Africa: Culture and Ethnic Groups

1. Africa: Culture and Ethnic Groups SSWG4g. Describe the ethnic and religious groups in Sub-Saharan Africa; include major customs and traditions.

2. The People • About 800 million people live in Africa – perhaps a greater number of different peoples living in Africa than on any other continent. • The people differ from each other physically as well as culturally. • There is no such thing as a typical African or an African way of life because of intermarriages and geography.

3. Languages • There are many languages - it is estimated that there are between 700 and 3,000 different languages (Nigeria has 250 languages) • Some languages are over 5,000 years old • Many of their official languages reflect their colonial histories

6. African Tribalism • Tribe: a group of people who share the same customs and language, and believe they descended from a common ancestor. • Today – many use “nation” or “ethnic group” or “people” in the place of the word “tribe.” • There are 600 to1000 different tribal groups in Southern Africa. • Parents teach the importance of being a good member of a tribe and that the individual is less important than the group. • To many, the tribe is more important than the nation in which they live. • The influence is slowly decreasing because more people are moving to the urban areas.

8. Religion • Many Africans are Christian and Muslim • Christianity through colonialism • Islam through early trade • Some Africans believe in Animanism • Believe in lesser gods and ancestor spirits. They live in rivers, caves, mountains, and trees and they watch over the fortunes of their descendants

10. Ashanti • Where: Central Ghana • Culture: • Speak Twi • Rich in proverbs • Animism • Trees, animals etc. have souls • Ancestor worship • “Talking drums” • How young boys learn the language • Much of jazz, blues & reggae have roots here • Kente Cloth • Women make thread but only men can weave cloth • Reserved for royalty

11. Ashanti

12. Swahili • Where: Eastern coast of Africa (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique) • Culture • Language is a mix of Arabic & Bantu • Swahili is considered the international language of Africa • Primary Muslim • Much of the food is influenced by Middle East & India • Clothing of bright cloths • Kwanzaa is Swahili based

13. Swahili

14. Khoikhoi & San • Khoikhoi & San are not the same but closely related • Where: Khoikhoi=Western portions of Southern Africa • Where: San=Eastern portions of Southern Africa • Sometimes called “bushmen” because of where they live • Culture: • Clicking language • Considered to be a “short” ethnic group • Extensive folktales related to the Bantu • Mostly nomadic hunter gatherers • Some herding • Ancient rock paintings • Extensive rights of passage

15. Khoikhoi & San

16. Ibo • Where: Central Africa • Culture: • Language related to Kwa, but with sounds playing a role • Polytheistic • Proverbs very important • Musical style has lots of percussion instruments • Masks • Eat a lot of yams

17. Ibo