Most people do not know that prior to colonization Africa was one of the most lgbtq friendly and sex positive regions in the world. While gays were being hanged or burned alive on sticks in Europe women were marrying women in the Kamba tribe of present day Kenya and the Igbos of Nigeria. Ashanti kingdom of Ghana and the Hausa kingdom of present day Northern Nigeria allowed for effeminate men (called yan daudu) to marry men. Intersex people were given a new identity in different cultures or were allowed to identify in whatever way they wanted.
Enter the Europeans. After the conquer of Africa they imposed their conservative religious beliefs, introducing homophobia to African societies to “civilize” them. They criminalized lgbtq practices in their African colonies. 100 years later they turn around and then call the Africans homophobic and savage while patting themselves on the back for doing something that the Africans were already doing for centuries before they arrived.
i've always loved hearing about tribal views on sexuality. native americans recognize the "two-spirit" (a third non binary gender) and parts of mexico celebrate "muxe" (men whose gender expression is feminine). thank you for sharing! it really goes to show homophobia is mostly european and colonial.
i think it is awesome you shared this here bc s...... 2 reply
I think this post is a very good one!!!
I am glad to see that many pre-colonized African countries were lgbtq+ friendly before European colonization.
It makes me feel really sad that colonization has hidden and removed so many important aspects of history like this.
Maybe this info can't change the present but it does highlight how toxic homophobia...... reply
Okay that's interesting but you're not very neutral. I think you should be more partial when you're giving information that way. Your post seems to separate bad Europeans and good Africans without nuances. I haven't read your sources yet but it feels too manichaean and simplistic.
I am not denying Europeans' responsibility on the colonization mat...... reply