Cultures of Africa: Arabs, Ashanti, Bantu, Swahili

1. Ethnic Groups of Africa Arabs, Ashanti, Swahili, Bantu

2. Learning Targets • I can explain important facts about the Arabs, Shanti, Bantu, and Swahili ethnic groups. • History, Location, Language, and Religion

3. Arabs • A.D. 600’s, Arab armies from Southwest Asia entered into North Africa (Egypt) • Location: Egypt • Brought the Arabic language and Islam • Today most Africans are Muslim and speak Arabic • Muslim leadership allowed North African cities to become major centers of learning, trade, and craft making.

4. The Ashanti /Asanti People • Reside in central Ghana, • kingdom was founded in 1701 • The Golden Stool is the center of their spiritual practices. (represents the unity of the Ashanti people and the power of their chiefs) • Belief in a supreme god, or Nayme, traditional Ashanti believe that all living things have a soul • The mother’s family is important. (Flesh & Blood) • Children get their spirits from their father. • Heritage celebrated with festivals and ceremonies. • Other religions practiced by Ashanti are Christianity and Islam

5. Ashanti People • The official language of the Ashanti people is English, but this is not spoken by many villagers. • The Asante are part of the Akan tribes/Language. • Akan language

6. The Golden Stool is a sacred symbol legend, the Golden Stool -- sika 'dwa in the Akan language of the Ashanti -- descended from heaven in a cloud of white dust and landed in the lap of the first Ashanti king, Strength and Unity of the Ashanti People

7. The Bantu People • Originally from Southeast Nigeria • Arrived 2000 years ago from just south of the Sahara to the central and southern parts of the continent. • Bantu migration one of the largest movements in Africa’s history. • Bantu speaking people. • Known as farmers and animal herders. • Traded gold, copper, precious stones, animal hides, ivory, and metal goods. • Many Bantu are Muslim, Christians and follow traditional animist religions (spirits in natural objects and surroundings)

8. Bantu Language Group • a group of some 500 languages belonging to the Bantoid subgroup of the  • Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.

9. The Swahili People • Arab and Persian traders settled and intermarried with Bantu – speaking population. Developed along the coast of East Africa • Swahili means“one who lives on the coast.” • Swahili is also a Bantu language with Arabic influence. • Reside on the East African Coast from southern Somalia to northern Mozambique • Practice a strict form of Islam mixed with beliefs in spirits that can possess a person (mila) and herbal healing medicines

10. Mind Mapping Activity • Directions: Complete the mind maps for each of the ethnic groups. • Branches: History, Location, Language, and Religion • Materials: Chapter 4 Fact Sheet, Mind Map Packet, and four colors (crayons or markers)

11. Mind Mapping Rubric • Rubric: • I have included detailed facts about each of the four ethnic groups. These facts must relate to their history, location, language, and religion. • I have include each branch on my mind map: History, Location, Language, Religion • I have used correct spelling. • My mind map is easy to read and follow. • I have given each branch and their connecting branch a specific color. • My mind map can be used to help others understand this topic.