The modern effects of ethnic separation in Africa created by Colonialism

February is Black History Month. Learn how European Colonialism in the 19th century was responsible for defining borders to separate African ethnic groups, and how that has lead to many of the current conflicts in these countries.

Distribute to students the gray-scale PDF map of Africa and talk about how these borders caused many peoples to find themselves divided into two or three different geographical sections, each belonging to a different colony.

To illustrate this point, ask the students to look on the map at Senegal, a nation that completely surrounds The Gambia. This division is due to Senegal's history as a colony of France and The Gambia's history as a colony of Britain. In an agreement between France and Britain, the two colonial powers established these borders in 1889.

Ask the students to read the Population sections from the CultureGrams reports of these West African nations: Senegal; The Gambia; Mauritania; Mali; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; and Ivory Coast.

Have them identify which of these countries are home to the Wolof ethnic group. Which are home to the Malinke ethnic group (also spelled Malinke, Mandingo, Mandinga, or Mandinka)?

Lead a discussion about some of the possible effects of having ethnic groups divided by national borders. Ask students to find a news article about a current or recent conflict in Africa. Does the article identify ethnic tensions as a factor in the conflict?