Unit 1 (P1) Vocab

AP African American Studies

African Diaspora?

The spread or dispersion of African people from their original homeland (Africa).

Sahara Desert

The largest hot desert in the world , located in the northern portion of the African continent.

Sahel

The thin semi-arid region in-between the Sahara Desert and the Tropical Rainforest.

Savanna

The grassland, located near the Equator, that boasts warm temperatures year round and seasonal rainfall.

Tropical Rainforests

Region located around the Congo River Basin, that is densely covered in vegetation and experiences an abundance of rainfall year-round.

Mediterranean Zone

Region located in the northwestern portion of Africa that experiences a subhumid climate including mild winters and dry, hot summers.

Atlantic Ocean

Ocean to the West of the continent of Africa, facilitated the infamous Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Indian Ocean

Ocean to the East of the African continent, was essential in trade with nations from Asia.

Niger River

The main river in Western African that helped to facilitate the growth of such kingdoms as Mali, Ghana, and Songhai.

Congo River

River located in western, central Africa

Zambezi River

The fourth largest river in Africa that flows into the Indian Ocean

Orange River

river located in South Africa.

Nile River

River in Africa, believed to be the longest in the world, that actually flows to the North. Was fundamental in the establishment of the Egyptian civilization.

Bantu Expansion

A migration of peoples that began in west, central Africa that took place periodically from 1500 BCE to 500 CE.

Xhosa

A member of the Bantu linguistic family that is spoken widely in South Africa, known for its distinguished clicking characteristic.

Swahili

A member of the Bantu linguistic family that is spoken widely in East Africa

Kikongo

A member of the Bantu linguistic family that is spoken widely in western Africa, current-day Angola.

Zulu

A member of the Bantu linguistic family that is spoken widely in south Africa

Egypt

Earliest civilization, not only in African history but world history as well, centered around the Nile river that is known for its longevity and numerous achievements.

Nubia/Kush

Ancient African Kingdom, located to the south of Egypt, that boasted an abundance of gold, which actually caused conflict with its neighbor.

Aksum

Ancient African society, located in current day Ethiopia, that is known for its adoption of Christianity prior to colonialism and boasts it own script (Ge'ez) which is still used today.

Nok Society

Ancient African society which boasts one of the earliest iron-working societies but is best known for its terracotta sculptures.

Dynasties

A line of hereditary rulers in a country

Heiroglyphics

The writing system that was used in Ancient Egypt

Mummification

A process, practiced by people from various socioeconomic statuses, which allows for the preservation of bodies

Polytheistic

A belief in many gods

Patrilineal

Based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line

Patriarchal

Characteristic of a system or government controlled by men.

Black Pharaohs

Ruling class of elites, from Nubia, who ruled Egypt during the 25th dynasty.

Meroë

An important city located in the Kingdom of Nubia/Kush

Semitic Languages

Branch of the Afroasiatic language family, influenced by Hebrew culture, that was spoken in Aksum.

King Ezana

Ruler of the Kingdom of Aksum who adopted Christianity willingly

Ge'ez

Official script of Aksum, still used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Ghana

Ancient western African empire that lasted from 7th CE to 13th CE, which controlled the southern trans-Saharan trade route and experienced prominence under the direction of Tunka-Manin.

Mali

Ancient west African empire that lasted from the 13th CE to 17th CE, known for being a massively rich nation largely due to Mansa Musa.

Songhai

Ancient western African empire that lasted from the 15th CE to 16th CE, known for being the largest West African Empire until trade routes shifted to the Atlantic Ocean.

Sudanic Empires

What the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires are known as collectively

Trans-Saharan trade

Trade that required travel across the Sahara Desert, largely successful due to the introduction of caravans of Asian camels.

Sundiata Kieta

Early leader of the Mali empire who defeated the empire of Ghana

Timbuktu

An important city in both the Mali and Songhai empires, which was a hub for trade, education, and religion.

Sankore Mosque

The first African University

Mansa Musa

Wealthiest man in world history, who took the Mali empire to its greatest heights.

Sunni Ali

The founder of the Songhai empire.

Askia Muhammad Toure

Leader who led a revolt to take over the Songhai empire, known for expanding its borders and spreading Islam.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca

Griots

Oral historians who share the history of Africa through poetry, music, and storytelling.

African American Studies

The interdisciplinary study that reaches into a variety of fields including literature, the arts and humanities, political science, geography, and science—to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.