1. Africa
Chapter 8

2. Family Basic unit of society
Nuclear family – parents and children live and work together for common good
Extended family – parents, children, in-laws and sometimes cousins…

3. Kinship Patrilineal – inheritances follows the father
Matrilineal – inheritances follow the mother
Name, land and wealth
Main goal is to help each other out

4. Lineage Group of households who claim the same ancestor
Age grade – you would be given a certain responsibility

5. Political People would typically share power
Elders or a chief would have valued opinions
Women – keepers of the peace
Agreements would be based on a consensus
General agreement

6. Limited Power
Some areas would pay taxes to a king for protection or aid in some form
But in many areas the king would not be based on lineage but would be chosen by the people

7. Religion Polytheistic – many gods
Believed in the forces of nature and spirits
Think Greece !
Prior to Christianity and Islam
Most people believed there was one god behind all the other gods and spirits
Made conversion easy for the Christians and Muslims

8. Art Decoration of objects with meaning Sword, spear or shield
Use of Ivory, bronze and gold
Gold and Blue?
Reserved for the elite