Blog #1 Questions

     A. The term cultural interaction is the relationship of various elements within a cultural. (ask.com) West and Central Africans had different languages, lifestyles, and beliefs. Their cultural identities influence the duties they would later perform for plantation owners. West Africans were slave artisans and domestic servants because of they were city dwellers throughout the Sudanic Empire of western Africa. (33) Central Africans were field workers because of their familiarity with rice, corn, yams, and millet. (34) Though they differentiated in various areas, they eventually interacted during the Slave Trade in South Carolina. "....the first stage in acculturation process was the melding of numerous West and Central African elements in a cultural called Gullah." This is also similar to integration, incorporation as equals into society or an organization of individuals of different groups. (dictionary.com) Due to Bantu ability to work in the fields, their cultural heritage were not assimilated. While their strong culture influenced other African groups (mainly West African groups) their cooking, music, languages, religion, philosophy, customs, and arts plays a major role in the development of the early African American cultural. (37) Assimilation is the process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture. (dictionary.com) When groups from West Africa was imported to South Carolina, their work title was house servant. They were in direct contact with European Americans. Compared to the field workers (Central Africans) their cultural identity were revoked. Their vocabulary and customs was Americanized. "They were, perhaps, the first Africans whose cultural elements and language were assimilated by and retained within the developing culture of America." (22) As of today we are familiar with certain vocabulary and lifestyles that were influenced by European Americans. 

     B. During the adaptation to the New World, some African groups transformed their cultural heritage into European American customs. Other groups, such as Bantu, kept their cultural identity and combined it with newer ideas that were proposed to them. For example, the house servants were taught how to cook meals from the planters but also continued to add "African culinary taste". "African cooks in the [Big House] introduced their native African crops and foods, thus becoming intermediaries in the melding of African and European culinary cultures." (47) The term "Soul Food" dates back to when plantation owners  gave enslaved Africans discarded animal parts as their meal. Despite the indecency, Africans made tasteful and desirable meals out of them. Today it is apart of our culture. African dances is another example is another example for the process of retention. Many groups maintained their ritual and social tradition while some had to acquire the changes made by European Americans. 

     C. It is inspiring to know that we are educating ourselves and others about the African culture despite our career goals and level of education. Lorenzo Turner and Melville Herskovits took interest in African Studies during a time where it was ignored. While they were educated in prestigious schools, they could have adapted  with society and continued the trend of neglecting our history. Even though they had theories, they paved a way for us to learn about Africanisms.