African Writing Systems Before Colonization: The Scripts That Tell Africa’s Story

When people think of writing, ancient Egypt often comes to mind — with its famous hieroglyphs etched on temples and papyrus scrolls. But Egypt was not alone. Across Africa, long before colonial times, diverse civilizations created their own scripts to record history, pass on knowledge, and preserve identity. From Ge’ez in Ethiopia, to Nsibidi in southeastern Nigeria, to Tifinagh among the Tuareg of the Sahara, these systems tell a story of intellectual creativity that challenges the myth of a continent without writing.

1. Egyptian Hieroglyphs — The Oldest Script in Africa

Egyptian hieroglyphs date back more than 5,000 years. They were not just sacred inscriptions on temple walls but also used in administration, literature, and science. Hieroglyphs inspired other African scripts and influenced writing traditions around the Mediterranean.

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs — one of the earliest and most sophisticated writing systems in the world

2. Ge’ez (Ethiopic Script) — Still Alive Today

The Ge’ez script, developed in Ethiopia around the 5th century BC, remains one of the oldest living alphabets in the world. Originally used for the Ge’ez language, it continues to be employed in liturgy by the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches, and adapted to modern languages such as Amharic and Tigrinya.

Ge’ez manuscript from Ethiopia — the liturgical script still used in the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches

3. Nsibidi — The Secret Script of Nigeria

In southeastern Nigeria, the Ekpe society developed Nsibidi, a system of ideographic symbols that predates the 8th century AD. Nsibidi was more than writing — it carried coded meanings, used in governance, rituals, and communication among secret societies. It shows how symbols could serve as a social glue in African culture.

Nsibidi ideographic symbols — a pre-colonial writing system used in southeastern Nigeria

4. Tifinagh — Writing of the Tuareg

The Tuareg people of the Sahara use the Tifinagh script, which evolved from ancient Libyco-Berber writing. Its geometric symbols are still taught to Tuareg children today, linking modern desert communities to their ancient past. Tifinagh is recognized as an official script in parts of North Africa, including Morocco.

“Tifinagh inscriptions carved in stone — the traditional script of the Tuareg people of the Sahara

5. Bamum Script — The Royal Innovation of Cameroon

In the late 19th century, King Njoya of Bamum (Cameroon) created the Bamum script to preserve his people’s history. Starting with pictograms, he refined it into a full syllabary. Though colonial powers tried to suppress it, efforts today are reviving Bamum literacy.

The Bamum syllabary of Cameroon — invented by King Njoya in the late 19th century

6. Vai Script — West Africa’s Unique Alphabet

Invented in the 1830s in Liberia, the Vai script is one of the few indigenous writing systems in Africa that is still in use. It was developed independently and tailored to the Vai language, proving Africa’s enduring capacity for linguistic innovation.

The Vai script from Liberia — a unique indigenous alphabet created in the early 19th century

 Why These Scripts Matter

These scripts prove that Africa was never a continent of “oral tradition only.” From stone inscriptions to palm-leaf manuscripts, Africans wrote, recorded, and passed on ideas long before colonization. Their survival and revival remind us that Africa has always been a home of intellectual achievement.

 Conclusion

The story of African writing systems is a story of resilience, creativity, and identity. They are not relics of the past — many are still alive, evolving, and shaping cultural pride. To remember them is to rewrite the narrative: Africa has always been a continent of knowledge.

📸 Image credits

• Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs (sarcophagus panel)
  Photo: Jon Sullivan / PDPhoto.org — public domain (via Wikimedia Commons).
• Ge'ez manuscript (Ethiopia)
  Source: British Library / Wikimedia Commons — public domain (Ge'ez manuscript image).
• Nsibidi symbols
  Source: Wikimedia Commons — public domain (Nsibidi symbol image).
• Tifinagh inscriptions (Amazigh / Tuareg)
  Source: Bradshaw Foundation — public domain (Tifinagh rock/inscription image).
• Bamum syllabary chart (Cameroon)
  Source: Wikimedia Commons — public domain (Bamum script chart).
• Vai script example (Liberia)
  Source: Wikimedia Commons — public domain (Vai script image).