sub Saharan etymology

Etymology

The term "sub-Saharan" is derived from the following elements:

  • Sub- (Latin): Below, under
  • Sahara (Arabic): The Sahara Desert

Meaning and Origin

"Sub-Saharan" refers to the geographic region that lies south of the Sahara Desert. It encompasses the countries and territories of mainland Africa excluding North Africa (which is considered part of the Middle East and North Africa region).

The term was first coined in the 19th century by European geographers to distinguish the region from North Africa, which had been influenced by Arab and Ottoman cultures. The Sahara Desert has historically served as a natural boundary between these regions.

Usage and Implications

The term "sub-Saharan" is commonly used to describe the countries and people of the African continent south of the Sahara. It is often used to refer to the region's diverse cultures, languages, and socioeconomic conditions.

However, some critics have argued that the term "sub-Saharan" reinforces a historical division between North and South Africa, and perpetuates a Eurocentric perspective that overlooks the region's connections to other parts of the world.

Despite these critiques, the term "sub-Saharan" remains widely used in academia, journalism, and other fields to refer to the geographic and cultural region of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

sub Saharan relate terms

  • Sahara

    Etymology The word Sahara is derived from the Arabic word ṣaḥrā which means

  • hypo

    Etymology The word hypo comes from the Greek word hypo which means under or bel

  • suggest

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymon true meaning and l

  • suspect

    Etymology The word suspect is derived from the Latin word suspectus meaning distru

  • subject

    Etymology The word subject derives from the Late Latin subjectus meaning placed und

  • mamba

    Etymology of Mamba The word mamba comes from the Zulu language of South Africa and m

  • canary

    Etymology The word canary comes from the Canary Islands a group of islands in the Atl

  • supply

    Etymology Middle English supplien from Old French suplir supllier from Latin supp

  • sublime

    Etymology The word sublime is derived from the Latin word sublimis which means loft

  • resuscitate

    Etymology The word resuscitate comes from the Latin word resuscitare meaning to res

  • consume

    Etymology Latin consumere to destroy use up exhaust Old French consumer consum

  • suffrage

    Etymology Middle English suffrage c 1440 Anglo French suffrage 13th century La

  • substitution

    Etymology The word substitution comes from the Latin word substitutus which means p

  • blue

    Etymology The word blue originates from the Middle English blewe which in turn is de