African American/African?

Question

How similar are the cultures of west African nations and people of the African diaspora in America? If there are strong or subtle differences,how have they survived through several generations or more?

Answer 1

West African nations differ in culture. Most of the West African people in the US (which were involuntarily brought) are from Togo and Benin. Some cultural aspects of Togolese and Benin cultures, remain in African American culture.

- hair braiding and hair styles

- urban music styles like hip hop, and passionate Gospel singing styles (not jazz, or blues  because that is more influenced by Ethiopian music. If you go to Ethiopia, or just check out Ethiopian music on line, you will see the similarities.)

- cuisine and diet

-beauty standards.

Despite the generation gap and the geographical moving of these people, ALOT of their customs stayed in tact. In South America and Europe, where Nigerians were forcefully brought, they managed to keep ALOT of their culture too while assimilating into European culture.

But on an individual basis,  it depends. No African American (unless a recent immigrant from Africa) is 100% black---so other cultures could influence what individual people do, just like white Americans are really very mixed and are not European in culture. I read somewhere that the average African American is like 20-30% Euro dna, and the average white American has at least  20% Subsaharan (Togo/Benin) African DNA. They are like the people in Brazil, who are really mixed. That is why Americans have so many different eye colors, unlike Holland where I am from. You see  most white people with brown eyes, and black people with green, blue, brown, or hazel eyes. American populations are very heterogenous, meaning that lots of people contributed to their gene pool.

In Holland, I usually only see people with blue eyes or very rarely grey eyes. And light brown or blonde hair. They are not  mixed but we tan really well. People with the same gene pool usually all look similar and have similar phenotypes. Like in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, they are black (naturally pigmented people--who do not have to tan to get that pretty coloring; I have to tan but their skin is so beautiful. Alot of African people have pretty skin tones. But all Ethiopians have good faces, naturally brown skin, and thick long hair. And  not just one generation looks this way, but they all have it. And I get so jealous sometimes. But they look good and Ethiopians have had the same genes for along time (different cultures but same genes) so they all have a traditional way of looking. Like the people in Holland, we have our traditional way of looking too. With HUGE eyes! Lots of other places in Europe like Germany, homogenous too. Asian populations are homogenous too. That is how they preserved their culture for so long. Like in Japan! They have a very ancient and interesting culture, with very little gene flow from different people.

There's no uniformity in American features. America whites can look like Ashley Judd, Wynona Ryder, Fergie,  Britney Spears, Johnny Depp, Bill Pullman, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson, or Pat Sajack.  American blacks can looks like Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, Bernie Mac, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Beall  and

Blair Underwood or Will Smith.  That's why they call the USA the melting pot. America is a mix of Togolese and Benin Africans, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and little bits of Native American. Americans are very very mixed.

Answer 2

While there is a certain amount of West African spirit that gets revived at pan african festivals, most of the cultural elements are lost.  The few that have survived are not clearly linked back to the original cultures.  These include being matriarchal, communal housing with the mother's extended family, a tendency towards the bride's maternal residence, and similar features.  A change in this pattern that is very different from West African cultures is that african americans are more geographically mobile.  It's not uncommon to move across the state, country, or planet.  Tribal groups tend to avoid this sort of dispersal.

Other areas to consider might be body modification, birth and death related superstitions/rituals, and musical trends.

Answer 3

People in Africa have a click when the speak.

African americans always think thay they are victims of racism.

Answer 4

Being from the south, I can tell you there is more than a small influence. The small would be housing as there is a type of house called a "shotgun house" found in some southern cities especially New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston. This house has a central hallway with doors on both ends that you literally could shoot a gun thru the house. Food, many of the foods know as southern cooking is actually African... um Gumbo. The largest influence is in the area of music and religion. The deep faith and the music that comes from that have spurred Jazz, Soul and even Rock (combo country and soul) and I suppose Rap. There are many words such as tote from Africa. I'm going to tote myself out of here now. Thanks.

Answer 5

West African culture reveres "men of words" -- the most articulate speakers. And WHEN they speak, the audience responds (as opposed to listening incomplete silence), and will, when a particularly important point has been made, or something was especially well-said, the audience will take over for a while, repeating it and praising it and bursting into singing and dancing, before the speaker continues.

This can still be seen in some traditionally African-American churches. The preacher tends to be highly respected, because of their talking ability.

The audience chimes in with agreement and praise for the preacher's words. And sometimes the audience will take the floor for a while, repeating and praising especially important and well-said points, and chanting, singing, and dancing.

Answer 6

African American denotes the fact they're born in the USA.I don't think Africans feel as racially abused.