Africa’s
Ethnic Groups
EQ: What key characteristics of the
Arab, Ashanti, Bantu, and Swahili
make these groups uniquely
significant to Africa?
I CAN...
• Identify the key characteristics
that make each ethnic group unique.
• Describe why each ethnic group is
important to the African continent.
Let’s Review!
What is the difference between an
ethnic group and a religious group?
Try This!
What cultural elements do ethnic groups
share ?
LOCATION
LANGUAGE
RELIGION
HISTORY
CUSTOMS/TRADITIONS
Africa’s MANY Ethnic Groups
THE ARABS
Arabs ~ Location
• Live throughout Africa & Middle East, especially in
North Africa
Arabs ~ Language
• The term “Arab” refers to a mixed ethnic group
made up of people who speak the Arabic
language.
• Necessary to be able to read the Qur'an.
Arabs ~ Religion
• Islam
Arabs ~ Religion
• Most people in North Africa practice Islam.
• Example: Sudan
Arabs ~ History
• 1st Muslim armies
arrived in North
Africa in 7th century
AD.
• Arab traders then
lead caravans across
the Sahara Desert in
the gold & salt trade
spreading Islam .
Arabs ~Customs & Traditions
• Follow Muslim culture & customs.
THE ASHANTI
The Ashanti ~ Location
• Found in modern country of Ghana.
• Powerful group for over 300 years.
The Ashanti ~ Language
• Main Language: Twi (ch-wee)
The Ashanti ~ Religion
• ANIMISM:
traditional belief
that spirits can be
found in natural
things.
• Also practice
Christianity &
Islam.
The Ashanti ~ History
• Believe kingdom was founded in 1701 with
help of a holy man who produced a “Golden
Stool” from heavens & gave it to the first
Ashanti king.
• Strength of their nation depends on safety
of this stool.
• Represents unity of Ashanti & power of
chiefs.
• Ashanti honor kings after death, in a
ceremony in which the stool is
blackened.
The Ashanti ~ Customs & Traditions
• Witches, demon spirits, & fairies have
powers in lives of men.
• Ancestors given great respect.
• Family rituals: birth, puberty, marriage, &
death.
THE BANTU
Bantu ~ Location
• Mostly found in Central & Southern Africa
Bantu ~ Language
• They speak Bantu as their main
language
Bantu~ Religion
• Islam
• Christianity
• Animism (Traditional Religion)
Bantu~ History
• Bantu migration from
west Africa was one
of the largest
movements of people
in Africa’s history and
covered a large
expanse of the
continent.
• Spread their language
& agricultural
practices as they
migrated.
Bantu~ Customs & Traditions
• Impacted cultural diversity when their culture
blended with other southern African cultures.
• Today, over 60 million people speak Bantubased languages & share some part of Bantu
culture.
THE SWAHILI
Swahili ~ Location
• Mostly found in East Africa (especially in
Kenya)
Swahili ~ Language
• The language they speak is Swahili (“One
who lives on the coast”)
• A mixture of Arabic & Bantu languages
Swahili ~ Religion
• Religion: Most are strict Muslims.
Swahili~ History
• Developed along East African coast when Arab &
Persian traders looking for new markets began to
settle there & intermarry with the local Bantu tribes.
• Most Swahili today are city dwellers rather than
traditional farmers & herdsmen.
• Many are engaged in fishing & trade.
Swahili~ Customs & Traditions
• Men wear charms around their necks that
contain verses from the Qur’an, for
protection.
• Believe in spirits: “djinns”