Ethnic Groups in Africa

1
Ethnic Groups in Africa

• Arabs, Ashanti, Bantu, and Swahili Cultures

2
Arabs

• 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
• Muslim leadership allowed North African cities to
  become major centers of learning, trade, and
  craft making.

3
The Ashanti People

• Reside in central Ghana, kingdom was founded in
  1701
• 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
• The mothers family is important. (Flesh Blood)
• Children get their spirits from their father.
• Heritage celebrated with festivals and
  ceremonies.
• Other religions practiced by Ashanti are
  Christianity and Islam

4
The Swahili People

• Swahili means one who lives on the coast.
• Swahili is also a Bantu language with Arabic
  influence.
• Reside on the East African Coast from southern
  Somalia to northern Mozambique
• Practice a strict form of Islam mixed with
  beliefs in spirits that can possess a person
  (mila) and herbal healing medicines
• Men wear charms/amulets for protection. They
  contain verses from the Koran

5
The Bantu People

• Originally from Southeast Nigeria
• Reached Zimbabwe around 1000 CE
• The Bantu Empire controlled trading routes from
  South Africa to the Zambezi River.
• Traded gold, copper, precious stones, animal
  hides, ivory, and metal goods.
• Many Bantu are Muslim, Christians and follow
  traditional animist religions (spirits in natural
  objects and surroundings)