Africanist
/ˈæf.rɪ.kə.nɪst/noun
A person who specializes in the study of Africa, its peoples, languages, cultures, or history.
Did you know?The deeper origin of Africa’s name remains disputed: ancient Latin writers used Africa for the region around modern Tunisia, while later scholars proposed connections to Punic or Berber terms.
Etymological Timeline
Antiquity
Latin
Africa
“The Roman name for the North African territory, especially the province around Carthage and modern Tunisia.”
Antiquity
Latin
Afer
“An African person or inhabitant of Africa; the precise origin is uncertain.”
17th–18th Century
European languages
African
“Relating to Africa; formed from the continent’s name with a geographic suffix.”
19th Century
English
Africanist
“A person concerned with African subjects; formed from African plus the scholarly or specialist suffix -ist.”
Modern English
English
Africanist
“A specialist in African studies, including the continent’s history, cultures, languages, politics, or societies.”