The process of decolonisation is a global phenomenon, and Bharat’s experience resonates with similar efforts worldwide to shed colonial legacies. Decolonisation can be understood as “taking away the colonial,” which involves dismantling structures that perpetuate colonial ideologies and addressing unbalanced power dynamics. Globally, many newly independent nations undertook symbolic yet meaningful acts to reclaim their own identities and assert mental freedom.
The following are some more examples of decolonisation activities from Africa and South-East Asia, focusing on how nations actively shed colonial legacies after political independence:
Ghana (Former Gold Coast)
Colonial Legacy: British colony until 1957; colonial name “Gold Coast” reflected resource exploitation.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Renamed to Ghana after an ancient West African empire.
-Introduced policies for Africanisation of civil service and education.
-Promoted traditional textiles (Kente cloth) and music globally.
Kenya
Colonial Legacy: British East Africa Protectorate; land taken from Kenyans for European settlers.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Land reforms returning farmland to indigenous communities.
-Promotion of Swahili in governance and education.
-Revived African cultural practices suppressed during colonial rule.
Tanzania
Colonial Legacy: First under German East Africa, then British rule.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Julius Nyerere’s Ujamaa policy promoted collective farming based on African communal traditions.
-Swahili adopted as the national and official language.
South Africa
Colonial Legacy: Dutch and British control; apartheid system as an extreme form of colonial racial hierarchy.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Post-1994, the African National Congress (ANC) government promoted Black Economic Empowerment.
-Renamed streets, cities, and public buildings after African leaders.
-Curriculum reforms to integrate African history.
Indonesia
Colonial Legacy: Dutch East Indies.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Renamed cities and restored traditional names (e.g., Batavia – Jakarta).
-National language Bahasa Indonesia promoted over Dutch.
-Land redistribution programs for rural communities.
Vietnam
Colonial Legacy: French Indochina.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Removed French as an administrative language; restored Vietnamese in schools and governance.
-Reclaimed French-owned plantations and redistributed land.
-Promoted traditional festivals and dress (Ao Dai).
Malaysia
Colonial Legacy: British Malaya.
Decolonisation Actions:
-“Malaysianisation” of civil service — replacing British officials with locals.
-Promotion of Malay as national language while preserving multilingualism.
-Revived local industries like batik and traditional crafts.
Myanmar (Burma)
Colonial Legacy: British Burma.
Decolonisation Actions:
-Changed colonial place names to Burmese forms (e.g., Rangoon- Yangon).
-Nationalised British-owned enterprises.
-Cultural revival of traditional music, dance, and Buddhist education.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Colonial Legacy:
-Under Portuguese (1505–1658), Dutch (1658–1796), and British (1796–1948) rule.
-The name “Ceylon” was an anglicised form of the Portuguese “Ceilão,” itself derived from earlier colonial and trade references.
Decolonisation Actions:
-In 1972, Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka and adopted a new constitution, fully severing constitutional ties with Britain. The new name came from the Sanskrit “Lanka” and Pali “Sri” (meaning “resplendent island”).
