Eugene Ato Sekyi

Global Black Excellence

Shem , Ham and Japheth

The Bible's Book of Genesis contains the origins of Shem, Ham, and Japheth's story. Noah and

his family were saved by the ark after a great flood destroyed the earth, according to the biblical

account. Noah became drunk and blacked out one day. According to Haynes & Haynes

(2002),Ham, one of Noah's sons, witnessed his father in his nude state and informed his brothers.

But Shem and Japheth covered their father without gazing at him with a garment. When Noah

found out he cursed Ham and his descendants, declaring that they would eternally serve the

descendants of Shem and Japheth. Some have used this narrative to justify slavery and ethnic

discrimination. Ham, who was cursed by his father, is believed to represent the African race,

while Shem and Japheth, respectively, represent the Asian and European ethnicities.

La mina

According to Konadu & Campbell (2016) the term "la mina" was used to refer to a Ghanaian

town that played a crucial role in the transatlantic slave trade during the colonial era. Elmina is

now the name of the town, which is a prominent tourist destination in Ghana. According to

Konadu & Campbell (2016) the Portuguese founded the city as a trading post for gold and ivory

in the late 15th century. The location eventually became a major center for the trafficking of

African slaves into the Americas. However, the Dutch eventually expelled the Portuguese in the

17th century.
Gullah

The Gullah are descended from West African slaves who were transported to the southeastern

United States during the colonial period to labor on rice plantations. They were in the

Lowcountry of the southeastern United States. Over time, the Gullah people have contributed to

music, dance, narrative, and other artistic manifestations, thereby preserving, and propagating the

rich cultural heritage of West Africa.

The canary Island

The Canary Islands, also referred to as the Spanish Archipelagos, are a collection of Spanish

islands. According to Anguita & Hernán (2000),they are located near Western Sahara and

Morocco, off the northwest coast of Africa. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the islands were

an essential halt for Spanish ships sailing to the Americas. In addition, they served as a hub for

the transatlantic slave traffic.

Treaty of Ryswick

According to a Appiah & Gates (2005), France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic signed a treaty to

terminate the Nine Years War in 1967 . During this time, European authorities sought complete

control over the transatlantic slave trade. The treaty was signed at a time when European powers

were expanding their colonial empires and exerting control over the African people via the

transatlantic slave trade.

Romanus Pontifex

The Latin phrase "Romanus Pontifex" translates to "Roman bishop." According to Appiah &

Gates (2005) ,Pope Nicholas V issued a papal bull in 1455, granting Portugal the exclusive right

to colonize and trade in Africa, Asia, and non-Christian lands. In exchange, Portugal was

obligated to propagate the Christian faith and convert the indigenous populations.

Heathen Guinea Woman

During the era of European colonialism, the term "Heathen Guinea Woman" was used to

dehumanize women who were considered uncivilized or primitive. This term reflects the

prejudice and misogyny of the time and demonstrates how women were oppressed and

marginalized to an extreme degree.

The Sukar

According to Appiah & Gates (2005) ,The Sukur people, also known as the Chamba people,

reside in northeastern Nigeria, near the border with Cameroon. They have a diverse cultural

history and are extremely distinct from other ethnic groups. Their distinctive musical, dance,

agricultural, and architectural practices reflect their traditions and beliefs. (Agriculture is one of

the most essential aspects of Sukur culture, and cultivation has been their primary expertise for

centuries. Their methods involve constructing walls on slopes to create level land for producing

yams, maize, and sorghum.

Dynasty of Kanem

In the period the 9th and 14th centuries, the Kanem Dynasty existed as a Medieval Kingdom

situated in the Chad Basin of Africa. It has been established that the Sayfawa dynasty was the

ruling dynasty of the Kanem Empire according to Appiah & Gates (2005) ,In the 9th century, the

Dugu dynasty was born under the leadership of Dugu, and was pursued by his son Hummay,

leading to the dynasty's emergence as a prominent force in the Sahel region through further

expansion and consolidation.

Magdeburg Cathedral and Saint Maurice of Thebes

In the documentary film "Different but Equal," the Magdeburg catheral, located in the German

city of Magdeburg, is depicted. The cathedral is of great historical and cultural significance,

being host to many important artworks and relics, the most renowned being the statue of Saint

Maurice of Thebes. Saint Maurice of Thebes is purported to have been a Christian soldier from

the 3rd century who served in the Roman military and held the title of leader of the Theban

Legion. During the reign of Emperor Maximian, the Theban Legion were a cohort of Christian

warriors that sacrificed their lives in the name of their religion.

Nubia

The origins of Nubia can be traced back to the earliest known African states located in the Nile

Valley, specifically Upper and Lower Egypt. In 3200 BCE, Pharaoh Menes united these nations

under his reign. Nubia, a powerful city located south of Egypt, was also under the influence and

dominion of Egypt. As a consequence, Nubia was required to pay taxes to Egypt, provide
soldiers for Egypt's army, and acknowledge the pharaoh of Egypt as their master. In the eighth

century BCE, however, a significant event occurred. Nubia rebelled against Egypt and

subsequently established a kingdom known as Kush.

I am not African

In the film Sankofa, the utterance "I'm not African" was uttered by Mona when she was seized

by British soldiers to be subjugated into slavery. She made this statement as she perceived that

this type of treatment was not intended for someone of her African American background.

Yevu

In the film Sankofa, the term "Yevu" was used to denote Europeans, specifically those

who had slaves and participated in the exploitation of Africans during the transatlantic

slave trade period. The etymology of the word "Yevu" is attributed to the Ewe language,

according to Appiah & Gates (2005) ,

The university of sankore

The documentary "Wonders of the African World" details how the University of acted as

an intermediary between Cairo and Cordoba in the 16th century, displaying an impressive

student population of up to 25,000. The university curriculum offered instruction in

traditional healing practices as well as exegesis of the Islamic scripture. The university

became a hub for pedagogical activity, drawing academics and students from the entirety
of the African continent and its diaspora, providing a key impetus to the production of

manuscripts that still endure both in terms of popularity and utility.

Different but Equal

Basil Davison's documentary delves into the narrative of African history, while concurrently

refuting the idea of racial stratification. The documentary alludes to the rock paintings at the

tomb of Hemaka, which showcase the co-existence of black and white people in ancient Egypt,

thereby manifesting the concept of “Different But Equal”. Basil Davidson contends that racism is

a contemporary ailment that was propagated during the colonial period as a pretext to condone

exploitation.

Empty land Theory

It has been observed throughout history that the concept of empty land theory has been utilized

as a pretext to legitimate colonization and imperialism. The theory posits that land occupied by

indigenous people has been deemed unutilized and is consequently available for appropriation.

This theory served to legitimize the displacement of the African American community.

Ethiopians

According to Appiah & Gates (2005) , Ethiopia is colloquially termed the "Holy Land of

Africa". Appiah & Gates (2005), indicates that Ethiopia accepted Christianity a century prior to

Columbus's discovery of the Americas. The inhabitants of Ethiopia are referred to as Ethiopians.
Kitara

Kitara is a notable empire that was established in East Africa, with its boundaries extending

across Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, consequently showcasing its indispensable contribution

to the vibrant and varied cultural and historical foundation of Africa. Appiah & Gates (2005) ,

indicate that Kitara served as a major trading hub, having ties with nearby kingdoms, as well as

with Arab and Swahili merchants on the African coastline.

Francisco d’Almeida

During the period of the Portuguese Monarchy, Francisco de Almeida acted as a prominent

aristocrat and navigator, and made an important contribution to the construction of the maritime

infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. It is noted by Appiah & Gates (2005) , that in 1505, he was

named the inaugural Viceroy of Portuguese India, granting him considerable autonomy over

Portuguese establishments and outposts positioned along the shoreline of the Indian Ocean.

Terra cotta industry

According to Wilson (1992), the phrase "terra-cotta industry" denotes the manufacture of

ceramic materials composed of clay for numerous applications including construction, ceramics,

and beyond. The African continent has a longstanding history of terra-cotta fabrication, with

numerous artifacts of terracotta having been discovered in numerous archaeological excavations.

In addition, traditional edifices in the locale are generally constructed from terra-cotta bricks.
Mohammed Askia

According to Appiah & Gates (2005) , Mohammed Askia, famously known as Askia the Great,

was the sovereign of the Songhai Empire located in West Africa. He assumed office in 1493 and

relinquished power in 1528. He attained power as a military commander via a coup, wherein he

deposed his predecessor, Sunni Ali Ber. Subsequent to this, he proceeded to further expand the

Songhai Empire.
 References

Anguita, F., & Hernán, F. (2000). The Canary Islands origin: A unifying model. Journal of

Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 103(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-

0273(00)00195-5

Appiah, A., & Gates , H. L. (2005). Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American

Experience. Oxford University Press

Haynes, S. R., & Haynes, S. R. (2002). Noah’s Curse: The Biblical Justification of American Slavery.

Oxford University Press, USA.

Konadu, K., & Campbell, C. C. (2016). The Ghana Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke

University Press.

Wilson, R. J. A. (1992). Terracotta vaulting tubes (tubi fittili): On their origin and distribution.

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 5, 97–129. https://doi.org/10.1017/S104775940001196X

Wilson (1992),