Ethnic Groups of Africa

Arabs, Ashanti, Swahili, Bantu

Learning Targets

•I can explain important facts about the Arabs, Shanti, Bantu, and Swahili ethnic groups. •History, Location, Language, and Religion

Arabs • A.D. 600’s, Arab armies from Southwest Asia entered into North Africa (Egypt)• Location: 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.

The Ashanti /Asanti 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 mother’s 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

Ashanti People•The official language of the Ashanti people is English, but this is not spoken by many villagers. •The Asante are part of the Akan tribes/Language.• Akan language

The Golden Stool is a sacred symbol

legend, the Golden Stool -- sika 'dwa in the Akan language of the Ashanti -- descended from heaven in a cloud of white dust and landed in the lap of the first Ashanti king, Strength and Unity of the Ashanti People

The Bantu People• Originally from Southeast Nigeria• Arrived 2000 years ago from just

south of the Sahara to the central and southern parts of the continent.• Bantu migration one of the largest

movements in Africa’s history.• Bantu speaking people.• Known as farmers and animal

herders. • 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)

Bantu Language Group

•a group of some 500 languages belonging to the Bantoid subgroup of the •Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.

The Swahili People• Arab and Persian traders

settled and intermarried with Bantu – speaking population. Developed along the coast of East Africa• 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

Mind Mapping Activity

•Directions: Complete the mind maps for each of the ethnic groups.•Branches: History, Location, Language, and Religion• •Materials: Chapter 4 Fact Sheet, Mind Map Packet, and four colors (crayons or markers)

Mind Mapping Rubric

•Rubric: • I have included detailed facts about each of the four

ethnic groups. These facts must relate to their history, location, language, and religion.• I have include each branch on my mind map: History,

Location, Language, Religion • I have used correct spelling.•My mind map is easy to read and follow. • I have given each branch and their connecting branch a

specific color. •My mind map can be used to help others understand this

topic.