Modern Connections to Western Africa

"if we are to understand the development of African American 

culture and community, then we must have some 
understanding of the role African experience played in the 
making of the American black people" 
 
You are to take on the role of museum curators. Your
job as a group of museum curators is to decide - what kind of
artifacts/objects might be in a museum, that connects West African Culture
to African-American Culture. ​ ​Each Group will be assigned a theme and
you’ll be given 5 minutes to discuss your findings with the class.

Each group will be responsible for:

1 - Explanation slide/s - connecting West African Culture to

Modern African-American Culture

1 - Artifact per person - describing something, old or new that

highlights the connection (see museum label/picture on the
back)

1 - Conclusion Slide about the connections / what you learned

Categories/Groups:
Aesthetics: Hair, Fashion & Jewelry
- How is West Africa present in current or
past trends?
- what are the connections to West Africa?
Folklore, Oral Tradition & Stories
- Griots, stories, preachers, spoken-word
- Is the “Oral Tradition” still alive?
Holidays/Ceremonies/Traditions
- Have any traditions lasted from West
Africa, through slavery to today?
Names / Identity
- What are the ​specific naming trends have
emerged within the African-American culture
over time​?

Music and Instruments Islam

- characteristics of West African music - It’s importance in West Africa
- are their connections to blues, jazz, hip-hop, - It’s role in civil rights and black nationalism
etc..? - It’s role in African-American culture today

Dance and Movement Food/Cuisine

- characteristics of African dance - which food is distinctly “african”
- connections to American fads and dances - Are their African roots in “soul food”?
Rubric: