind the city. As David Clement Scott, a Church of Scotland missionary at Blantyre Mission in the late nineteenth century, aptly observed, “You cannot believe what an African is capable of until you try him.” This enduring truth underscores history’s role in showcasing the extraordinary potential of humanity.
The tragedy we face today is that many of our young people fail to see the value of history, eagerly avoiding it in their pursuits. An even deeper tragedy lies with those following international school curricula, who may study history but none of it local. They learn about European explorers like Mungo Park, Vasco da Gama, and Christopher Columbus, while remaining ignorant of African icons like Mansa Musa, Mwenemutapa, or Kalonga Muzura. While lessons from distant lands are valuable, those from our own heritage hold deeper relevance.
It is disheartening to meet young people unaware of the significance of Martyrs’ Day, commemorated every 3rd of March. They have no knowledge of the events that led to the tragic loss of lives in Nkhata Bay, Mulanje, and other parts of Malawi following the Federal Government’s 1959 State of Emergency in Nyasaland. This crackdown aimed to suppress growing dissent among locals demanding the dissolution of the Federation. Many do not even know that Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and Nyasaland (now Malawi) were once forcibly joined into a Federation, governed as one entity. This ignorance deprives us of the lessons and pride that come from understanding our shared struggles and victories.