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Ethnic Groups and ` Religious Groups in Africa What are the differences between ethnic groups and religious groups? Ethnic groups share – language physical features customs traditions Religious groups share common belief systems BUT are not necessarily a single ethnic group. For example: Arabs may be Muslims or Christians. Which concept relates to religion rather than ethnicity? A. Kimba is Ashanti. B. Mustafa follows the Quran. C. Kemal is a nomadic herder. D. Jambo speaks Swahili. Shara is Arab. Why can’t it be assumed that Shara is Muslim? A. All Arabs are not Muslim B. All Arabs are Christian C. Muslims are not Arab D. Christians are not Arab Arabs • Any member of the Arabic-speaking peoples native to the Middle East and North Africa. Many Arabs are Muslims (followers of Islam), but some are also followers of Christianity. 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 I don’t always conquer North Africa and spread Islam But when I do, I’m an Arab Ashanti • Ashanti ethnic group mostly have traditional beliefs. The symbol of Ashanti unity is the Golden Stool, held to be so sacred that not even kings were allowed to sit on it. • Ashanti follow traditional religions. (Animism) They believe that plants, animals, and trees have souls. An Asante chief wearing silk cloth and gold jewelry. The Ashanti People • Reside in central Ghana. • 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 • Other religions practiced by Ashanti are Christianity and Islam I don’t always believe in Nayme But when I do, I don’t let kings sit on the Golden Stool BANTU • One of the original ethnic groups in Africa that was part of the largest migration of people on the continent thousands of years ago. • Many Bantu Africans have traditional beliefs as they believe in the power of ancestors in everyday life. An The Bantu People • Originally from Southeast Nigeria • Many Bantu are Muslim, Christians and follow traditional animist religions (spirits in natural objects and surroundings) I don’t usually participate in the largest migration of Africans But when I do, I’m a Bantu leaving Nigeria SWAHILI Live along the eastern coast of Africa (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique) • Many Swahili people are Muslims (believe in Islam) after mixing with Arabs • However, they also mix in some traditional beliefs with their Islamic beliefs. The Swahili People • Swahili means “one who lives on the coast.” • Swahili is also a Bantu language with Arabic influence. I don’t always mix Bantu and Arab cultures But when I do, I’m a Swahili living along the coast of eastern Africa *Arabs - Islam or Christian, mostly Islam *Ashanti – traditional religions *Bantu – traditional religions, believe in power of ancestors *Swahili – Islam with traditional elements In Africa, the major religions include traditional beliefs such as animism, while trade, migration, and colonization brought Judaism, Islam, and Christianity to Africa. Traditional religions such as animism, the belief that all things (living and non-living including natural phenomenon such as wind) have a soul and some of these things may be held up as gods. Cultures of Africa Ethnic Group Bantu Ashanti Swahili Arab Language Religion Location( Spoken Practiced s)