1. Objectives In this section you will:
Learn about the cultural diversity of Southern Africa.
Examine the different ways of life in Central Africa and learn about the diverse cultures of the region.

2. Key Terms
migrant worker (MY grunt WUR kur) n. a laborer who travels away from where he or she lives to find work
compound (KAHM pownd) n. a fenced-in group of homes

3. Central and Southern Africa is a huge region made up of nearly all of the southern “half” of Africa.
The region includes countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and those in between.
Like other regions on the continent, Central and Southern Africa is a land of great diversity.

4. Central and
Southern Africa

5. Southern Africa’s cultural diversity is reflected in its people
Southern Africa’s cultural diversity is reflected in its people. Most are black Africans who:
belong to many different ethnic groups
speak many different languages
Southern Africa also has large numbers of people of European descent—more than in other regions of Africa.

6. Europeans have a long history in Southern Africa.
Portuguese explored the coastline, arriving in Mozambique in 1500s.
Dutch and British arrived in Cape of Good Hope in 1600s.
Dutch settlers moved north to Malawi and other lands.
British settlers moved north to Zimbabwe and Zambia. 6

7. European Ethnic Groups in Southern Africa
Portuguese
descended from Portuguese settlers
speak Portuguese
Afrikaners
descended from Dutch settlers
speak Afrikaans
British
descended from British settlers
speak English

8. Southern and Central Africa: Languages
Each major language group, shown here, includes many different languages.

9. Southern Africa’s cultural diversity is also evident in its mixture of rural and urban areas.
For many years, most people lived in villages and small cities. Today, several cities have more than 1 million people:
Cape Town, South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Maputo, Mozambique

10. Of all the countries in Africa, South Africa is the:
The country of South Africa is a leader in the region and on the continent.
Of all the countries in Africa, South Africa is the:
wealthiest
most urban
most industrialized 10

11. During the 1900s, South Africa’s booming industries created a huge demand for labor.
This demand was met by migrant workers who left their homes in other countries to work in South Africa’s mines.
Most migrant workers were men. Their absence from home led to new roles for African women, many of whom took on new responsibilities and gained new rights.

12. Central Africa also is an area of great cultural diversity.
The people of Central Africa belong to hundreds of different ethnic groups and speak many different languages.
Democratic Republic of the Congo alone has 200 ethnic groups. 12

13. Central Africans are members of many different religions:
Roman Catholics
Protestants
Muslims
people who practice a blend of Christianity and traditional African beliefs 13

14. Diversity also is reflected in different lifestyles—traditional, modern, and a mixture of both.
Many people in Central Africa live in rural areas or small villages. They make a living by farming or herding.
Millions of others have an urban lifestyle in busy and crowded cities. They live in houses and apartments and work in factories, offices, and hotels. 14

15. On the Atlantic coast, several countries have large oil reserves.
Much of Central Africa’s diversity is tied to economic differences among its people.
On the Atlantic coast, several countries have large oil reserves.
Angola
Congo
Gabon
Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea 15

16. Southern and Central Africa: Mineral and Energy Resources16

17. Oil has brought wealth to many of those living in cities along the coast.
City dwellers also benefit from more frequent contact with people outside Africa, leading to the exchange of new ideas.
In the region’s interior, however, people often face economic hardship. Living conditions are poor, and people follow more traditional ways of life organized around kinship groups. 17