Bell Ringer 9/29/151. Write a few sentences describing what you think the word “tribal” means. 2. If you finish early, draw an image of something tribal.

3. Extra Challenge: What is animism?

I can analyze the importance of community in African culture and compare it to my own life.

7.16 Analyze the importance of family, labor specialization, and regional commerce in the development of states and cities in West Africa.

OBJECTIVE & STANDARD

1000 different

languages +1000

different tribesPartner Chat:

What are some possible issues with having so many languages and so many tribes?

Characteristics of a Tribe:• Language• Clothing• Religion• Behavior• Tradition

Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional

African Tribal Life1. The good of the group comes ahead of the

good of the individual.

2. All land is owned by the group.3. Strong feeling of loyalty to the group.4. Ceremonies to celebrate each person’s life.5. Deep respect for ancestors.6. Religion is an important part of everyday

life.7. Government is in the hands of the

chiefs/kings.

Tribal Villages

African Society• African towns and villages evolved over time

becoming larger communities that served as centers for trade and government.

• Many of these cultures did not have a written language. Most knowledge of these cultures comes from oral tradition.hat served as centers for trade and government.

• Many of these cultures did not have a written language, and so, most of our knowledge of these cultures comes from oral tradition.

King & Subject

• In African cultures the kings had a much closer relationship with the people than in Asian and other cultures.

• The king still held a high position among the people, but he took a much more personal interest in the everyday people.

Family and Lineage Family and extended family extended family were very

important. These extended families evolved into lineage lineage

groupsgroups. All the members could claim to be descended

from a common ancestor and it gave a sense of identity.

Why is it important to belong to a group?

The Role of Women• Women were usually

subordinate to men in Africa.

• Although, in many African societies lineage was traced through the mother’s side. This makes the matriarch of the family (the mother) the central figure.

Community & Education Both boys and girls were raised by their mothers

until the age of six. After that boys and girls were educated in the

areas in which they would be involved. Girls learned to be wives and mothers while

boys learned how to hunt and farm.

The African Mask• African masks are part of a ceremonial

costume.• They are used to represent the spirits of

ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community.

• They come to life possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance with music.

Traditional African Religion

ANIMISM 1. Belief in one Supreme Being.

3. Ancestor veneration.4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.5. Diviner/Shaman mediator between the tribe and God.

2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.

African Diviner (Shaman)•

Animism to IslamEventually the animistic beliefs were replaced in many places by Islam.This process occurred slowly through trade and conquest.

Islam combined with native beliefs to form unique African forms of Islam.

Oral Tradition In the absence of a written language

music and storytelling took on a large role in African society.

These people kept the history of Africa alive.

What are possible issues that could arise because of oral tradition?

Partner CHATBased on this map, what are the potential problems created by tribalism?

• Create a graphic organizer that shows how the culture and society of West Africa is similar to and different from today.