Explain the meaning of communalism

Communalism/communal as a term has been used to broadly designate a system of social
organization based on the holding of all property in common. Many scholars, both
African and non-African have argued that pre-colonial Africa had a communal economic
system. However, the same scholars are quick to point out that communalism declined in
importance as an economic system following the colonial conquest of Africa.

Thus, in Africa as in other parts of the world this economic system is noted as having
preceded other economic systems. Indeed Marx, Engels and Lenin concluded that society
evolved from this stage to higher forms. To these scholars, this evolution took place
along a regular and natural historical succession of socio-economic formations from
lower to higher stages of social production.

Communalism as an economic system is said to have been in vogue during the early
stages of man’s evolution. During this stage, as man evolved from Apes to Homo Sapiens
he/she lived by hunting and gathering food. He was extremely dependent on nature for
survival. Initially his tools were very primitive, comprising of crudely shaped stones and
wood. People lived in small groups of a few dozen individuals. Ecological risks e.g.
attacks from wild animals, hunger, natural disasters etc. made communal life extremely
necessary. Food acquisition and defence were collective responsibilities. Hunting availed
skins for clothing, bone for tools and meat which played a critical role in the physical and
mental development of man. A landmark in the life of early/primitive man and his
struggle with nature was the discovery of fire, its uses and applications. Fire was used as
a defence against cold and wild animals. It was also used to make tools and to
prepare/preserve food. It is also partly because of the invention of fire that man was able
to spread over a wider area.

The physical and mental development of man also facilitated improvements in tools. This
in turn made great strides in food acquisition and defence. There was also the invention
of the bow and arrow during the age of metallurgy. From hunting and gathering emerged
man as the domesticator both plants and animals. The development of Agriculture
marked an important phase in the evolution of the communal economic system.
Agriculture facilitated a more consistent sedentary lifestyle and a better control of the
environment. Life became more complex and dynamic. It is clear therefore that the pre-
capitalist economies were not static as some western scholars insist while referring to
Africa. Though there is a glaring absence of the time record, the qualitative development
of society has been proved using archaeological evidence among other sources. From
these sources evidence has shown that the economic life within this period was more
diversified and dynamic.

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Titany answered the question on December 8, 2021 at 05:48