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. Age-Set
4. Clan
5. Lineage (ancestry)
TRIBE (communal living)

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

5. Kisokolo Initiates, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1990

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

7. Traditional Family Structures
Nuclear Family: C H W W C C U Cs GP C C
Extended Family: C H W W C C GP Cs A

8. Family Group, Tanzania

9. Problems of Tribalism Today
1. The tribe is more important than the nation.
2. Communication problems.
3. Inter-tribal warfare  civil wars.
4. Tribal favorites for government jobs:
Nepotism
Breaks down tribal traditions.
Urbanization:
Tribal intermingling on the job.

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

11. African Diviner (Shaman)

12. Griots - storytellers
Orally shared the history and literature of a culture

13. Ancestors

14. Fetishes

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

16. 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].

17. AFRICAN KINGDOMS
Aksum
Kush
Ghana
Songhai
Mali

18. African Kingdoms Circle of Life
Use your textbook research and viable internet sources to complete your “Circle of Life” Poster for the African Kingdom you have been assigned. Include the following pieces of information in your “circle”:
What Time Period did your kingdom exist?
Location of your kingdom (Include a map)
What Major Cities developed in your kingdom?
What Products were traded by (and in) your kingdom?
What influenced the culture of your kingdom?
What is this kingdom famous for?
What reasons were there for the decline of your kingdom?

19. African Kingdoms
Use your textbook to complete your “Circle of Life” for the African Kingdom you have been assigned. You might find the following page numbers helpful:
Kush ( )
Aksum ( )
Ghana ( )
Mali ( )
Songhai (417)

20. RESOURCES Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Glencoe World History