West Africa Vocabulary

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Sahara Desert

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The natural border along the northern part of West Africa; the world's largest desert.

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Sahel

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Means "shore"; the transitional zone between the dry Sahara and the grasslands of the African savannahs.

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Lineage

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Lines of extended families and clans who can trace their roots to a common ancestor.

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Nuclear Family

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A mother, father, and their children living as a unit.

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Shaman

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Priest-like elders in an indigenous religion who are thought to have special powers to communicate with the spirit world.

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Animism

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The belief in which spirits are present in animals, plants, and trees; spirits could be harmful or helpful to humans.

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Oral Tradition

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Literature that passes by word of mouth from one generation to the next.

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Griots/Griottes

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West African storytellers and poets who recalled historical events and transmitted history and culture from one generation to the next.

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Epic

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Long poems filled with history, legend, and mythology and often revolve around heroic leaders.

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Kente Cloth

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Kenten translates to "cloth"; handwoven fabric of narrow strips sewn together.