Final answer:
The people of Western Africa are central to the study of African-American history due to their large numbers among the enslaved during the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the lasting impact of their cultural and technical contributions to the societies of the New World, which are often overshadowed by European myths of African primitiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people of the forest regions of Western Africa are significant in the study of African-American history because they were a major source of the enslaved populations transported to the Americas during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This significant historical connection is highlighted by the fact that approximately 69% of all African people transported between 1517-1700 and about 38% between 1701-1800 were from West Central Africa. Their cultural, material, and intellectual contributions have profoundly shaped the societies of the New World, despite the devastating impact of the slave trade on their own societies.
In the face of slavery and subsequent discrimination, many Europeans perpetuated myths regarding African inferiority and primitiveness as a means to rationalize the transgressions. However, this overlooks the reality that prior to the arrival of European slave traders, West Africa was home to technologically and intellectually advanced civilizations. The enslaved Africans brought with them not only labor but also a rich heritage of skills, knowledge, and technology that played an essential role in the development of the Western Hemisphere.
The cultural landscape of Western Africa was diverse; most Africans lived in small villages and upheld strong kinship networks. The growth of the slave trade saw increased prominence of local chieftains and the proliferation of large-scale raids to meet the European demand for slaves. Even so, African societies were replete with centralized governments, educational systems, and long-distance trade routes, shaped profoundly by Islamic influence and historical migrations, such as that of the Mande warriors.