African Ethnic Groups

Ethnic Groups● Ethnic groups share many common

characteristics.○ Such as,

■ Language■ Physical appearance■ Customs and traditions■ Religion

● In Africa, there are many different ethnic groups.

Ethnic Groups● There are hundreds of

ethnic groups that livein Africa.

● Even within one country,there are multiple ethnic groups.

● Four of the African ethnic groups are:○ Arabs○ Ashanti○ Bantu○ Swahili

Arab● Arabs primarily live

in North Africa andthe Middle East.

● Most Arabs practice Islam.○ However, the term “Arab” includes Arabic-speaking

Christians.● Arabs mostly speak Arabic but also speak

other languages common in their country.

Arabs● Within the Arab ethnic group, there are two

main groups:○ Nomadic Bedouins○ Settled Arabs

Ashanti● The Ashanti are a very large ethnic group in

Africa.● They live off of

the west coast ofAfrica in Ghana.

● Many live with their extended family members.

Ashanti● The native language of the Ashanti is Twi.● Their religion is a mixture of spiritual and

supernatural powers.○ The Ashanti believe that animals and plants have

souls.○ They believe that there is one supreme god,

Nayme.● Ashanti people also practice Islam and

Christianity.

Ashanti● The Ashanti believe that their kingdom was

founded in 1701 when a holy man received a Golden Stool fromheaven.○ The Golden Stool represents the unity of

the Ashanti people.○ The strength of their nation

depends on the safety of the Golden Stool.

Bantu

● The Bantu are mostlyfound in Central and Southern Africa.

● Bantu makes up over 400 different ethnic groups combined.

● They speak Bantu as their main language.○ Oftentimes, Bantu is known more as a language

than as an ethnic group.

Bantu● The Bantu originally came from Southern

Nigeria.○ They eventually spreaded both South and East.○ This was the largest migration of people in Africa.

● Today, over 60 million people in Central and Southern Africa speak Bantu-based language.

Bantu● There are many different religions present

within the Bantu ethnic group.● Many who live in areas with a strong Arab

influence practice Islam.● Others practice Christianity.● Some Bantu people practice traditional

animist religions.○ They believe that all natural objects have spirits,

like animals, plants, and water.

Swahili● The Swahili people are mostly found in East

Africa, especially Kenya.● Swahili comes from an

Arabic word that means“one that lives on the coast.”

● Most Swahili people arestrict Muslims.

Swahili ● They speak Swahili, which is a mixture of

Arabic and traditional African languages.○ While Swahili is considered to be a Bantu language,

it includes Arabic words as well. ● Swahili combines Bantu and Arabic

cultures.