Ouagadougou:Professor Lassina Simpore, a lecturer and researcher in the history and archaeology department at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, has called for a critical re-evaluation of African historical concepts inherited from colonial historiography. He emphasized that decolonizing knowledge should involve reforming school programs, promoting African languages, and increasing political commitment.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Professor Simpore delivered these remarks during a presentation titled "Rethinking African history through a decolonization of certain concepts to build the future" at the first international symposium on sovereignty in Ouagadougou. He argued that colonial historiography has marginalized and distorted the history of African societies, and these misrepresentations persist in educational curricula and societal attitudes.

Professor Simpore criticized the use of terms like "discovery" in reference to European explorers' arrival in Africa, noting that such language overlooks the pre-existing civilizations. He also highlighted expressions such as "people without history" and "primitive civilization" as contributing to a biased historical narrative. He advocated for an intellectual reconstruction that recognizes the diversity of historical sources and suggested replacing derogatory terms with more accurate descriptors.

He urged public authorities to take action by revising educational curricula, overhauling textbooks, and enhancing teacher training. Additionally, he recommended integrating the decolonization of knowledge into cultural and memorial policies and supporting research by African scholars. Professor Simpore concluded by calling for a broader societal and governmental effort to deconstruct colonial historiography's lingering concepts.