[n] Africa - The true origin of the word
are unknown however the famous 'Ex Africa semper quid
novi' quote from the Greek philosopher Aristotle determines
the word Africa was already established during Roman times.
Ifriquia is a transliteration of the Arabic term for the
region, adopted as the Moslems occupied North Africa from
the Byzantine/Roman Empire. It is believed by some to have
extended across regions as awareness of the size of the
continent grew.
[n] Afrika - There are several theories and
explanations why many Africans spell Africa with the letter
‘K’ (Afrika). Most use the Afrika spelling to
affirm a Africentric politicised belief which symbolizes an
ethos of self definition and self determination. This spelling
acknowledges that whilst we cannot be certain of the origin
of the name 'Africa' we can be sure it is not the true name
of the continent. The spelling of it with a ‘k’
is said to symbolise unity with fellow diasporic Africans
who share an African centered view of the world. The spelling
‘Africa’ is deemed to represent a European world
view.
Note: Many Africans who live on the continent
find the ‘Afrika’ term offensive due to its definition
by 17th-century Dutch settlers.
Etymology: Afrikaans, from Dutch Afrikaan,
an African, which is from Latin Africanus
There are also claims that a Roman general, Scipio Africanus
invaded and conquered Africa around 205 BC and the continents
name was renamed to honour his ‘achievement’.
Historians worldwide refute this myth and explain that Publius
Cornelius Scipio was invited to assume the cognomen Africanus
after his success in the battle for the ancient city and
state in northern Africa named Carthage. His renaming to
Scipio Africanus is said to be the first recorded instance
of the Roman practice where victors were awarded with titles
relating to the region they conquered or pacified. By the
time Scipio Africanus died his full title was Publius Cornelius
Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Numantinus. Numantinus was added
after he secured Spain by besieging and destroying Numantia.
Another popular belief is that before their interaction
with Europeans, Africans did not use the letter ‘c’
in their native tongues; the usage of the letter ‘k’
is an attempt to correct a historical wrong. An example
often given is that of "Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika"
the National Anthem of South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia
which is also sung in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Some claim that
the various versions sung in Bantu languages like Xhosa,
Swahili and Zulu which all spell Africa with a ‘k’
prove this as the original spelling. Despite this, there
are many doubts about this theory based on the fact that
Enoch Sontonga, who composed it in 1897 was a teacher at
a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. In fact South
Africa's anthem today is an amalgam of two anthems - Nkosi
Sikelel' iAfrika and the Afrikaans anthem, Die Stem van
Suid Afrika (The call of South Africa), written by the European
South African (Afrikaans) poet CJ Langenhoven in 1918.
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