The changing role of the Africanist

The new conception of the Africanist’s role (to keep abreast of the theoretical concerns and findings within his discipline, the study of some facet of African culture and society, the understanding of the specific process that is identified as development or modernization) differs in many aspects from the approaches of the older professional Africanists, whose work was more often discriptive than analytical, and concerned with the unique rather than with general implications. The author ascertains the specific ways in which the contemporary Africanist can present a challenge and stimulus to other professionals as well as to those with a common concern either for Africa or for the broad issues of development.