Cheick Anta Diop: African Intellectual Legacy and the Importance of Hieroglyphics

In August 1983, UNESCO organized a colloquium in Brazzaville on "the writing of the general history of Africa." Professor Cheick Anta Diop served as the moral authority, chairing the international scientific committee. He was interviewed by a journalist from Télé-Congo, the public television of Congo-Brazzaville. Diop emphasized the importance of Africans reclaiming their intellectual and cultural roots to reconcile with themselves and human history. He advocated for the study of African classical humanities. He also highlighted the significance of understanding the symbolic thought encoded in language, referencing the kuni [prononcer kouni] language, specifically the verb "ku kode" {ku code} [prononcer kou kodé], meaning to educate, mold, or forge. He noted a correlation between what is coded in the human brain and what is carved in stone, such as hieroglyphs in ancient Egypt. He argued that studying Egyptology and hieroglyphs is essential for Africans to understand their heritage and the intellectual achievements of ancient Egyptians. He underscored that the ancient Egyptians, through hieroglyphs, preserved their civilization's knowledge for over five thousand years. He suggested that hieroglyphs should be taught across Africa, from primary school to university, as a testament to African intellect and creativity.