The African Diaspora

Over a period of four centuries, millions of West Africans were transported to North America and the Caribbean Islands in the Atlantic Slave trade. The African slaves were brought to the Western Hemisphere for many different reasons, mostly for hard labor. The slave traders found it easier and less expensive to transport slaves from the west coast of Africa. It was impractical to take slaves from the east side of the continent becauseof the high mortality rates. The African Diaspora is the result of how Africans, though separated from their roots of their homeland and scattered about in a new land, managed to retain their traditions and reform their identities. This movement lead to the spreading of African culture, religion, dance and music from one hemisphere to another (i.e. Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and Jamaica).

West Africa

The Goree Island, which is right off the shore of Senegal, was a holding place for the slaves, before they made their long journey to their final destinations. Woulousodong is a dance of the Wolorf people in Senegal. One of this dance's different interpretations, when learned in America, is that the movements represented those of the slaves while they walked up the gang plank. The movements signify adolescents breaking away from their parents' household and taking on new responsibilities.

Cuba

Many of the slaves brought to Haiti and Cuba were Yoruba-speaking people. They practiced a reliogion called Yoruba in which they worshipped more than 400 gods, which are still worshipped today. No doubt, they brought their religious practices with them. The main religion of the Spanish colonizers was Catholicism. It was taught to the Africans. This merging of religions resulted in Santeria in Cuba. Santeria is a religion of seven orishas or Gods as well as Eggiuns or spirits of ancestors which serve the santeros here on Earth. To learn more on the Santeria faith click here. Cuban dances show African origin not only in their religious foundations, but in their rhythmic movements and patterns.

Haiti

As mentioned above, many slaves brought to Haiti were of the Yoruba faith. In Haiti, the merging of Yoruba with Catholicsm resulted in Voodooism. To learn more on Voodooism click here. Also as in Cuba, many of the dance styles in Haiti show African origin.

Brazil

From the 15th century through the 18th century, about 3,000,000 Angolans were brought to Brazil to work on the different sugar, tobacco, cotton, and coffee plantations. The slaves brought their Yoruba religion, which combined with Catholicism created the Candomble. To learn mor on the Condomble, click here. The slaves also brought with them many dances, including the Samba-de-Roda. This dance was originally from the Kimbundu tradition in Angola. When brought to Brazil, it took on many different forms, but it's African origins are still very distinct.

Jamaica

Calypso is a social dance done at celebrations in Trinidad and Jamaica. The Calypso is very similar to the Brazilian Samba. Here, the relationship to African Diaspora dances is very clear.

The movement of African culture to the New World contributed to the cultural diversity of these new lands. The geographic locations of Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, and Jamaica played a major role in the amount of similarities between these cultures and those of West Africa.

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