Black people in Poland

Today there are about 4,500 Polish citizens who are of African origin. Fact|date=July 2008 Historic backgrounds vary, although they are typically either refugees or children of racially mixed couples. They are almost exclusively located in the major cities of Warsaw and Krakow Fact|date=September 2008, and are absent from the countryside.

History

Africans have been known to Poland for centuries, however Poland's lack of African colonies combined with the non-existence of slavery meant that the only Africans were free immigrants who came of their own will. In the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930's there were only a handful of Afro-Poles, most of whom resided in the capital city of Warsaw. Fact|date=July 2008These individuals were primarily immigrants from former German colonies of German East Africa, Cameroon and South-West Africa, as well as South Africans who had prospects for a better life in Poland.

Following World War II, the communist ideals of the People's Republic of Poland lured fellow communists and refugees from areas such as Angola, Cuba and Zaire. Fact|date=July 2008After the fall of communism, Poland became a destination for many refugees escaping from famine and war in Africa. Following Poland's joining the European Union, the country experienced a surge of immigrants from poorer regions of the world, including Africa. Poland's strong economy, high Human Development Index, good infrastructure, and job opportunities to foreigners have been the driving force behind this new migration pattern. The majority of these new immigrants have come as refugees from Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as a small group of entertainers and entrepreneurs from the United States.

Notable individuals

* John Godson
* Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski
* Emmanuel Olisadebe
* Omar Sangare
* Aleksandra Szwed