CultureAugust 31, 2026

postcoloniality

post-kuh-LON-ee-AL-ih-tee

Definition

The academic study and condition regarding the lingering cultural, political, and economic impacts of colonialism on formerly colonized societies long after formal independence has been achieved.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'post-' (after) and 'coloniality,' which itself stems from the Latin 'colonia' (a farm or settlement). It emerged in academic discourse during the mid-20th century to describe the state of societies navigating their identity in the aftermath of imperial rule.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a framework for analyzing how power dynamics from the colonial era persist within contemporary global politics and cultural identities. It is contrasted with decoloniality to show that while postcoloniality studies these power structures, decoloniality seeks to actively dismantle them.

Applying A Decolonial Apologetic To Race, Culture, Tolerance

Read the full article ↗

Patheos

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