Black Africa
Definition
- Proper noun:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: "Black Africa" refers to the region of the African continent that lies south of the Sahara Desert. The term is used to distinguish the cultures and peoples of this region from those of North Africa, which has historically had stronger cultural and ethnic ties to the Mediterranean and Arab worlds.
Usage Notes
- The term "Black Africa" is considered dated and potentially problematic by many modern scholars and commentators. It is often criticized for oversimplifying the immense ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the continent and for employing a racial classification that can be reductive. The more neutral and preferred contemporary terms are Sub-Saharan Africa or, when referring to specific regions, terms like West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, or Southern Africa.
Examples of Usage
- Proper noun:
- Anthropologists have studied the diverse cultural traditions of Black Africa for centuries.
- The book provides an overview of the pre-colonial kingdoms in Black Africa.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in historical, anthropological, or older geographical contexts. In modern academic and journalistic writing, it is generally avoided in favor of more precise and less charged terminology.
Variants and Related Words
- Sub-Saharan Africa (n): The standard modern term for the region of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
- Africa south of the Sahara (n): A descriptive phrase synonymous with Sub-Saharan Africa.
Synonyms
- Sub-Saharan Africa: The most common and accepted synonym in contemporary usage.
- Africa south of the Sahara: A direct descriptive synonym.
Antonyms / Contrasting Terms
- North Africa: Refers to the region of Africa north of the Sahara, including countries such as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, which are part of the Arab world.
Noun
-
the region of Africa to the south of the Sahara Desert
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ chứa "Black Africa"