...North Africa, Christianity spread slowly West from Alexandria and East to Ethiopia. Through North Africa, Christianity was embraced as the religion of dissent against the expanding Roman Empire. In the 4th century AD however the Ethiopian King Ezana made Christianity the kingdom's official religion. Eventually, in the 15th century, Christianity came to Sub-Saharan Africa with the arrival of the Portuguese and has since remained an agent of great change in Africa. By definition, Christian values are those ideals or principles which Christianity as a religion cherishes. They refer to the values derived from the teachings of Jesus and taught by Christians throughout the history of the religion. Following the emergence of Christianity on the Nigerian scene in the 15th century, there has been a strong transference of the ideals of the faith on local lives resulting in changes in attitude, moral, social and marital behaviours. The Igbo culture of the Eastern part of Nigeria as a recipient of the Christian faith bears the weight of the religion’s values, thus, reflecting in her own cultural values. In an attempt to fathom the extent of the influence of the Western culture/Christian values on the African culture (specifically the Igbo culture of Nigeria) some historical and sociological perspectives becomes necessary to mirror this influence where it exists. Going down memory lane, the missionaries came to Igbo land in 1857, where they met...
Words: 1897 - Pages: 8
...few conclusions that students can soundly arrive at. As far back as scholars have researched, a range of different cultures have come into contact with Africa including European and Islamic cultures. A lot of the interaction has been forced upon the continent, and has been accompanied by violence, physical and otherwise. However, it is clear that the different cultures of people who have passed through and continue to reside on the continent has had effects, both positive and negative, on various aspects of the continent. Ali Mazrui is a Kenyan academic and political writer whose book The Africans: A Triple Heritage, which is actually a reader supplement to a PBS telecourse, covers this topic. Ali Mazrui’s argument that “modern” African politics, culture, and societies are a product of an Islamic, European, and indigenous African triple heritage is an accurate portrayal of the continent which African people should derive strength from, focusing on the positive aspects of each, in order to reach the transcontinental stability Africa envisions for herself. Chapter four “African Politics” of Understanding Contemporary Africa written by Donald L. Gordon is a valuable source that speaks to the politics of contemporary Africa and how they have been heavily influence by European culture. One of the most basic pieces of evidence of European influence on African politics is the countries contained within the continent which were drawn up by Portugal, Britain, France, Italy, and...
Words: 1765 - Pages: 8
...been impacted and influenced by different people. An important group that helped contribute to the Spanish America were African slaves. These people brought literature, religion, culture, food, dancing and even family traditions to this wonderful country. They also helped to influence many famous dances and the food we eat today. It is amazing how African traditions and cultures are still alive and today used by people worldwide. In this article, I will talk about the wonderful influences and contributions of African Americans to make Latin America what it is today. It is clear that Latin America would not be what it is today without the contributions of Africans. Literature is heavily influenced by African American and can be seen in my famous writtings.Relatos Africanamericanos is a great book that gives extensive information about the contributions of Africans. The Boy King was forced to go to Brazil, but helped freedmen and creates unity and respect among other Africans. Assistant and also worked at the same veneration of Our Sonora del Rosario. (93) cases in Cuba many blacks were forced to become communist to even publish their books and had to spend a lot to get publicity. These stories written by African Americans represent many cultures tradition. They also talk about an important issue in the world, racism. One of my favorite stories is 'The African Granny' this story exposes how racism played a role. In this story, the grandmother is accused of murder at the age of...
Words: 809 - Pages: 4
...clarification: • African identity- this term will be used interchangeable. (1) realizing the African continent commonality, (2) the culture and behavior of the slaves (African born and creoles)—basically what defines the slaves’ identity. • Creoles- (1) Atlantic creoles that are phenotypically and culturally mixed with African and European cultures. The Dynamic African identity: Coping with Slavery Upon considering the changes and the creation of an “African” identity (definition 2), it is important to realize that similar to the constantly changing slavery due to the frequent shifts in the social, political, and economic contexts, the “African” identity was also dynamic. Although the overall reason that prompted the development of the notion of the African continent (definition 1) might be similar across the board of slavery, the specifics of what constituted this identity (ex: religion, family formation) is largely dependent on the time period and region being discussed—ex: the 17th Century African identity in North America is different from the 18th Century identity in Europe. Several factors that enhanced the creation of the African identity (definition 2) include: (1) ability to form families as a result of the gender ratio, mortality rates, segregation from other slaves, (2) population ratio of native-born to creolized slaves, and (3) religious movement that were characteristic of the time and space. These three factors allowed for the African identity to...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...African Culture Abstract Africa is one of the most culturally enriched and diversified regions in the world, which has been influenced by several foreign nations. The African culture cannot be viewed as a simple, unified, and standard entity, which is persistent throughout the vast region. Africa is one of the largest continents of the world, and it consists of numerous socio culturally diverse societies. The main difference that exists in the African culture is present among the diversified regions of North African and Sub Saharan Africa. These regions have been influenced by different foreign societies, which led to the development of two distinct subcultures, which exist in the African culture. The native cultural development in the African region has been the target of foreign influences thorough the history of the continent, where the western and the Middle Eastern powers have played a pivotal role. Discussion The European Influence The initial European influence in the African culture was initiated by the Portuguese, who arrived in the continent in the middle of the 15th century. Ever since the arrival of the Portuguese, the region became the sole target of the majority of the European countries, who sought out to exploit the vast resources present in the continent. The European countries were experiencing several dilemmas, concerned with the excessively over growing population, and the resources available...
Words: 690 - Pages: 3
...Running head: Heritage Assessment Heritage Assessment Caridad Doucet Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V Family Centered Health Promotions Melva Bost RN, MS August 26, 2012 Heritage Assessment The United States has become a multicultural country. Everywhere you look, you see a plethora of cultures that range from Hispanic and African to Asian and American Indian. The varied traditions and beliefs of a multicultural country impact how nurses implement patient-centered care. The best way to provide optimal care in nursing is to become better informed in how different cultures view health maintenance, protection, and restoration. The Heritage Assessment is a wonderful tool to obtain information that can be used to evaluate the needs of the whole person. The Heritage Assessment is a list of twenty nine questions that identify a person’s county of origin, native language, religious beliefs, education, and birth place of parents and grandparents information. These questions reveal cultural information that can help the nurse assess the needs of the whole patient, not just the diagnosis, and to plan their care accordingly. The heritage assessment can also build communication by fostering interest and openings for other important health related questions. The information provided can break down stereotyping by informing the nurse of where individuals derive their feelings about illness, and heath care. (Smith) This nurse’s cultural heritage is Hispanic-Mexican...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...Apart by Chinua Achebe gives a vivid portrayal of the African society before colonialism, during colonialism and after colonialism. It is centered on a tragic hero, Okonkwo, whose aim for success and fear of weakness drives his entire life and eventually leads to his fall. Achebe uses Umoufia, a land surrounded with strong traditions and culture as the case study to depict the effects of culture clash on a land where “Things Fall Apart; the center cannot hold” (Achebe, 2009). The title of this book is symbolic to the turnout of events in the story and foreshadows the inability of Umoufia to resist the pressures of change. In the novel, we see a clash between cultures and change that leads to the fall of the Igbo society, a clan that used to be strong and powerful before the white people came. The Igbo people face a dilemma on whether to accept the change, keep their way of life or better still balance both worlds in one. The way Achebe presents the arrival of the colonists and their imposition of change on the Igbo Society raises some thought to me on the true intention of colonialism i.e. did they come to spread Christianity or to acquire the land? The rapid unfold of events in the novel makes me harness the latter view; they took the stronghold of the Igbo society i.e. religion, turned it into a weakness, in the name of change, to enable them exploit the land. One thing that held the society together was their religion/tradition and once the colonists introduced Christianity...
Words: 1247 - Pages: 5
...more current times of African people displaced by political oppressions, famine, economic factors, and conflicts. The slave trade encompassed four continents: Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. When slaves were forced to North America had not only brought people but different cultures within North America, too. Aside from African’s forced to North America, to understand cultural syncretism, one must take into account Asia and the Indian Ocean that took place a couple of hundred years earlier. The coerced labor from 1500 (Asia and the Indian Ocean) was an earlier account of cultural syncretism but Europeans found it more difficult to mingle two different beliefs into one. Over-time the different cultures in North America would not be so much forced syncretism, but would rather create a melting pot of beliefs (Lindenfield, 2008). Cultural Mergence Looking at the two different worlds that were oceans apart in some aspects may have been only miles apart. Thinking of what causes two different cultures to merge is usually simply religion. When settlers found the New World, had settled it in the image of Christianity. Everybody who lived on the New World’s land was expected to take in the ideology of Christianity, just like the Pilgrims did to the Native Americans (Lindenfield, 2008). Fast-forwarding to Africans forced to North America for forced labor were taught the ways of Christianity. This was nothing new to African’s though, because when Africans had been forced to...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...Americans are known because of |Throughout history, Native Americans | | |what is known today as the United States |people with Native American heritage. |their humble background. Although the |were slain, abused, and now | | |when America was discovered. They also |This number represents an increase of |majority of them do not share |outnumbered. Despite of these facts, | | |remained present at the time of the European|26.7% of Native Americans in the United |Christianity as the common religion they |the Native American culture remains | | |migration. The needs of early |States in comparison to the 2000 U.S. |believe a Highly Spiritual life though |mostly pure and has vast influence...
Words: 1995 - Pages: 8
...Westernization and European Influences on Various Cultures Angela Lancaster AIU Online HUMA215-1205B-19 Abstract We are asked to analyze and interpret a quotation about the confrontation of Western civilization with other people whose values were often dramatically opposed to the West’s. We are asked to discuss what would the loss of centeredness of culture have meant for a given cultural group. To select from the non-western cultural groups and research the impact of Western or European cultures on the group chosen. Finally we are asked to give an opinion on how non-western culture was prior to the late nineteenth century and how did it change as a result of European expansion. There are several cultures that were affected by the westernization and the colonization of the Europeans. A few of these cultures are the Native Americans, Africans, Chinese, and Japanese. Each of these different cultures had drawn in different ideals, some good, and some bad. Asia did not have as many problems with westernization as the Native Americans and the Africans. The entire culture of the Native Americans and Africans were destroyed from European expansion and colonization, whereas the Chinese and Japanese retained much of their heritage by remaining out of touch with the western world. (Sayre, 2012) The Native Americans had a civilization that was basic and traditional, and it remained that way for several hundred if not thousands of years. They lived off of the land...
Words: 1115 - Pages: 5
...across the world in a seamless and integrated manner. (managementstudyguide.com, 2013) In this paper I will discuss two different examples of how native non western cultures have been impacted by globalization.! A. ! I chose to discuss the impact that a major food chain ,McDonalds, has had on the culture in China. McDonalds appeared in China in 1990, at this time there weren't many western food restaurants. (Griffith, 2008) The income level was low, but McDonalds set its prices relatively high, establishing itself as a high end restaurant. White collar workers chose to dine there, thus making McDonalds a fashionable hot spot. McDonalds is also very geared towards children. Due to the one child policy in China, parents dote and at times give in excess to their child, making McDonalds very successful. McDonald’s high prices made dinning there for the average Chinese citizen a luxury, and was valued as a special occasion. ! I chose to discuss the impact of Christianity on Africa for my second topic. The traditional African society believed in the existence of many Gods, where all objects had a separate creator. African religion had no written works, so it was reliant on the use of word of mouth, customs, practices, and those that were thought to be gifted in dealing with spiritual issues. African religions emphasize maintaining a harmonious relationship with the divine powers, and their rituals attempt to harness cosmic powers and channel them for good. (Anderson,...
Words: 948 - Pages: 4
...comprises of seven countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. Most north african countries were colonized by Arabic countries and because of this have a lot of arabic influences from their language which are various dialects of Berber and Arabic , their religious preference which is islam , and their clothing Over the years, Berber peoples have been influenced by other cultures with which they came in contact: Nubians, Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, and the Vandals. They are known for their wildlife and savanah culture. West Africa West Africa has been defined in Africa as including the seventeen countries Benin, Burkina Faso, island of Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, island of Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe and Togo. The british west african countries are The Gambia, Sierra Leone,Western Nigeria Ghana, and Nigeria. The french west african countries Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),Burkina Faso Benin and Niger. Portuguese influence in the west african 2nd language “Pidgin” or “Brokin” (not broken) -“ You sabi am?” meaning “can you do it?” "Sabi" is derived from the portugese word “saber” which means “to do”. Foreign religions Christianity and islam though certain areas of West Africa have tend not to adopt Christianity and Islam, maintaining many of...
Words: 523 - Pages: 3
...behind we can also see the impact they have had on many diverse cultures and societies today. Cultural Syncretism and its Impact Introduction Cultural syncretism occurs when two opposite cultures mix and blend their cultural beliefs, whether they be political or religious, to produce or to start a new culture or religion. Historically, syncretism has been seen as an attempt to reconcile disparities between various cultures. Africa and the Americas both had help with other factors like weapons, religion, and technological advancements. When it came to cultural beliefs, China and India’s values were very different. They would operate from outside of the traditional beliefs, which made them much more resistant to syncretism. Compare and contrast the legacies of cultural syncretism in Africa and the Americas with the resistance to cultural change Westerners encountered in China and India. When different aspects of cultural philosophies or religions blend together and disparities are compromised, cultural syncretism occurs. According to the 1830 American census 2.3 million people were of African descent and there was only 12.8 million in the country (Joyner, 2003). Also of that 12.8 million 2.44% were free Africans, 15.56% were enslaved Africans and 82% were free white people (Joyner, 2003). Within the United States, the large number of Africans along with their culture greatly contributed to the culture and history of America. The people brought with them knowledge...
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...In his book, Facing Mount Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta establishes the history and culture of the Gikuyu society. Articulated from an African perspective, the book demonstrations both the rich culture of the Gikuyu society, and even the threats of European impact over a population of people whose whole lives are centered on social customs and religious ideas. He defends the African customs and troubles the British dominated in Kenya. Certain points are cited throughout his reading with respect to the explanation of Gikuyu society. Oral tradition, family clan, age grouping, marriage, religion and sexuality play a reflective role in the lives of the Gikuyu culture. Kenyatta discovers the British taking advantage of the work-force the Gikuyu provide. He additional states that the British took away their right to religion and has described them as an uncivilized and sluggish society. Kenyatta explains that the British took away their right to religion and has described them as an uncivilized and sluggish society. He states that oral custom is a vital trait that a young child in the Gikuyu culture acquires from his birth. Writing and reading were not ideal abilities since the oral tradition permitted the child to grow and adapt to this type of personality. The child was directed through the teachings of his parents so that one day he or her may be able to carry this tradition to their offspring. Folklore, tribal dances, tribal customs, and farming were all taught orally and through hands-on...
Words: 799 - Pages: 4
...it any more. Yet she does critique corrupt religious figures, from obeah practitioners to those of the higher echelons of the Roman Catholic Church. This suggests that Buffong sets her hopes on a return to an African-based spirituality in harmony with nature and community, illustrated by the novel’s nature symbolism and African-Caribbean religions and folklore. In Healing Narratives, Gay Wilentz develops the idea that “cultures themselves can be[come] ill” from a brutal history of colonial conquest and slavery (1). The colonists’ violent disruption and dislocation of African communities were compounded by the psychological violence caused by the repression of the root culture and the imposition of the dominant culture; conditions which laid the foundation for sick Caribbean communities. Members of these communities suffer from the identity crises caused by the conflict between Western materialism and African spirituality. Although the enslaved Africans clung to their culture to maintain an identity in opposition to that of the colonizer, their descendants were lured into assimilation by promises of material wellbeing and social mobility under the condition that they submerge their traditional African worldview. However in the context of the traditional African worldview, the spiritual cannot be submerged without causing serious psychological or physical harm. Physical and...
Words: 2444 - Pages: 10
