4-2 Patterns of Life

What cultural ties united people in African Societies?

How did the role of women vary in different African Cultures?

How did religion reflect the cultural diversity of Africa?

There are many African Cultures

Adapted to different climates and landforms

Developed own arts and sciencesMany similar beliefs

Family structure Communities Religious Beliefs

Family Ties

Hunting gathering societies-small bands of a few nuclear families

Herding and Framing Societies- extended families Pool labor Common living area with Separate homes Oldest Male leads Children learn from early age their work needed

Family Ties (contd.)

Distant Kin often trace descent back to common ancestor This is called a lineage Creates bonds of loyalty and responsibility

Lineages form clans which trace roots to an earlier ancestor Clan members share duties and responsibilities with one

another Clan leaders make rules for the community

This linkage provides a strong sense of community and cooperation The system itself varies across Africa.

Patterns of Government

Often contained to small villagesEven when part of Empire most decisions

made in villageVillage leaders do not make decisions

without first trying to reach a consensusLeader has ultimate say and his authority

is respected with the final decision

Economic Organization

Due to climate where most Africans settled life was based on subsistence farming

Farming methods were based on the land which was settled

Most land was viewed as communalDriest savanna regions developed herding

Lives of Women

Responsible in Farming Bore, raised, and educated children Status of women varied from society to society

Ashanti-made land fertile (great power) Others made her property of husband

Some Islamic African Societies allow a man to have up to four wives Status symbol Usually they all get along First holds honored position

Bride Wealth Women married at age 14-15 Family given something in return for loss of labor Men may take until 30’s to acquire such wealth

Inheritance and Descent

Could be matrilineal or patrilineal Ashanti- you could be considered more closely

related to uncle than father

Age-Grade System

Develops loyalty to your peersWent though stages of life togetherCeremonies often mark steps to adulthood

in these societies

African Religions

Most monotheistic “Supreme Being” distant from their lives so rely on lesser

gods and spirits Belief in ancestors and spirits (animism) Worship all of nature Diviners and Healers were key figures in many African

Cultures Christianity and Judaism both entered Africa through the

Nile Kingdoms and Ethiopia Christianity also was brought by European missionaries in

the 1800’s and blended. Islam had spread through Africa since 800.