I Watched Netflix African Queens Njinga So You Dont Have to

[@historyofeverythingpodcast]

research for this was fascinating and difficult considering the variability and conflict of sources. But remember people that history is never clean and I would strongly recommend and ask that you keep an open mind in understanding the arguments that are presented by the different sides. You do not win an argument by being terrible sources: www.jstor.org/stable/180812 longreads.com/2019/10/03/queens-of-infamy-njinga/ oxfordre.com/africanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-326;jsessionid=78F6BE04C30DC20D1BF87E67CD7ED047

[@nimshen]

that's what my 6 year old has already learned. which brought 2 major issues: the first is yours truly being willing and in many cases able to answer her questions without realizing it might not be the right age to give these details to and the second is her being extremely smart and taking that information as something normal and interesting and then telling other kids in class these things. we had to have a talk saying that some subjects are only to be discussed with us at home and not with other kids since they find that info scary and she doesn't realize it(I must admit it's my fault since I was that way as a child, just learning whatever interested me and taking it as information and nothing more, so I never actually realized that it wasn't normal to be that way).

[@williampearson6299]

Has it ever occurred to you that this was made for Africans? It's not like they know Dungeons and Dragons

[@mattdemo6387]

Just ask what they have for "evidence" to prove what they are saying is fact

[@Quandry1]

@@williampearson6299 This wasn't made for Africans. This was made for American's and Western Europeans.

[@williampearson6299]

@@Quandry1 I am sure there's a whole genre dedicated to African storytelling. Nigerian, South African, Kenyan etc. This is more international but still the demographic it's targeted to IS African. You don't see Africans complaining about Lord of the Rings. Most haven't read the books nor care about that genre

[@spiroskarikis9433]

The problem starts from the reason these "documentaries" were made: to serve an agenda. The producer said she wanted to tell stories "that would make her daughter proud". That is not the reason you make a documentary. That is how you start when you make a movie, not a documentary. History always have unpleasant sides that need to be said, people always have dark sides that need to be shown.

[@redryan20000]

Ethnocentrism mixed with the notion that history is just something people make up arbitrarily to give themselves power.

[@ingiford175]

I would want to cry foul of what you said, but yes, she did say she did it in a way "that would make her daughter proud"

[@janet6421]

This show isn't the first to clean up historical figures. The movie Braveheart did follow actual historical events, but they left out some of the more messed up things William Wallace did. Dude wore a belt into combat that was made from the skin of an English man. They teach about Christopher Columbus in elementary schools and don't mention the human rights violations or the vote of no confidence when the colony sent him back to Europe. No one likes to talk about Nelson Mandela being in prison because he planted a bomb in a dam that would have killed hundreds if he placed it better.

[@Oscifer11]

I have a feeling that all of these episodes will always contain evil Europeans.

[@GeraltofRivia22]

​@@janet6421 in fairness, this is a documentary, Braveheart isn't. And yes, Nelson Mandela along with his ANC compatriots were a bunch of terrorists.

[@marleegould542]

Ive noticed most of the Netflix "documentaries" focus more on drama and cheesy dialogue than anything else. History Channel makes better stuff than that, and that's saying quite a bit.

[@miroo4097]

Hey Vikings was a good show..... Viking Valhalla on the other hand..... History Channel never turned a Nordic Viking Jarl (real person) into a Black Female Queen.

[@101Mant]

​​​@@miroo4097 the History channel did do a whole documentary on how Ivar the boneless may have had a specific medical condition based on.... someone in the modern day with the same medical condition saying so. That was it, no concrete evidence, some descriptions that maybe possibly could be interpreted to mean that which you could explain in a couple of minutes and the rest was speculation. Not even the worse History channel documentary I've seen.

[@pieinside2345]

starting to think that the term "netflix documentary" should be a term separate from documentaries in general bc they've really done a number on the medium

[@justanotherperson7416]

Yeah like if they want drama and cheesy dialogue, why can't they just make their own original settings instead of diluting real history?

[@somethingelse4424]

​@@miroo4097Viking Valhalla didn't represent itself as a documentary though. It was historical fiction, like The Last Kingdom. I was hoping Queen Cleopatra would be the same kind of thing, but unfortunately it was shot and framed like a documentary. I can enjoy things like The Last Kingdom, and ignore historical inaccuracies for the most part. Viking Valhalla was a bit much at times, but it was entertaining.

[@korrde]

The problem with all these girl power "documentaries" is that they actually diminish the women they're about. By trying to hype up these women into fairy tales, they detract from what these women actually went through and accomplished.

[@badfoody]

Well put

[@dannyhernandez1212]

What's really telling is that shows about white men are not held up to that standard.

[@justarandomcommenter570]

​​​​@@dannyhernandez1212 Theres a difference between "show" and "documentary" which are you referring to? Shows based on history generally have looser standards because they do not claim to be accurate historical depictions wheras documentaries are held to a higher standard because it is expected that they stick to what is factual..

[@hueco5002]

@@dannyhernandez1212 you’re conflating “show” with “documentary”. Bring receipts my dude or sit down.

[@kyvanrae]

are you a historian Do you have any idea about the subject? Or is that coming from the mouth of a man who can't handle the truth? I haven't watched this series as I don't have Netflix. But I am a historian and I can tell you: women have created more, achieved more, fought and won more wars than men give them credit for. And especially African women were very strong leaders and warriors. They were just suppressed for centuries.

[@guyknack]

It feels like they tried to write Cleopatra like njinga but they are very fundamentally different

[@stakuyi]

It does give that impression looking back. You are right they’re fundamentally different people, attitude, and skills

[@loupgarou-dj3tm]

They're both avatars of Jada.

[@daughteroftime8047]

Shows how much they actually care.

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

They don't want to do West, Central and South Africa Queens series because they don't have grand sophisticated architecture, monument, building, city comparable and equal to Europe, Middle East, India, China, Persia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Mesoamerica, only mud huts, wooden hut with no stone paving and road, no writing script, no document, manuscript, book, metal body armor, palace complex(not regular houses), no monument like Colosseum, Norte Dame, Dover Castle, Bahla Fort, Agra Fort, Fortifications of Xi'an, Citadel of Qaitbay, not advance like medieval city like London, Paris, Cordoba, Venice, Constantinople, Carcassonne, York, Damascus, Cairo, Alexandria, Granada, Madrid, Fez, Tangier, Rabat and thousand of others ancient and medieval old city in Europe, Middle East and Asia. Non in Sub-Sahara Africa have city and town like ancient Rome and medieval city of Prague. That why Afrocentric and Jada Pinkett Smith love to claim and steal North Africa civilization which more advance, and claim to be black African sub-Sahara just like them. Give 1 example of Gabon, Congo and Angola Kingdom building and monument comparable to Angkor Wat or at least like Omani castle "Jabreen Castle'. That why Egypt become favorite for Afrocentric and pseudo historian like Cheikh Anto Diop who have inferiority complex and shame of black African with no great civilization compare to Europe, Asia and Mesoamerica. Mud building, fort and curtain walled also exist in Europe, Middle East, China and India but it used not by noble, rich people and monarchy.

[@laisphinto6372]

they are actually Monuments in west central africa, they didnt stand the test of time like most things also wars have a tendency to destroy these monuments like how in the third anglo Ashanti war the british sacked and pillaged the capital and destroyed it completely, but most of it is laziness because there isnt nearly as much archaology with west africa like it is with egypt

[@cancerino666]

4:20 At this point in time, the main reason for the portuguese to be there is to trade and find or create safe harbors to replenish ships while trying to map a new maritime way to India. They came for trade, just happened the locals were really into selling slaves and for quite cheap.

[@covenawhite4855]

Slave trade provided a lot of money. So, the Portuguese would have started it regardless of the Africans selling each other. I agree blacks sold slaves but it doesn't make what Europeans did OK

[@leahl7352]

Its very interesting how many people justify slavery by saying 'Africans sold their own'. False Equivalency

[@oRnch199]

Did someone say it was ok?

[@God_of_RDA]

​@@covenawhite4855who said it was ok?

[@maximusstirnimus5210]

This is a gross misrepresentation, the majority of local African states did not want to sell slaves

[@LetMeBe3]

I can’t wait for Netflix to make an African Queens: Victoria

[@Auriel_Direnni]

She was queen of a bunch of african nations so clearly she was BLACK. Ahhahaha I can totally see this happening.

[@B2WM]

Same energy as "Ancient Aliens: the Empire State Building" and I at once love the snark and fear that Poe's Law means that they will actually do this seriously. (AA actually did an episode with Rasputin, after all, which makes me want to qualify for the other AA...)

[@jestergodfield690]

She was black and you know it! You couldn't stop her, throwing up gang signs n shieeeet, you can see it in every painting they got of her!

[@lucascoval828]

That would be sad.

[@SquidProQuo80]

@@Auriel_Direnni That's the exact logic Afrocentrics use to blackwash Hannibal - he ruled a massive African kingdom so clearly he was black. Same thing for the Moors. Shakespeare is all at once a racist, a misogynist and a bigot to them but he said Othello was black so therefore the Moors were clearly a black civilization. The Olmecs were also black because those colossal heads in Mexico clearly came from Africa where there are no similar colossal heads.

[@ingiford175]

From what I understood, there were a few (very few) Portuguese attempts to get slaves themselves, but most the time the groups were wiped out. By diseases...

[@jordinagel1184]

Wasn’t malaria even the main reason no European power tried colonizing anything more than the African coastline, until the discovery of a cure/vaccine in the 1800s?

[@claudiafernandes1150]

Yeah I am portuguese and if I remember correctly if given the chance and they thought it would be profitable enough to raid a place to get slaves they would, but the thing is that it was much easier and more economic to just buy slaves than to acquire them through violence. In Brazil there was an attempt to enslave the natives however that idea was quickly discarded after a few attempts, the indigenous people were considered too weak to serve as slaves in the sugar plantations, and kept perishing from diseases brought from Europe ( the priests also took a stand to forbid their enslavement, since they wanted to convert them to catholicism). The portuguese back then wanted a mercantile empire they were much more interested in getting control over pivotal ports, coastal cities and to tap into pre-existing markets then establishing their own. The main goal was to get as many commodities previously unavailable in Europe as possible and this was facilitated by trade.

[@als3022]

Why go hunting when the neighbors will gladly sell what you want to you for not that much.

[@NickMachado]

Malaria was a white man's death sentence in africa

[@sweetLemonist]

Those men were on ships from few weeks to months. Exhausted. And then you expect them to hunt blacks? Let's just remind that black people are faster than white ppl, they knew their land, how and where to run, they had no see sickness or were malnourished from bad ships food, plus they were immune to most diseases there etc. And someone believes white ppl really were able to HUNT blacks? Even tho they had guns it was useless to hunt. The blacks wouldn't just stand there waiting to be shot.

[@hunterfiles7987]

You should do your own real history of African kingdoms.

[@stakuyi]

That is a plan once this series concludes

[@KOCChristian]

Their channel called “Home team history” they talked about a lot history and countries. Even my small island of Cape Verde 🇨🇻. They pump a lot good quality video even what was Africa doing during (insert legendary time period)

[@jboydayz]

Mansa Musa

[@Great_Olaf5]

There's also From Nothing, he specializes in African history and IIRC he even reviewed this series when it first came out.

[@samtmh7240]

Probably the best thing to come out of all the Cleopatra nonsense is this interest its created into researching the actual sub-saharan African queens.

[@vinceblackford6793]

What's astounding to me is that there really ARE great black female leaders throughout history, especially in Africa and the middle east, that would be perfect for this series... and they just aren't picking them up. And when they DO it's just done wrong. I know Netflix has the money to hire a few historians to do research for them.

[@lionmom7629]

I guess its a process. Maybe in time?

[@Jasonred79squeek]

@@lionmom7629 but if they hired actual historians, Jada Pink would get mad because her characters aren't being potrayed as super heroes!

[@jorgebellidolavado6382]

They wanted super heroes instead of human beigns whit strong flaws. Too much marvel.

[@williamwalkup988]

It is unlikely you would hire Historians when your using elements of History to push agendas. History has always been my favorite even if most history may have been "written by the Victor". Learning about our past can influence our future for the better. Maybe we can avoid the same mistakes of our past not rewrite to force your opinions.

[@lero_]

But there is no black qweens in the middle East

[@SonOfHighValour]

I suspect that misrepresenting the slave trade will be this series' "leather armour" for you Stak... I'm sorry you suffer so we don't have to.

[@csabaszep8162]

"I don't care what they teach at school, Njinga was green." - some Martian grandma.

[@cookiemonster6222]

And she slept with the Martians and viola... Elon was born!

[@jorgebellidolavado6382]

Nope. Njinga was a space ship whit human shape designed by alternated earth black african people XD

[@KroiAlbanoiArbanon]

​@@cookiemonster6222And Mark Zuckerberg was born. Fixed it for ya.

[@lero_]

No brazah, Greekz and SamuraiZ and EgyptianZ and Vikangz were blackz so we wuz Kangz

[@shary1116]

This series is going to be the embodiment of "Ah shit here we go again"

[@bloogonis]

There was a series from PBS that covered African kingdoms and I was super interested in learning about Africa having had at the time done a little bit of research about the region. Then after the first installments with the things that were known by anyone who looks into African history know (Egypt, Mansa Musa, Ethiopia) the rest of the show was about Arabian controlled north Africa and nearly half of the show was about Muslim influence in Africa and never again even touches on anything purely African. This frustrated me because my research had been focused on how central Africa developed iron in parallel to its discovery in the middle east. At the time I was also struggling in my own research into my own heritage and info on the pre-christian Celts where most of the easy to find topics are covered over with the story of their conquerors rather then the peoples or cultures themselves. Africa is a topic that is interesting and I cant wait to see what you do to cover some of these things away from reviews of bad Netflix shows.

[@mattiOTX]

I like central African history when I learn it. I find the cultures differ from anywhere else in the world even with similarities across them all. The Nordic cultures would be another I really enjoy.

[@tsopmocful1958]

This only just confirms what I remember learning as a child at school - that 'history' can only begin with written records, with anything before that being archaeology instead. That is why there is very little history about cultures like sub Saharan Africa or the Celts beyond what was written about them by other peoples.

[@lero_]

North Africa is not arab controlled, actually North Africa started the arabism and it controls the arab countries, egypt is the arab league leader

[@doms.6701]

The great courses has a great lecture series about African kingdoms. So much information. Even after 3 listens, over 100 hours I still find something new that my ears glossed over.

[@lionmom7629]

Love the Great Courses!

[@melissar4612]

As a fellow history buff, THANK YOU. History is rarely good or bad; the people who populate history are rarely purely good or purely evil. That's what makes history so fascinating, and so vitally important to learn. Treating historical figures as though they had no flaws and transferring those flaws onto their adversaries does a disservice to EVERYONE involved.

[@MagcargoMan]

I wonder if you've left comments like this on all the documentaries about white leaders or if your outrage is conveniently selective?

[@jimbob1103]

Tried making a drinking game for the line "already established slave trading" may have blacked out and had to restart the video.

[@Bloodfencer1990]

The African slave trade had to be ommitted because we cannot admit that peope, who were victims of slavery were themselves perpetuating slavery. It's how victims of bullying can't possibly be bullies themselves (despite it very much being a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle like all kinds of abuse).

[@LisaF777]

That doesn't make it right. Stop trying to justify slavery, it's a terrible thing regardless.

[@Bloodfencer1990]

@@LisaF777 I'm not justifying it, I am criticizing their way of thinking. Because we absolutely SHOULD admit that this was a thing so we can do better. The ommission hurts them more than accepting the truth.

[@DemonicRemption]

@Bloodfencer1990 Oh wow... Oh crap I ain't gotta say nothing. You already it, and better than I could might I add.

[@MagcargoMan]

Oh look, it's the millionth obligatory "it was the same as Chattel Slavery" damage control comment.

[@tisanbako]

That’s the problem with you people. A bozo sit there telling you what is true and not true. Tell me a time in Africa where people were dehumanized the way white people dis to black slaves in America? You people trying so hard to make us look like we’re thesame.. No we’re not that animalistic.

[@kingfreedom160]

The common link between these shows that made them so bad is afro-centrism and Jada Smith. Those are the reasons why this is so bad, and anybody who even gives a modest concern for historical facts that is related to this series should be ashamed of themselves and apologize to every person in Africa for lying about them.

[@Dr.Starbound]

I'm really excited that you are educating us about a woman and area that is, to a layman, relatively unknown!

[@Dieter-Doeddel]

Definitely more of this.

[@therealspeedwagon1451]

I remember hearing about her once, *once* in my AP world history class. That’s it. Definitely an interesting story and I wish I could hear more about genuine black queens.

[@Dieter-Doeddel]

Apart from this Netflix mess, I'd love if you cover more neglected history from Africa and other parts of the world which is not commonly taught. Excellent video!

[@Nemo-Nihil]

African countries: *having slavery for centuries before Europeans ever came* Netflix: And then the Europeans came and started slavery. 🤪

[@lionmom7629]

So yeah. Excusing and justifying SLAVERY. Not a good look. Like, nobody who didn't really despise people of a certain skin color would go there. Just saying. No point in you getting mad if people think you are a certain way when your going out of your way to say something like that. Not busting your chops. You believe whatever you believe, feel however you feel. Just saying, no way to unsee what that looks like, there.

[@bakthihapuarachchi3447]

Afro centrists have a very wierd and false misconception that African enslavement of other Africans were somehow "humane" and that these slaves were treated like family members by their owners

[@TheShalalai]

@@lionmom7629 modern slave trade is more relevant to today. It’s a huge problem for the world. The most modern slaves today are still in Africa. In the US 70% of human traffickers are black while being 7% of population. Same in Europe, the most of human traffickers ain’t European descent and it happens in Europe but it gets completely ignored as foreign born nationals are overwhelmingly over represented at the prisons and our countries like to have artificially low crime rates.

[@lionmom7629]

@@TheShalalai Victims of human trafficking come in all ethnicticities. But slavery in the US and Europe and their colonies was based on race. They considered everyone of one race to be "okay" to enslave, and keep enslaved, for multiple generations, based solely on immutable characteristics. Your point is that you believe black people are defective and somehow more prone to enslave others. Well, go ahead and believe it. You can believe whatever you want. I believe that there is no such thing as one "race" of people being more deserving, or better than, another. Its not hardly my fault that the science is on my side. Correlation is not causation. There has never been any causation found regarding melanin or facial features and hair textures that have been found to cause any behavior or any predisposition to a particular kind of behavior. So, it doesn't make a lot of scientific sense to say this immunrable characteristic of being black, defined as "race" as a kind of social construct is the actual reason for slavery. And then to say basically, that black people are somehow more likely to enslave others in order to make excuses for dead white people that defnetly did enslave black people (for just being black) is not only a nonsensical argument, its a clear statement of who you really are and what you believe. And that's sad. Very, very sad.

[@kromkindkaroo]

African slavery was more of serfdom than it was the same racialised chattel slavery that was practised in the Americas. Also Europeans funded the trade and facilitated ethnic conflict and tension in order to obtain slaves and building slave trading and capturing networks in West and Central Africa.

[@Andrew-ob5ij]

I always think if they made it a drama rather than a documentary then it would be fine. You could chalk the dramatic stuff up to it being a drama, I don’t get why they didn’t do that

[@cancerino666]

Still, a lot of people still learn wrong things from history due to "historical dramas".

[@adorabell4253]

@@cancerino666 feels like they should do what Brigerton did and openly state: this is a work of fiction, the real person was not like this even though we use their name.

[@jamesmerkel1932]

Because if they chalk it up as purely a drama, then they won't be able to capitalize on their target audience and influence. They want to really sell something that those individuals dream they can relate to.

[@pacmonster066]

​@@cancerino666 While true, there's still a significant difference in expectations. A historical drama is *based* on history but is not bound to follow it verbatim. The goal is to entertain not necessarily to inform. A documentary is supposed to be the reverse. They are supposed to inform based on the objective truth as we know it, entertainment coming second to that purpose.

[@GeraltofRivia22]

​@@adorabell4253 that's still stupid to be honest.

[@TheInfamousAces]

Could you perhaps make a video about the battle of Cer mountain? First allied victory in WW 1. I would love to hear your thoughts on the tactics used and the way it was fought since it stood out from the rest of prolonged battles characteristic for WW1. Also battle for Kajmakcalan is also a tremendous military achievement and a really cool moment in history. Much appreciated, keep doing what you are doing. Love your content.

[@alvarogomezvivas7844]

Africa is the continent which humans have inhabited the longest. It’s bound to be full of amazing, extraordinary history. Its history just needs to be explored, researched, brought to light into the wider world with evidence-backed facts. There’s no need to modify or rewrite it to fit a particular vision or political stance. Africa’s history is rich and interesting by itself, with both the pretty and the ugly. Let’s learn it as it happened, that we may understand the past, the present, and the future.

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

Black Africa American shame of their West and Central Africa, because it's not advance and sophisicated like in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, India, East, Central, Southeast Asia and Mesoamerica, They don't want to do West, Central and South Africa Queens series because they don't have grand sophisticated architecture, monument, building, city, town comparable and equal in Europe, Middle East, India, China, Persia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Mesoamerica, only mud huts, wooden hut with no stone paving and road, no writing script, no document, manuscript, book, metal body armor, palace complex(not regular houses), no monument like Colosseum, Norte Dame, Dover Castle, Leeds Castle, Windsor Castle, Château d'Angers Castle, Gisors Castle, Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort, Red Fort, Agra Fort, Fortifications of Xi'an, Citadel of Qaitbay, not advance like medieval city like London, Paris, Cordoba, Venice, Constantinople, Carcassonne, York, Damascus, Cairo, Alexandria, Granada, Madrid, Fez, Tangier, Rabat and thousand of others ancient and medieval old city in Europe, Middle East and Asia. Non in Sub-Sahara Africa have city and town like ancient Rome and medieval city of Prague. That why Afrocentric and Jada Pinkett Smith love to claim and steal North Africa civilization which more advance, and claim to be black African sub-Sahara just like them. Give 1 example of Gabon, Congo and Angola Kingdom building and monument comparable to Angkor Wat or at least like Omani castle "Jabreen Castle'. That why Egypt become favorite for Afrocentric and pseudo historian like Cheikh Anto Diop who have inferiority complex and shame of black African with no great civilization compare to Europe, Asia and Mesoamerica. Mud building, fort and curtain walled also exist in Europe, Middle East, China and India but it used not by noble, rich people and monarchy.

[@lutymcshooty2556]

The problem is modern American blacks have the biggest victim complex out there

[@weignerleigner3037]

Africa had no importance in human history. Modern humans came from Eurasia anyways.

[@NickMachado]

Not trying to hate but there is significantly less "history" in africa than the rest of the world. Can you think of a single invention that came from africa besides fire. Can you name a single African explorer? Can you name an influential African religion that spread to multiple continents?

[@sea_triscuit7980]

​@@NickMachado not off the top of my head but I'm sure there's plenty of each. I'll look it up, I don't see why you can't do the same

[@kevingooley9628]

Prop guy: "we must have matchlock muskets!" Jada: "Why?" Prop guy: "Historical accuracy" Jada:"What that?"

[@lonjohnson5161]

I heard that General Simon Buckner used embezzled funds to build airbases in Alaska to defend against the Japanese. This is someone I want to know more about.

[@trentmedlar4498]

Yes!

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

No. What he DID do was overplay the threat to get more funds. He was badly underfunded so he dud what he had to do.

[@jakb8401]

Here's a positive suggestion. There is a croatian documentary called Croatian Kings. Give it a try if you're interested. Greetings from Croatia, happy to be subscribed.

[@loupgarou-dj3tm]

A country that's been a crossroads between continuous clashes of cultures from about six directions for millennia. What could be interesting about a place like that?

[@houseplant1016]

Not trying to be rude but I don't think that there's a non-Croation that would be interested in Croatia... I am European and I don't even know what your capital is or where it is...

[@jakb8401]

@@houseplant1016 Well there are always great opportunities to expand your knowledge. This can be applied to any country/topic. Have fun learning a new thing or two!

[@houseplant1016]

@@jakb8401 Ok, give me suggestions about very important Croatian historical people/Empires(?) or battles?

[@jakb8401]

@@houseplant1016 Here's some historical figures: Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić (she was a candidate for Nobel prize in literature and she was known as the "Croatian Anderssen" because of her folklore rooted fairy tales ), Nikola Tesla was born here, etc. Croatia was also the first line of defence against Ottoman invasions. And there is so much more. Have fun learning!

[@Gorbz]

Africa according to Netflix: A collection of nations that fought against slavery. Africa according to history: A collection of nations that fought each other to gather slaves to then sell on.

[@moderatecanuck]

Both reductive POVs. Shit, I could say the same about Rome. Slavery actually led to it's decline

[@ShantanuShinde1]

say you haven't watch any of the shows without saying it. They shows literary shows that African empires also participated in slavery.

[@Spinna720]

Europe according to eurocentrists and mainstream media: A collection of technologically advanced and the birthplace of the industrial revolution Europe according to history: A collection of barbaric pirates that pillaged, raped and enslaved each other in every land they touched You see how dumb that sounds, that’s what you exactly did with africa

[@DemonicRemption]

@Gorbz Hopefully I don't have to explain why African history is propagated this way. Because the reason for me is really dumb.

[@robertwye9463]

Basically every ancient society used Slaves including modern societies.

[@Pandolfinstein44]

The fact they're calling these documentaries is a slap in the face to the truth

[@adorabell4253]

That feeling when the fictional Royal Diaries do a better job of telling Nzinga’s history than an adult documentary. And for Cleopatra too.

[@ericdpeerik3928]

It's starting to sound like Netflix should hire AFRICAN HISTORIANS to do African documentaries, and not mentally disturbed Hollywood Americans. Why couldn't they just have made dramatised movies based on real African history? People would have loved that.

[@anthonyjames2021]

They won't, they know what they are doing, their viewing figure will be higher producing fake history as it appeals to the current narrative. It gets the younger people in, brings in activists , then genuine history buffs who point out the flaws, then the outrage begins with lots of free advertising and it boost the viewing numbers allow them to charge sponsors more. They know what they are doing is not correct they just don't care.

[@pieinside2345]

i just starting binging your series on Cleopatra today so super lucky that you posted today lol. The series is great, especially if companies like netflix insist on making terrible historical/ history inspired content ( at least you get something entertaining out of it in the end rip). Love that you highlight the positives as well as the negatives. If I could suggest, would you be willing to add some additional/suggested reading on the topics you cover? of course someone could just google things themselves but it might be a helpful starting place for people wanting to get more into a subject.

[@yami2828]

So before I say what I'm saying going by how sensitive ppl be these days for dumb reasons. *I'm black, Caribbean Black* Anyhooz, growing up (I'm 33M) I notice the majority of the so call tip of history that was thought in the books heavily influenced by the US it was mainly done in a way to seem as tho blacks was never in the wrong with anything. It's later on, when I got older and curiosity started to peek I started doing research on my own since the school doesn't teach shyt. I started learning more about slavery trade and seeing how universal it was regardless for ethical background. (I hate saying race, because to me it's just one race "human race" soo yeh). Anyhooz further on I learn a lot more but one thing I notice as well with the shows/movies over the years pumped out of Hollywood is that a lot of it not all really but a lot is pretty much lies, but a lot of folks take that medium and run with it believing so now we have well what we have today.

[@richarddraggan8290]

Damn I was hoping for Roman armor to make an appearance.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

To be fair, considering the time period, it'd be really out of place (not saying that makes it off the table for Netflix documentaries though, just less likely...)

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

Njinga: "So my dad just had a prophecy tell him that he'd survive the day, then he got murdered." Also Njinga: "So there's a prophecy that says I'm destined to rule, so that's a thing." Me: "Why are you still listening to prophecy?"

[@007dalal]

This can actually be a good plot. She gets drawn to Christianity because of prophecy being proven wrong time and time again

[@janegael]

I love this series and hope you do more of them. I've never understood why they have to try to twist history to fit their agenda. It makes them look like fools. So keep poking them and trying to keep them honest.

[@marcpaulus6291]

When you said "at this moment it became more a power fantasy" i thought yeah, at this point they telling a more "wakanda female black panther" story..

[@anlak1318]

You know what's the worst part ? It's the fact that African history is an untouched and very interesting market, and if done right, it could even be beneficial to societies like the USA, and their racism problems, if only Netflix did this series without lying, or their political messages, but just pure history, they would not only be praised, but also they would get a lot of money.

[@morriganmhor5078]

It speaks a lot about Africa´s literacy and love for sciences, at least history. How many Afro-African archaeologists do you know? Even Egypt has Zahi Hawas scores of them.

[@SkintSNIPER262]

Exploring African history is not going to fix Americas problem when the racism and hatred is directed towards white people and has became systemically acceptable.

[@moderatecanuck]

@@morriganmhor5078 Egypt archeology department is quite recent spurn from European encroachment. After the destruction of Timbuktu, many locals worked to protect the manuscript. Same with Great Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, there's not widespread interest, that I agree

[@lionmom7629]

I don't think its pushing politics. I think its reacting to current politics. Like the people making it are tense because they expect to be attacked. Defensive. But I can't even get mad at them. I mean just look at the internet, social media or cable news. Yeah, I can understand these people that made this reacting to the current environment.

[@lero_]

​@@morriganmhor5078egypt has many popular historians not just zahi hawas, but hawas actually taking all the fame because he is actually too good

[@MrSADFART]

Stak u r so amazing! I found u thru hoi4 (which ur also amazing at) but found your 2nd channel and have been hooked. Watching ur immune system break down on cam then going, well time for Afghanistan in A-Z! Outstanding stamina and work effort. Thank you, please keep doing what you do and u will only go up exponentially. That goes without saying how tired I am of historical inaccuracies and historical retconning in modern day (victor writes the history🤮) and how not ashamed or concerned with bullshit cancellations u r and r willing to educate people in the right history. Only love man, only love!

[@Drkfox]

I enjoy the hell out of these type of videos. Please keep doing more of these.

[@claudiafernandes1150]

I am portuguese so I already had heard about the queen who was the portuguese's nightmare, and was so happy when i saw that they were gonna tell Njinga's story (even after Cleopatra I still had hope because Njinga has such sn interesting story) but I am not liking that child of prophecy vibe they are going for... she was already so strong, why do they feel the necessity to turn her into a DC hero!? Also why are they trying so hard to paint the portuguese as the ones who started this whole slave problem!? Like bro if you wanna say bad things about the portuguese and how they were slavers and how slavery is wrong (which is all true) you can, but it becomes hypocritical when you try to paint the people of Ndongo as having the moral high ground, since they profited A LOT as a slaver nation ... It's like Netflix again is purposefully trying to deify the MC while forgetting they were an actual person with flaws that lived in a society with a different set of rules and moral views.

[@mattm8870]

Njinga series was made before the Cleopatra one.

[@virginiapellerin2269]

I can't wait for your episodes because its so confusing watching Netflix's version

[@007dalal]

This can actually be a great historical mini series

[@Just_some_dude_guy]

It’s funny how stakuyi did 1000X more research than baldy jada and all those Netflix “specialists”

[@AutisticlyRose]

Oh this was so fun to listen to. I always assume that the shows like this (Historical Entertainment pieces)are more historical fantasy than anything remotely accurate. Learning which parts were fantastical was fun for me. Your passion for history shines through & I loved that a lot. ❤

[@nicolaspeigne1429]

Netflix : let's make history a B list action movie

[@mrkisukes]

To Netflix, history is merely a suggestion when making a "documentary".

[@asdfg2941]

I'm enjoying this more than the Celopatria series nice job!

[@mjs24]

Keep up the great content!

[@stakuyi]

Thank you my friend

[@CapitalTeeth]

If there's anything I've learned from American documentaries, it's that they care more about drama and sensation than... you know, documenting things in visual form.

[@reilley26]

Loving these videos because your love of history is so obvious and that you just want them to get the history right for people to learn while the shows are obviously framing the stories with specific agendas.

[@RicardoSanto100]

As a Portuguese national with a particular interest in History, I would like to thank you for your excellent analysis on this series. Too often, especially in American media, I see twisted and erroneous depictions of my country's role in History. As if we somehow "invented" slavery, or something along those lines. When the concept of slavery was widespread throughout most of Africa, way before Europeans ever set foot in the Continent. It is true that the Portuguese were the first ones to start the trans-Atlantic slave trade. But especially in those times, there was no racial component connected to slavery. Neither did the Portuguese practice slavery in any different way than the one that was already practiced in Africa, at the time. Especially in the 15th and early 16th century, before the country was annexed by Spain and the Dutch, the French and later the British started to build their own overseas Empires. In the early days, the overwhelming majority of slaves that were bought (not captured) either stayed in Africa or were taken to Portugal or Brazil. For as atrocious as it was, it was still relatively easy for a slave to gain his/her freedom, usually just by being a good and loyal worker, or by having done an act of valor in combat, or by showing particular intellectual skills. It was still very easy in those days to return to Africa, once you were free. Because there was constant coming and going of ships between Angola, Portugal and Brazil. There are a lot of historical accounts of African slaves having taken part in battles with the Portuguese and not only being rewarded their freedom, but actually being able to return to Africa. Some of those who returned would even take slaves of their own. This was very common. Also the confrontations between Njinga and the Portuguese army weren't strictly black versus white. There were people of all colors on both sides. One of the most notorious and brilliant generals who led the Portuguese army against Njinga on numerous occasions was António Dias Musungo. A black man who was a very respected and revered officer, known for his bravery and cunning in combat, and who was born right there in Angola. He had a son who became a priest and two daughters who married very rich merchants. Portugal was also one of the very first countries to officially abolish slavery, in 1761, declaring any slave who set foot in the country henceforth a free man or woman. There was still a lot of illegal slavery being practiced after that, but never the less, it was an important step that encouraged other countries to do the same.

[@anthonyjames2021]

I believe the Portuguese had Pombeiros who were Africans or Mulattos who traded with Kasenje raiders further inland in buying slaves as this was all before anti malaria vaccines and Europeans couldn't ravel inland. The same way the Dutch dealt with the Kingdom of Kongo to buy slaves from Matamaba (Whose Queen was Njinga) as they wanted guns to fight the Portuguese. PS you may have a typo where you say Portugal was one of the firs to abolish slavery in 1971. ( I think it was 1761 for Portugal and 1869 for its colonies)

[@RicardoSanto100]

@@anthonyjames2021 Yeah! It was a typo! Thanks for the warning. Fixed it! By the way, the word "Mulato" is of Portuguese origin. And the very concept of race mixing is also Portuguese. Very early on, the Portuguese took local wives (and no, these weren't rapes) because, being a small country, they knew they needed to expand their population in the new territories. For centuries and even today, mixed people (especially men) weren't and aren't considered as true Africans by a lot of African people. Because for centuries, a "mulato" was viewed as his white father's son. Which in fact he was! It doesn't cease to amaze me to see so many mixed people (especially Americans) claiming that they're black! They aren't. They're mixed. And they should be proud of that. Because they are the people of the future.

[@theguy8729]

​@@RicardoSanto100The reason mixed black view themselves as simply black in America is because whites don't accept them and everyone else views them as nothing but black

[@therealspeedwagon1451]

I’m just so glad they haven’t talked about Queen Amanirenas. For those of you unaware Amanirenas was a Nubian (and actually black) queen who, from 25-21 BC, managed to fight the Romans and win. She was an actual black queen who almost never gets coverage. I wish someone could make a thoughtful documentary on her but unfortunately I fear that she is the next target for this BS.

[@claudiafernandes1150]

Damn she sounds really interesting, now I definitely have to look her up! I was actually hopeful with Njinga since...well, you know her history is already so interesting and needs no embellishments, but this chosen one vibe they seem to be going for is just wrong, like why!? She was already fascinating why are you trying to make her into a marvel Hero!? So yeah you are right let's pray Netflix never touches upon her story.

[@NickMachado]

I'd be shocked if she fought the Roman's. I'm sure she was the ruler of a kingdom with an army but no chance she fought.

[@hjuy4049]

​@@NickMachado Do you know for sure about that?

[@damionkeeling3103]

Egypt only became part of Rome in 30bc, her invasion was just a couple of years later when the Romans were still consolidating their control. Essentially she attacked a country that was still in a state of revolt against the new rulers. Once the Roman army actually engaged her forces they won significant victories over her, essentially wiping out a whole army and then sacking the major northern city of Kush. If Rome wasn't already engaged in a major war in Northern Spain and also fighting rebellions in Gaul and central Europe it likely would have put more effort into invading Kush. As it was it was easier to negotiate a peace with this kingdom over the desert. The Romans gained land from Kush in return for lowering taxes and gained a good trading partner while securing their southern border. At this point in history the Parthians were about the only people bordering Rome who could hope to fight the Romans on an equal footing in the field. Everyone else was reduced to guerilla tactics and even the Parthians relied on their cavalry. A realistic story about her though would still be interesting as female leaders in the ancient world are still very rare so she must have been a very strong willed person to achieve what she did.

[@wrestlinganime4life288]

​@@NickMachado Romans weren't that strong same with the Arabs

[@annalang5687]

I really appreciate your approach to this

[@BrandonAngola]

Nzinga brother killed her son because he was the Heir. The Mbundu people practiced a pseudo matrilineal line succession, which meant that each new king would come from the previous king nephew or grandson through either daughter or sister... which is why he sterilized her and her sisters

[@Tusiriakest]

There are letters from the King of Kongo, complaining to the King of Portugal that Portugal is buying to few slaves! He wanted Europeans to buy more slaves!

[@AndrewJ9673]

A power fantasy is a perfect way to describe the Jada Smith documentaries...

[@cromcccxvi3787]

Even Njinga is wrong. She was powerful, but she wasn't this perfect hero... they were slavers (as was everyone)

[@HistoryBuffBro]

Wait until Fredrick the Great is a loving husband, who’s straight, who won all his battles and never made a single military mistake.

[@moderatecanuck]

Never going to happen. They'll hype the fact he was gay

[@HistoryBuffBro]

@@moderatecanuck Then entirely ignore his misogyny. That sounds like Netflix. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pretty liberal guy, but I take my history seriously. It isn’t conservative to represent history accurately.

[@Chris44sun]

Im pretty sure Americans see all historical events as some sort of film produced by George Lucas. 'You are the chosen one....Lincoln.'

[@calebholzapfel316]

By this same method, "300" should be called a documentary.

[@Flint956]

I'll be honest, I'm a bit surprised to see you cover Black Panther 3 before its official release

[@soral94]

Again thank you for this amazing content!! I wish anyone who watches these Netflix """documentaries""" would watch you afterwards. Got my ma to watch your Cleopatra series because she didn't believe how much Netflix purposely mislead. Amazing IWISYDHT!!!

[@Han-rw9ev]

We need some REAL African historians to make REAL documentaries about Africa's history. (Preferably BEFORE we end up with history books about the Great Adventures of Queen Jada of Africa.) Netflix are grossly underqualified..

[@sebaseba6710]

Oh yeah! I was really curious about this!

[@adamburke1088]

Love these! Im a middle school social studies teacher - so I really appreciate these videos. History is almost sacred to me - intentional mischaracterizations, especially those motivated by racism, particularly enrage me. Keep up the good work!

[@arecane2000]

"The Portuguese launched raids", because debilitating deseases and a terminal case of sea legs makes for quite the warrior.

[@JoDoSa]

From a portuguese who actually has a college degrre in History, the most you get to study about this period is more from the portuguese perspective, mainly because most of the studies were done that way, and maybe the letter exchange betwwen the kings of Portugal and Kongo in this time period. But, yeah, it is a very underrated in termas of investigation and published papers

[@kvhjnhknjhlkihjkhmj]

These reviews are so great. Thank you.

[@RAI-1911]

Honestly... Why can't we have documentary show like old times when it was historical narration with movie as visual depiction rather than full dialogue drama movies inspired by history.

[@alicianieto2822]

Trying to apply the idea of modern nations, or identity, to periods like the middle and early modern ages does not work very well. I have found that thinking in terms of class and power groups helps make sense of "who enslaves who" or "who conquers who" much better.

[@pyritefoolsgold3521]

I dont think its incorrect that slavery was dividing the continent. At this point in history i get the impression that several major powers in Africa had reorganized themselves around capturing and selling slaves to Europeans.

[@anthonyjames2021]

Dahomey, Kanem Bornu, Allada, Aro, Oyo, Ashanti, Kongo, Matamba, Kasenje, Ajuura, Adal Sultanate, Bono, Yoruba to name but a few so you do have the correct impression.

[@ZyroShadowPony]

This is making me miss the old documentaries my highschool geography teachers would put. The ones who knew their audience were smart to understand context clues so if you saw a scene go a certain direction you know what they imply like the raiding and pillaging of early civilizations, the barbaric acts done in the early colonies and the severe danger of the Oregon trail

[@didelphidae5228]

Mainstream media casually leaving out or even misrepresenting crucial historical facts because it's recognition would destroy their world view: 😁💅

[@luc_8710]

you are making my days with those reviews. but I miss the leather armor reactions 😂

[@QUINTUSMAXIMUS]

While slavery practiced by black Africans was somewhat different from what Europeans practiced in general, this idea of removing the massive role black African leaders had in slavery ends up making Europeans look evil and revising history to make a certain people feel good. That's not history. That's fantasy. Dahomey sold so many black people to the Portuguese. The Portuguese basically bought so many of their slaves, it wasn't so much about grabbing people, though it happened for sure.

[@anthonyjames2021]

Whilst many were held in debt slavery many others were in chattel slavery, some kingdoms used slaves in mines, on plantations, manning galleys, human sacrifice or to be sold. It is estimated that for every 10 slaves sold to the Europeans 4 Africans had been killed in the war/raid and journey to the coast that means 3.6 million died at the hands of fellow Africans for their families to be sold to the Europeans, a similar number to the Muslim trade and even more for the domestic trade over a 1000 years. As you say this attitude to tell one side of the story only is not history, but it is the main reason I think film makers stay away from African stories as they are scared to tell the true history and these fake versions they do release get slammed all the time. It is a sad fact that throughout history powerful groups of people mistreated weaker groups in almost every part of the world in most ages, even today millions are still being abused in various forms of slavery.

[@americanbard1721]

I enjoy the very straightforward historical take you have for these episodes.

[@mattkuhn6634]

It sounds like the biggest issue this show runs into is a common problem when talking about the early days of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Whether it’s out of a concern to not be seen as minimizing the role of Europeans or in some way exculpating them, or whether it’s because of some other rationale or bias, it’s very common to ignore the very real presence of slavery in West Africa at the time that the Atlantic Slave Trade began. West Africans, as you point out multiple times, were historically the principle suppliers of humans to the Atlantic slave trade. This in no way excuses the Europeans for their sins here - it’s unquestionable that the Europeans, particularly the Portuguese since they’re featured in this series, were doing horrible things to the slaves they acquired. Being sent to the sugar plantations in Brazil was a death sentence in a way and to a degree that simply wasn’t the case for slaves that would have otherwise remained in Africa. But it does no one any favors to infantilize the West African kingdoms, as though they had no agency and were not, to some degree, complicit in this in their own struggles for power. The Europeans are certainly the big villains, especially as they would often stoke local conflicts so that they could spike the demand for firearms that they could trade for enslaved people, but they are by no means the only ones benefiting here.

[@Quato369]

This is no documentary, this is rich people FANFICTION.

[@Uncle_T]

Here we go again demanding that a "documentary" should contain historical facts based on actual events and sources instead of being made up in a writer's room in Hollywood. How very dare you! 🤣

[@somethingelse4424]

Do "The Last Kingdom"? I got into that show quite a bit, despite Lindybeige ripping apart the first episode being my introduction. Studded leather armor seemed like a minor enough gripe compared to having 10 seasons of a historical action drama to binge.

[@jameswhittingham8027]

I was addicted to the books. Can recommend.

[@ViaConDias]

Thank you for taking the time to try to reach these young people that are being lied to for no good reason. It is so dangerous for humanity that apparently history is no longer extreme enough to get people interested. The real heroes of history have to be put in "capes and masks" for the young people to see them as heroes. Will subscribe to do my part to promote you. Keep up the great work

[@nedflanders4158]

You shouldn't be surprised, jada had openly spoken about this being the reason for this serious. To showcase fantasy black queens and how the entire world is possible ONLY due to them.

[@mariglenkovaci2854]

What's your opinion about the queen of Madagascar who killed half of her people

[@l-nolazck-rn24]

Bruh what? Pass the lore bro

[@bakthihapuarachchi3447]

​@@l-nolazck-rn24 I believe he's talking about Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar. I'd suggest the video of her from the channel Biographics, she's a very fascinating historical figure

[@trentonking5508]

they had it coming

[@TheKa89]

If you'd like something other than a dramatisation, Zeinab Badawi's history series she adapted for tv is awesome. Its a good introduction with interviews from historians from the cultures they're presenting.

[@snelhestarna]

I have not watched the movie in a long time. But, how would you rate this series in comparison with Oliver Stone's Alexander? On the basis of historical accuracy, both the content and how it was framed?

[@l-nolazck-rn24]

Sogdians and Bactrians weren't black the Indian campaign took part in more arid lands in modern day punyab and Pakistan. Alexander did won against Porus and quite effectively. Losing not so many, killing and capturing most of Porus' army. This is barely shown. There were obviously way more battles and important events you can't put in a movie. Add some myths and rumours which are plausible yet not confirmed. Give a dialogue said to Porus to the Persian noblewoman. Other than that it was extremely accurate, the actors had to be even take military training just to do the film. Besides the way Gaugamela is depicted was just great and impressive.

[@AdriannieBio]

This seems like such a mockery of history.

[@shaeleable]

ahh when activists re-write history

[@timothydahn3904]

Love the historical accuracy of hollywood vids.

[@chrisb7528]

Njinga Please!

[@HappyLeigh]

Ugh, I know! 😫

[@brandoncampanaro7571]

Bro i am like you with history and absolutely love that you do this! Our history as humans DESERVES to be correct!

[@IOWNYOULILBRO]

Ratio

[@British_Rogue]

You have less hair on the side of your head. Looks good!

[@jju2444]

Njinga was a very cunning woman, but she played along the Dutch or the Portuguese side whenever it suited her better. Curious point: during this period Portugal was not independent, it was managed by the Spanish king, who was also ruling the Netherlands. Both Portuguese and Dutch were not very happy being vassals of Spain. Edit: by the end of Njinga's life, she remained some Portuguese captains and priests close to her...

[@lilfeccibraemusic]

Please do a video on the movie: the last kindom: seven Kings must die

[@somethingelse4424]

Yes! Go up. I would be interested in his take on The Last Kingdom as a series in general.

[@lilfeccibraemusic]

@@somethingelse4424 I've been asking that's for a while now......I really liked the movie but I don't know how accurate it is

[@Dude-vb4ul]

I'm just glad there are finally writing stories about their own people… rather than trying to co-op the histories of other peoples, or blackwashinng fictional, but traditionally non-black characters.

[@Demonetization_Symbol]

Is it bad that Africa usually doesn't interest me except in your videos? I don't hate it.

[@l-nolazck-rn24]

Nah, that's literally me with boring oceanians and overly classist Indians. I recommend Nubian history because of its ties to Rome and the arabs (post Ptolemaic Conquest)

[@edwardmerriam6970]

4:20 What I would add on though is that the Portuguese would eventually conquer parts of the African interior (such as Angola and Mozambique) with the intention of setting up permanent white-settler colonial provinces. Angola and Mozambique had significant and large white populations and the Estado Novo made it a policy to hold these provinces until the Carnation Revolution overthrew the Estado Novo, granting independence to these colonies and a later evacuation of white people in these areas.

[@the_knut]

This is a comment!

[@trltrlfour8063]

This is a comment on a comment!

[@user-saraswatidevi]

​@trltrlfour this is a comment replying to a comment replying to a comment

[@billysgeo]

Bro! Keep it up!!!!