Precolonial: meaning, definitions and examples
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precolonial
[ ˌpriː.kəˈloʊ.ni.əl ]
historical context
The term 'precolonial' refers to the period and state of societies before the establishment of colonial rule by foreign powers. In many regions, this encompasses the rich cultural, social, and political structures that existed independently of colonial influence. Precolonial societies often had their unique systems of governance, trade, and community life, which were drastically altered or erased by colonization. The study of precolonial history is crucial in understanding the impact of colonialism and the resilience of indigenous cultures over time.
Synonyms
ante-colonial, pre-colonial, pre-colonization
Examples of usage
- Precolonial African kingdoms had complex governance systems.
- Many precolonial cultures valued oral traditions.
- Archaeologists study precolonial artifacts to learn about past societies.
Translations
Translations of the word "precolonial" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pré-colonial
🇮🇳 पूर्व उपनिवेशिक
🇩🇪 vorkolonial
🇮🇩 pra-kolonial
🇺🇦 передколоніальний
🇵🇱 przedkolonialny
🇯🇵 植民地前の
🇫🇷 précolonial
🇪🇸 precolonial
🇹🇷 sömürge öncesi
🇰🇷 식민지 이전의
🇸🇦 ما قبل الاستعمار
🇨🇿 předkoloniální
🇸🇰 predkoloniálny
🇨🇳 前殖民的
🇸🇮 predkolonialni
🇮🇸 fyrir nýlendu
🇰🇿 колонияға дейінгі
🇬🇪 წინამდებარე კოლონიური
🇦🇿 koloniyadan əvvəlki
🇲🇽 precolonial
Etymology
The term 'precolonial' originated in the mid-20th century, combining the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' with 'colonial', which is derived from 'colony'. The word 'colony' itself comes from the Latin 'colonia', meaning 'settlement', and was used to describe territories governed by foreign powers. As scholars began to focus more on non-Western histories and the effects of colonization, 'precolonial' emerged as a useful descriptor for the time before colonial rule. This concept has become significant in post-colonial studies, as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding indigenous cultures and histories prior to colonial disruptions. The increasing interest in precolonial studies has underscored the value of indigenous knowledge and the complexities of historical narratives that include both precolonial and colonial perspectives.