1. Traditional African Society

2. 1000 different languages; 1000+ different tribes

3. An African’s “Search for Identity”
1. Nuclear Family
2. Extended Family
3. Clan
4. Lineage (ancestry)
TRIBE

4. Traditional Family Structures
Nuclear Family: C C
One man with one, two or more wives and some children C H W W C C
Extended Family: U Cs GP
A nuclear family with other relatives, like grown children and their families all living together. Grandparents too! C C C H W W C C GP Cs A

5. CLAN TRIBE Tribe = Many clans connected by a distant common ancestor
lineage
CLAN
TRIBE
DISTANT
ANCESTOR
ANCESTOR
Clan Clan Clan
Family Family Family
Clan Clan Clan Clan Clan
Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam.
Tribe = Many clans connected by a distant common ancestor
Clan = Many families with a common ancestor
List of African tribes

6. Mask With Headcloth, Zaire (19c) Tribal Mark  scarification

7. Scarification
For many men in West Africa, scarring is a form of tribal initiation and a sign of bravery. Done with razor blades, the painful process starts at puberty and continues into adulthood. Each tribe has distinctive tattoo designs; this man’s markings indicate his village and his clan and include black magic symbols to keep away evil

8. Africa : :: America : Ethnic Group
Tribe ?

9. Woman & Child, Kongo

10. Family Group, Tanzania

11. Problems of Tribalism Today
1. The tribe is more important than the nation.
2. Inter-tribal warfare  civil wars.
3. Tribal favorites for government jobs:

12. Traditional African Religion
ANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
3. Ancestor worship.
4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.
5. Diviner  mediator between people and the spirit world.

13. African Diviner (Shaman)

14. Ancestors
have the power to cause good or evil

15. Fetishes
Objects used to communicate with the spirit world

16. African slaves brought fetishes with them to the Caribbean, where they became... What?
VOODOO DOLLS

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

18. 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.
Deep respect for ancestors.
Religion is an important part of everyday life.
Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].