The Golden Stool (full title, Sika Dwa Kofi) has been the symbol of power in Ashanti Kingdom since the 17th century. According to oral tradition, Okomfo Anokye, a High Priest and one of the two founders of the Ashanti Confederacy, conjured the Golden Stool, decorated with … Read MoreThe Golden Stool (17th c.- )
Elizabeth Key Grinstead was one of the first women of African American ancestry in the North American colonies to sue for her freedom and win. Key won freedom for herself and her infant son, John Grinstead II, in the colony of Virginia on July 21, … Read MoreElizabeth Key Grinstead (1630–1665)
Murillo Discovering Sebastián Gómez Painting in Murillo’s Studio “Image Ownership: Public Domain” Spanish Baroque painter Sebastián Gómez was born around 1646 in Seville, Spain, a product of that city’s sizeable African-descended community. Ordinary benchmarks pertaining to most of his life—ancestry, circumstances of birth, parentage, … Read MoreSebastián Gómez (1646?–1690?)
Diego Velazquez’s Portrait of Juan de Pareja “Image Ownership: Public Domain” Depending on the source consulted, Spanish Baroque painter Juan de Pareja was born in the region of Andalusia, Spain, either in Seville or the much smaller city of Antequera 82 miles southeast, reputedly to … Read MoreJuan de Pareja (1606?-1670)
Paramaribo is the largest city, chief port, and capital of Suriname, a country located on the north coast of South America and the continent’s smallest nation. The city had a population of 250,000 people in 2014 who comprised about half the population of the entire … Read MoreParamaribo, Suriname (1630 – )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” St. John’s (population 22,342) is the capital of the Eastern Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, covers 108 square miles. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square … Read MoreSt. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda (1632- )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Castries, capital of St. Lucia, is also the largest city on the island. The latest estimates show its population as about 20,000. St. Lucia with a total population of 163,362 (July 2014 est.) is part of the Windward Islands chain which … Read MoreCastries, St. Lucia (1650 – )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Antananarivo (formerly known as “Analamanga” and “Tananarive”) is the capital of the Republic of Madagascar and its largest city. It is located on a high plateau overlooking the Ikopa and Besiboka Rivers. In the southern part of the city lay Lake … Read MoreAntananarivo, Madagascar (1600s- )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Roseau is the capital, principal town, and major port of Dominica, an island nation of 72,000 people in the Caribbean Sea. The town had a population of 16,582 people in 2007, making it one of the least populous capitals in the … Read MoreRoseau, Dominica (1650- )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Bridgetown is the capital and commercial center of Barbados. It is also the island’s only city. In 2014 more than 110,000 people called Bridgetown home. It is the cultural, political, and economic heart of this Caribbean island nation of 284,664 (2013). … Read MoreBridgetown, Barbados (1628- )
