Cultural Cultural Characteristics of Characteristics of

AfricaAfrica

Religions, Customs, and Religions, Customs, and TraditionsTraditions

Africa is made up of 54 different Africa is made up of 54 different countries and many countries and many ethnic groups. ethnic groups.

A groupA group’’s customs and traditions often s customs and traditions often come from religion, from where the group come from religion, from where the group lives, or from the demands of daily life. lives, or from the demands of daily life.

Most Africans today are either Muslim or Most Africans today are either Muslim or Christian, but traditional religions and Christian, but traditional religions and customs still play a role in African culture.customs still play a role in African culture.

ArabsArabs The term The term Arab Arab refers to a mixed ethnic refers to a mixed ethnic

group made up of people who speak the group made up of people who speak the Arabic language. Arabic language.

Arabs mostly live in North Africa and the Arabs mostly live in North Africa and the Middle East. Middle East.

Some Jews, Kurds, Berbers, Copts, and Some Jews, Kurds, Berbers, Copts, and Druze speak Arabic, but are not usually Druze speak Arabic, but are not usually considered Arab. considered Arab.

The term The term ““ArabArab”” includes Arabic-speaking includes Arabic-speaking Christians in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Christians in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Overall, Arabs are divided into two Jordan. Overall, Arabs are divided into two groupsgroups——nomadic Bedouins and settled nomadic Bedouins and settled Arabs.Arabs.

AshantiAshanti

The Ashanti people live in central Ghana. The Ashanti people live in central Ghana. The family, especially the motherThe family, especially the mother ’’s s

family, is most important to the Ashanti. family, is most important to the Ashanti. They believe that children inherit their They believe that children inherit their

spirits from their father and their flesh spirits from their father and their flesh and blood from their mother. and blood from their mother.

The mystical Golden Stool has been the The mystical Golden Stool has been the center of Ashanti spiritual practice since center of Ashanti spiritual practice since the late 17th century. the late 17th century.

AshantiAshanti

It is said to have arrived on Earth by It is said to have arrived on Earth by floating down from the heavens. floating down from the heavens.

The Ashanti people believe the The Ashanti people believe the strength of their nation depends on strength of their nation depends on this safety of this stool. this safety of this stool.

It represents the unity of the Ashanti It represents the unity of the Ashanti and the power of their chiefs. and the power of their chiefs.

The Ashanti honor kings after death, in The Ashanti honor kings after death, in a ceremony in which a stool is a ceremony in which a stool is blackened.blackened.

The Swahili PeopleThe Swahili People The Swahili people live on the East African The Swahili people live on the East African

coast from southern Somalia to northern coast from southern Somalia to northern Mozambique. Mozambique.

The Swahili people practice a strict form of The Swahili people practice a strict form of Islam. In addition to Islamic beliefs, the Islam. In addition to Islamic beliefs, the Swahili believe in spirits, or djinns. Swahili believe in spirits, or djinns.

Swahili Muslims use trances to speak to Swahili Muslims use trances to speak to djinns. djinns.

Men wear amulets around their necks that Men wear amulets around their necks that contain verses from the Koran, which they contain verses from the Koran, which they believe will protect them. believe will protect them.

Only teachers of Islam and prophets are Only teachers of Islam and prophets are permitted to become spiritual healers.permitted to become spiritual healers.

BantuBantu

The Bantu originally came from The Bantu originally came from southeastern Nigeria, near the Benue-southeastern Nigeria, near the Benue-Cross Rivers that spread east and south Cross Rivers that spread east and south near Zambia, in Central Africa. near Zambia, in Central Africa.

Around 1000 Around 1000 CE, CE, the Bantu reached the Bantu reached present-day Zimbabwe and South Africa. present-day Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Here, the Bantu established the Here, the Bantu established the Munhumutapa Empire. Munhumutapa Empire.

This new empire controlled trading routes This new empire controlled trading routes from South Africa to the area north of the from South Africa to the area north of the Zambezi River. Zambezi River.

BantuBantu

The Bantu traded many natural The Bantu traded many natural resources: gold, copper, precious resources: gold, copper, precious stones, animal hides, ivory, and metal stones, animal hides, ivory, and metal goods. goods.

They traded with Arab traders from They traded with Arab traders from the Swahili coast, as well as others. the Swahili coast, as well as others.

The empire collapsed in the early The empire collapsed in the early 16th century, after it used up all its 16th century, after it used up all its resources.resources.

African LiteracyAfrican Literacy

The literacy rate in Africa is 50%. The literacy rate in Africa is 50%. This means that half the population of This means that half the population of

Africa cannot read or write. Africa cannot read or write. Literacy is good for individuals as well as Literacy is good for individuals as well as

their communities. their communities. More developed countries tend to have a More developed countries tend to have a

higher literacy rate. higher literacy rate. Sudan and Egypt both have a literacy rate Sudan and Egypt both have a literacy rate

of only 51 %. of only 51 %. South Africa, the most developed country South Africa, the most developed country

in Africa, has a literacy rate of 83%.in Africa, has a literacy rate of 83%.

Art and Music from AfricaArt and Music from Africa

The dance and music of Africa has many The dance and music of Africa has many distinct styles and uses unique distinct styles and uses unique instruments. instruments.

Sub-Saharan African music and dance is Sub-Saharan African music and dance is different from the music and dance of the different from the music and dance of the Arab cultures of North Africa, or the Arab cultures of North Africa, or the Western settler populations of southern Western settler populations of southern Africa. Africa.

Many of the Sub-Saharan traditions are Many of the Sub-Saharan traditions are maintained by oral tradition. maintained by oral tradition.

SummarySummary

Describe the diverse cultures of the Describe the diverse cultures of the people of Africa and how is literacy people of Africa and how is literacy rate affect standard of living.rate affect standard of living.