AP African American Studies Unit 1

A collection of vocabulary terms related to African American Studies and the history of Africa.

African American Studies

An interdisciplinary approach to analyze the history, culture, and contributions of people of African descent in the U.S. and the African diaspora.

Black Power Movement

A movement during the 1960s and 1970s focusing on racial pride and social, political, and economic power for Black Americans.

African Diaspora

The global spread of African peoples and their descendants, particularly through the transatlantic slave trade.

Griots

Prestigious historians, storytellers, and musicians who preserve and share a community's history and culture.

Sudanic Empires

Empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that flourished between the seventh and sixteenth centuries in West Africa.

Mansa Musa

The wealthy ruler of the Mali Empire, known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and influence on trade and culture.

Bantu Expansion

The migration of Bantu-speaking peoples throughout Africa from around 1500 BCE to 500 CE, spreading languages and cultures.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade across the Sahara Desert, which connected sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa, leading to the introduction of Islam.

Great Zimbabwe

A historical kingdom in Southern Africa, known for its stone architecture and wealth from trade in gold and ivory.

Aksumite Empire

An ancient empire located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, known for its maritime trading and early adoption of Christianity.

Swahili Coast

The coastal region of East Africa known for its trade connections and the cultural blending of African, Arab, and Persian influences.

Nzinga Mbemba (Afonso I)

The King of Kongo who converted his kingdom to Roman Catholicism, strengthening trade relations with Portugal.

Queen Idia

The first iyoba (queen mother) in the Kingdom of Benin who served as a political advisor and military leader.

Queen Njinga

A leader of the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms known for her resistance against Portuguese colonizers and her military strategy.

Islamic and Christian Syncretism

The blending of Indigenous spiritual beliefs with aspects of Islam and Christianity in African cultures.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring political control over another country, often involving the exploitation of resources and people.

Kinship Ties

Family relationships that form the basis of social structure and political alliances in many African societies.