the somali bantu: history, religion, customs, and education
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History of the Bantu
Pre-15th century: Thriving economy in east Africa
15th century: Portuguese arrive
1730: Portuguese kicked out, Sultanate of Oman in charge
18th -19th century: Slavery becomes widespread
Africans taken from Mozambique & Tanzania into slavery under Sultanate
History of the Bantu1800-1890: Between 25,000 and 50,000 slaves were absorbed into
the Somali riverine areas
Early 1900’s-Slavery “abolished” by Italy
Mid-1930s- Labor laws in agriculture industry BY Italians
1970s-80s: Somali government made Bantu fight in military against Ethiopia.
1991- Civil War
Now- Bantu exist in a state between sharecropping and slavery
Marriage Customs
Many Bantu marry between the ages of 16 and 18.
Somali Bantu practice polygamy.
The average Somali Bantu family size is between 4 and 8 children.
Style of Dress
Bantu women cover themselves with head scarves and wear large wrap around cloths called a gonfo.
Somali Bantu Behavior and Communication Style
Somali Bantu communities place great importance on showing respect for elders.
Somali Bantu people are not accustomed to answering questions in a linear, sequential way.
Language and Literacy
The two main Somali regional language variants are Af Maay and Af Maxaa.
The Somali Bantu primarily speak Af Maay or an ancestral tribal language.
Most Bantu are illiterate.
Emotional Issues
Many children who enter into school come from a history of violence and emotional trauma.
The years of subjugation and fear have adversely affected the Somali Bantu people’s sense of equality and self-esteem.
Testimony of Faith: There is no deity but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God
Prayer: Daily at Dawn, Noon, Mid-Afternoon, Sunset and Night. Each prayer takes a few minutes.
Fasting: Total abstinence from food and liquid from dawnto sunset during the month of Ramadan.
Somali Bantu Religion
Hajj: Annual pilgrimage to Makkah at least once for thosewho are physically and financially able.