on defining african philosophy: history, challenges, and perspectives

consequent upon .africans' denialfa rational men!ali!j f:y ear!j european anthropologists, ethnographers, sociologists and religious scholars, through some so-called 'theories of the primitive people': ma,ry .african scholars ejpecial91 · in the jield ofphilosophy rose to the challenge of articulating a distinct philosopl?j for their people to combat their mental and intellectual denigration. h oueier, due to the challe1zges posed f:y modern civilization, disagreement arouse concerning the focus and contents of african philosopy. this paper examines the background to the challenges of having a viable definition of .african philosopfy. it concludes that /lfricc111 philosopl!j mus: encompass basic attributes of philosopy s11ch as reflection, conaptual analysis and criticism. but above all, these attribntes must be applied lo african needs and wqys of ifft, which mqy not he