1. Cultural Geography of Africa
SSWG2 Evaluate how the physical and human characteristics of places and regions are connected to human identities and cultures
a. Examine how ethnic compositions of various groups has led to diversified cultural landscapes, including, but not limited to, architecture, traditions, food, art, and music.
b. Examine how language can be central to identity and a unifying or a divisive force (e.g., Bantu, French-Canadians (Quebecois), and Basques.
d. Examine the impact of cultural beliefs on gender roles and perceptions of race and ethnicity as they vary from one region to another (e.g., the caste system, apartheid, and legal rights for women).

3. EAST aFRICA

4. Aksum Aksum – important trading center (1000 AD)
Geographic features removed trading partners – deforestation, overuse of soil = population decline = less power
7th century – trading center again along African coast
Transfer of goods, ideas, people

5. Berlin Conference
19th century – industrialized Europe needs raw materials = colonize and control the resources
Berlin Conference ( ) = 14 nations meet up to divide Africa
Only Liberia & Ethiopia not under European Control
Divided Africa with no concern for ethnic or language borders
Reason for conflict in Africa

6. Rwandan genocide Conflict between Hutu & Tutsi
Hutu majority government
Mass killing of Tutsi during Rwandan Civil War
Between 500,000 & 1,000,000 killed
Belgian colonial gov’t put Tutsi in charge & then Hutu took over
Hutu looked at as less than the Tutsi

7. Cultures of east africa
Diverse culture because of its position as major trading region
More than 160 different ethnic groups
2 major ethnic groups – Masai & Kikuyu

8. Masai Kikuyu Lives on grasslands of rift valleys in Kenya & Tanzania
Herd livestock & farm land
Women = jobs at home
Men = herd livestock, protect
Clothes from calfskin or buffalo hide
Intricate bead work & jewelry
Largest ethnic group in Kenya (20%)
Herders traditionally
Today work in variety of jobs
Mau Mau – Kikuyu fighters during British colonialism
Speak Bantu Kikuyu
Christianity & traditional religions

9. NORTH aFRICA

10. Nile River Valley Civilization
Egypt & Nile River Valley = cultural hearth spread through cultural diffusion
People lived along Nile because of predictable flooding = “gift of the Nile”
Spread ideas through Nile, Mediterranean & Red Seas

11. Islam in north africa History of invasion & occupation
Islam remains main cultural & religious influence
Invaders from SW Asia brought language, culture & religion
Spread via conquest & trade

12. Culture of northern africa
Combination of Arabic & traditional African ethnic influences
Open air markets where goods are sold
Rai – form of music; symbol of rebellion

13. Women’s Rights
Women’s roles are changing, although still male-dominated
Spousal abuse, underage marriage & polygamy outlawed
Equal pay, hold professional jobs, members of Parliament

14. WEST AFRICA

15. History of trade
Goree Island - busiest point for exporting slaves during slave trade
Cultural hearth – ideas spread to North America & Europe

16. M I D D L E P A S S A G E

17. 3 trading empires
Empire of Ghana, Mali & Songhai – thrived because of location on trade routes in Sahara
Promoted trade & agriculture
Many different cultures & peoples
Lived in stateless societies before colonialism
Family lineage to govern themselves

18. Culture of West Africa
Ashanti & Benin cultures known for elaborate craftwork & colorful textiles
Art resembles unity of ancestral spirits & living members of family
Benin Bronzes = statues, masks & jewelry
Music – blend of jazz, blues, reggae & traditional African music
Due to American influences from history of slave trade & contact between 2 regions

19. CENTRAL AFRICA

20. Bantu migrations
Bantu – group of peoples & cultures who speak one of the Bantu languages
2000 BC – Bantu people moved southward throughout Africa spreading languages & cultures
KEY EVENT IN AFRICA‘S HISTORY
Produce variety of cultures
Link areas of continent
150 million Africans speak one of the hundreds of Bantu languages

21. Slave trade Slave trade active here as well
Hundreds of different ethnic groups with different religions, languages
Large empires & small villages
King Leopold II of Belgium – wanted control of Central Africa to exploit resources
Belgians & French colonized
Switch to centralized gov’t from traditional forms

22. Religion & colonialism
Christianity Spread through continent through Christian missionaries
Largest religion of Africa

23. Central African art
Elements of traditional culture mixed with struggle against colonialism
1960s - western influences in art banned
Art focuses on political instability, urban life, social justice & crime
Pablo Picasso (1907) – African Fang sculpture = inspired African elements in his art

24. SOUTHERN AFRICA

25. Ethnic clashes European migrations in 1700s & 1800s led to conflict
Many different ethnic groups already in this area – competition between groups & Europeans for land
British defeated Dutch farmers (Boers) and gained control of land – formed South Africa

27. Apartheid in south africa
1948 – white minority government instituted policy of apartheid
Complete separation of races
Segregated schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, no social contact
75% population was black, but got smallest percentage of land
Best land saved for white minority

28. Nelson Mandela
1949 – Nelson Mandela leader of African National Congress
Went to prison in fight to end apartheid
1989 – new president elected = peaceful revolution = end of apartheid
1944 – Mandela elected president
1996 – passed democratic constitution guaranteeing rights of all citizens

29. Celebrations of south africa
Blend of cultures & traditions – African & European
Celebrations & festivals – reflect religions beliefs, cure sickness, tell stories, honesty & respect for elders
Johannesburg – modern influences
Apartheid caused wealthy north & poor south to develop
Tradition still remains
Ex. Zulu people