Saharan and North African Toy and Play Cultures: commented bibliography
Sub-Saharan Africa: Cultures and Lifestyles
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Transcript of Sub-Saharan Africa: Cultures and Lifestyles
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