Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa Section 4

Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa Witness History Audio: Cultural Variety Family Patterns In medieval Africa, the family was the basic unit of society—either the nuclear family or the extended family. Some families were patrilineal, others were matrilineal. Each family belonged to a lineage. Several lineages formed a clan. Note Taking Transparency 95 1 of 8

Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa Political Patterns Smaller medieval African societies were often governed through power sharing. Decisions were often made by consensus. For villages that were part of a large kingdom, rules were often set from afar or determined by an official appointed by a king. Religious Beliefs Before the arrival of Islam and Christianity in Africa, religions were many and complex, often involving gods and goddesses who controlled the forces of nature and a supreme being who created and ruled the universe. Some African peoples believed in the power of ancestral spirits. Color Transparency 68: African Textiles Color Transparency 69: Masks of Africa 2 of 8

Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa Section 4: Societies in Medieval Africa Traditions in Art and Literature African art involved many different materials. The art either decorated useful things or existed just to be seen. Patterns often had special meanings and were identified with a particular clan or royal court. Statues and other objects were often important parts of religious ceremonies. Quick. Take Section Quiz Progress Monitoring Transparency Quick. Take Chapter Test 3 of 8

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