Cultural Geography of Africa, South of the Sahara Chapter 21, Section 1: The Sahel

Important Vocabulary Indigenous: people who originated in the region. Domesticate: the taming of animals. Oral Tradition: the practice of passing down stories from generation to generation by word of mouth.

Vocabulary (Cont’d) Patriarchal: families that are headed by a male family member. Clan: large groups of people descended from an early common ancestor. Ex: The family. Nuclear Family: the husband, wife, and children. Sanitation: the disposal of waste products.

Map of the Sahel

The People The Sahel extends from Senegal to the Sudan. Very diverse population. Ex: Chad. Major ethnic groups: the Hausa (traders), the Fulani (cattle herders), and the Berbers. Arab, European, and indigenous African cultures have influenced the region.

Density & Distribution Population distribution is uneven. Economics, desertification, and deforestation has influenced urbanization. There has been rapid population growth.

First Civilizations People migrated to the region around 2,000 B.C. Between 2,000 and 1,000 B.C. the Ancient Egyptians moved south. The kingdom of Kush flourished until the 300s AD when Axum attacked its trade routes.

Empires & Colonization The Mali Empire grew rich from the gold-for-salt trade. The Songhai Empire eventually overtook Mali and expanded east. Europeans trade began as early as the 1200s. By the 1600-1700s, extensive trading for gold, goods, and slaves.

Colonization (Cont’d) In the 1800s, the European Powers began colonizing the region. Africans benefited from educational opportunities. By the mid-1900s educated Africans launched and eventually gained independence.

The Sudan Today Distinct cultural divisions between the nation’s Arab- speaking Muslims and Christians. There are 2.7 million displaced people from armed conflicts. The 2005 peace deal has still left great uncertainty in the region.

Culture African art – ritual masks to rhythmic drum music to folktales. Strong oral tradition and written literature. Africans value strong family ties. Several languages spoken such as: Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Congo-Kordofanian, and French. Islam is the predominant religion. Low literacy rates, high levels of poverty, and poor healthcare.

Cultural Geography of Africa, South of the Sahara Chapter 21, Section 2: East Africa

Important Vocabulary Lingua Franca: common language spoken throughout the region. Ex: English and French.

Map of East Africa

The People & Distribution The cultures were unknown until European trade was established in the 1800s. The main ethnic groups are the Hutu and the Bantu. Uneven population distribution. Most urban centers are along the coasts and major rivers. There is rapid population growth. Agriculture is the main economic activity.

Early Peoples & Kingdoms East Africa is considered the place of origin for all mankind. Its location has made trade vital. Recall: Axum was a trade power in Ethiopia in the 100s AD. Arab and Persian traders settled in the 700s until the Portuguese took control in the 1400s.

European Colonization By the 1800s, the European Powers: Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Germany competed to expand their empires and trade routes. Local agriculture became huge plantation economies – coffee and tea were major cash crops.

From Colonies to Countries Unsuccessful resistance of colonial rule in early 1900s. The European Powers granted independence in the 1960s. Independence brought much internal chaos and violence. Violent border disputes between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Culture Instability, violence, and corruption are still exist. Many languages spoken, English and French are most common. Most of the people are either Christians or Muslims. Literacy rates greatly vary from 37% in Somalia to 85% in Kenya. Region is plagued with poor healthcare, nutrition, and AIDS. Visual arts, rhythmic music, dance, and oral traditions are dominant customs.

Cultural Geography of Africa, South of the Sahara Chapter 21, Section 3: West Africa

Important Vocabulary Urbanization: movement of people from rural areas to cities. World’s fastest rate is in Africa. Service Centers: convenient business locations for rural dwellers.

Map of West Africa

The People & Distribution Many diverse ethnic groups. One of the largest is the Yoruba. 153 million people live in Nigeria, but uneven distribution. Most live on the coasts and river valley plains. Rapid urbanization for better job opportunities, healthcare, and public services.

Early Empires Strong trading empires developed in the 700s – Mali and Ghana. Ghanaian Empire became wealthy from the gold-for- salt trade. Recall: salt was valued as a food preservative.

The Colonial Era The Portuguese set up trading posts in the 1400s for gold and slaves. Trade expanded during the 1600s and 1700s as the European powers (Britain, France, and Portugal) sent African slaves to their American colonies.

Nigeria: A Colonial Legacy In 1914, Britain formed the colony of Nigeria. The northern cultures are Islamic while the southern cultures are Christian. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has dealt with civil war and other conflicts.

Culture Hundreds of languages spoken. Most common are English, French, and Arabic. The main religions are Islam and Christianity. Education varies in the region. Healthcare is uneven and limited: poor nutrition and medicine. The arts are part of everyday life through: religious expression, dance, music, weaving, and sculpting.

Cultural Geography of Africa, South of the Sahara Chapter 21, Section 4: Central Africa

Important Vocabulary Pidgin: a simplified speech used among people who speak different languages.

Map of Central Africa

The People & Distribution Most people are rural farmers. Hundreds of ethnic groups. The major groups are the Fulani and Bantu. Region is not densely populated; labor shortages. The capital cities (such as Kinshasa, D.R.C.) dominate the country’s economics, politics, and culture.

Early Settlements People have lived there for 10,000 years, but no large settlements until the 600s and 700s. Bantu-speaking people came in the 800s and created several central African kingdoms.

Slavery European traders and explorers came in the 1400s. The main trade – slave trade. Enslaved Africans went to plantations in the New World. The voyage was harsh and many died during the journey.

European Colonization France and Belgium colonized the Congos in the 1800s. By the early 1900s: towns grew, railways were built, and cash crops were exported. European culture was promoted, and the Africans were harshly treated. Resistance to colonial rule grew during the mid-1900s.

Instability After Independence All French colonies independent by 1960, but Spain and Portugal took longer to do so. After independence, harsh dictatorial rule and ethnic clashes. Natural resources have helped bring some stability, but there is still unrest.

Culture Hundreds of languages spoken, French is widely spoken. Art, pottery, and sculpting are part of the rich cultural tradition. Many traditional African religions are practiced. The majority are Christians. Instability has led to low literacy rates and school enrollment. Poor healthcare and medicines to prevent curable diseases. There is also poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water.

Cultural Geography of Africa, South of the Sahara Chapter 21, Section 5: Southern Africa

Important Vocabulary Coup d'état: an overthrow of the gov’t. Ex: Angola. Apartheid: a separation of the races. Ex: South Africa. Universal Suffrage: voting rights for all adult citizens. Ex: South Africa in 1994.

Map of Southern Africa

The People Major ethnic groups are the Sena, Bantu, Swazi, Zulu, and the San. Colonial rule brought tensions between the native black and white peoples. Colonial law in South Africa separated whites and blacks, blacks denied the right to vote.

Density & Distribution Population densities vary greatly. Many people are moving to urban areas. Many cities have skyscrapers and trendy shops, but most deal with poor public services and overcrowding.

Early Cultures Remains of cultures 1 million years old discovered. Stone ruins “The Great Zimbabwe” were built between the 800s and 1200s. The Zulus arrived first in modern-day South Africa.

European Colonization Madagascar began trading with Arabs and Europeans as early as the 600s. The British, French, Portuguese, and Germans colonized the region in the 1700s and 1800s. Slaves and rice crops were shipped to the Americas.

Challenges After Independence In Angola, forces overthrew the Portuguese in 1975. Botswana and Mauritius have enjoyed political and economic stability. Zambia, however, has experienced instability and civil unrest.

South Africa South Africa gained independence from Britain in the early 1900s. For most of the 20th century, the white minority ran the gov’t. Apartheid denied blacks political rights, jobs, education, and housing. Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela became president in 1994.

Culture Various African languages, English, French, and Afrikaans is spoken. Christianity is the main religion, but traditional African religions are also practiced. Higher education has expanded since independence. AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. A variety of indigenous arts, crafts, music, and dancing.