1. Ethnic Groups vs. Religious Groups Africa
Ethnic Groups -Share many common characteristics
-language, customs, traditions,
-physical features
Types of Ashanti, Arab, Bantu, Swahili
Ethnic Groups
Religious -Share a common belief system
Groups -May not be made of a single group.

2. Religious Groups continued…
Types of Religious Islam, Christianity, and
Groups Traditional beliefs
Traditional Beliefs This group may include the
worship of ancestors,
spirits, gods, animals,
land, inanimate objects, and
or natural phenomena.
Traditional Beliefs can be combined with
Christianity.

3. Which Ethnic Group Practices What Religion?
Arabs Mainly Islam (but some Christians)
(Africa)
Ashanti Traditional Beliefs - Witch Doctor
Bantu Traditional Beliefs
Swahili Islam

4. What is Animism?
The “primitive religions” were born in the 5 continents, more than 3,000 years ago in the form of Animism because they believed that everything has a “soul”, an “anima” in Latin, a “spirit”. This includes animals, plants, rocks, mountains, rivers, stars.
Each “anima” is powerful, spiritual, and can help/hurt you…including the souls of the dead, the “ancestors”.

5. What is Animism?
For thousands of years they defied animals, stars, idols of any kind.
Animists practiced Spiritism, witchcraft, divination, astrology.
They used magic, spells, enchantments, superstitions, prayers, and charms.