The Sahel

Population Patterns The People Sahel extends from Senegal to Sudan Many different ethnicities More than 100 in Chad alone Influenced by Arab, European, and indigenous cultures Major ethnic groups: Mande (Senegal and Mali), Wolof (Senegal), and Hausa (Niger). Fulani (largest ethnic group of nomadic herders) and Berbers live there, as well Hausa-used to be traders, but now agricultural Fulani- raise dairy cattle One of first to adopt Islam Islam is strong in Sahel, but many defy general Muslim classifications Ex. Arabic is not the main language Many ethnic groups have maintained indigenous cultural practices

History and Government First Civilizations Around 2000 BC people fleeing a dramatic shift in climate settled the Sahel Sahara region became hotter and drier (desertification) Nile valley remained fertile Gave life to Egyptian civilization Kingdom of Kush (Sudan) eventually extended its rule into Egyptian territory Pushed south along the Nile Kush flourished until 300s, when its trade routes were attacked by Axum Trading empire in Ethiopia

History and Government Empires and Colonization Several centuries later- trading empires gained strength in W Africa Mali and Songhai Empires grew rich from the gold-for-salt trade Mali’s capital= Timbuktu Songhai took over Mali and expanded east Prospered until about 1600s (overrun by Moroccans)

History and Government Europeans began trading as early as the 1200s By 1600s and 1700s, they were trading extensively 1800s- European countries began colonizing Africa Wanted raw materials, new markets, etc. Created boundaries that often cut across ethnic homelands Set African groups against one another and strengthened European rule

History and Government Many Africans benefited from European rule Better education By mid 1900s- educated Africans launched independence movements The colonies became independent New countries faced difficulties Colonial powers did not include Africans in gov’t Didn’t provide models for democracy At independence, many countries adopted boundaries set by colonial powers Rival ethnic groups struggled for power and civil wars erupted

History and Government Sudan Today Distinct cultural divisions separate north and south in Sudan North= Arab speaking Muslims, living in larger cities Favor Islamic gov’ts South= rural areas Focused on subsistence farming and prefer a secular gov’t Western region of Darfur holds 1.8 m displaced people Conflict between agrarian non-Arab black African Muslims and gov’t-backed militias Led to death of tens of thousands and overcrowded refugee camps About 250,000 nomads threatened as they try to avoid conflict Peace deal signed in 2005 (ended conflict between N and S) Did not address Darfur

Culture The Arts African art (often expressing traditional religious beliefs) comes in many forms Ritual masks to rhythmic drum music to folktales Visual arts include ceremonial masks and wooden figures of Dogon people of Mali Music= percussion, the talking drum, and the 5-string guitar Literature developed in NE Africa (societies came in contact w/Mediterranean systems of writing) Modern literature includes works of Nafissatou Niang Diallo 1975 biography- one of first to be published by Senegalese woman Oral literature (chanted, sung, or recited) Oral tradition= the practice of passing down stories from generation to generation by word of mouth

Culture Family Life Most Africans value strong family ties Rural areas- most live in extended families Most families are patriarchal (headed by male family member) Women still involved in supporting family Families are organized into clans (large groups of people descended from an early common ancestor) Often marry within their clan In the cities= nuclear family (husband, wife, children) is replacing the extended family

Culture Language and Religion Hundreds of ethnic groups speak several African language groups: Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and Cong-Kordofanian French is spoken in Sudan Islam is predominant religion Christianity is also practiced in Chad, Sudan, Niger, and Senegal Many ethnic groups have maintained indigenous religions

Culture Education School enrollment and literacy rates are low Poorest countries (Niger and Mali)- Only about 1/3 go to school Some countries few children go to elementary school Parents are too poor to send them Gov’ts are working on increasing school enrollment

Culture Health Care Poverty= key factor in access to health care Major health concerns: high mortality rates and infectious diseases Lack of adequate care in childbirth results in high female and infant mortality rates Small number of rural Africans have access to clean water ¼ live where there is adequate sanitation (disposal of waste products)