Restoring our daemons
G. A. Bradshaw
March 22, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9780429484728-15 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Key points | Argues that despite colonial damage and wildlife decline, the African wilderness possesses a formidable, transformative power that resists complete Western domination, as evidenced by the failure of Western technologies and styles to retain their identity there. |
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Abstract
My awakening to James’ idea of cosmic consciousness occurred in another land, far away, in Africa, where humanity itself is said to have emerged. The African wilderness has also been beaten down by colonial possession. The damage there is pervasive. In the southern and eastern regions the most noticeable impact is the wildlife. Elephants, lions, and other iconic species teeter on the edge of extinction (Bradshaw, 2009). Compared to times before occupation, wildlife now is but a tiny fraction. However, western civilization seems to have a harder time retaining its mark on the African landscape compared to its American counterpart. There is something formidable in Africa’s nature that defies complete surrender. Trucks fail to withstand penetrating red dust and piercing rocks and ruts of African roads and try as they might, western styles lose their identity of origin. Baseball caps and t-shirts reduce to mere accents when adorned. Yes, as innumerable travellers attest, Africa is powerful magic.