Ethnic Groups in Africa

Arabs, Ashanti, Bantu, and Swahili Cultures

Arabs• A.D. 600’s, 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.

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 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

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

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)