Discussion - The African Background
nomgisaj3AFRICAN background
G. J. Giddings, Ph.D.
AFRICA?
PERCEPTION/IMPRESSION …
…
…
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Rev. Jesse Jackson, “African American”
AFRICA
Africanisms
oral, communal, spiritual & matrifocal
African immigrants
Globally
1.3-2 billion (20% of 7 billion world population)
POLITICAL MAP
POLITICAL MAP
Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Senegal;
Sahara desert,
Rift Valley
Size & Significance
Africa’s Significance
Birth of humanity
2nd largest continent
Largest mineral industries in world
65% of world’s diamond
40% of world’s gold
3 of 5 fastest growing economies are in Africa
Rwanda, Senegal, Ethiopia.
Always leading on lists of poorest countries.
AFRICA’S Significance
Birthplace of Humanity
Homo habilis
H. erectus
H. sapien-sapien
200,000 years ago
AFRICA’S Significance
Proofs
Archeology
Biology
Mitochondrion
AFRICAN CULTURE
Unity in Diversity
2,000 languages
4 groups
Niger-Congo 75%
Afro-Asiatic
Nilo-Saharan
Khoisan
AFRICA’s Achievements
Arts & Technology
Metalargy
Benin Bronzes
Black/gold-smith …
Lost wax process
Ceramics
Ifa terra cotta
Trade networks
Bantu migration
AFRICAN Political Systems
Centralized States
Versus
Acephalous States
Ghana, 700-1240 C.E.
Mali, 1230-1670
Songhai, 1464-1592
Kongo,1390-1914
Ndongo, 16th cent.
AFRICAN Politics
GHANA
700-1240 C.E.
AFRICAN Politics
MALI
1230-1670
AFRICAN Politics
SONGHAI
1464-1592
AFRICAN Politics
GHANA Empire
Tunka Manin
Soninke
1062-1076
Trans-Sahara trade
AFRICAN Politics
MALI Empire
Mansa Musa
Mandinka
“Kankou Musa”
1307-?
10th Mansa
El Hajj (1324)
M. Abubakar(i) II
AFRICAN Politics
SONGHAI
Sonni Ali (Ber)
Sorko (Sunni)
1464-’92
AFRICAN culture
Kongo crucifix
Queen Njinga
Ndungo
AFRICAN culture
Bride wealth
Versus “dowry”
Queen Mother
(Ghana) Nana Dokua of Akropong-Akuapem
AFRICAN culture
spiritual
Ifa (Yoruba)
Islam & Christianity
communal
Land ownership
Humane slavery
oral
Djeli or Griot
“Epic of Sundiata”
matrifocal
Queen Mother
Matrilineal decent
Polygamy
AFRICAN Culture/Slavery
Slavery
dynamic
A continuum
land is sacred
Temporary
Caravan laborers
Debt
War captives
Soldiers
Women preferred
Agriculture, etc.
Child care