Africana

American  

[af-ri-kan-uh, -kah-nuh, -key-nuh] / ˌæf rɪˈkæn ə, -ˈkɑ nə, -ˈkeɪ nə /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. artifacts or artistic or literary works of any of the nations of Africa reflecting geographical, historical, or cultural development.

2. a collection of materials, as books and documents, on African history or culture.

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Africana British  

/ ˌæfrɪˈkɑːnə /

plural noun

1. objects of cultural or historical interest of African origin

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Etymology

Origin of Africana

1905–10; Afric(a) or Afric(an) + -ana

Example Sentences

In June, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed various cooperation agreements with St Lucia during a state visit and Dr Ogbo sees Africana Chops as an extension of that.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2025

Born and raised in central Ohio, she moved to New York City in 2018 to pursue degrees in Journalism and Africana Studies at New York University.

From Salon • May 10, 2025

The students eventually negotiated for the creation of what would later become the Department of Africana Studies, which Burwell co-founded and later chaired.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2024

The child welfare system can be particularly risky for Black and indigenous families, according to Dorothy Roberts, professor of Africana studies, law and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2023

Okay, so maybe Africana isn’t the right word.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes