Until the Lion learns to write...
“Until the Lion learns to write, the story will always glorify the hunter.”
-African Proverb
A very powerful Proverb on so many levels with deeper meaning. Let’s dive into it.
This African Proverb emphasizes the importance of being the authors and safe keepers of our own history. History shows us that when a nation is conquered, the conquerer erases the history and writings of the conquered, injecting their own history, customs and culture.
They do this to assimilate the conquered into their society in the position of servitude, and to hold a superior position in such a dynamic. This further asserts their domination over the dominated.
The saying: “Knowledge is power!” Marries well with this quote [“Until the Lion learns to write, the story will always glorify the hunter.”], because this relation between quotes suggests that one should document their knowledge, once that knowledge has been acquired in order to pass it on. This would include knowledge of one’s history, culture, religious beliefs, experiences, discoveries etc.
Why is this important, and what difference would it make?
Let’s have a look at cancer research, and its progression.
1775: Chimney Soot & Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Percivall Pott identifies a relationship between exposure to chimney soot and the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum among chimney sweeps. His report is the first to clearly link an environmental exposure to the development of cancer.
1863: Inflammation & Cancer
Rudolph Virchow identifies white blood cells (leukocytes) in cancerous tissue, making the first connection between inflammation and cancer. Virchow also coins the term "leukemia" and is the first person to describe the excess number of white blood cells in the blood of patients with this disease.
1882: The First Radical Mastectomy to Treat Breast Cancer
William Halsted performs the first radical mastectomy to treat breast cancer. This surgical procedure remains the standard operation for breast cancer until the latter half of the 20th century.
At this point [1882] the research has already spanned over a century. That research is still being done today! My point is: Without the research/chronicles of the original scientist; subsequent work on this subject would have been greatly delayed or not even been considered.
In the same way, we should think generations ahead and treat our people’s history with the same regard. We should always remember; the account of events in the hunters story may not be accurate. So it is imperative that the Lions give account and pass that knowledge forward.