It is in the arrogant nature of the contemporary man and woman to engulf in the self belief that they are the culmination of the human condition. Let us refrain from displaying such contempt towards our predecessors; we ought to take inspiration from ancient peoples who also evinced ingenuity to exist and to perdure. Especially, the African ones. As Toby Green brilliantly phrased, there still persists today baffling neglect for the African history, notably from Africans themselves and their kins around the globe.

“For decades, outside a small circle of passionate dedicated scholars, these African pasts have suffered neglect. Yet they reveal ancient civilisations and a history whose relevance is absolutely contemporary.”

- Toby Green, A Fistful of Shells

Modernity is far too often confused with repudiation of the past. It should not. Eyes fixated on the tortuous journey ahead, as we move forward, not only should we peek punctually over the shoulder to see how the route was handled, but we also need to look within ourselves to ensure that we do not lose our mark.

2025 will mark the final lap of this century's first quarter, a century dubbed the "African Century" by many. Naturally, along with the change of the global economic and geopolitical landscapes, the upcoming decades will see the evolution of customs and traditions, but the essence of what makes one of a certain culture will and should remain intact.