African Ethnic Groups

Arab, Ashanti, Bantu & Swahili

Arabs

• Spread into Northern Africa in the 600’s AD, from Southwest Asia

• Brought Islam with them, most still practice Islam

• Speak Arabic

Arab Region

Ashanti

• Found in Ghana• Ethnic group that practices religion of the

same name (Ashanti)• Main language is Twi• Live with extended family members –

Ancestors given great respect• Ashanti have tribal ceremonies

Ashanti Region: Ghana

Ashanti People

Ashanti Religion

• Ashanti Golden Stool• Given to the first Ashanti

King• Symbolizes power and

status• Centered on belief of

supreme God - Nayme

Ashanti Religion Continued:

• All living things have souls… trees, plants and animals

• Religion is a mixture of spiritual and supernatural powers.

• Ashanti believe that witches, demon spirits, and fairies have powers in the lives of men

Water Issues in Ghana• Time consuming and

labor intensive• Some women and

children walk 2 miles each way to collect water in the morning and in the evening for cooking, cleaning, and drinking

Getting Water

Living in Ghana

• Thousands of people come to Ghana’s cities from rural areas, hoping for employment

• They often end up in slums• They create shelter using scrap metal,

discarded lumber, salvaged tarps and tires, and mud bricks

• Men catch fish• Women sell soap, sweets, and other goods

Slums in Ghana

Bantu

• Mostly found in Southern and Central Africa

Bantu Continued

• Speak Bantu as their main language• Bantu is known more as a language than an

ethnic group• Bantu is a mixture of over 400 different ethnic

groups• Most Bantu people are Muslim• Most are farmers or animal herders

Swahili

• Speak Swahili language- which is a mixture of Arabic and Bantu languages

• Most Swahili people are strict Muslims

Hello JamboHow are you? Habari?

Fine Mzuri Sana

Swahili Region

• Found mostly in East Africa (especially Kenya)

The Swahili People

Thinking Big – How can YOU help

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/remediation/slingshot-water-purifier.htm

http://youtu.be/Eqg1Hu0PMG0Dean Kamen/Colbert Report: The Slingshot:

How the Slingshot works:

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/watch/player.html?pkg=entrepreneur&seg=13&mod=0

http://youtu.be/Bbgz_mfj_0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BXavkcvVVU&feature=related

Water

• Jay-Z – Partnering with the UN to spread Global knowledge about water issues

• Dean Kamen – Slingshot Water Purifier• Trevor Field – The Play Pump

Write a one paragraph reflection on Africa’s water issue and describe a way in which people are trying to solve the water crisis. What are ways we can help solve this crisis?