In what ways do the cultural achievements of West Africa influence our culture today?
The cultural achievements of West Africans have significantly influenced the culture of the United States, particularly in the areas of art, music, oral traditions, and visual arts. Writers, artists, and musicians have incorporated many aspects from West Africa in their work.
How is folklore related to culture?
Folklore reflects culture because it relates to the way of life of the people who produce it: their ceremonies, their institutions, their crafts and so on. It also expresses their beliefs, customs, attitudes and their way of thinking.
What is West African culture?
West Africa forms the westernmost region of the African continent. People have occupied the area for thousands of years, and its population is ethnically diverse though culturally relatively similar. The beliefs of native cultures include Islam, Christianity and various traditional African religions.
Why is African storytelling important?
They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture. There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling. Storytelling provides entertainment, develops the imagination, and teaches important lessons about every- day life.
What is the moral of the Anansi story?
Anansi stories are often funny and teach us lessons about the consequences of making bad choices and that it is better to be smart than to be strong. Anansi, the trickster from the folktales of the Ashanti of West Africa, takes the shape of a spider who goes to the sky god to buy his stories to share with the world.
What is the theme of storytelling in African literature?
African proverbs and stories draw upon the collective wisdom of oral peoples, express their “structures of meaning, feeling, thought, and expression,” and thus serve important social and ethical purposes: “The story itself is a primary form of the oral tradition, primary as a mode of conveying culture, experience, and …
What are the common themes in African literature?
All were writing in European languages, and often they shared the same themes: the clash between indigenous and colonial cultures, condemnation of European subjugation, pride in the African past, and hope for the continent’s independent future.
How will you describe African literature?
African literature, the body of traditional oral and written literatures in Afro-Asiatic and African languages together with works written by Africans in European languages.
How has literature changed the world?
Literature is a powerful storytelling technology that unites us across space and time. Literature chronicles and preserves the ever-evolving human story. It invites us to reflect on our lives and, in discussion with others, to add our voices to the exploration of timeless human themes. Literature makes us think.
How does literature change a person?
Crucially, literature holds the power to change the self; to reconfigure outlooks and imaginations, and to lead to increased understanding of our identities as well as question what we believe to be true about ourselves.
Does literature change anything?
Literature is a channelling of human sentiment and its effects are subjective and dependent on how, much like any other art form, it is received by the humanity of the reader. Literature doesn’t always change anything, but if potent and resonant enough to the human spirit, can change everything.
Why do we need to study history in literature?
History and literature are the essential studies of the humanities because they interpret for us the human experience. To the extent that we are knowledgeable about these subjects, we are better able to communicate with one another.
What is the benefits of studying history?
Through history, we can learn how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed. The rich history of the world helps us to paint a detailed picture of where we stand today.