Empowering Histories: AP African American Studies - Unit 1

Flashcards on African American Studies, African Diaspora, and Ancient African Societies

African American Studies

Combines an interdisciplinary approach with the rigors of scholarly inquiry to analyze the history, culture, and contributions of people of African descent in the U.S. and throughout the African Diaspora.

Emergence of African American Studies

Emerged from Black artistic, intellectual, and political movements and eventually grew into a formalized field of study.

Africa's Significance

The birthplace of humanity and the ancestral home of African Americans. Early African societies brought about developments in fields including the arts, architecture, technology, politics, religion, and music.

Interdisciplinary analysis in African American studies

Analysis that dispels notions of Africa as a place with an undocumented or unknowable history, affirming early Africa as a diverse continent with complex societies that were globally connected well before the onset of the Atlantic slave trade.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Combines knowledge from multiple disciplines to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Misleading Notions

Inaccurate or deceptive perceptions.

Black Campus Movement (1965-1972)

Movement (1965-1972) where Black students protested for the inclusion of Black history and culture in universities.

Birthplace of Humanity

The origin of human life; Africa is considered this.

Geographically Diverse

Having a variety of geographical features.

Climate Zones

Specific temperature and precipitation patterns that affect the environment.

Sahara

Largest hot desert, located in Africa.

Sahel

Transitional zone in Africa between desert and savanna.

Savanna Grasslands

Grassland ecosystem in Africa.

Niger River

Major river in West Africa.

Congo River

Major river in Central Africa.

Nile River

Longest river in the world, located in Africa.

Domestication

Taming of animals for human use.

Nomadic

Wandering, moving from place to place.

Kola Trees and Yams

Crops cultivated in tropical rainforests of Africa.

Population Growth

The rate at which a population increases.

Bantu Expansion

Technological and agricultural advancements led to migration from 1500 BCE to 500 CE.

Bantu Linguistic Family

Family containing hundreds of languages spoken throughout West, Central, and Southern Africa.

African Ethnolinguistic Diversity

Variety of ethnic groups and languages in Africa.

Complex Societies

Societies with complex social hierarchies, economies, and governance.

Nubia

Ancient civilization located in present-day Sudan.

25th Dynasty of Black Pharaohs

Dynasty of Nubian pharaohs who ruled Egypt for a century.

Aksumite Empire

Empire located in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Maritime Trade

Trade networks across seas and oceans.

Ge'ez

Ancient script developed in Aksum.

Nok

Ancient society in present-day Nigeria known for terracotta sculptures.

Terracotta Sculptures

Earliest evidence of a complex, settled society in sub-Saharan Africa.

First Christian African Society

Aksum became this under King Ezana.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Church that still uses Ge'ez as its liturgical language.

Countered Racist Stereotypes

Opposed or disproved racist ideas about African history.

Sudanic Empires

Empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Nexus of Trade Routes

Area that served as a hub for multiple trade routes.

Trans-Saharan Commerce

Routes that brought North African traders and scholars to West Africa.

Islam

Religion introduced and spread through West Africa through trade.

Hajj in 1324

Religious pilgrimage to Mecca.

Trade Route Shift

Shifting from trans-Saharan to Atlantic trade.

Diminishing Wealth

Resulted from the shift in trade routes.

Trade, Learning, and Cultural Exchange

Scholarly pursuits and cultural exchange.

North African Horses

Used by Mali's leaders for military advantage.

Purchased Steel Weapons

Acquired for military strength by Mali.

Mali's Book Trade and Universities

Centers of learning in trading cities.

Timbuktu

City that had a university and learning community.

Griots

Historians, storytellers, and musicians who maintained and shared a community's history.

Syncretic Religious Practice

Practices where introduced faiths are blended with indigenous beliefs.

Islam in Mali and Songhai

Integrating aspects of introduced faiths with indigenous beliefs.

Christianity in Kongo

Impacted West African societies through Portuguese sailors.

Cosmologies

Beliefs about the origin of the universe.

Veneration of the Ancestors

Practices related to West African spirituality.

Divination

Predicting the future through supernatural means.

West African Spirituality in Modern Louisiana

Practices found in Louisiana.

Voodoo, Vodun, Regla de Ocha-Ifa, Candomblé

Practices found in Haiti, Cuba, and Brazil

Kingdom of Zimbabwe

Kingdom in Southern Africa known for its stone architecture.

Great Zimbabwe

Capital city known for its stone architecture.

Swahili Coast

Coastal region that linked Africa's interior to Arab, Persian, Indian, and Chinese traders.

Shona People

People connected to trade in Great Zimbabwe who became wealthy.

Gold, ivory, and cattle resources

Zimbabwe’s resources.

Large Stone Architecture

Offered military defense and served as a hub for long-distance trade.

G.Z.'s Great Enclosure

Site for religious and administrative activities in Great Zimbabwe.

G.Z.'s Conical Tower

Likely served as a granary in Great Zimbabwe.

Arab, Persian, Indian, and Chinese Traders

Traders that united the Swahili Coast.

United by Bantu language and Islam

Language and religion that united the Swahili Coast.

Portuguese Sea Voyagers

Began to focus on West Africa due to stories of wealth, using advanced technology.

Trading Partners

Needed by the Portuguese to gain wealth in Africa, bypassing old trade routes.

Increase Wealth by bypassing Trans-Saharan Trade

Done by African kingdoms to bypassing trans-Saharan trade.

Wolof Empire

Kingdom to sustain a complex relationship with Portugal, trading spices and textiles.

Knighted

Title or status given to Wolof ambassadors in Portugal

Akan People

Met by the Portuguese and were a source of gold for Mansa Musa's empire.

Elmina Gold Trade

Area called 'the mine' by the Portuguese and was Portugal's first major entrance into the African gold trade.

Kingdom of Benin

Willing to trade captives from wars, unlocking access to Elmina's gold for Portugal.

São Tomé Sugar Production and Racialized Slavery

Developed by Portugal in São Tomé, this was a violent system of labor camps based on racialized slavery…

Kingdoms who Previously Knew Sudanic Empires Trade

Trade and conversion caused this kingdom leaders to not be shocked by the Portuguese

Kongo Religious Shock Level

A new world for the Portuguese due to conversion

Kongo

Christianity, voluntary, trade of slaves and goods

Extended kinship ties

Brought extended kinship ties and varied roles for women.

Kinship and Political Alliances + Women's Roles in West Africa

Ties and roles women impacted.

Kingdom of Benin & Ndongo-Matamba

Kingdom of Benin & Ndongo-Matamba with roles for women.

Led armies into battle

A factor which was iconic for the women

vory mask of Queen Idia FESTAC

Queen Idia symbol in culture and trade

Female rulers of Matamba

A legacy of the legacy and trade

Bantu

This empire lead an influence

Elmina

The place for trade relations

Portuguese sea voyagers

People traveled place to place

Portuguese and West African Trade

Before the Trans Atlantic Slave trade, this group of people was a large component

Elmina Gold Trade

Before the Trans Atlantic Slave trade, this economic benefit