Sub-Saharan Africa: Cultures and Lifestyles

1. Sub-Saharan Africa: Cultures and Lifestyles

2. Languages • At least 2,000 different languages are spoken in Africa today. • These 2,000 languages have been split into 6 major groups: • Congo – Kordofanian • Spoken in central, eastern, and southern Africa (Swahili, Zulu, and Kongo) • Nilo– Saharan • Afro – Asiatic • Spoken by Sudanic peoples of NW and NE corners of the region (Hausa, Fulani, Berber, and Arabic) • Khoisan • Malayo – Polynesian • Non-African language – Madagascar (Malagasy) • Afrikaans (an Indo-European language) • A mixture of English, French, German, and African language • English serves as a lingua franca • a common language throughout the region

3. Religions • Christianity and Islam are the most popular religions in the region • Christianity • First reached region in Ethiopia in 300 AD • Spread rapidly during the European Colonial Period in the 1800s • Most prevalent along the coasts where contact with foreigners is greater • Islam • Most prevalent in West Africa • Spread rapidly during 1400s and 1500s when Muslims ruled the Kingdoms of Mali and Songhai along the Niger River • Today Nigeria has the largest Islamic population in the region • Traditional Religions • Diverse, but with many common elements • Most believe in: • A supreme deity • Ranked order of lesser deities • Nature spirits • Ancestral worship

4. Education • Growth in higher education • Since independence from Colonial Rule, the regions higher education has spiked • 1960 – 120,000 enrolled in universities • Late 1990s – 2 million enrolled • 2004 – 5.5% of the population was enrolled • 2011 - 7.6% of the population was enrolled • Literacy Rate • 60% (2011) – people 15 years and older • Generally lower rate in rural areas due to poor funding and under qualified teachers • Internet • The growth of the internet is helping to fill the gap in educational resources in the region. • Furthermore, many more people are able to attend college because of the internet. • However, providing African’s with consistent internet connection, and a means in which to access it is still a problem. • http://one.laptop.org/about/mission

5. The Arts • Textiles • Music and Dance • Largely used for religious purposes and celebrations • American blues and jazz has its roots in African music • Oral Tradition • The practice of passing down stories from generation to generation by word of mouth.

6. Religion and Art– Creation Story Exercise • Questions to Consider: • 1. Who created all things? • 2. What were the first thing(s) they created? • 3. How did man “fall” in the story? • 4. Is there a redemptive aspect to the story? • 5. How does the story compare to other creation stories you’ve learned about? To the creation story you believe in (if you believe in one)?

7. Varied Lifestyles • Similarities • Value strong family ties • In rural areas people still live in extended families • Households made up of several generation • Families are also often organized into Clans • Large groups of people descended from an early common ancestor • In cities, the nuclear family is rapidly replacing extended families • Family made up of husband, wife, and children