West African Culture’s impact on African Americans Unit 2 – Becoming African American Journal – What’s your favorite childhood story? Please explain.

Focus Questions How did the history and geography of West Africa shape the people who became the first African Americans? What role did gender play in the organization of West African village life? How were families organized in West Africa? What were the principal features of the indigenous religions of West Africa? How did the legacies of West African society and culture influence the way African Americans lived? Griots Patrilineal Matrilineal

Africa A Huge and Diverse Land The Birthplace of Humanity Ancient Civilizations Egyptian Civilization Kush Meroë Axum

Roots of Culture: The Ancient Manuscripts of Timbuktu Private libraries Written legacy Astronomy Mystics

West African Society and Culture Families and Villages Families often acted as economic units Their main way of life was farming Families were either patrilineal or matrilineal Patrilineal – social rank and wealth came from fathers Matrilineal – social rank and wealth came from mothers

West African Society and Culture Language – Histories, Poetry and Tales Griots – self-employed poets who along with female folk artists

West African Society and Culture Music Music was used during religious ceremonies and was very stylized A call and response style of singing was important in the religious rituals

West African Society and Culture Religion Islamic Islam was practiced by traders and merchants Found in urban areas Indigenous Found in rural areas Polytheistic Everyday rituals, practiced by families not actual churches

Story of Br’er Rabbit

Focus Questions How did the history and geography of West Africa shape the people who became the first African Americans? What role did gender play in the organization of West African village life? How were families organized in West Africa? What were the principal features of the indigenous religions of West Africa? How did the legacies of West African society and culture influence the way African Americans lived? Griots Patrilineal Matrilineal