Ethnic Groups vs. Religious GroupsAfrica

Ethnic Groups -Share many common characteristics

-language, customs, traditions,

-physical features

Types of Ashanti, Arab, Bantu, Swahili

Ethnic Groups

Religious -Share a common belief system

Groups -May not be made of a single group.

Religious Groups continued…

Types of Religious Islam, Christianity, andGroups Traditional beliefs

Traditional BeliefsThis group may include the worship of ancestors,

spirits, gods, animals, land, inanimate objects, andor natural phenomena. Traditional Beliefs can be combined withChristianity.

Which Ethnic Group Practices What Religion?

Arabs Mainly Islam (but some Christians)(Africa)

Ashanti Traditional Beliefs - Witch Doctor

Bantu Traditional Beliefs

Swahili Islam

What is Animism?• The “primitive religions” were born in

the 5 continents, more than 3,000 years ago in the form of Animism because they believed that everything has a “soul”, an “anima” in Latin, a “spirit”. This includes animals, plants, rocks, mountains, rivers, stars.

• Each “anima” is powerful, spiritual, and can help/hurt you…including the souls of the dead, the “ancestors”.

What is Animism?

• For thousands of years they defied animals, stars, idols of any kind.

• Animists practiced Spiritism, witchcraft, divination, astrology.

• They used magic, spells, enchantments, superstitions, prayers, and charms.

5Ws of an Ethnic Group

Who are they?

What characteristics make them an ethnic group?

When did they emerge?

Where do they exist?

*Why are they important?

The Ashanti Golden Stool