African-Americans are descendants of Africans brought the so-called Americas illegally for use as free labor. Estimates illustrate that we come primarly from West Africa, here is one estimated breakdown of our West African origins:
(source and complete info: Origins of African-Americans)
With this said, most of these communities practiced traditional spirituality. Even those that went on to practice non-African religions did so in what would be considered a relatively late stage of their development - and it is generally accepted that leaders with political and economic aspirations that involved business with Arabs or Europeans initiated these departures from traditional African lifestyles.
Also Africans, like Asians and Native Americans would often incorporate small portions of other religious cultures into their own if they happened upon something that seems to work. It would not be used to supplant or contradict - only complement. But for the most part wide sweeping changes in theology where the work of unethical, greedy or self loathing leaders that compelled their kingdoms to follow suit. This marks a dark time in Africa's history.
In any case, we are always free to remove those shackles. To say I would rather be any kind of African than anything else. There are a boundless number of traditions to follow - many are available right here in the States. Know Thyself!
Senegambia (Senegal-Gambia)* 5.8%- Wolof, Mandingo, Malinke, Bambara, Papel, Limba, Bola, Balante, Serer, Fula, Tucolor
Sierra Leone 3.4% - Wolof, Mandingo, Malinke, Bambara, Papel, Limba, Bola, Balante, Serer, Fula, Tucolor
Windward Coast (Ivory Coast)* 12.1% - (incl. Liberia): Baoule, Vai, De, Gola (Gullah), Bassa, Grebo
Gold Coast (Ghana)* 14.4% - Ewe, Ga, Fante, Ashante, Twi, Brong
Bight of Benin (Nigeria)* 14.5
Bight of Biafra (Nigeria)* 25.1% - Yoruba, Nupe, Benin,
Dahomean (Fon), Edo-Bini, Allada, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Ibani,Igbo(Calabar)
Central and Southeast
Africa (Cameroon- N.Angola)* 24.7% - BaKongo, MaLimbo, Ndungo, BaMbo, BaLimbe, BaDongo, Luba, Loanga, Ovimbundu, Cabinda, Pembe, Imbangala, Mbundu,
BaNdulunda
other groups include: - Fulani, Tuareg, Dialonke, Massina, Dogon, Songhay, Jekri, Jukun, Domaa, Tallensi, Mossi, Nzima, Akwamu, Egba, Fang, and Ge
(source and complete info: Origins of African-Americans)
With this said, most of these communities practiced traditional spirituality. Even those that went on to practice non-African religions did so in what would be considered a relatively late stage of their development - and it is generally accepted that leaders with political and economic aspirations that involved business with Arabs or Europeans initiated these departures from traditional African lifestyles.
Also Africans, like Asians and Native Americans would often incorporate small portions of other religious cultures into their own if they happened upon something that seems to work. It would not be used to supplant or contradict - only complement. But for the most part wide sweeping changes in theology where the work of unethical, greedy or self loathing leaders that compelled their kingdoms to follow suit. This marks a dark time in Africa's history.
In any case, we are always free to remove those shackles. To say I would rather be any kind of African than anything else. There are a boundless number of traditions to follow - many are available right here in the States. Know Thyself!
