Cultures and Lifestyles of Africa South of Sahara

21.3 notes

Language

• Lingua France – universal language

• 3 main language families in Africa

– African

– Afro-asiatic

– Malayo – Polynesian

• Over 800 spoken in Africa

Religions

• Traditional religions – polytheistic w/ supreme creator

• Islam – E. Coast/Swahili

• Christianity – Colonial powers brought

Arts

• Djabo cave paintings

• Kente cloth of W. Africa

• Masks, sculptures, and weavings

Literature

• Nobel prize winners in 1986 & 1991

– 1986 Wole Soyinka

– 1991 Nadine Gordimer S. Africa

Nigeria

Varied Lifestyles

• Traditional to modern clothing

• Extended families are important

• Clans – large group of related people

Looking ahead

• Literacy rates on rise

• More schools but not $ to send kids

• T.V. has been tool of choice