1. 4-2 Patterns of Life
What cultural ties united people in African Societies?
How did the role of women vary in different African Cultures?
How did religion reflect the cultural diversity of Africa?

2. There are many African Cultures
Adapted to different climates and landforms
Developed own arts and sciences
Many similar beliefs
Family structure
Communities
Religious Beliefs

3. Family Ties
Hunting gathering societies-small bands of a few nuclear families
Herding and Framing Societies- extended families
Pool labor
Common living area with Separate homes
Oldest Male leads
Children learn from early age their work needed

4. Family Ties (contd.) This is called a lineage
Distant Kin often trace descent back to common ancestor
This is called a lineage
Creates bonds of loyalty and responsibility
Lineages form clans which trace roots to an earlier ancestor
Clan members share duties and responsibilities with one another
Clan leaders make rules for the community
This linkage provides a strong sense of community and cooperation
The system itself varies across Africa.

5. Patterns of Government
Often contained to small villages
Even when part of Empire most decisions made in village
Village leaders do not make decisions without first trying to reach a consensus
Leader has ultimate say and his authority is respected with the final decision

6. Economic Organization
Due to climate where most Africans settled life was based on subsistence farming
Farming methods were based on the land which was settled
Most land was viewed as communal
Driest savanna regions developed herding

7. Lives of Women Responsible in Farming
Bore, raised, and educated children
Status of women varied from society to society
Ashanti-made land fertile (great power)
Others made her property of husband
Some Islamic African Societies allow a man to have up to four wives
Status symbol
Usually they all get along
First holds honored position
Bride Wealth
Women married at age 14-15
Family given something in return for loss of labor
Men may take until 30’s to acquire such wealth

8. Inheritance and Descent
Could be matrilineal or patrilineal
Ashanti- you could be considered more closely related to uncle than father

9. Age-Grade System Develops loyalty to your peers
Went though stages of life together
Ceremonies often mark steps to adulthood in these societies

10. African Religions Most monotheistic
“Supreme Being” distant from their lives so rely on lesser gods and spirits
Belief in ancestors and spirits (animism)
Worship all of nature
Diviners and Healers were key figures in many African Cultures
Christianity and Judaism both entered Africa through the Nile Kingdoms and Ethiopia
Christianity also was brought by European missionaries in the 1800’s and blended.
Islam had spread through Africa since 800.