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Traditional African Society. What is Culture?. What Are Some Unique Aspects Of Our Culture?. Tradition Societies. Rural Areas . Sub-Saharan . Africans That Live in Rural Areas. Cities Share Some Characteristics.
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What is Culture? What Are Some Unique Aspects Of Our Culture?
Tradition Societies Rural Areas Sub-Saharan Africans That Live in Rural Areas Cities Share Some Characteristics
African Culture Helps Us Define Some of the Unique Characteristics of the Region • Language • Classification of the Individual • Tribal Importance • Ceremonies • Religion • Family Structure
An African’s “Search for Identity” 1. Nuclear Family 2. Extended Family 3. Age-Set 4. Clan 5. Lineage (ancestry) TRIBE (communal living)
Identity Of The Tribe • Scarification:Identify themselves with their tribes in a physical way or used to signify an important time in their lives. • Initiation Rituals:Ceremony that makes them part of the tribe. (Naming, Coming of Age, Wedding, and Death Ceremonies)
Mask With Headcloth, Zaire (19c) Tribal Mark --> Scarification
Kisokolo Initiation Costume, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe Africa : :: America : Ethnic Group
Traditional Family Structures C C Nuclear Family: C H W W C C U Cs GP C C Extended Family: C H W W C C GP Cs A
Problems of Tribalism Today 1. The tribe is more important than the nation. 2. Communication problems. 3. Inter-tribal warfare --> civil wars. 4. Tribal favorites for government jobs: Nepotism Breaks down tribal traditions. Urbanization: Tribal intermingling on the job.
Religions in Africa ISLAM 25%* Nigeria largest sub-Saharan Muslim countries. CHRISTIANITY -> 20%
Traditional African Religion ANIMISM 1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being. 2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things. 3. Ancestor veneration. 4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes. 5.Diviner mediator between the tribe and God.
Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional African Tribal Life • The good of the group comes ahead of the good of the individual. • All land is owned by the group. • Strong feeling of loyalty to the group. • Important ceremonies at different parts of a person’s life. • Special age and work associations. • Deep respect for ancestors. • Religion is an important part of everyday life. • Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].