II. South African Cultures

Say Cheese

A. Economic Activity Most people in Southern Africa work as farmers Areas around lakes and rivers are the only places able to support growing crops Pastoralism – People who survive raising grazing animals

African Pastoralist

Overgrazing – Process in which animals graze grass faster than it can grow back Major cause for desertification in Africa Makes less and less land available every year

African Village

Result of Overgrazing

B. Religion 85% - Of Africans practice Islam or Christianity 15% - Practice a traditional African religion African religions usually recognize one supreme creator

C. People of Kenya Like most African countries, Kenya has many ethnic groups Most groups have their own language, but also speak Swahili Swahili – A Bantu language that includes Arabic words

African Instrument

D. Education 80% - Of Kenya’s children attend elementary school, which is paid for by the government Around 60% of those students attend high school, because each student is required to pay

Kenyans have started to build schools without any help from the government Harambee – “Pulling together” – Schools run privately and not by the government

Harambee Festival

E. Land of Tourism Majority of Kenya’s money comes in every year from tourism Recent fighting in Kenya threats to hurt its tourism business People visit Kenya’s national parks, which feature many of Africa’s wildlife Tourist who go on African safaris usually go to Kenya

Flamingos of Lake Nakuru

F. Land of Extremes In many places in Africa people struggle to find fresh water and good medical care However, some African countries are becoming more powerful than ever before Many Africans are starting to move to big cities and are giving up traditional ways of life