The entitled Elite Hunter Gatherer Mentality, by Arch Baba Isimi FNIA
In Defense of Reason
The esteemed philosophical writer Adebayo Williams, in his thought-provoking column “Tatalo,” referred to the African elite as possessing a primitive “hunter-gatherer mentality.” This observation resonates deeply with me.
Sadly, this primitive stage of human development when our ancestors were cave dwelling beings, still persist till date, most Africans still consume without producing. The tendency to extract from the earth’s supposedly “inexhaustible” resources without considering the need to replenish what has been taken through critical thinking and back breaking hardwork is still the norm.
From ancient times , till our present times, the response by African person to challenges is to pray to an unknown god in makeshift shrines established by charlatans, who use superstitious mumbo jumbo to create illusions of comfort. This serves only to dull the spirit and discourage the effort needed to improve capacity to innovate, create and improve the human condition and existence.
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This remains the default mindset among the African elite till present times. Many expect no sacrifice and desire everything to be free—subsidized living, effortless consumption of resources, all while lounging in the comfort of indolence. When these expectations are not met, they respond with indignation and entitlement.
This unproductive cycle continues, with little contribution to innovation or creation. Instead, there is an expectation for miracles, sought in sanctimonious religious spaces led by a new generation of individuals who perform the same old tricks—replacing ancestral beliefs with a new form of Abrahamic opium. This cycle has become a farce, a phantom of operatic comedy, stifling true progress and growth.
In conclusion, the challenges posed by a hunter-gatherer mentality were addressed during the Age of Enlightenment in Europe, a pivotal period in Western civilization marked by the pursuit of knowledge independent of religious constraints. Before this era, individuals who demonstrated innovative thinking were often labeled as witches and faced severe consequences. Today, this mentality of persecution manifests in our leadership dynamics; we frequently engage in “witch hunts” based on alignment with our sentiments and deep-seated prejudices, rather than addressing issues through reason and constructive solutions, we engage in self-justifying offense and anger which is threatening to undermine the very foundations of our societies.
The Enlightenment serves as a crucial example of a shift towards rational thought and scientific inquiry, drawing inspiration from the Greco-Roman tradition. It emphasized that while God created humanity and the world, our discoveries and advancements are a continuation of that divine creation. This perspective encourages us to embrace our potential to improve the world, rather than allowing outdated beliefs to hinder our progress.
Baba Isimi, FNIA, an architect, public affairs commentator and the Lead Convener National Integration Group, writes from Abuja.
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