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Explore the different ethnic groups in Africa, such as Arabs, Ashanti, Bantu, and Swahili, and their religious practices, including traditional beliefs, Islam, and Christianity.
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Diversity of Ethnic Groups and Religion in Africa The Campster W.O.C
Ethnic Group? • It is important to understand that there is a big difference between an ethnic group and a religious group. • An ethnic group shares MANY common characteristics, such as language, similar physical features, customs, and traditions. • Ethnic groups are not defined by a political boundary. They can be found across the world
Or Religious Group? • Religious groups share a common belief system but are not all part of the same ethnic group. • For example, there are many different ethnic groups that practice the religion of Islam. • There are many Arabs of SW Asia that practice Islam…it is the MAJOR religion…however, there are also Arabs that are Christian and practice religions other than Islam
A Comparison of Ethnicity and Religion • We will look at the diversity of 4 ethnic groups of Africa • Arab • Ashanti • Bantu • Swahili
Religions of Africa • The three main religions practiced in Africa are traditional, Islam, and Christianity. • Traditional beliefs may include worship of ancestors, spirits, gods, animals, land, inanimate objects, and nature. • In some cases you see traditional beliefs combined with the practice of Islam or Christianity.
Arabs • Arabs have been living in Africa for hundreds of years. • Arabs are the dominant ethnic group of northern Africa, including Mauritania, Sudan, and Somalia. • While there are a small number of Arabs that are Christians in Lebanon, the majority of African Arabs practice Islam.
The Ashanti • The Ashanti peoples, also referred to as the Asante, are found in central Ghana. • They are part of a larger ethnic group, the Akans. • The Ashanti practice a traditional religion, that some combine with elements of Christianity. • Their beliefs are a combination of spiritual, as well as supernatural powers.
Ashanti Beliefs • The Ashanti believe that plants, animals, and trees all have souls. • They also believe in fairies, witches, and forest monsters. http://learningat.ke7.org.uk/ictafricaproject/DH/Chloe%20F/ashanti.jpg
The Golden Stool of the Ashanti • The Ashanti worship a golden stool, that legend says floated down from the heavens and into the lap of the first Ashanti king. • The Golden Stool is considered to be sacred to the Ashanti people, who view it to contain the spirit and soul of their people. • The Ashanti have defended the stool whenever it has been in danger. • The stool has never been sat on and it has never touched the ground. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39882000/jpg/_39882008_goldenstool203.jpg
The Bantu • Bantu is considered to be more of a language group than an actual ethnic group or tribe. • Some of the major ethnic groups that are considered to be Bantu are the Xhosa, Kikuyu, Zulu, and Tonga • Most Bantu people also practice a traditional religion. http://www.rlingo.org/RLI%20media/RLI%20Website/Photos/Bantu.jpg
Bantu Religious Beliefs • Most Bantu believe in a Supreme being that can bring goodwill or misfortune to any home. • However, more influential in Bantu belief is the concept of ancestral beings that have an impact on everyday life. • These spirits are considered to have a direct impact on the lives of the living, whereas the Supreme Being is considered beyond human contact.
The Swahili • The Swahili people are really not an ethnic group, but people who share a common language. • The language of Swahili is a combination of Bantu and Arabic, spoken primarily in East Africa. • The Bajun, Siyu, and Vumba are some of the various subgroups of the Swahili. http://www.africatanzania.com/images/khanga.jpg
Swahili Religious Practice • The predominant religion of the Swahili people is Islam. • It differs from the Arab religious practice in that they blend some traditional beliefs with Islam. • The Swahili refer to Allah as Mungu, which means “the high god” in Bantu. This shows the similarity to Bantu traditional ways.
More on Swahili Religion • Like the Bantu, there is worship of ancestors, because they have difficulty with the concept of a god being unreachable, or unattainable. • Ancestor worship is supposed to be protective of the people. • Territorial spirits are considered to be evil. Medicine men are used to heal those that are possessed by bad spirits.
Two Other Cultures of Interest • In the Kalahari Desert, there is a nomadic tribe of people known as the San. • The San tribe, very closely related to the Khoikhoi people of the region live in small groups, hunting and gathering. http://aphs.worldnomads.com/whereintheworld/7184/bushmanlifestyle.jpg
San Religion • The San people practice a traditional religion that focuses on a higher god, and many lesser gods that live among the people. • The San participate in a ritual dance that is used to heal the community. People often go into a trance from the power. It is supposed to heal physical and psychological illness.
The Mbuti Pygmies • The Mbuti pygmies are forest-dwellers that live in the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. • The average height of one of the Mbuti tribe member is under 4’6’’. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0509/feature5/images/gallery.5.1.jpg
The Mbuti • The Mbuti live as hunter-gatherers in the rain forest, living in small, round, dome huts for up to one month at a time before moving. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2238140366_2217c975f3.jpg
Mbuti Religious Practice • The Mbuti, like the San, are entirely traditional, living the way their ancestors before them lived. • The Mbuti perform rituals to keep the rainforest happy, since it is the source of their food and shelter. • Muungu is believed to be the highest of the forest gods. • They also believe in nature gods around them.
Africa’s Diversity • Is it any wonder that Africa would have such a wide range of religious practice? • Some tribes, like the San and the Mbuti have stayed away from modern life, therefore preserving their ancient religions. • With each “mainstream” religion that has been introduced with the migration of people, it has led to a blending of culture unique to each country or region in Africa.
