1. Peoples and Traditions of Africa

2. The Ways of African societies varied greatly from place to place
Hunters and Gatherers were around and many traveled from one African land to the other
They lived in small bands of and could track animals over long distances

3. Herders also existed in Africa
Because grazing was limited these societies were often nomadic
Along coastlines and rivers fish was the basic food
Fish could be traded to inland towns for grain, animal skins, and other products

4. Farming communities raised a variety of crops: grains, yams, bananas
Farmers practiced slash-and-burn agriculture; this is clearing forest and brush land with iron axes and hoes, and then burning the remains to use for fertilizer

5. Power was given to a single chief or important decisions were made by the elders of the tribe
The Kingdom of Congo had an organized government
They used the power of a king and also selected chiefs to rule each individual village

6. Families were very important to African society
A nuclear family was typical with parents and children working together as a unit

7. Patrilineal – important kinship ties and inheritance were passed through the father’s side
Matrilineal – inheritance traced through the mother’s side
Lineage – group of households who claimed a common ancestor

8. Many African peoples believed that a single, unknowable supreme being stood above all the other gods and goddesses
They also believed in many gods though