Pre-colonial African history and culture were closely connected to traditional leadership, where leaders played a significant role in commissioning art to showcase their power and authority. Some African societies practiced consensus-building similar to democratic systems, challenging the idea that democracy originated solely from the West.
Pre-colonial African history and culture were deeply intertwined with traditional leadership. In Africa, before European colonization, various forms of traditional leadership existed. Centralized states were ruled by chiefs or kings, while in less centralized societies, power was shared among family heads, elders, or local institutions.
Leaders in these societies were often considered semidivine and played a crucial role in commissioning art that symbolized their wealth and power, reinforcing their political authority. Many societies practiced forms of discussion and consensus-building akin to democratic systems, challenging the notion that democracy was exclusively a Western invention.