Etymology of Africa: The Autochthonous Origin School of Thought.

Etymology of Africa: The Autochthonous Origin School of Thought. 

According to Kinisha C. in his article “Alkebulan the Original Name for Africa” the study of the origin and historical development of the word “Africa” – otherwise called the etymology of Africa – is a contentious topic that many linguistic and historical experts disagree on. 

Undeniably, there are many reasons why the etymology of Africa is hard to pinpoint. 

Science has proven that the world’s first man came from Africa, and today the continent is home to well over a billion people who are culturally, ethnically and linguistically far from monolithic. By its very nature, therefore, Africa’s roots run deep and are complex, which makes it hard to identify the etymology of Africa or one, universal origin story of the word.

The study of the origin and historical development of the word “Africa” – otherwise called the etymology of Africa – is a contentious topic that many linguistic and historical experts disagree on. 

Undeniably, there are many reasons why the etymology of Africa is hard to pinpoint. 

Science has proven that the world’s first man came from Africa, and today the continent is home to well over a billion people who are culturally, ethnically and linguistically far from monolithic. By its very nature, therefore, Africa’s roots run deep and are complex, which makes it hard to identify the etymology of Africa or one, universal origin story of the word.

Also, Africa’s history is entrenched in a thorny colonial past. Europeans captured much of Africa’s land, and either enslaved or oppressed her people. Some were forcibly migrated off the continent’s shores, while others remained under duress on their own land. With captured land and bodies, came imposed speech. Many Africans were forced to speak like Europeans and forget their native languages. This led to the loss and even the deliberate misrepresentation of traditional narratives and truths about the continent’s history, making it difficult to identify the etymology of Africa.

Without mincing words, judging from the above mentioned hurdles, pinpointing the exact etymology of the word Africa is understandably search too beautiful to accomplish. 

There are two schools of thought that hold different views on the etymology of the word Africa. 

They are: 

1. Autochthonous School of Thought 

and

2. European or Foreign School of Thought

 The autochthonous school of thought is of the view that there were indigenous names the land was known for before the intrusion of foreigners. This school of thought uphold the originality of Africa’s nomenclature. On the other hand, the second school of thought opines that the word 'Africa' can only be traced to the Roman, Arabic, Greek, and European influence on the continent. This implies that the continent was nameless. However, in this article, the writer will focus on the first school of thought.

The autochthonous School of Thought. 

The autochthonous school of thought is further sub-divided into three theories. They are the following: 

 1. Alkebulan

One school of thought argues that Africa was originally referred to as Alkebulan by its people, long before the name Africa came about. Alkebulan is an indigenous term that wasn’t given to Africans by Europeans.

In the book “Kemetic History of Afrika”, celebrated Senegalese historian, the late Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop, asserts that the ancient name of Africa was Alkebu-lan, meaning “Mother of Mankind” or “Garden of Eden.” The name Alkebulan, he writes, was used by the Moors, Nubians, Ethiopians and other indigenous people. This theory aligns with Kemetic (Egyptian religious) and Ethiopian texts that anoint Africa as the genesis of creation. 

Alkebu-lan 1260 AH, by Nikolaj Cyon

According to Anuket Tao the historical legacy of the name "Kemet" is significant in modern times as well, especially among scholars and cultural movements that seek to reconnect with and reclaim ancient African heritage. It serves as a reminder of the rich and influential history of ancient Egypt as an African civilization.

2. Afru-ika

According to Guyanese-born, British professor of African studies, Dr. Ivan Gladstone Van Sertima, the etymology of Africa is linked to the Egyptian word “Afru-ika,” which translated to “Motherland.” Like Alkebulan, this theory also assigns indigenous roots to the etymology of Africa.  

3. Afraka

Another school of thought posits that the Dogons, an ethnic group indigenous to the region of Mali, West Africa, defined people across the continent as AfRAkan. Theorists argue that while the term may appear similar, it’s unlike the word African because it was created by the continent’s people and not a European explorer. AfRAka is defined as, “First-Sun-Soul.” Of course, like Alkebulan and Afru-ika, this theory also assigns indigenous roots to the etymology of Africa.

Conclusively, the autochthonous school of thought upholds the spirit of Africanism (a characteristically African cultural feature, such as a belief, custom or linguistic feature) and Afrocentrism. In the light of this view, the continent had a known name before the inception of foreigners. Historically, the word 'Africa' came about in the 17th century. Rhetorically, does it sound reasonable to say that the land was nameless until the foreigners came in? Africans had had a long history of mutual interaction, interrelation and transaction before the foreigner’s incursion. Africa has an indigenous identity before intrusion though there are hurdles in fathoming it. From this standpoint, I humbly submit that the indigenous names of Africa long before the external influences were “Alkebulan”, “Afraka” and “Afru-ika”. It is high time Africans desisted from looking up to other continent for her salvation. African history is rich enough to answer all our inquiries about the rich continent, Africa.  

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