1. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 8 Diverse Peoples and Traditions in Africa

2. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 8 Diverse Peoples and Traditions in Africa
Learning Objectives
Identify the different ways that the family influenced medieval African cultures.
Describe the variety of forms of medieval African governments.
Understand the role of religion and art in medieval societies.

3. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 8 Diverse Peoples and Traditions in Africa
Key Terms
nuclear family,
patrilineal.
matrilineal,
lineage,
consensus,
griots

4. Many Cultures and Patterns of Life
Across the immense African continent, a variety of cultures emerged, ranging from wealthy trading kingdoms to nomadic herding societies to small farming communities. As people adapted to different environments and landscapes, their ways of life differed. Across Africa, communities varied in size, economic activity, family patterns, and forms of government. Still, they all had these features as well as their own religious beliefs, art, and technology.

5. Many Cultures and Patterns of Life
Early Communities
Family Patterns
Kinship Ties
Wider Ties

6. Many Cultures and Patterns of Life
This ornately crafted bronze wine bowl was made in eastern Nigeria around the 800s.

7. Government and Power
Farming peoples generally lived in tight-knit communities and helped one another in tasks such as clearing the land, planting, and harvesting. Both men and women planted, but usually were responsible for different crops. Political patterns varied, depending in part on the size of the community that the land could support.

8. Government and Power
Shared Power
Kingdom of Kongo

9. Government and Power
Traditionally, the position of village chief, such as the person pictured here, was an inherited title.

10. Religion
Across Africa, religious beliefs and practices were varied and complex. As elsewhere, religion helped to unite a society. Through religion, people learned about their origins. Oral traditions and myths taught important moral truths about right and wrong. Dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments were part of religious celebrations.

11. Religion
Traditional Beliefs
Christianity and Islam Spread

12. Religion
Many African societies believed that their deceased ancestors could impact their lives in positive ways.

13. Religion
Jews in many communities in Africa lived side by side with Muslims and Christians and worshiped in temples such as this one in Egypt.

14. Art and Literature
African artistic traditions extend far back in time to the ancient rock paintings of the Sahara, which were created by about 1000 B.C., and the over-4,000-year-old pyramids of Egypt and Nubia. More recently, but still about 1,000 years ago, the rock churches of Ethiopia and the palace of Great Zimbabwe were built. These accomplishments bear lasting witness to the creative power of these early and medieval civilizations.

15. Art and Literature
Visual Arts
Literature

16. Art and Literature
An important part of West African culture is the sirige, a mask carved from a single tree. The mask was used as part of a ceremonial dance in which people attempted to connect with their deceased ancestors.

17. Quiz: Many Cultures and Patterns of Life
Belonging to a family or lineage was important because it
A. strengthened community ties.
B. determined that inheritance was traced through the mother’s side.
C. stressed the role of the individual.
D. divided community assets.

18. Quiz: Government and Power
Which of the actions below would be consistent with achieving a “consensus” in an African village?
A. A village debate on where a crop should be planted
B. A group of men arguing over where to dig a well
C. A chief deciding to attack a neighboring village
D. A group of elders agreeing on a method of taxation

19. Quiz: Religion
Which statement best describes why it is difficult to generalize about religious beliefs in medieval Africa?
A. Those beliefs were either Islam or Christianity.
B. Those beliefs were based on local language.
C. Those beliefs were a reflection of local geography.
D. Those beliefs were varied and complex.

20. Quiz: Art and Literature
One of the ways African societies preserved their history was
A. with elaborately woven tapestries.
B. through folk tales written by scholars.
C. with a common written language and compiled encyclopedias.
D. through griots and epic stories.