Title: Ethnic and Religious Groups
1 Ethnic Groups and Religious Groups in
Africa
2Arabs
- Any member of the Arabic-speaking peoples native
to the Middle East and North Africa. Many Arabs
are Muslims (followers of Islam), but some are
also followers of Christianity.
3Arabs
- A.D. 600s, Arab armies from Southwest Asia
entered into North Africa (Egypt) - Brought the Arabic language and Islam
- Today most Africans are Muslim and speak Arabic
4I dont always conquer North Africa and spread
Islam
- But when I do, Im an Arab
5Ashanti
- Ashanti ethnic group mostly have traditional
beliefs. The symbol of Ashanti unity is the
Golden Stool, held to be so sacred that not even
kings were allowed to sit on it. - Ashanti follow traditional religions. (Animism)
They believe that plants, animals, and trees have
souls.
An Asante chief wearing silk cloth and gold
jewelry.
6The Ashanti People
- Reside in central Ghana.
- The Golden Stool is the center of their spiritual
practices. (represents the unity of the Ashanti
people and the power of their chiefs) - Belief in a supreme god, or Nayme, traditional
Ashanti believe that all living things have a
soul - Other religions practiced by Ashanti are
Christianity and Islam
7I dont always believe in Nayme
- But when I do, I dont let kings sit on the
Golden Stool
8BANTU
- One of the original ethnic groups in Africa that
was part of the largest migration of people on
the continent thousands of years ago. - Many Bantu Africans have traditional beliefs as
they believe in the power of ancestors in
everyday life.
An
9The Bantu People
- Originally from Southeast Nigeria
- Many Bantu are Muslim, Christians and follow
traditional animist religions (spirits in natural
objects and surroundings)
10I dont usually participate in the largest
migration of Africans
- But when I do, Im a Bantu leaving Nigeria
11SWAHILI
- Live along the eastern coast of Africa (Somalia,
Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique) - Many Swahili people are Muslims (believe in
Islam) after mixing with Arabs - However, they also mix in some traditional
beliefs with their Islamic beliefs.
12The Swahili People
- Swahili means one who lives on the coast.
- Swahili is also a Bantu language with Arabic
influence.
13I dont always mix Bantu and Arab cultures
- But when I do, Im a Swahili living along the
coast of eastern Africa
14- Arabs - Islam or Christian, mostly Islam
- Ashanti traditional religions
- Bantu traditional religions, believe in power
of ancestors - Swahili Islam with traditional elements
15What are the differences between ethnic groups
and religious groups?
16- Ethnic groups share
-
- language
- physical features
- customs
- traditions
17- Religious groups share common
- belief systems
- BUT
- are not necessarily a single
- ethnic group.
18For example
- Arabs may be Muslims or Christians.
19- Which concept relates to religion rather than
ethnicity? - A. Kimba is Ashanti.
- B. Mustafa follows the Quran.
- C. Kemal is a nomadic herder.
- D. Jambo speaks Swahili.
20- Shara is Arab. Why cant it be
- assumed that Shara is Muslim?
- A. All Arabs are not Muslim
- B. All Arabs are Christian
- C. Muslims are not Arab
- D. Christians are not Arab
21In Africa, the major religions include
traditional beliefs such as animism, while trade,
migration, and colonization brought Judaism,
Islam, and Christianity to Africa. Traditional
religions such as animism, the belief that all
things (living and non-living including natural
phenomenon such as wind) have a soul and some of
these things may be held up as gods.
22(No Transcript)
23Cultures of Africa
Ethnic Group Language Spoken Religion Practiced Location(s)
Bantu
Ashanti
Swahili
Arab