1. Diverse Cultures of Africa
SS7G4

2. SS7G4
The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Africa.
Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group
Explain the diversity of religions within Arab, Ashanti, Bantu, and Swahili ethnic groups.
Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living

3. Definitions
Ethnic group: share many common characteristics, such as language, physical features, customs, and traditions.
Religious group: share a common belief system, but are not necessarily composed of a single ethnic group

4. Major Ethnic Groups of Africa
Arab
Ashanti
Bantu
Swahili

5. Arab People Originating from the Arabian Desert
Speak the Arabic language
Found mostly in North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran.
Predominantly Muslim

7. Ashanti People
Matrilineal society (importance placed on mother’s family)
Found mostly in Ghana
Tribal identity is important
Speak “Twi” (like “tree”)
Many modern Ashanti are Catholic or Protestant Christian
Traditional beliefs too

9. Bantu People Share common language families (over 400 Bantu languages)
Over 60 million people
Most of sub-Saharan Africa’s black Africans are considered “Bantu”
Considered a “language group” rather than an ethnic group by most
Migrated from modern-day Cameroon and Nigeria
Now in sub-Saharan Africa
Religion: traditional beliefs with focus on ancestors

11. Swahili People East coastal Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Mix of Arab and Bantu cultures
“Swahili” means coastal dwellers in Arabic
Most are Muslim (also has elements of traditional beliefs)
Speak Kiswahili

13. Religions in Africa In Africa, there are 3 major religions:
Traditional beliefs: may include worship of ancestors, spirits, gods, animals, land, inanimate objects, and/or natural phenomena
Christianity: the belief in Jesus Christ as the son of one God
Islam: the belief in Muhammad the prophet of Allah, the one God
In Africa, some groups combine Christianity and traditional beliefs.

14. Diversity of Religion
Arabs are predominantly Muslim, however some Arabs are Christian
Ashanti and Bantu predominantly practice traditional beliefs
Ashanti mix spiritual and supernatural powers with Christian beliefs
Bantu believe in power of ancestors in everyday life
Swahili is predominantly Muslim, but some mix Islam with traditional elements

15. Literacy Rate & Standard of Living
Literacy Rate: The % of people of a certain age that can read and write proficiently.
Standard of Living: Quality and Quantity of goods and services available to people. Usually measured by real income and poverty rates.
Why do you think the two would be linked?

16. Ticket-out-the-Door Which person is a member of a religious group?
Nemal is a Kurd
Mustafa is a Muslim
Kimba is an Ashanti
Lakesha is a Nigerian
African religious beliefs include traditional religious beliefs that came before the introduction of Christianity and Islam to the continent. Which of these statements describes traditional African religious beliefs of the Bantu?
Belief in Krishna
Belief their king is a god
Belief in the importance of a divine savior
Belief in the influence of ancestors on daily life
South Africa has a literacy rate of 94% and a per capita GDP of $6,482. Egypt has a per capita GDP of $ What can we guess about Egypt’s Literacy Rate?
Egypt’s literacy rate is > South Africa’s
Egypt’s literacy rate is = South Africa’s
Egypt’s literacy rate is < South Africa’s