2 - Le discours des officiers soudanais sur les peuples du Soudan occidental de 1850 aux années 1900: l'africanisme français à l'époque de l'expansion militaire

par Mamadou Moustapha Kane

Résumé

The triumphal emergence of neoclassical theory with its emphasis on internal constraints to development over- generalization and notions of economic irrationality, passivity and atavism of people in developing countries revives the shadow of colonialist discourse. In Africa , it nurtures a deepening of Afro-pessimism. The numerous documents produçed by colonial officers in the second half of the 19th century are often considered as "primary data" by Afiricanists. it is often neglected that the military officers embarked upon the exploration and systematization of information on African people in the context of imperial expansion. "As good" Europeans of their time , these officers considered Africans as disorganized , lazy, easy-going, naive and atavistic people with under-developed arts , industries, literature and religions. When confronted with fierce resistance , they perceived nationalist leaders as tyrants , terrorists and fanatics. Ethnic groups were classified as "good" or "bad" depending on the degree of hostility or resignation vis-à-vis the imperial project. Based on racism and a product of low intellectual standard, the literature was characterized by limited perception of cultural relativity and a tendency towards over-generalization.