According to Kennewick Man in his article

Category: Clothing, Ethnicity, Slavery

Last Updated: 25 May 2020

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Introduction

According to Kennewick Man in his article that “for NAGPRA and other related legal purposes, the federal government defines native Americans as any tribe, people, or culture that resided in the territory of the United States before historic European contact and exploration. At present, there are more than 2,000,000 Native Americans in the United States, represented by 769 federally recognized tribes” (See K. Man, “Who are Native Americans?” Past concepts of Native Americans).

In Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia stated that “the term indigenous people of the America encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas before the arrival of the first European explorers in the late 15th century, as well as many present-day ethnic groups who identify themselves with those historical people (See “Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

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On the other hand, the National Museums Liverpool published in its website that “the people of West Africa had a rich and varied history and culture long before the Europeans slavers arrived. They had a wide variety of political arrangements which include kingdoms, city and other organizations, each with their own languages and culture” (See “Africa before European slavery”. National Museums Liverpool).

Native Americans

*Culture*

Even though cultural features included language, garb, and customs vary enormously from one tribe to another, there are certain elements which are shared by many of the indigenous people of the America (See “Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

*Music and Art*

Native America music of North America Indians is almost entirely monophonic but there not notable exceptions. Traditional Native American music often includes drumming but little other instrumentation, although flutes are played by individuals. While the art of the indigenous people of Central Mexico and Central Americas comprises a major category in the world art collection. Their contributions are pottery, paintings, jewelry, weavings, sculptures, basketry, and carvings (See “Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

*European Colonization*

In wikipedia, its researched stated that “the European colonization of the Americas forever changed the lives and cultures of the indigenous peoples of the continent. In 15th century up to 19th century, their populations were ravaged by the privations of displacement, by disease and in many cases by warfare with European groups and enslavement by them. The first indigenous group that was met by Columbus was about 250,000 in number which were the Arawaks of Hipiola and this group was enslaved by them.

These European people also brought illnesses against which the indigenous people of America had no immunity” (See “Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). According to David Ruvolo that “the history of America religion is dominated by the presence of Christianity brought to the New World by European settlers. Time had run out for the indigenous race that populated the continent of North America. Native Americans were faced with an enemy that was more advanced like with the Israelites of the sixth century B.C.E.” (See D. Ruvolo, “A Summary of Native American Religious”).

*Africa before the European slavery*

According to Olaudah Equiano on his autobiography which he wrote in 1789 stated that “the part of Africa which was known by the name Guinea to which the trade is carried on extends along the coast above 3,400 miles from Senegal to Angola and includes a variety of kingdoms. This kingdom is divided into many provinces or distinct. In one of the most remote and fertile of which is called Eboe. Equiano was born in 1745, in charming fruitful vale named essaka. The distance of the province from capital of Benin and the sea coast must be very considerable, for Eboe Equiano had never heard about the white men or Europeans” (See O. Equiano. “Early Life”. Merseyside maritime museum).

*Agriculture*

As Equiano stated that their “land was uncommonly rich and fruitful, and produces all kinds of vegetables in abundance. All industries were exerted to improve those blessings of nature. Agriculture was their chief employment, and everyone even the children and women were engaged in it” (See O. Equiano. “Early Life”. Merseyside maritime museum).

*Clothing*

He continued, Equiano, which “their manners were simple and their luxuries were few. The dress of both sexes was nearly the same. It generally consists of a long piece of calico or Muslin, wrapped loosely around the body, somewhat in the form of a highland plaid. This was usually dyed blue, which their favorite color. It was extracted from a berry and was brighter and richer than any he had seen in Europe.

Their women, of distinction wore golden ornaments which disposed with profusion on their arms and legs. When their women were not employed with the men in tillage, their usual occupation was spinning and weaving cotton, which they afterwards dye and made into garments. They also manufacture earthen vessels of which they had many kinds” (See O. Equiano. “Early Life”. Merseyside maritime museum).

*Dance and Music*

Moreover, Equiano added that “they were almost a nation of dancers, musicians and poet. In every great event such as a triumphant return from battle or other cause of public rejoicing, was celebrated in public dances which were accompanied with songs and music which was suited to the occasion” (See O. Equiano. “Early Life”. Merseyside maritime museum).

*After the Europeans*

West Africans had traded with Europeans through merchants in North Africa for centuries. In the 15th century, the Portuguese were the first traders who sailed down the West African coast. After that, the Dutch, British, French and Scandinavians followed. They were mainly interested in precious items such as ivory, gold, and spices, in particular the pepper (See “Africa before European slavery”. National Museums Liverpool).

References

“Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas

Ruvolo, D. “A Summary of Native American Religious”.
http://are.as.wvu.edu/ruvolo.htm

“Indigenous Peoples of the Americas”. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.