State-of-the-Art: A Study of Big Data in African Historical Research

Abstract

African historical research usually relies on traditional sources of data such as oral traditions, historical records, ethnographic and colonial archival documents. These sources of data are often limited in quantity and scope, usually fragmented and may not include contemporary events in real time. They may also lack a consistent format and may be geographically restricted. Nevertheless, in recent times historians in African studies are gradually deploying big data tools such as the Slave Voyages Project and Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) to digitise, preserve and provide easy access to African history. This approach is aimed at raising marginalised voices in African historiography. Aims: This study provides an in-depth study of big data projects in African historical research. The study also investigates the potentials and problems of big data in African historical research. Methodology: The study relies primarily on secondary data which include scholarly books, journal articles and conference proceedings obtained from diverse electronic academic databases. Results: The result of the study revealed that while big data enhance African historical scholarship by creating a more understanding of the past, lack of skills in big data analytics, language barrier as well as loss of cultural, historical and social context of data due to identification of trends across large datasets are some of the challenges of big data in African historical research. Conclusion: This study concludes that while big data offers efficient approach to researches in African history, its attendant challenges emphasises the need to balance this digital methodology with scholarship in traditional historical research.