Africa: Culture and Ethnic Groups

SSWG4g. Describe the ethnic and religious groups in Sub-Saharan Africa; include major customs and traditions.

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.

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

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.

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

• 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

Ashanti

Ashanti

• 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

Swahili

Swahili

• 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

Khoikhoi & San

Khoikhoi & San

• 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

Ibo

Ibo