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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 is the significance of Christian naming practices among African Americans?
Reflects Kongolese traditions of naming children after Catholic saints, showing cultural continuity.
What is the cultural significance of the banjo?
An enduring tradition with roots in West Central Africa, demonstrating the cultural influence on African Americans.
What is the cultural significance of the folkloric character Br'er Rabbit?
It has roots in West Central African folklore, reflecting the cultural influence on African Americans.
What is the Gullah culture?
A distinct African American culture in the Sea Islands shaped significantly by West Central African traditions.