CULTURES AND RELGIONS OF AFRICA SS7G4: The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Africa

ELEMENTS O Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group O Explain the diversity of religions within the Arab, Ashanti, Bantu and Swahili ethnic groups O Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS O What are the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group? O What is the diversity of religions between the Arab, Ashanti, Bantu and Swahili ethnic groups? O How does literacy rate affects the standard of living in Africa?

Ethnic and Religious groups of Africa O Most Africans are either Muslims or Christians in terms of their religion O There are a few parts of the continent that follow a traditional religion O About 15% of Africans in the continent

ARABS Mainly live in North Africa The main religion for Arabs is Islam Two types of Muslims in Africa Bedouins and Arabs Arab Muslims believe strongly in education Arab Muslims usually have high literacy rates and high standards of living The main language for Arab Muslims is Arabic

ASHANTIS Mainly live in Central Ghana and in Western Africa Ashantis practice a traditional religion that follows spirits in nature and in respecting the family Ashantis mainly worship the Golden Stool Family is important and mothers and fathers are very sacred Mothers are teachers of daughters and fathers are teachers of sons There are many extended families in the Ashanti culture

BANTU o Mainly found in countries from the Equator to Southern Africa o Over 60 million people can trace their heritage to Bantu o Most African languages started from Bantu ancestry o Most Bantu people are Islam or Christian o Bantu Muslims do not have strict laws for their women like other Muslim groups

SWAHILI Mainly found in Kenya and Zanzibar Most Swahili people are Muslims The Swahili culture combines parts of Arab and Parts of Bantu culture Swahili have a high standard of living and education is stressed on children Swahili speak their own language

Africa and the Standard of Living/Literacy Rate O 27 of the least developed, or unhealthy economically, countries in the world are in Africa O The literacy rate of Africa is 40%, due to many children not being able to attend school until later in life O Literacy has a direct effect with the standard of living in Africa, with poorer countries having low literacy rates O South Africa has the highest literacy rate at 83% O Most developed country in Africa