Early human gift-giving in Africa: its spread and development over time

In the heart of Africa, the roots of a timeless tradition run deep. Gift-giving, an age-old practice found across cultures and societies, serves as a social glue that has evolved over time to adapt to changing social structures.

Tracing its origins back some 200,000 years, gift-giving emerged as a fundamental survival mechanism among early human ancestors in Africa. In early hunter-gatherer societies, gifts were primarily practical - food sharing, tool exchange, and protective alliances that strengthened group cohesion and resilience.

As social structures became more complex, gifts began serving dual purposes: internal social cohesion and external peace-making. With the arrival of Islam and Christianity, new dimensions were introduced to African gift-giving traditions, institutionalizing specific forms of giving.

The Traditional Era, spanning from 1960 to 2000, marked a significant shift. Many African countries were under single-party rule, with politicians relying on vertical gift-like handouts to manage internal political tensions. During this period, the influx of international NGOs introduced Western models of giving that framed aid as charity rather than rights-based support.

However, the end of colonial rule signified a turning point. The New Age Era, from 2000 to the present, is characterized by diversification of givers, innovative giving practices, and domestic resource mobilization. Corporate social investment and philanthrocapitalism have transformed the giving landscape, with growing recognition of the importance of utilizing Africa's own assets for development, including diaspora remittances.

One researcher delving into the emergence and psychological significance of donations and gifts in Africa is Malik Samuel, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa-Nigeria. Samuel's work sheds light on the evolution of gift-giving practices and their impact on African societies.

In Kenya, the practice of harambee - literally "pulling together" - emerged as a community-based fundraising method to expand access to education when colonial systems failed to provide it. This grassroots approach to giving continues to thrive in the New Age Era, alongside new approaches like trust-based philanthropy and effective altruism, which prioritize different values in the giving relationship.

Studies show that gift-giving activates the brain's reward centers, releasing dopamine and creating positive feelings. This "warm glow" effect, as it's often described, has neurological roots in our evolutionary past. The psychological satisfaction derived from giving is a testament to the enduring power of gift-giving as a means to foster connections and promote well-being.

As we look to the future, the evolution of gift-giving in Africa continues to unfold, shaped by complex social relationships and the pressing needs of the present. Yet, the essence of this timeless tradition remains: gift-giving as a social glue that binds communities together, fostering resilience and promoting cooperation.