AfricaAfricaFamily, Tribalism, & Beliefs

FAMILIESFAMILIESA man or woman without kin is as

good as deadAfricans are very tied to family- much more

so than Americans

MarriageMarriage

Traditionally arranged by parentsToday- boy meets girl, boy asks father if he

can marry herWife leaves her family to live with her

husband’s familyHusband (and family) pay wife’s family a

“bride’s price” to compensate losing her

PolygamyPolygamy

Possible for a man to have several wivesOnly about 1 in 10 Africans have more than

one wifeWHY?

– Number of children is a status symbol– More workers for field/farm

Extended FamilyExtended Family

Several generations of a family living in one house or group of houses

Provides for “social security”No need for “nursing homes”/ “assisted

living” or orphanagesFamily can be relied on during famine,

illness, and education

Families in CitesFamilies in Cites

Similar to families around the worldVery little polygamyUsually nuclear- mother, father, & childrenMarriages usually not arranged

TRIBALISMTRIBALISMTribe: a group of people who share the same

customs and language and who may believe that descend from a common ancestor

Don’t call them tribes! Use nation, people, people group, or ethnic group.

About 1000 in ethnic groups in AfricaAfrica stresses importance of the group, as

opposed to the individual as in America

Tribal customs cover all the important aspects of life from birth to death

Each member of the group must make a daily contribution

Children go through an initiation ritual to become members of the group

“Chief” is in charge, show them loyaltyDecisions made by chief and Council of

Elders, who are usually the oldest in the group

Typical punishment is to be thrown out

Modern TribalismModern TribalismTo many, their people group is more important

than their countryEuropeans divided Africa and paid no attention

to the ethnic groupsThese borders create countries that have rivals

ethnic groups in themBorders all create problem with

communication because people speak different languages

BELIEFSBELIEFSSome people are Muslim, Christian or other

world religionsMost still believe in traditional African

beliefs

god and spiritsgod and spirits

Nearly all believe in the same god/ Supreme Being who created earth and life

Believe that god is distant and not involved in day-to-day happenings

Only seek god’s help in major circumstances- drought, epidemic, etc.

Between people and god are lesser gods and ancestor spirits

The Medicine ManThe Medicine Man

Africans turn to a Medicine Man when something goes wrong

Believe he has special powers to see why something’s happened

When they ask “Why me?”, it usually turns out that an ancestor spirit has been neglected and is punishing that person

MagicMagic

Many cases, magic and religion are so closely linked, it’s hard to separate the two

Purpose is to give people confidenceMany people carry a charm with them to

protect from danger