Chapter 4

Patterns of Life and

The Slave Trade

Hunting families consisted of a few nuclear families. Farmers and herders were more likely to

have extended families.

• In villages several families pooled their labor to clear land, build, and harvest.

While a powerful leader could rule an area, most decisions were made at the village

level.

• The goal was consensus (common agreement). This could take many days, and the good of the community was stressed.

Ashanti women owned the land and ruled the home (they were thought to be responsible for

fertility of the land). The traced their lineage through the woman’s family.

Lives of Women: women did planting, weeding, harvesting… they bore and educated children

and prepared daughters for marriage.

The Age-grade system- includes all boys or girls born in same year.

Together they participated in special ceremonies marking stages toward adulthood. They learned to cooperate and (as they aged) helped each other’s children.

Most African religions were monotheistic. The creator got things started and then left people

alone. Many Africans believe that every object on Earth is suffused with spirit.

From the 1500’s to the 1800’s slave traders sent between 10-15 million Africans to the Americas

as slaves.

Slavery in Africa- slavery had existed since ancient times. Most African slaves had been

captured in wars. Some had sold themselves in times of famine.

Slaves were part of the community, not property.

Europeans paid African rulers for slaves with guns and other manufactured items. African slave

traders used the guns to capture more slaves. On board ships, some organized rebellions, some

jumped to their deaths, and some died of disease.

African Diaspora- a scattering of people that brought great suffering to slaves and struggles for

survivors.

Meanwhile African ideas, customs, beliefs, musical traditions, proverbs, food, religion and art

spread.