Ivan Van Sertima was a professor of Africana Studies at Rutgers University when he published the book They Came Before Columbus in 1976. The premise of this book stemmed from Van Sertima’s belief that there was an African presence in the New World, before Christopher Columbus in 1492. He hypothesized that Africans travelled to South America centuries prior to European explorers. Van Sertima alleged that pre-Columbian civilizations were strongly influenced by African travelers. He thoroughly examined possible cultural parallels between Africans and Native Americans; the first-hand accounts of the European explorers; and the intercontinental transportation of goods. Van Sertima argued that contact between the Nubians and Olmecs in 700 B.C.E. and followed by other contacts from Mali in 1300 C.E., altered indigenous art and architecture while proposing that explorers like Columbus and Balboa documented this hidden history between Africans and Native Americans. Van Sertima affirmed that pre-Columbian civilizations were strongly influenced by African travelers and cited several authorities that supported his ethnocentric views that Africans were not slaves but traders and priests who were respected by the native population. At first, Van Sertima cited Columbus as evidence of an African presence on the island of Espanola, the author quoted, “The Indians of this Espanola said there had come to Espanola a black people who have the tops of their spears made of a metal which they called gua-nin…” (13). Sertima suggested the phonetic origin of gua-nin was the West African word for gold. Also commissioned by Spain, Vasco Nunez de Balboa in 1513 came upon a group of African captives in a native settlement. The inhabitants explained that the bla... ... middle of paper ... ...me Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America offers a unique scholarly approach, the dated evidence is presented as a hypothetical novel rather than anthropological theory. The possibility of an African presence in the New World, to European explorers is plausible since it is likely that the Phoenicians and Egyptians traded. However, Van Sertima beliefs that pre-Columbian civilizations were strongly influenced by African travelers through cultural parallels between Africans and Native Americans is largely based on speculation. Van Sertima alleged that pre-Columbian civilizations were perhaps influenced by African travelers. However, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima’s ethnocentric views over shadow the academic deconstruction of cultural stigmatization that Africans were not slaves and in fact, worthy of respective as an innovative and culturally advanced society.
In Alfred J. Crosby’s book, The Columbian Exchange, the author examines the impact of the New World on the Old World, but also the impact the Old World had on the New World. One key distinction Crosby notes is how the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus challenged the intellectual systems of Christianity and Aristotelianism. Most notably, the discovery of a world that was, in fact, “new” was so contradictory to scholarly work of the past, such as Aristotle or found in the Bible, that assumptions were made on where to fit the New World into a Christian and Aristotelian world. For example, previous findings under Aristotle, which were still utilized into the 15th Century, had “quite logically supposed the equatorial zone of
The origin tale of the African American population in the American soil reveals a narrative of a diasporic faction that endeavored brutal sufferings to attain fundamental human rights. Captured and forcefully transported in unbearable conditions over the Atlantic Ocean to the New World, a staggering number of Africans were destined to barbaric slavery as a result of the increasing demand of labor in Brazil and the Caribbean. African slaves endured abominable conditions, merged various cultures to construct a blended society that pillared them through the physical and psychological hardships, and hungered for their freedom and recognition.
The history of Africans in Mexico is an oft-neglected facet of the cultural complexities of that country. In 1519, Hernando Cortes brought 6 African slaves with him to Mexico; these individuals served the conquest as personal servants, carriers, and laborers.[1] In the years to come, slavery would become a critical component of the colonial economy with approximately 2,000 slaves arriving each year 1580-1650; it is estimated that a total of 200,000 Africans were brought to Mexico during the colonial period.[2] Given this large number of slaves, the lengthy period of their importation, and the inevitable mixing of races, which took place throughout the colony, the historical and cultural significance of bozales, criollos, mulattoes, and zambos is far-reaching. The colonial period provides an excellent starting place for an examination of the significance of these groups not only because the institution of African slavery was introduced to New Spain at that time, but also because the regular influx of native Africans combined with the close attention paid to color-based castas in official records allows historians to trace the influence of African culture more readily during that period.
Concerning the nature of myths, one can often find that they are built on broad generalization lacking the premises necessary to make a solid conclusion. Such was the same myths, Pier Larson sought to disprove in his essay “The Student’s ‘Ten Commandments’.” Larson discuss damaging and caustic stereotypes that have worked their way throughout history to create a narrative that often subordinates Blacks when promulgated by a more affluent European society . One myth in particular appears to be quite troubling for its contradictory nature-that being the myth: all Africans are Black. Additionally, to be African is to be Black, Africans are not culturally diverse, and that Africans share one, essentially unified culture. Not only do I find these troubling for their outright abasement of African culture, which is plain to see, but rather for the duplicitous logic that lead to the creation of such myths, and why they remain so harmful when they are continued to be spread in contemporary.
Analyze the major similarities and difference among European, Native American and African societies. What was the European impact on the peoples and the environment of the Americas and Africa during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
So many Americans today are in the dark about the true origin of the African descent. From my past experiences in history classes, the teacher of coarse job is to teach from the textbook. The problem with that is the whole truth does not lie between those pages of how African culture became about. I will discuss the first king of Egypt and how his story applies today.
In analyzing the influence of Africa in Puerto Rico, it would be irresponsible to refuse to acknowledge the initial introduction of African slaves to the island of Puerto Rico that by which serves as the main vessel of contact and cultural integration. By the turn of the 18th century, inhabitants of the island where being substituted for African slaves due to the high death rates resulting from “ war, disease, slavery, emigration,” etc. (Duany, 188) Most of the slaves to whom where enslaved were predominantly, but not limited to the Yoruba and Bantu cultures of West Africa. D...
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. However, even after centuries later, little is truly known of the mysterious voyage and findings of the new world.1 By examining “Letter from Columbus to Luis Santangel”, one can further contextualize the events of Columbus' exploration of the New World. The letter uncovers Columbus' subtle hints of his true intentions and exposes his exaggerated tone that catered to his lavish demands with Spain. Likewise, The Columbian Voyage Map read in accordance with the letter helps the reader track Columbus' first, second, third, and fourth voyage to the New World carefully and conveniently. Thus, the letter and map's rarity and description render invaluable insight into Columbus' intentionality of the New World and its indigenous inhabitants.
What is ironic about Parrillo’s blaming of White-Europeans for the manner in which Native Americans are presented is that most of his evidence comes from these white Europeans who were simply observing the Native Americans, and what’s more is that not all of the views of the natives were negative showing that not all white Europeans viewed the natives the same way. For instance, Lewis and Clark illustrated the differences in phonetics among Native American Language, and these two were white men. Furthermore, John White’s 16th century watercolor of an Algonquian village further portrayed the multiculturism present among Native Americans and he too was a white
“Different but Equal” is a video in which Basil Davidson, the narrator, attempts to expand and heighten the understanding that Western civilization has about Africa. Often thought of as underdeveloped or uncivilized, Basil focuses mainly on the accomplishments of Africans throughout the years and uses them to contrast the surprisingly popular belief of African inferiority. Just a few of the main issues being brought up are how Europeans routinely discredited African accomplishments, the often disputed race of the Egyptians and their society, and why the thought that Africans are ‘uncivilized’ isn’t accurate. The video uses science, archaeology and history combined with the input of well-known researchers to give a more accurate depiction of
Over time concepts of ‘Race’, defined as a distinct group with a common linage, and ‘Primitive’ which pertains to the beginning or origin, , have been inextricably linked with the perception of Africa. The confusion of the two in the minds of people at the end of the 19th centaury, and some of the 20th, caused a sense of superiority amongst the ‘White Races’ that affected every aspect of their interaction with ‘the Black’. The ‘Civilisation’ of Africa by conquest and force was justified by these views.
“Indian tribes experienced the advent of Spanish and Mexican explorers and missionaries from the south, followed by Russians and Aleuts from the north, New England traders and whalers by sea from the west, and finally Europeans, Americans, Asians, Mexicans, Chileans, and other ethnicities by sailing east and around the world” (Merchant, 251).
In accordance to African American writer Margaret Walker’s quote that talks about African Americans still having their African past intact despite slavery and racism, immigration indeed affected cultural ways. The interconnection of the trans-Atlantic world brought about the rise of new cultures, music and expressions that were to be held by future generations, which is now the population of African American people. This paper will research on the middle passage and the early American slavery and how African tried to resist.
The Age of Exploration (1400-1600) was a time of great conquest, discovery and superstition. In which humans first circumnavigated the globe, discovered the “New World” and trade was first established between both Europe, the Americas and Africa. However, in order to fuel this rapid expansion in both land, commercialisation and greed, there was an increased demand in slavery. Without the low cost labour, trade opportunities and employment slavery provided, the Age of Exploration would have been far less successful and prosperous.
In summary, Davidson successful traces Africa’s earliest origins and demonstrates that this is a civilization far from having no arts, technology, sophistication and unique culture. Culture and civilization as we know it today can be traced back to Africa, and modern science has verified the early perceptions of Europeans to be wrong. He provides more than adequate evidence of Africa having a history complete with vast and rich civilization, including archaeological finds and specialized interviews with distinguished scholars and philosophers. Despite the fact that society possesses a more positive attitude towards African civilization today in terms of recognition, equality, and acceptance than in the past, negative stereotypes are still acknowledged and modern day racism unfortunately exists. I believe that the existence of Davidson’s work and videos such as Different but Equal are crucial to challenging these stereotypes and discrimination in order to create a more accurate image of Africa and its history. Overall, Davidson proves that the continent of Africa is home to a history that is just as meaningful, comprehensive, and progressive as that of any other civilization in the