Where did African heritage go?

[sixto]

In the years since Africans were transplanted in the US as slaves, it seems spoken and written culture disappeared rapidly. I don't see much in the way of African influence in English as spoken in the US and there aren't troves of essays, poetry, etc. in native languages. About all I see is an influence in music. Am I missing something or was assimilation swift and unilateral? If the latter, how and why?

Sixto
87 300D

[sjh]

Originally Posted by sixto

In the years since Africans were transplanted in the US as slaves, it seems spoken and written culture disappeared rapidly. I don't see much in the way of African influence in English as spoken in the US and there aren't troves of essays, poetry, etc. in native languages. About all I see is an influence in music. Am I missing something or was assimilation swift and unilateral? If the latter, how and why?

Sixto
87 300D

In spite of what one might believe from the numerous Black Studies departments, etc it seems that much of sub-Saharan Africa, like many if not most indigenous people throughout the world was fairly close to a stone-age culture.

I know we live in a time in which the natives of Australia, the Americas, Africa, etc are viewed as tranquil and in harmony with their world (whatever that means) but that seems to be much more of a present day revisionism then supported by evidence.

Further, regarding what we today call African culture in the US, was actually the slaves emulating the culture of the poorest segments of the South because that was the group with whom they had the most contact. I invite any who are interested to read Thomas Sowell's (a black man) excellent book 'Black Rednecks & White Liberals'.

I realize that suggesting to someone who is certain that the behavior they currently follow and believe to be African in origin is actually the behavior of the most impoverished and uneducated classes of Great Britain is not politically correct. I know to some folks thinking these thoughts is tantamount to admitting that one is a card-carrying member of the KKK but until fairly recently in our history serious inquiry and independent thought was considered desirable.

Here's a link to 117 reviews on Amazon. Almost 80% of the reviewers gave it 4 stars or higher.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Rednecks-Liberals-Thomas-Sowell/product-reviews/1594030863

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by sjh

In spite of what one might believe from the numerous Black Studies departments, etc it seems that much of sub-Saharan Africa, like many if not most indigenous people throughout the world was fairly close to a stone-age culture.

Largely true, though Iron age is more accrate.

I know we live in a time in which the natives of Australia, the Americas, Africa, etc are viewed as tranquil and in harmony with their world (whatever that means) but that seems to be much more of a present day revisionism then supported by evidence.

I know to some folks thinking these thoughts is tantamount to admitting that one is a card-carrying member of the KKK but until fairly recently in our history serious inquiry and independent thought was considered desirable.

Careful dude! You're about to set off whole jungles of PC tripwires.

- Peter.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by sixto

In the years since Africans were transplanted in the US as slaves, it seems spoken and written culture disappeared rapidly. I don't see much in the way of African influence in English as spoken in the US and there aren't troves of essays, poetry, etc. in native languages. About all I see is an influence in music. Am I missing something or was assimilation swift and unilateral? If the latter, how and why?

Sixto
87 300D

Cant speak about northern african cultures but sub-saharan african cultures, certainly south equatorial ones had no writing.

- Peter.

[sjh]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Largely true, though Iron age is more accrate.

I appreciate the clarification. The few I read on the topic seldom mention any metallurgical skills.

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Careful dude! You're about to set off whole jungles of PC tripwires.

- Peter.

I'm trying to be careful, use referenced material, use black authors when I can, etc.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by sjh

I'm trying to be careful, use referenced material, use black authors when I can, etc.

Maybe Frantz Fanon's "The Wretched of the Earth" would be as good a place as any for you to start.

Originally Posted by sjh

In spite of what one might believe from the numerous Black Studies departments, etc it seems that much of sub-Saharan Africa, like many if not most indigenous people throughout the world was fairly close to a stone-age culture.

My understanding is that african empires had peaked long before the had significant contact with the west (iron age). At some point Arabia really took over the entire region and squeezed out the other early kingdoms of africa. By the time europeans started kidnapping people, it had once again become a primarily tribal culture with plenty of inter-tribal warfare. I don't believe the early kingdoms had a strong written culture, it was probably mostly oral and lost to time.

I suspect the inability of the climate to support large scale agriculture (other than the Nile flood plains) has something to do with the lack of the large population centers that result in more "advanced" cultures.

BTW, let's not forget that egypt, one of the most advanced early civilizations, was (is) located in africa.

[kerry]

X2 on Egypt. Also don't forget Augustine. From an intellectual point of view it would be hard to find one thinker more influential than him on Christianity and he was African. Islam brought writing to Northern Africa. I don't know how many slaves imported to the US would have been Muslim. Anyone have any idea?
My world historian/archaeological friend contends that the rich hunting resources of the southern half of the continent hindered the developed of settled agriculture since it just wasn't necessary given the abundant food supplies.

I think the oldest remnant of African culture brought by slaves are found on some islands off the Georgia or Carolina coasts, if my vague memory of a documentary I saw decades ago is correct.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by sjh

I appreciate the clarification. The few I read on the topic seldom mention any metallurgical skills.

Very few, but there were some. Iron spearpoints for example as opposed to the stone arrow heads of the actual native african peoples who were hunted to virtual extinction by the southerly migration of the Bantu tribes and then eventually the arrival of whites at the southern tip.

- Peter.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by Craig

My understanding is that african empires had peaked long before the had significant contact with the west (iron age)..

What empires?

- Peter.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by kerry

I don't know how many slaves imported to the US would have been Muslim. Anyone have any idea?

None. Arab slavers didnt' kidnapp muslims, they confined their predations to the darker skinned infidels to the south who never "saw the light".

My world historian/archaeological friend contends that the rich hunting resources of the southern half of the continent hindered the developed of settled agriculture since it just wasn't necessary given the abundant food supplies.

Not sure about that. There was a pure stone age hunter gatherer culture to the south, it was displaced by the iron age pastoralists who both kept livestock and cultivated crops. However they never developed beyond the tribal stage. The only really significant difference to this being the dudes from my neck of the woods, namely the Zulus' who under Shaka set about a process of military expansion that made them the dominiant and most hated tribe of the region. Unfotunately for them they reached their probable peak at the same time as whites started their drive northwards.

- Peter.

Originally Posted by pj67coll

What empires?

- Peter.

Too many for me to remember. If you google "african empires" or "african kingdoms" you will find lots of information. This site seems fairly complete:

http://www.africankingdoms.com/

Originally Posted by kerry

My world historian/archaeological friend contends that the rich hunting resources of the southern half of the continent hindered the developed of settled agriculture since it just wasn't necessary given the abundant food supplies.

Africa is a very large area with a very long history. I think you really need to look at each area and each era separately. My comments were primarily about northern africa during the late "BCE" and early "CE" timeframe. They were primarily traders, doing business with through egypt (salt, gold, etc.). I'm sure southern africa was a completely different situation.

[sjh]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Maybe Frantz Fanon's "The Wretched of the Earth" would be as good a place as any for you to start.

Gosh Jim, where do you think I've been for the past 50 years?

Did you look at the book I mentioned, provided a link, gave the opinion of 100+ (as far as we know) unbiased readers?

I go to read about Fanon's book and the first thing I encounter is an introduction by Sartre. I'm real receptive after that.

[Did you know that the majority of Blacks living in this country are not the descendants of slaves but of people who voluntarily came here?] ---- Factual error - see next paragraph

I incorrectly remembered the article. cmac2012 & pj67coll found the error and informed me. I could not address it immediately as I had a stack of tests that had to be returned. After a full night's sleep I have been able to receive their corrections and acknowledge my my mistake. It was not meant to deceive.

Did you know that the majority of black immigrants (slaves and non-slaves) came here voluntarily. If we are such a God-awful people and everyone else treats Blacks so well and uniquely we hate them then how come the majority of Blacks came here of their own volition.

Some questions for all to ponder -

1. Who ran the slave trade?

2. Where more Europeans captured and brought to Africa as slaves or more Africans caught and brought to what would become the US as slaves?

3. Which nation effectively stopped most slavery world-wide? When? Why?

4. Which nation tore itself apart in an unprecedented fashion to attempt to rectify some of the horrors of slavery?

No sane being can examine the world-wide, from-the-beginning of recorded history abomination of slavery but let's look at a much larger picture then what we were all spoon-fed in the '60s.

There, I feel better.

PS - Answer those questions when so inclined (everyone, not just Jim).

[sjh]

Originally Posted by Craig

My understanding is that african empires had peaked long before the had significant contact with the west (iron age). At some point Arabia really took over the entire region and squeezed out the other early kingdoms of africa.

Easily could be so, the pattern of peaking and disappearing seems pretty universal. I'm trying to slow down the rate at which it is happening with my culture

Originally Posted by Craig

By the time europeans started kidnapping people

Statement needs some help. See my question #2 from post 14.

Originally Posted by Craig

BTW, let's not forget that egypt, one of the most advanced early civilizations, was (is) located in africa.

You'll note I limited my comments to sub-saharan.