West African diaspora
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| West African diaspora | |
|---|---|
| Name | West African diaspora |
| Regions | Americas, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East, West Africa |
| Languages | English language, French language, Portuguese language, Spanish language, Arabic language, Fula language, Yoruba language, Igbo language, Akan language, Hausa language |
| Religions | Islam, Christianity, Vodou, Candomblé, Santería, Palo Mayombe |
| Related | African diaspora, Transatlantic slave trade |
West African diaspora The West African diaspora comprises people of West African birth or descent dispersed across global regions through forced and voluntary migration. It encompasses complex legacies from precolonial empires to modern transnational communities, influencing politics, culture, religion, and demographics in destination societies. Prominent historical actors, institutions, and events shaped migration patterns and contemporary identity formation.
Definition and Origins
The origins trace to precolonial states such as the Mali Empire, Songhai Empire, Kingdom of Ghana (Wagadou), Oyo Empire, Ashanti Empire, and Kingdom of Benin (historical); to coastal polities like Dahomey and Fante Confederacy; and to inland societies of the Sahel and Guinea Coast. Early contact with Portuguese Empire, Spanish Empire, Dutch Republic, British Empire, and French colonial empire introduced trade networks, leading to migration involving merchants from Gao, Timbuktu, Kano, Borno (Kanem–Bornu), Sokoto Caliphate, Benin City, and Accra. Enslavement, indenture, and voluntary movement produced diasporic links to ports such as Elmina Castle, Goree Island, Cape Coast Castle, and Ouidah.
Historical Transatlantic and Internal Migrations
The transatlantic slave trade orchestrated by companies like the Royal African Company and the Dutch West India Company transported captives via the Middle Passage to plantations in Brazil, British Caribbean, Spanish Empire in the Americas, French Caribbean, and British North America. Revolts such as the Haitian Revolution and maroon communities like those of Palmares (quilombo) influenced subsequent migrations. Post-abolition migrations included indentured laborers to the Guianas, Mauritius, and colonial projects tied to the Scramble for Africa. Internal migrations involved movements during the Scramble for Africa, within the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate, French West Africa, and across borders created by treaties like the Treaty of Paris (1763) and administrative reforms under the Berlin Conference (1884–85).
Cultural Impact and Contributions
West African diasporic peoples have shaped music genres including blues, jazz, salsa (music), samba, reggae, hip hop music, Afrobeat, and rumba (dembow), through rhythms from instruments such as the djembé, kora, and talking drum. Literary contributions connect to figures associated with movements and institutions like Negritude, Harlem Renaissance, Pan-Africanism, and universities such as Howard University and University of Ibadan. Culinary traditions influenced dishes like feijoada, jollof rice, fufu, egusi soup, and callaloo. Artistic and religious syncretism appears in practices like Vodou in Haiti, Candomblé in Brazil, Santería in Cuba, and in visual arts linked to artists exhibited at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and Tate Modern.
Demographic Distribution and Communities
Major diaspora concentrations exist in Brazil, United States, United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Spain, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Belize, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Suriname, Guyana, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Notable communities include the Afro-Brazilian population of Salvador, Bahia, the Gullah of the Sea Islands, the Sierra Leone Creoles, and the Afro-Spanish communities in Andalusia. Migration waves produced demographic presences in cities such as Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, London, Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, New York City, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
Identity, Language, and Religion
Diasporic identities interweave ethnic groups like the Yoruba people, Igbo people, Hausa people, Fula people, Akan people, Ewe people, Mandinka people, Temne people, and Mende people, affecting naming practices and linguistic retention of languages such as Yoruba language, Igbo language, Hausa language, Akan language, Fula language, and Mandinka language. Religious life reflects Islam introduced via trans-Saharan routes and Christianity spread through missions like the London Missionary Society and Plymouth Brethren, alongside African-derived religions evident in institutions like Casa de Cultura Salvador and ritual sites tied to Orixás and syncretic cults.
Contemporary Issues and Political Influence
Contemporary issues include citizenship debates in cases adjudicated by bodies like the International Court of Justice and migration policies of states such as United Kingdom, France, United States, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia. Political influence manifests through leaders and movements connected to Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, W. E. B. Du Bois, Haile Selassie I, Patrice Lumumba, Amílcar Cabral, Toussaint Louverture, and diasporic lobbying in institutions like the African Union and United Nations. Economic remittances involve financial flows using banks and services represented by Standard Chartered, Ecobank, Banco do Brasil, and World Bank programs. Contemporary culture and diplomacy feature festivals and networks like Caribbean Carnival, FESPACO, PANAFEST, and transnational collaborations with museums such as the British Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture.