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Africa: A Brief Introduction
Africa is known as the cradle of civilisation and is where humans first emerged. Since then, many unique kingdoms and empires have flourished on the continent, contributing to the development and advancement of humankind. These kingdoms included Kush, Aksum, Mali, Ghana and many more.
The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan, meaning “mother of mankind” or “garden of eden”. Alkebulan is the oldest name in use and the only one of indigenous* origin.
It was used by the ancient Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians) and Ethiopians. The name Africa, adopted by almost everyone today, was given to this continent by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
*Indigenous - people inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.
Africa is known as the cradle of civilisation and is where humans first emerged. Since then, many unique kingdoms and empires have flourished on the continent, contributing to the development and advancement of humankind. These kingdoms included Kush, Aksum, Mali, Ghana and many more.
The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan, meaning “mother of mankind” or “garden of eden”. Alkebulan is the oldest name in use and the only one of indigenous* origin.
It was used by the ancient Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians) and Ethiopians. The name Africa, adopted by almost everyone today, was given to this continent by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
*Indigenous - people inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.
Africa: A Brief Introduction
Over Millenia Ancient African History has been recorded by Scribes using scrolls, manuscripts and hieroglyphs. However, much of what we know about Ancient Africa has been passed down in the form of oral history through storytellers called Griots. Much of what we know about Ancient Africa has been passed down in the form of oral history through storytellers called griots.
A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician. For centuries, griots have played an important role in their societies by performing and keeping alive a huge repertoire of songs about the history of their communities. They are the guardians of their society’s oral traditions and have been valued advisors to royalty and other powerful people.
The role of a griot is usually passed down within certain families, and training begins in childhood. Some of today’s high profile musicians from West Africa, like Mory Kanté from Guinea, and the late Fela Kuti*, from Nigeria, come from traditional griot families. But as times change, and cultures evolve, artists like Salif Keita, who is not from a griot family, have adopted this role. Today griots of West Africa can be found among many communities including the Mandé people, the Fula people, and many other smaller groups.
*Late Fela Kuti: deceased.
Over Millenia Ancient African History has been recorded by Scribes using scrolls, manuscripts and hieroglyphs. However, much of what we know about Ancient Africa has been passed down in the form of oral history through storytellers called Griots. Much of what we know about Ancient Africa has been passed down in the form of oral history through storytellers called griots.
A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician. For centuries, griots have played an important role in their societies by performing and keeping alive a huge repertoire of songs about the history of their communities. They are the guardians of their society’s oral traditions and have been valued advisors to royalty and other powerful people.
The role of a griot is usually passed down within certain families, and training begins in childhood. Some of today’s high profile musicians from West Africa, like Mory Kanté from Guinea, and the late Fela Kuti*, from Nigeria, come from traditional griot families. But as times change, and cultures evolve, artists like Salif Keita, who is not from a griot family, have adopted this role. Today griots of West Africa can be found among many communities including the Mandé people, the Fula people, and many other smaller groups.
*Late Fela Kuti: deceased.
What was the historical impact of Queen Nzinga Mbande’s life?
Queen Nzinga Mbande was a leader of the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, located in present day northern Angola from 1631 until her death in 1663. Nzinga’s name is written in a variety of ways, including Njinga Mbandi and Ana Njinga. This is partly because of the challenge of transcribing from the Kimbundu language, and also because the Queen herself used different names to sign her letters.
Born into the ruling family, Nzinga received a military and political education as a child, and she demonstrated a talent for diplomacy as an ambassador to the Portuguese Empire.
Queen Nzinga Mbande was a leader of the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, located in present day northern Angola from 1631 until her death in 1663. Nzinga’s name is written in a variety of ways, including Njinga Mbandi and Ana Njinga. This is partly because of the challenge of transcribing from the Kimbundu language, and also because the Queen herself used different names to sign her letters.
Born into the ruling family, Nzinga received a military and political education as a child, and she demonstrated a talent for diplomacy as an ambassador to the Portuguese Empire.
Queen Nzinga holding
a typical meal ceremony
a typical meal ceremony
African Queen
Listen to the following poem written by Lawrence Hoo and performed by Josephine Gyasi.
PLAY
Listen to the following poem written by Lawrence Hoo and performed by Josephine Gyasi.
PLAY
The History of Ndongo and resistance against the Portuguese Empire
In the 17th century, the most powerful kingdom in central Africa was the Kongo, but there were other smaller kingdoms such as Ndongo and Matamba. These kingdoms were often run by centralised rulers. In Ndongo, for instance, a group of chieftains or “sobas” ran the country.
The African nations traded between each other. Commodities such as iron, ivory and fabrics and a range of foodstuffs were traded. They tended to situate their capital cities inland on the trade routes to other countries. In Ndongo, the political leaders passed their power on to those in their family, like monarchs do today.
In the 17th century, the most powerful kingdom in central Africa was the Kongo, but there were other smaller kingdoms such as Ndongo and Matamba. These kingdoms were often run by centralised rulers. In Ndongo, for instance, a group of chieftains or “sobas” ran the country.
The African nations traded between each other. Commodities such as iron, ivory and fabrics and a range of foodstuffs were traded. They tended to situate their capital cities inland on the trade routes to other countries. In Ndongo, the political leaders passed their power on to those in their family, like monarchs do today.
West African Masks
Chokwe mask Angola
Chokwe masks are often worn at the celebrations that mark the completion of initiation into adulthood. That occasion also marks the dissolution* of the bonds of intimacy between mothers and their sons. The pride and sorrow that event represents for Chokwe women is alluded to by the tear motif.
Explore the mask on the next slide and list the materials used to create the sculpture.
*Dissolution: the process of dissolving, breaking apart or stopping a process.
Chokwe masks are often worn at the celebrations that mark the completion of initiation into adulthood. That occasion also marks the dissolution* of the bonds of intimacy between mothers and their sons. The pride and sorrow that event represents for Chokwe women is alluded to by the tear motif.
Explore the mask on the next slide and list the materials used to create the sculpture.
*Dissolution: the process of dissolving, breaking apart or stopping a process.
Ndongo
The history of Ndongo and resistance against the Portuguese empire
The Portuguese were the first European nation to begin to settle in Africa and to start to trade in enslaved* people. Even before they took Africans and forced them to work in their colony* in Brazil, enslaved Africans were living and working in Portugal itself.
In 1575, the Portuguese had founded a city which is now known as Luanda, on the coast of Ndongo. From 1580 onwards their desire to capture more and more Africans and enslave them led to them declaring war on Ndongo. They wanted to conquer the whole country.
* Colony = a country that is controlled politically by another country.
* Enslave = to cause someone to lose their freedom of choice and action; slave.
The Portuguese were the first European nation to begin to settle in Africa and to start to trade in enslaved* people. Even before they took Africans and forced them to work in their colony* in Brazil, enslaved Africans were living and working in Portugal itself.
In 1575, the Portuguese had founded a city which is now known as Luanda, on the coast of Ndongo. From 1580 onwards their desire to capture more and more Africans and enslave them led to them declaring war on Ndongo. They wanted to conquer the whole country.
* Colony = a country that is controlled politically by another country.
* Enslave = to cause someone to lose their freedom of choice and action; slave.
Portuguese Empire
Angolan Warriors
The History of Ndongo and resistance against the Portuguese Empire
Two years before Nzinga became Queen, she was sent by her brother to negotiate with the Portuguese. She was able to reach an agreement which included the withdrawal of Portuguese troops from Ndongo and recognition of its sovereignty. She was also able to ensure that the Ndongo did not need to pay tributes. She did this by successfully arguing that the kingdom was an independent one, rather than a vassal or conquered state. In return, she agreed to open trade routes to the Portuguese, as well as study Christianity and become baptised.
For decades Queen Nzinga successfully resisted the Portuguese and maintained Ndongo as an independent kingdom. When she died at the age of 80, she did so peacefully in the kingdom she had defended. In the decades after her death, the Portuguese, with their dominant firepower, eventually took over.
Two years before Nzinga became Queen, she was sent by her brother to negotiate with the Portuguese. She was able to reach an agreement which included the withdrawal of Portuguese troops from Ndongo and recognition of its sovereignty. She was also able to ensure that the Ndongo did not need to pay tributes. She did this by successfully arguing that the kingdom was an independent one, rather than a vassal or conquered state. In return, she agreed to open trade routes to the Portuguese, as well as study Christianity and become baptised.
For decades Queen Nzinga successfully resisted the Portuguese and maintained Ndongo as an independent kingdom. When she died at the age of 80, she did so peacefully in the kingdom she had defended. In the decades after her death, the Portuguese, with their dominant firepower, eventually took over.
Timeline
The following slides illustrate moving timelines with key dates of actual events.
The following slides illustrate moving timelines with key dates of actual events.
Selling Fibre
Textiles Angola 1650s
Textiles Angola 1650s
Farmer Angola
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I AM NOT A ROBOT
SUBMIT
"I would have loved to have seen things differently when I was younger."
Tom Simplson
"We’re slowly trying to find it ourselves, Because it was lacked in the curriculum"
A Student
"It's incredible that his history still hasn't been given a fair representation,"
Lawrence Hoo
"It has become a tsunami of enlightenment and information"
A Student
Please let us know your thoughts.
Choose your Avatar
I AM NOT A ROBOT
SUBMIT
"I would have loved to have seen things differently when I was younger."
Tom Simplson
"We’re slowly trying to find it ourselves, Because it was lacked in the curriculum"
A Student
"It's incredible that his history still hasn't been given a fair representation,"
Lawrence Hoo
"It has become a tsunami of enlightenment and information"
A Student
