Historical overview of Africa: 1600s to the present

Enslavement in the Americas

Western trade with Africa was not limited to materials like copper, cloth, and beads. By the 16th century, the transatlantic slave trade had begun, forcibly bringing millions of Africans to the newly colonized Americas.

Although forms of enslavement had existed in Africa, the scale of the transatlantic slave trade was unprecedented, with over 11 million Africans brought to the Americas and the Caribbean over four centuries. Driven by commercial interests, the slave trade peaked in the 18th century, fueled by the demand for labor on American plantations, and continued until the mid-19th century. The abolitionist movement gained momentum in the late 18th century, leading to the decline of the slave trade. Those who survived the brutal Middle Passage brought their cultural practices and beliefs to the Americas, leaving a lasting legacy.

Among the diverse cultures forcibly displaced were the Yoruba and Igbo from today’s Nigeria and the Kongo from the present Democratic Republic of Congo. Enslaved Africans brought few personal items with them, but recent archaeological discoveries, like the beads and shells at the African burial grounds in lower Manhattan, shed light on their heritage.

The African influence in the Americas is evident in various cultural expressions, from architectural features like open-front porches and sloped hip-roofs to culinary traditions in the American South, such as gumbo and jambalaya. The religious practices of Haitian Vodou trace their roots to the spiritual beliefs of Dahomean, Yoruba, and Kongo peoples. Additionally, musical genres like jazz and the blues reflect the fusion of African musical practices with European traditions.

European Colonization of Africa

Although the slave trade was abolished by the late 19th century, European involvement in Africa intensified. The desire for control over Africa’s resources led to the colonization of most of the continent by seven European powers. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, leading to the occupation of Africa by France, Belgium, Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy, and Portugal by 1914, with only Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent.

The colonial period brought profound changes, disrupting local political institutions, trade patterns, and social beliefs. Artists responded to new forms of patronage and technologies, leading to stylistic changes in their work. Despite being labeled “primitive” and often discouraged by Westerners, many traditional artistic practices endured or adapted to the new environment.

African artifacts, collected during the colonial period, form the core of many Western museum collections today. These artifacts were often taken as personal souvenirs or ethnographic specimens by military officers, colonial administrators, missionaries, scientists, merchants, and others. Significant collections were established in institutions like the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium, the British Museum in London, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

African Independence

The struggle for independence in Africa began with Ghana’s liberation in 1957 and concluded with the end of apartheid in South Africa in the 1990s. The postcolonial period has been marked by efforts to regain stability amid political and economic challenges. However, these struggles represent only a part of the African story.

Contemporary Art in Africa

Despite the challenges, the postcolonial era has seen a resurgence in artistic production. Traditional practices have been revitalized, such as the revival of D’mba performances in Guinea after decades of censorship. Merina weavers in Madagascar have also revived the vibrant silk textile tradition known as akotofahana.

Photography, introduced in the late 19th century, has become a significant medium in urban areas. Artists like Seydou Keïta captured the faces of newly independent African nations, setting the stage for future generations. Modern and contemporary African art have evolved, with many artists engaging local traditions and embracing national identities in their work.

Artists today are products of diverse training, working in various mediums to reach both local and global audiences. Kenyan-born Magdalene Odundo, for example, combines traditional African techniques with modern art training, creating unique ceramic vessels that reflect her multifaceted heritage. Contemporary African artists continue to navigate and shape the complexities of artistic practice in an increasingly global society.