SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: CULTURES AND LIFESTYLES

LANGUAGES At least 2,000 different languages are spoken in

Africa today. These 2,000 languages have been split into 6 major

groups: Congo – Kordofanian

Spoken in central, eastern, and southern Africa (Swahili, Zulu, and Kongo)

Nilo – Saharan Afro – Asiatic

Spoken by Sudanic peoples of NW and NE corners of the region (Hausa, Fulani, Berber, and Arabic)

Khoisan Malayo – Polynesian

Non-African language – Madagascar (Malagasy) Afrikaans (an Indo-European language)

A mixture of English, French, German, and African language English serves as a lingua franca

a common language throughout the region

RELIGIONS Christianity and Islam are the most popular religions in

the region Christianity

First reached region in Ethiopia in 300 AD Spread rapidly during the European Colonial Period in the 1800s Most prevalent along the coasts where contact with foreigners is

greater Islam

Most prevalent in West Africa Spread rapidly during 1400s and 1500s when Muslims ruled the

Kingdoms of Mali and Songhai along the Niger River Today Nigeria has the largest Islamic population in the region

Traditional Religions Diverse, but with many common elements Most believe in:

A supreme deity Ranked order of lesser deities Nature spirits Ancestral worship

EDUCATION Growth in higher education

Since independence from Colonial Rule, the regions higher education has spiked

1960 – 120,000 enrolled in universities Late 1990s – 2 million enrolled 2004 – 5.5% of the population was enrolled 2011 - 7.6% of the population was enrolled

Literacy Rate 60% (2011) – people 15 years and older Generally lower rate in rural areas due to poor funding and under

qualified teachers Internet

The growth of the internet is helping to fill the gap in educational resources in the region.

Furthermore, many more people are able to attend college because of the internet.

However, providing African’s with consistent internet connection, and a means in which to access it is still a problem.

http://one.laptop.org/about/mission

THE ARTS

Textiles Music and Dance

Largely used for religious purposes and celebrations

American blues and jazz has its roots in African music

Oral Tradition The practice of passing down stories from

generation to generation by word of mouth.

RELIGION AND ART– CREATION STORY EXERCISE

Questions to Consider: 1. Who created all things? 2. What were the first thing(s) they created? 3. How did man “fall” in the story? 4. Is there a redemptive aspect to the story? 5. How does the story compare to other creation

stories you’ve learned about? To the creation story you believe in (if you believe in one)?

VARIED LIFESTYLES

Similarities Value strong family ties In rural areas people still live in extended

families Households made up of several generation

Families are also often organized into Clans Large groups of people descended from an early

common ancestor

In cities, the nuclear family is rapidly replacing extended families Family made up of husband, wife, and children