Africa, the second largest continent on planet earth and second most populated after Asia, is home for about 55 countries and two thousand language. Covers over 11.7 million miles squared, with over 1.2 billion inhabitants.
Although 16% of the world’s population lives in Africa, many people are unaware of the origins of the continent’s name. With numerous Theories/hypotheses attempting to explain its origin, the name Africa is the most intriguing and debated topic in history.
According to Africa’s kemetic or Alkebulan history, the continent was formerly known as Alkebulan. The word ‘Alkebu-lan’ is the oldest and only name of indigenous origin which means the garden of Eden or mother of mankind.
The word ‘Africa’ emerged in the late 17th century. At first, it was limited to referring to the continent’s northern region. The continent had been colonised at that point, and Europeans ruled over its people as slaves. They where the ones who influenced the change of name from Alkebulan to its present-day name.
Before the Europeans settled for the word Africa, the continent was called many other names. They include Corphye, Ortegia, Libya, and Ethiopia.
Another theory is that the word came from the Romans, who named the land they found on the opposite side of the Mediterranean, after a Berber tribe that lived in the Carthage area (now Tunisia). According to some historians, the term “Africa” may have originated from the Latin word Afri, which was used to refer to the Berber tribe.
Another fundamental theory claims that the continent derived its name from Africus, a Yemenite chieftain who invaded the northern part of Africa in the second millennium BC. It is stated that he settled on his conquered land and named it Afrikyah.
There are numerous theories regarding the origin of the term Africa, but as of right now, none of them have been proven to be correct, this is according to author and science lecturer Jonas Mulenga of the University of Botswana.
Although there isn’t a universally accepted explanation for how Africa earned its name, it is obvious that the continent is deeply ingrained in its civilisations and still bears remnants of its ancient past.
