1 Africa: Traditional Patterns of Life
2 Pre-Class Africa’s Child How are girls viewed in some parts of Africa?What are the consequences of forced marriage? How is forced marriage connected to tradition? What steps have been taken to protect girls in some parts of Africa? In your opinion, what else can be done to protect girls in some parts of Africa?
3 1. What holds society together?Family Loyalty
4 2. Family of hunting and gathering societies?Groups of nuclear families
5 3. Families of farming and herding societies?Extended families Worked as an economic unit for survival Families may work together on large projects
6 4. What unites people beyond extended family? Why?Ties of kinship Sharing lineage created bonds of loyalty and responsibility
7 5. Define Lineage: Clan: Tribe like ethnicitya group of distant relatives who trace their descent to a common ancestor Clan: several lineages form a clan- shared duties and obligation toward one another Tribe like ethnicity
8 6. Where did most people live?Small villages Some villages linked together as a part of a larger government connected to empires Tribal not as part of an empire
9 Zulu Benin
10 7. Who made decisions that affected daily life?Village leaders Council of elders Village elders
11 Full public discussions 8. In many areas how were decisions for village and issues of justice decided? Full public discussions Goal was to reach a consensus (Common agreement) Community over individual Trial by Oil 3:06
12 9. Define Subsistence FarmingSubsistence Farming: produce enough for own needs with little or no surplus
13 10. What varied according to environment? ExamplesMethods of farming Examples: forest: slash and burn savanna: crop rotation
14 11. How did people view the land in farming societies?Communal property no ownership but family had the right to use their fair share
15 12. What determined wealth in herding societies?Number of cattle
16 Massai
17 13. Why were women seen as important in traditional society?Contributed to economic well being of family Worked the fields & took surplus to market Respected had children, educated
18 14. Describe the status of women.Varies- some high status & leaders Wolof, Ashanti Some women owned land and ruled the home Patriarchal: others had no power and were dominated by men
19 15. Define Polygamy Bride wealthpractice of having more than one spouse Polygyny – One husband and multiple wives - most common Polyandry – One wife and multiple husbands Bride wealth gift to bride’s family to recognize importance/respect of women
20 Matrilineal Patrilineal16. Explain the two types of traditions that govern inheritance & descent Matrilineal female lineage Akan: Ghana - Ashanti Patrilineal male lineage
21 17. What is the age-grade system?All boys and girls born in the same year Helps develop loyalty To learn values of society Rites of passage page 89
22 18. What purpose does religion serve?As elsewhere helps unite a society Deals with origins, morality, right and wrong
23 19. Describe traditional African Beliefs/ Indigenous beliefs?original or local Oral traditions – griot – West African Story teller series of stories from Africa by Zinse Africa's Number One storyteller Somewhat Monotheistic- single supreme being that created the world with lesser gods and spirits for daily life Ancestor veneration: ancestors can help or hurt the living
24 Medicine & Magic (Spirits)African Religion Supreme Being Lesser Gods Ancestors Humans Medicine & Magic (Spirits)
25 Anansi the Spider 5:00
26 20. Define Animism Belief that spirits live in the natural world
27 Animism 1:30
28 Traditional Religions 4:30
29 21. What is the purpose of a Diviner and Healer?Diviner (p.91) To explain the cause of misfortune Link between people and the spirits Healer Seek cause of illness Herbal medicines
30 22. What major religions exist in Africa?Islam Christianity Judaism Hinduism
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