Africa Resource Guide

AIDS is the world's most deadly STD and the fourth leading global cause of death.

Member of a family (Filovidae) of RNA viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers. The virus, named for the region in Congo (Kinshasa) where it was first identified in 1976, emerged from the rain forest, where it survives in as yet unconfirmed hosts, possibly several species of fruit bats; experimental evidence also suggests that wild and domestic swine may be a reservoir of the disease.

Severe shortage of food affecting a large number of people.

Infectious parasitic disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes, marked by periodic fever and an enlarged spleen.

Bilharziasis, or snail fever, parasitic disease caused by blood flukes, trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma.

Study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of certain diseases prevalent in the tropics.

Two types of African sleeping sickness are caused, respectively, by Trypanosoma rhodesiense and T. gambiense, both transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly.

Means of producing immunity against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms.

South African political party, founded in 1912 as a multiracial nationalist organization with the aim of extending the franchise to the whole population and ending all racial discrimination.

From Encyclopedia of Nationalism: Leaders, Movements, and Concepts
Established in Addis Ababa in 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is a vehicle for collaboration and unity among African nations.

From Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices
With the influence of Pan-Africanism in the early twentieth century, black intellectuals argued that African Americans are linked historically as well as culturally with people of color who are of African descent.

In 1971 the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) emerged to provide ideological leadership, especially among the educated in black townships.

Gradual achievement of independence by former colonies of the European imperial powers, which began after World War I.

From Encyclopedia of African History
There are a number of versions of Islam extant in Africa, both north and south of the Sahara.

From Encyclopedia of Nationalism: Leaders, Movements, and Concepts
Movement in Kenya of the late 1940s and 1950s, during the period of British colonial rule. Its intent was initially to bring about new government policies that would improve conditions for Africans in Kenya, and ultimately to end British colonial rule in the country.

From Dictionary of Race, Ethnicity & Culture
The term ‘negritude’ was coined to emphasize the view that, apart from skin colour and other ‘Negroid’ physical features, there are other values and characteristics which typify individuals, or peoples, with black skin.

General term for various movements in Africa that have as their common goal the unity of Africans and the elimination of colonialism and white supremacy from the continent.

Any rapid, far-reaching, or violent change in the political, social, or economic structure of society.

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Literary works of the African continent. African literature consists of a body of work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in colonial languages (French, Portuguese, and English).

A bat-and-ball team game of 11-a-side.

From Encyclopedia of African History
Traditional music transcends age, gender, and social class. Popular music blends local and global influences and is most fashionable among urban youth.

From Encyclopedia of African History
In many African countries that attained independence around 1960, art was seen to play an important role in celebrating the new nation, expressing a new postcolonial identity, unifying fragmented ethnic entities, and asserting traditional African culture and values

Form of football originating in the UK, popular throughout the world.

From Encyclopedia of African History
Since 1945, Africa has witnessed a range of wars, beginning with independence struggles against the colonial powers that often merged into postcolonial power struggles and civil wars, while after 1960 there have also been a number of wars between African states.

From A Historical Companion to Postcolonial Literatures
Between 6 April and July 1994, 1 million Rwandan citizens were killed. The vast majority of these victims belonged to the Tutsi socio-ethnic group.