Africans

Africans are the diverse peoples native to the continent of Africa and its associated islands, as well as their descendants in the global African diaspora. This identity encompasses immense cultural, linguistic, and genetic variety, rooted in the continent's status as the cradle of anatomically modern humans. Contemporary definitions often include both continental inhabitants and those of recent African ancestry worldwide, united by shared historical experiences such as the Trans-Saharan slave trade, Atlantic slave trade, and post-colonial Pan-Africanism.

Definition_and_Identity

The term serves as a broad demonym and pan-ethnic identifier for individuals originating from the African continent. Identity is complex, often layered with national, ethnic, clan, and tribal affiliations, such as the Zulu, Igbo, Amhara, or Tuareg. The concept was significantly shaped by external forces, including Arab and European racial classifications, and internally solidified through movements like Negritude and the Organisation of African Unity. For many in the Americas, identity is linked to the historical experience of the Middle Passage and enslavement.

History_and_Origins

Africa is the source of the earliest hominins, with key fossil discoveries at sites like Olduvai Gorge and the Cradle of Humankind. Anatomically modern humans emerged in Africa, as evidenced by fossils from Omo Kibish and Herto, before migrating globally. Ancient civilizations include Egypt along the Nile, the Kingdom of Kush, Carthage, the Ghana Empire, and Great Zimbabwe. The continent experienced the spread of Islam, the rise of the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa, and the devastating impacts of the Atlantic slave trade centered on ports like Elmina Castle and Gorée. The late 19th century Scramble for Africa led to colonization by powers including the British Empire, France, and Portugal, setting the stage for 20th-century decolonization led by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta.

Geography_and_Demographics

The population is distributed across Africa's diverse regions: North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa. Major urban centers include Lagos, Cairo, Kinshasa, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Genetic diversity within continental populations is greater than on any other continent, with deep ancestral lineages studied through projects like the Human Genome Project. The global African diaspora, a result of historic and recent migrations, forms significant communities in Brazil, the United States, the Caribbean (e.g., Haiti), Colombia, and France. Languages number in the thousands, with major families including Niger–Congo (e.g., Swahili, Yoruba), Afroasiatic (e.g., Arabic, Amharic), and Nilo-Saharan.

Culture_and_Society

Cultural expression is profoundly varied, encompassing the musical traditions of Highlife, Afrobeats, Soukous, and Mbalax; the literary works of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Naguib Mahfouz; and the visual arts of the Benin Bronzes and Ndebele house painting. Religious practice is predominantly Christianity and Islam, alongside enduring traditional faiths and syncretic forms like Vodun. Social structures range from the ancient Gadaa system of the Oromo people to modern urban societies. Cuisine is globally influential, seen in dishes like Jollof rice, Injera, Tagine, and Bobotie. Sporting achievements are highlighted by athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge, Haile Gebrselassie, and the Springboks.

Economy_and_Politics

Economies are diverse, from resource-rich nations like Nigeria (oil), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Cobalt), and South Africa (minerals), to agricultural centers and growing tech hubs in Rwanda and Kenya. Major political bodies include the African Union, headquartered in Addis Ababa, and regional blocs like ECOWAS and SADC. Post-colonial political history features leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Thomas Sankara, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, alongside challenges like the Liberian Civil War and Rwandan genocide. Contemporary issues involve navigating Neocolonialism, Chinese investment, and initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Category:African people Category:Ethnic groups