2. AFRICAN PATTERN OF LIFE BEFORE URBANIZATION
WORDS TO KNOW:
LINEAGE CONSENSUS
POLYGAMY AGE GRADE
SUBSISTANCE FARMER
Caution: It is hard to make a generalization about the people of Africa because of the many cultures throughout the country

3. FAMILY DEPENDING ON GROUP
HUNTERS AND GATHERERS – NUCLEAR WHY?
FARMERS AND HERDERS – EXTENDED WHY?
“IT TAKES A VILLAGE …. “
“… TO RAISE A CHILD.” AFRICAN PROVERB
WORK TOGETHER TO CLEAR THE LAND, TO BUILD A HOME, HARVEST THE CROPS –POOLED LABOR
SHARED COMMON LIVING AREA
STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY

4. FAMILY CONT’D PATRIARCHAL – OLDEST MALE LINEAGE – COMMON
DISTANT RELATIVES
INSTILLS LOYALTY AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FAMILY AND THE …
CLAN/TRIBE – SEVERAL LINEAGES
EACH HAD A LEADER
RESPECTED

5. Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional African Tribal Life
The good of the group comes ahead of the good of the individual.
All land is owned by the group.
Strong feeling of loyalty to the group.
Important ceremonies at different parts of a person’s life.
Special age and work associations.
Deep respect for ancestors.
Religion is an important part of everyday life.
Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].

6. WOMEN RESPECTED - CHILD BIRTH PLANT, WEED, HARVEST, MARKET
EDUCATE CHILDREN
PATRIARCHAL HOME – OBEY HUSBAND
POLYGAMY – UP TO 4 WIVES
CAN OWN PROPERTY AND CAN BE A LEADER

7. WOMEN CONT’D MARRIED AT AGE 14 AND OLDER ARRANGED THRU FATHER/MOTHER
USUALLY OLDER
BRIDE PRICE DETERMINED
PROMISES NOT TO MISTREAT
NO MARRIAGE VOWS
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8. INHERITANCE MATRIARCHAL – MOM’S UNCLE PATRIARCHAL – DAD
UNCLE CLOSER THAN DAD
PATRIARCHAL – DAD
ELDEST SON INHERITS

9. AGE-GRADE SYSTEM ALL BORN IN SAME YEAR STICK TOGETHER THRU LIFE
MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MALES AND FEMALES
BUILDS STRONGER BOND AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY
LEARN TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER

10. GOVERNMENT THERE IS USUALLY A LARGER CONTROLLING GOVERNMENT – KING
VILLAGE LEADERS MUST REACH CONSENSUS ON ANY DECISIONS
“WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY?”

11. ECONOMY SUBSISTENCE FARMING – GROWS ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED
CROP ROTATION – WHY?
LAND IS COMMUNITY PROPERTY
CATTLE = HIGHER STATUS

12. Traditional African Religion
ANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
3. Belief in magic and charms.
Diviner  mediator between the tribe and God -Interpreters.
HEALERS – SPIRITUAL DOCTORS

13. RELIGION CONT’D UNITES SOCIETY ORAL TRADITIONS & MYTHS
MORAL TRUTHS
PRAYERS AND RITUALS
HONOR ANCESTORS
SOULS REBORN IN THEIR CHILDREN

14. African Diviner (Shaman)

15. Other Religions in Africa
ISLAM  25% * Nigeria  largest sub-Saharan Muslim countries.
CHRISTIANITY  20%