Why did some historians believe that Africa had no history?

Some historians believed that Africa had no history due to a Eurocentric perspective that emphasized written records as the primary source of historical evidence. This view dismissed oral traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and the rich cultural practices of African societies, which were often not documented in the same way as European histories. Furthermore, colonial narratives often portrayed Africa as stagnant or primitive, reinforcing the idea that it lacked a historical trajectory. This perspective has been challenged by contemporary historians who recognize the complexity and depth of African histories.