All Flashcards
Who was King Nzinga a Nkuwu (João I)?
The Kongolese king who voluntarily converted to Roman Catholicism in 1491.
Who was King Afonso I (Nzinga Mbemba)?
The Kongolese king who wrote a letter to the Portuguese king protesting the devastating effects of the slave trade.
Define Kingdom of Kongo.
A West Central African kingdom influential in the transatlantic slave trade, known for its voluntary conversion to Catholicism and subsequent involvement in the slave trade.
What is African Catholicism?
A unique blend of Christian beliefs and local African traditions and art that emerged in the Kingdom of Kongo after its voluntary conversion to Catholicism.
Define cultural syncretism.
The blending of two or more cultures, producing a new and unique cultural form. Evident in Kongo's adoption of Catholicism.
What is the transatlantic slave trade?
The forced transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries, a major part of which involved the Kingdom of Kongo.
Define West Central Africa.
A region in Africa including the Kingdom of Kongo, Ndongo, and Loango, which became a major source of enslaved people during the transatlantic slave trade.
Define voluntary conversion.
The act of willingly adopting a new religion, as exemplified by King Nzinga a Nkuwu (João I) and his son Nzinga Mbemba (Afonso I) adopting Roman Catholicism in 1491.
What does depopulation mean?
The reduction in the population of an area, such as the Kingdom of Kongo, due to the transatlantic slave trade.
Define kinship.
A social bond based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption, which influenced naming practices and lineage ideas among Kongolese people and later African Americans.
What is a primary source?
A firsthand account or original document from a specific time period, such as Nzinga Mbemba's letter to the Portuguese King João III in 1526.
Define resilience.
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Demonstrated by enslaved Africans in holding onto their heritage while adapting to forced religious conversion.
What was the Kingdom of Kongo?
A significant kingdom in West Central Africa influencing transatlantic slave trade and African American culture.
What is African Catholicism?
A unique blend of Christian beliefs with local African traditions and art within the Kingdom of Kongo.
Define cultural syncretism.
The merging of different cultural elements, seen in Kongo's blend of Christianity and African traditions.
What does 'voluntary conversion' mean in Kongo's history?
The Kongolese rulers' strategic decision to adopt Roman Catholicism in 1491, not forced upon them.
What was the significance of West Central Africa in the slave trade?
It was the largest supplier of enslaved people in the transatlantic slave trade, including Kongo, Ndongo, and Loango.
What is the 'ring shout'?
An African American religious practice with roots in West Central Africa, demonstrating cultural continuity.
What is a primary source?
A firsthand account or original document, like Nzinga Mbemba's letter, offering direct evidence of a historical period.
What is meant by 'depopulation'?
A significant reduction in the population of an area, as experienced by Kongo due to the slave trade.
Define transatlantic slave trade.
The forced transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, significantly impacting both continents.
What is the African diaspora?
The dispersion of Africans and their descendants throughout the world, especially due to the slave trade.