Introduction 

In 1983, the General Assembly of UNESCO approved April 18th as the International Day for Monuments and Historic Sites, also known as World Heritage Day. These sites and monuments are of great importance for the emergence of Africa on many levels. How? That’s what this article is about. 

Importance of Historic sites and monuments in Africa

African historic sites as cultural and educational landmarks of african people

Historic sites tell present generations how their ancestors lived, how their civilizations were organized. This allows them to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage through the stories that these sites tell. It also helps to strengthen the bonds of unity. If a community is crossed by internal disputes, a historic site common to this community is a landmark that tells them that they are the descendants of the same ancestors, of the same history. This reminder therefore makes it possible to facilitate a reconciliation. 

Historic sites therefore also have an educational function. Historical sites as remnants of the traces of our history by building history by and teaching a certain number of customs which recall the ancestors. This is the case of the pyramid sites of Egypt which teaches us a lot about the time of the pharaohs. 

Historic sites as a springboard for the economic, political and geopolitical development of the African continent

Economically, African historical sites attract many historians and anthropologists who come for research. They also attract tourists. The latter bring financial income into the country hosting these sites. 

Some historic sites and monuments carry political weight. They play the role of memory of political history. By recalling this political history, they warn nations, statesmen and politicians to avoid certain errors of the past. This is the case of the “Kigali Genocide Memorial” which reminds Rwandans of the horrors of the 1994 genocide and warns against political manipulation. 

Historic sites have a geopolitical stake: the international influence of the image and pride of Africa. 

History as taught in many schools reduces Africa to a barbaric continent, enslaved and then dominated by colonization. Much of Africa’s glorious history, however, is obscured; hence the role of certain historical monuments to recall it. The pyramids of Egypt prove the intelligence of powerful  African peoples; the “Dahomey Amazon Monument” in Benin recalls the existence and the exploits of African women warriors, a symbol of pride for African women today. The sites of Toumbouctou (Mali) prove that from the 15th century Africans were already brilliant architects etc; All these historical sites present a glorious image of Africa that commands respect and admiration, and are also a symbol of pride for Africans around the world. 

Conclusion 

Finally, historic sites and monuments can greatly contribute to the emergence and influence of Africa, if all Africans invest in the maintenance, promotion, enhancement and popularization of these sites.