Cross Cultural Encounter: The Europeans Influence in Africa

The cross-cultural encounter between Europe and Africa began as Europe aggressively initiated an era of exploration of Africa south of the great savanna. Europe's curiosity, exploration and greed transformed the history of African people. In the study of the cultural history of Africa, much innovation has been attributed to outside origins and influences. Historians and archaeologists have learned a great deal about the developments that emerged from the European influence in Africa. The age of exploration commences as European powers began new pursuits in geographical determinism toward non-European lands and peoples. Against this background, begins the European discovery, exploration and expansion into Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific basin. In accordance with this exploration, I will consider the impact of Europe aggression on a portion of the globe and how it changed forever the history of a continent: Portugal's impact on Africa.

Discovery and Exploration

Just a few short centuries after the country's birth, Portugal became the world's foremost naval power. Portuguese ships sailed all across the world, discovered new routes and started colonies. They influenced many countries worldwide during the height of their empire, but none like their colonies in West Africa. They brought both good and bad to West Africa, including their culture, Christianity, agriculture, and slavery.

European mariners were the agents of the encounters among