Traditional African Society

1000 different languages; 1000+ different tribes

An African’s “Search for Identity”

1. Nuclear Family2. Extended Family3. Clan

4. Lineage (ancestry)

TRIBE

Traditional Family Structures

Nuclear Family:

Extended Family:

C

C

C C

CHW W

C

C

C C

C

HW W

GP

CsGP

Cs

U

A

One man with one, two or more wives and some children

A nuclear family with other relatives, like grown children and their families all living together. Grandparents too!

CLAN

ANCESTOR

Family Family Family

Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam. Fam.

Clan = Many families with a common ancestor

TRIBElineage

DISTANTANCESTOR

Clan Clan Clan

Clan Clan Clan Clan Clan

Tribe = Many clans connected by a distant common ancestor

Mask With Headcloth, Zaire (19c)

Tribal Mark scarification

For many men in West Africa, scarring is a form of tribal initiation and a sign of bravery. Done with razor blades, the painful process starts at puberty and continues into adulthood. Each tribe has distinctive tattoo designs; this man’s markings indicate his village and his clan and include black magic symbols to keep away evil

Scarification

Africa : :: America : Ethnic Group?Tribe

Woman & Child, Kongo

Family Group, Tanzania

Problems of Tribalism Today

1. The tribe is more important than the nation.2. Inter-tribal warfare civil wars.

3. Tribal favorites for government jobs:

Traditional African ReligionANIMISM

1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.

3. Ancestor worship.

4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.

5. Diviner mediator between people and the spirit world.

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

African Diviner (Shaman)

Ancestors have the power to

cause good or evil

Fetishes

Objects used to communicate with the spirit world

African slaves brought fetishes with them to the Caribbean, where they became voodoo

dolls.

Other Religions in Africa

ISLAM 25% * Nigeria largest sub-Saharan Muslim countries.

CHRISTIANITY 20%

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. Deep respect for ancestors.

5. Religion is an important part of everyday life.

6. Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].