1. Traditional African Culture
South of the Sahara Desert

2. Language North Africa- Arabic Language Central Africa- Swahili
(Language of Islam)
Central Africa- Swahili
Southern and Western Africa-Bantu

3. Common Value
Tribe or family name is very significant in African culture.
1,000s of ethnic groups and languages
Family unit
Patrilineal Society- inheritance, family name and relationships are tied to father’s family
Matrilineal Society- relationships tied to the mother’s side

4. Government
West Africa and North Africa-strong centralized governments.
Southern and Central Africa- chiefs or elected councils make decisions based on consensus.

5. Arts and Literature
Sub-Saharan Africa has used oral traditions to keep history alive.
a. Griots- professional poets in West Africa who recite ancient stories.
b. Proverbs & riddles.
Artwork- used wood for ceremonial
masks and bone and ivory to carve statues. (Benin)

6. Traditional African Musical Instruments
African Patterns

7. African Proverbs Wisdom is wealth. ~ Swahili
The fool speaks, the wise man listens. ~ Ethiopian proverb
In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams. ~ Nigerian proverb
It takes a village to raise a child. ~ African proverb
A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb
Many hands make light work. ~ Haya (Tanzania) proverb
A fight between grasshoppers is a joy to the crow. ~ Lesotho proverb
To get lost is to learn the way. ~ African proverb
The old woman looks after the child to grow its teeth and the young one in turn looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth. ~ Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast) proverb

8. African Riddles
There is a bare place where no one ever settles, and if one did so, there would be crying. What is it? The Eye Who has a house too small for guests? A turtle.

9. Traditional Religions
-Animism- belief that animal
spirits and be conjured and
used.
-Magic
-Shaman-someone who possesses mystical powers and ability to heal.