Unveiling the Ancient Origins of African Smallpox Inoculation

Historians have found evidence that Africans in West Africa were practicing smallpox inoculation before the 18th century, long before it was introduced in the Americas. Enslaved Africans played a significant role in introducing the practice of smallpox inoculation throughout the Americas by the 1700s. However, the contributions of Africans, Arabs, Asians, and North Africans to the development of inoculation and vaccination have been largely overlooked in favor of Western European figures like Edward Jenner. Recognizing the non-Western roots of medicine and public health is crucial for healing medical mistrust in Black communities and creating conditions for Black people's thriving globally.