traditional african society
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Traditional African Society
1000 different languages; 1000+ different tribes
An African’s “Search for Identity”
1. Nuclear Family2. Extended Family3. Clan
4. Lineage (ancestry)
TRIBE
Traditional Family Structures
Nuclear Family:
Extended Family:
C
C
C C
CHW W
C
C
C C
C
HW W
GP
CsGP
Cs
U
A
One man with one, two or more wives and some children
A nuclear family with other relatives, like grown children and their families all living together. Grandparents too!
CLAN
ANCESTOR
Family Family Family
Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam.
Clan = Many families with a common ancestor
TRIBElineage
DISTANTANCESTOR
Clan Clan Clan
Clan Clan Clan Clan Clan
Tribe = Many clans connected by a distant common ancestor
Mask With Headcloth, Zaire (19c)
Tribal Mark scarification
For many men in West Africa, scarring is a form of tribal initiation and a sign of bravery. Done with razor blades, the painful process starts at puberty and continues into adulthood. Each tribe has distinctive tattoo designs; this man’s markings indicate his village and his clan and include black magic symbols to keep away evil
Scarification
Africa : :: America : Ethnic Group?Tribe
Woman & Child, Kongo
Family Group, Tanzania
Problems of Tribalism Today
1. The tribe is more important than the nation.2. Inter-tribal warfare civil wars.
3. Tribal favorites for government jobs:
Traditional African ReligionANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
3. Ancestor worship.
4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.
5. Diviner mediator between people and the spirit world.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
African Diviner (Shaman)
Ancestors have the power to
cause good or evil
Fetishes
Objects used to communicate with the spirit world
African slaves brought fetishes with them to the Caribbean, where they became voodoo
dolls.
Other Religions in Africa
ISLAM 25% * Nigeria largest sub-Saharan Muslim countries.
CHRISTIANITY 20%
Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional
African Tribal Life1. The good of the group comes ahead of the
good of the individual.
2. All land is owned by the group.
3. Strong feeling of loyalty to the group.
4. Deep respect for ancestors.
5. Religion is an important part of everyday life.
6. Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].
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