Central African Republic

Tribe

Central African Republic

TribeCourtney KendrickCourtney Kendrick

Central African Republic Information Central African Republic Information Geography

Area: 622,984 sq. km. (242,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Texas.

Cities: Capital--Bangui (pop. 690,000). Other cities--Berberati (56,867), Bouar

(39,676), Bambari (32,603), Bangassou (24,450), Bossangoa (31,723), Mbaiki

(16,901), and Carnot (31,324).

Terrain: Rolling plain 600 meters-700 meters (1,980 ft.-2,310 ft.) above sea level;

scattered hills in northeast and southwest.

Climate: Tropical, ranging from humid equatorial in the south to Sahelo-Sudanese

in the north; hot, dry winters with mild to hot, wet summers.

Geography

Area: 622,984 sq. km. (242,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Texas.

Cities: Capital--Bangui (pop. 690,000). Other cities--Berberati (56,867), Bouar

(39,676), Bambari (32,603), Bangassou (24,450), Bossangoa (31,723), Mbaiki

(16,901), and Carnot (31,324).

Terrain: Rolling plain 600 meters-700 meters (1,980 ft.-2,310 ft.) above sea level;

scattered hills in northeast and southwest.

Climate: Tropical, ranging from humid equatorial in the south to Sahelo-Sudanese

in the north; hot, dry winters with mild to hot, wet summers.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Central African(s).

Population (July 2009 est.): 4,511,488.

Annual growth rate (2009 est.): 1.491%.

Ethnic groups: More than 80; Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandja 13%,

Mboum 7%, M'baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%.

Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs

35%.

Languages: French (official), Sango (national).

Education: Years compulsory--6. Enrollment--primary school 55% (2007 est.).

Literacy--48.6% (2006 est.).

Health: Infant mortality rate--80.62 deaths/1,000 (2009 est.). Life expectancy--

44.47 yrs. (2009 est.).

Work force (approx. 53% of pop.): Agriculture--75%; industry--6%; commerce and

services--4%; government--15%.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Central African(s).

Population (July 2009 est.): 4,511,488.

Annual growth rate (2009 est.): 1.491%.

Ethnic groups: More than 80; Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandja 13%,

Mboum 7%, M'baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%.

Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs

35%.

Languages: French (official), Sango (national).

Education: Years compulsory--6. Enrollment--primary school 55% (2007 est.).

Literacy--48.6% (2006 est.).

Health: Infant mortality rate--80.62 deaths/1,000 (2009 est.). Life expectancy--

44.47 yrs. (2009 est.).

Work force (approx. 53% of pop.): Agriculture--75%; industry--6%; commerce and

services--4%; government--15%.

Central African Republic Information cont.Central African Republic Information cont.Government

Type: Republic.

Independence: August 13, 1960.

Constitution: Passed by referendum December 29, 1994; adopted January 1995.

Suspended by decree in March 2003. New constitution passed by referendum

December 5, 2004.

Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers.

Legislative--unicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Constitutional Court, inferior

courts, criminal courts, Court of Appeals.

Administrative subdivisions: 16 prefectures, commune of Bangui.

Political parties: Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Central African

Democratic Assembly (RDC), Civic Forum (FC), Democratic Forum (FODEM), Liberal

Democratic Party (PLD), Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD),

Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), Patriotic Front

for Progress (FPP), People's Union for the Republic (UPR), National Unity Party

(PUN), and Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Suffrage: Universal over 21.

Government

Type: Republic.

Independence: August 13, 1960.

Constitution: Passed by referendum December 29, 1994; adopted January 1995.

Suspended by decree in March 2003. New constitution passed by referendum

December 5, 2004.

Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers.

Legislative--unicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Constitutional Court, inferior

courts, criminal courts, Court of Appeals.

Administrative subdivisions: 16 prefectures, commune of Bangui.

Political parties: Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Central African

Democratic Assembly (RDC), Civic Forum (FC), Democratic Forum (FODEM), Liberal

Democratic Party (PLD), Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD),

Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), Patriotic Front

for Progress (FPP), People's Union for the Republic (UPR), National Unity Party

(PUN), and Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Suffrage: Universal over 21.

PEOPLE

There are more than 80 ethnic groups in the Central African Republic

(C.A.R.), each with its own language. About 75% are M’Baka-Mandjia and

Banda (40% largely located in the northern and central parts of the

country), and 4% are M'Baka (southwestern corner of the C.A.R.). Sango,

the language of a small group along the Oubangui River, is the national

language spoken by the majority of Central Africans. Only a small part of

the population has more than an elementary knowledge of French, the

official language.

More than 55% of the population of the C.A.R. lives in rural areas. The chief

agricultural areas are around the Bossangoa, Bouar, and Bambari. Bangui,

Berberati, Bangassou, and Bossangoa are the most densely populated

urban centers.

PEOPLE

There are more than 80 ethnic groups in the Central African Republic

(C.A.R.), each with its own language. About 75% are M’Baka-Mandjia and

Banda (40% largely located in the northern and central parts of the

country), and 4% are M'Baka (southwestern corner of the C.A.R.). Sango,

the language of a small group along the Oubangui River, is the national

language spoken by the majority of Central Africans. Only a small part of

the population has more than an elementary knowledge of French, the

official language.

More than 55% of the population of the C.A.R. lives in rural areas. The chief

agricultural areas are around the Bossangoa, Bouar, and Bambari. Bangui,

Berberati, Bangassou, and Bossangoa are the most densely populated

urban centers.

Central African Republic Information

cont.

Central African Republic Information

cont.Economy

GDP (2009): $2.006 billion.

Annual real GDP growth rate (2009 .): 2.4%.

Per capital income (2009, PPP): $750.

Avg. inflation rate: (2009): 3.5%.,

Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil,  coffee.

Agriculture (2009, 55% of GDP): Products--Timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, food crops, livestock. Arable land-3.1%.

Industry (2009, 15% of GDP): Types--Diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles, and soap.

Services (2009): 30% of GDP.

Trade (2009): Exports--$290 million ; timber and diamonds, with some exports of coffee, cotton,  and tobacco. Major markets--Belgium,

Indonesia, China, Morocco, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Imports--$ 449 million ;, petroleum products, items to support public sector

investment programme  Major suppliers--France, United States, Cameroon, Netherlands, Republic of Korea.

Central government budget (2009): $431.03 million.

Defense (2009): 1.8% of GDP Fiscal year: Calendar year.

Economy

GDP (2009): $2.006 billion.

Annual real GDP growth rate (2009 .): 2.4%.

Per capital income (2009, PPP): $750.

Avg. inflation rate: (2009): 3.5%.,

Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil,  coffee.

Agriculture (2009, 55% of GDP): Products--Timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, food crops, livestock. Arable land-3.1%.

Industry (2009, 15% of GDP): Types--Diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles, and soap.

Services (2009): 30% of GDP.

Trade (2009): Exports--$290 million ; timber and diamonds, with some exports of coffee, cotton,  and tobacco. Major markets--Belgium,

Indonesia, China, Morocco, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Imports--$ 449 million ;, petroleum products, items to support public sector

investment programme  Major suppliers--France, United States, Cameroon, Netherlands, Republic of Korea.

Central government budget (2009): $431.03 million.

Defense (2009): 1.8% of GDP Fiscal year: Calendar year.

Principal Government Officials

President of the Republic, Head of State--Francois Bozize

Prime Minister--Faustin Archange Touadéra

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Francophone World--Antoine Gambi

Minister of Finance and Budget--Albert Besse

Ambassador to the United States--Stanislas Moussa-Kembe

Ambassador to the United Nations--Fernand Poukre-Kono

The Central African Republic maintains an embassy in the United States at 1618-22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC (tel: 202-483-7800/01, fax:

202-332-9893).

Principal Government Officials

President of the Republic, Head of State--Francois Bozize

Prime Minister--Faustin Archange Touadéra

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Francophone World--Antoine Gambi

Minister of Finance and Budget--Albert Besse

Ambassador to the United States--Stanislas Moussa-Kembe

Ambassador to the United Nations--Fernand Poukre-Kono

The Central African Republic maintains an embassy in the United States at 1618-22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC (tel: 202-483-7800/01, fax:

202-332-9893).

Location of tribeLocation of tribe

Located in Central Africa

Covers a land area of 240,000 square mile

Estimated population of about 4.4 million as of 2008

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bangui, 810,000 (metro. area), 669,800 (city proper)

Located in Central Africa

Covers a land area of 240,000 square mile

Estimated population of about 4.4 million as of 2008

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bangui, 810,000 (metro. area), 669,800 (city proper)

Central African Republic informationCentral African Republic information

President: Gen. François Bozizé (2003)

Prime Minister: Faustin Archange Touadéra (2008)

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

National name: République Centrafricaine

Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages

Ethnicity/race: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

National Holiday: Republic Day, December 1

Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant and Roman Catholic (both with animist influence) 25% each, Islam 15%

Literacy rate: 48.6% (2006 est.)

President: Gen. François Bozizé (2003)

Prime Minister: Faustin Archange Touadéra (2008)

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

National name: République Centrafricaine

Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages

Ethnicity/race: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

National Holiday: Republic Day, December 1

Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant and Roman Catholic (both with animist influence) 25% each, Islam 15%

Literacy rate: 48.6% (2006 est.)

Women habitually are responsible for the

manufacturing and preparation of the food.

They also work by growing cotton and other

substances to take part in the money economy.

Women are not expected to attend or even finish

their primary schooling.

Without the women, there would be no one else in

the markets to sell and distribute the food.

In politics, the civil service, the military, and the

police force, women are well represented despite

being less educated.

Women habitually are responsible for the

manufacturing and preparation of the food.

They also work by growing cotton and other

substances to take part in the money economy.

Women are not expected to attend or even finish

their primary schooling.

Without the women, there would be no one else in

the markets to sell and distribute the food.

In politics, the civil service, the military, and the

police force, women are well represented despite

being less educated.

Women Gender

Roles

Women Gender

Roles

Men gender roles

Men gender roles

Men on the other hand are mainly

doing physical work.

Men are usually are the main

gender in the employed workforce.

Men hunt for the food and build the

homes.

Men on the other hand are mainly

doing physical work.

Men are usually are the main

gender in the employed workforce.

Men hunt for the food and build the

homes.

familyfamilyfamilyfamilyPolygyny is legal, although this practice faces growing resistance among educated women. The law authorizes a man to take up to four wives, but a prospective husband must indicate at the time of the first marriage contract whether he intends to take additional wives. In practice many couples never marry formally because men cannot afford the traditional bride payment. Women who are educated and financially independent tend to seek monogamous marriages. Divorce is legal and may be initiated by either partner. The law does not discriminate against women in inheritance and property rights, but a welter of conflicting customary laws often prevails. A family code designed to strengthen women's rights was enacted in May 1998. 

Polygyny is legal, although this practice faces growing resistance among educated women. The law authorizes a man to take up to four wives, but a prospective husband must indicate at the time of the first marriage contract whether he intends to take additional wives. In practice many couples never marry formally because men cannot afford the traditional bride payment. Women who are educated and financially independent tend to seek monogamous marriages. Divorce is legal and may be initiated by either partner. The law does not discriminate against women in inheritance and property rights, but a welter of conflicting customary laws often prevails. A family code designed to strengthen women's rights was enacted in May 1998. 

Marriages Marriages Marriages Marriages In Africa and the USA marriage is a main way to unify and start a family opposed to cohabitation.

They get married to start a family and create a lineage, similarly in the United States people get married to also start a family and keep their family name going.

In tradition, marriages were arranged by family members in the family’s lineage.

The price of weddings has gone up, so the usual church weddings for Christians are less likely to happen.

The long term common law marriages are directed by liaisons or relationships in Africa. That means that the woman stays in the relationship with the man for as long as she wants.

The young man is to work for the wife’s family anywhere from one year up to four years.

After he works for them, the husband’s family pays a brideprice.

According to dictionary.com, brideprice is (in some nonindustrial societies) the money or goods given  to the family of a bride by the bridegroom or his family.

In Africa and the USA marriage is a main way to unify and start a family opposed to cohabitation.

They get married to start a family and create a lineage, similarly in the United States people get married to also start a family and keep their family name going.

In tradition, marriages were arranged by family members in the family’s lineage.

The price of weddings has gone up, so the usual church weddings for Christians are less likely to happen.

The long term common law marriages are directed by liaisons or relationships in Africa. That means that the woman stays in the relationship with the man for as long as she wants.

The young man is to work for the wife’s family anywhere from one year up to four years.

After he works for them, the husband’s family pays a brideprice.

According to dictionary.com, brideprice is (in some nonindustrial societies) the money or goods given  to the family of a bride by the bridegroom or his family.

DIVORCEDIVORCEA man can choose to divorce his wife by taking her

things and putting them in front of the house and

then locking the door.

Divorce usually relies on the return of the

brideprice, including the contributions that rely on

the amount of children.

As long as the woman keeps having children is as

long as her family can continue to make payments.

The children then become members of the man’s

lineage.

Divorce in Africa is much simpler than divorce in

America.

In Africa you do not need to go through court or split

everything in half, you simply decide if you want a

divorce and both receive their own personal

belongings back.

A man can choose to divorce his wife by taking her

things and putting them in front of the house and

then locking the door.

Divorce usually relies on the return of the

brideprice, including the contributions that rely on

the amount of children.

As long as the woman keeps having children is as

long as her family can continue to make payments.

The children then become members of the man’s

lineage.

Divorce in Africa is much simpler than divorce in

America.

In Africa you do not need to go through court or split

everything in half, you simply decide if you want a

divorce and both receive their own personal

belongings back.

ConclusionConclusionThe Central African Republic Tribe is very traditional. The men

hunt and build the homes while the women take care of the

children and cook/prepare the dinner. The marriages are

traditionally arranged. Their goal in life is to create a family

lineage and take care of each other.

The Central African Republic Tribe is very traditional. The men

hunt and build the homes while the women take care of the

children and cook/prepare the dinner. The marriages are

traditionally arranged. Their goal in life is to create a family

lineage and take care of each other.

resourcesresources

1. "AFROL Gender Profile - Central African Republic." Afrol News - African News Agency. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://www.afrol.com/Categories/Women/profiles/car_women.htm>.

2. "Central African Republic." U.S. Department of State. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4007.htm>.

3. "CIA - The World Factbook." Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html>.

4. "Central African Republic." U.S. Department of State. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4007.htm>.

5. Countries and Their Cultures. (2006, October). Culture of Central African Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Central-African-Republic.html 6. Woodfork, J. (2006). Culture and customs of the Central African Republic. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 7. IMAGES

"Our Surprising World - Central African Republic (part 1)." Our Surprising World - Wonderful Photo Trip Around The World. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://oursurprisingworld.com/central-african-republic-part-1/>.

1. "AFROL Gender Profile - Central African Republic." Afrol News - African News Agency. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://www.afrol.com/Categories/Women/profiles/car_women.htm>.

2. "Central African Republic." U.S. Department of State. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4007.htm>.

3. "CIA - The World Factbook." Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html>.

4. "Central African Republic." U.S. Department of State. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4007.htm>.

5. Countries and Their Cultures. (2006, October). Culture of Central African Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Central-African-Republic.html 6. Woodfork, J. (2006). Culture and customs of the Central African Republic. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 7. IMAGES

"Our Surprising World - Central African Republic (part 1)." Our Surprising World - Wonderful Photo Trip Around The World. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://oursurprisingworld.com/central-african-republic-part-1/>.