Arab, Ashanti, Bantu, Swahili
Dec 29, 2015
Arab, Ashanti, Bantu, Swahili
Arab
Arab Culture and Religion• Speak Arabic
• Most Arabs are Islamic
• Islamic influence is in the Arab Culture. (Art, Geometric shapes, repetitive art, symmetry, bright colors, calligraphy)
• Education is important. Literacy = being able to read and understand the Quran
Arab Culture and Religion
• 2 Calendars. – Traditional: 365 days.
• Only used for business and work purposes. This is what the rest of the world uses.
– Lunar: 354 days. HOLIDAYS, ASTROLOGY• Based on the moon, the dates on the
calendar are not the same every year.
Ashanti
Kente: ceremonial cloth that represents history, philosophy, ethics, language.
Ashanti Culture and Religion
• Religion: Mix of supernatural and spiritual powers. – Believe plants, animals, and trees have souls
• The Ashanti believe lower gods (spirits) are on earth to assist humans.
• Ashanti priests serve the spirits and act as mediators between the supreme god and humans.
Ashanti Culture and Religion
• Mothers family is more important
• Women pick cotton and spin into thread while men weave Kente
• Mothers teach pottery and house skills, farming, carrying water
• Fathers teach sons a skill of their choice.
Bantu
Bantu Culture and Religion
• Farmers and Herders
• Located in Central and Southern Africa
• Prehistoric: have been around since 50,000 BC
Bantu Culture and Religion
• 60 million Africans can trace their language back to Bantu. (400 African languages have Bantu roots)
• Many are Christian or Islamic but still have more belief in Magic or curses
Bantu Muslims• Not allowed to play
drums or dance
• VERY strict
• Women must dress by Muslim standards
Swahili
Swahili Culture and Religion
• Muslim / Arab culture is very important
• Children finish early Elementary School, some finish Middle and High School
• Parents realize education is important for finding a job
• Many Swahili people work for the government, in offices, and schools.
Swahili Culture and Religion
• Most homes have electricity, indoor water, and a few bedrooms
• Running water is important because Muslim’s must wash before they eat.
• Relatively high standard of living
• Language has Bantu roots. Many people speak English