Video Notes: West Africa, Diaspora, and Early African Civilizations (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on African diasporic studies, Nubia/Egypt relations, Nok culture, West African kingdoms, Griots, and religious syncretism.

Interdisciplinary

A field that combines multiple disciplines to study a topic.

Diaspora

The migration of people along with their culture and heritage to new regions.

Formalization

The act of making rules and/or taking authority of a situation.

HBCU

Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

PWI

Predominantly White Institution.

Black Campus Movement

Movement for Black representation in universities and expansion of Black studies programs.

Nile River

The river that flows north from East Africa into the Mediterranean Sea, crucial to ancient Egypt.

Nubia

Ancient Nubian region/kingdom south of Egypt; involved in extensive trade and conflict with Egypt (Nubia defeated Egypt around 700 BCE).

Kush (Cush)

Nubian kingdom; alternate name for Nubia; engaged in long-distance trade and served as a gateway to southern Africa.

Dynastic rule

Rule by dynasties; governance based on inherited royal families; Egyptians were often regarded as divine rulers.

Aksum

Ancient kingdom covering parts of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea; engaged in extensive long-distance trade and adopted Christianity.

Debt slavery

Slavery tied to debt; typically had limits once the debt was worked off.

Prisoner of War (POW)

A slave who is a captured enemy combatant.

Nok culture

West African culture in central Nigeria (c. 900–200 BCE) known for life-sized terracotta figures; pre-literacy; organized around kinship; no centralized writing system.

Exonym

A name given to a people or place by outsiders; not the group’s own name.

Terracotta

Baked clay; used by Nok culture for life-sized figures.

Timbuktu

Mali’s historic city and a major center of learning where books and literacy were highly valued; scholars studied astronomy, math, architecture, and law.

Djeli (Griot)

A West African storyteller/musician; often the same person as a griot, sometimes gender-specific roles exist.

Cosmology

The understanding of the universe and its origins.

Syncretism

Blending of religious beliefs and practices from different traditions (e.g., Islam/Christianity with indigenous beliefs).

Animism

Belief in spirits, deities, or souls tied to natural features or objects.

Ancestor Veneration

offerings and respect given to ancestors and their spirits.

Orisha

West African deities in Yoruba tradition; represent practical needs and natural forces.

Shango

Orisha of lightning, fire, and iron; often depicted as a young man.

Yemaya

Orisha associated with motherhood, fertility, and beauty.

Ogun

Orisha of war, metal, and hunters.

Oya

Orisha of wind, death, and storms; sometimes linked to infertility.

Voodoo

Syncretic Afro-Caribbean religion blending West African beliefs with Catholicism.

Santeria

Afro-Cuban religion blending Yoruba beliefs with Catholic saints.

Islam in Mali/Songhai

Adoption of Islam in Mali and Songhai, blending with indigenous beliefs and influencing culture.

Christianity in Kongo

Adoption of Christianity among the Kongo people, blending with indigenous beliefs.