Arab Ashanti Bantu Swahili Arab Arab Culture and

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