Africa is a
fast-changing continent. Until 50 years ago, it was still under colonial
rule by Europeans. The continent has a rich cultural history dating back
centuries, since early civilization. The diverse natural resources shape
African history and culture like it does no other continent.
Nature (Land, Climate & Vegetation)
Animals:
The African Lion
The African
Elephant
The African
Gorilla
Forces of nature including climate and geography have influenced the
natural habitat, plant and animal life as well as human lifestyles. Harsh
conditions in many regions make it very difficult for transportation and
survival. However vast areas of natural endowment have caused various
ethnic groups to emerge and thrive.
Rivers
History: Empires, Colonization & Slave Trade
The history of Africa dates back further than is known to most of the
Western world. Several great empires and kingdoms have risen, prospered
and fallen over the past 1,000 years. Empires emerged throughout the
continent, north, south, east and west. Today, what is left of these
kingdoms remains in the names of modern African states such as Ghana,
Mali, Benin and Zimbabwe.
Ever since the last great empire, Africans have gone through colonization
and slave trade before independence. The early European settlers trading
with Africans and went on to profit from their various natural and
valuable human resource.
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Ethnic
Groups/Languages
There are some features that are common to almost all African people: the
dark brown or black hair; brown, very dark brown or yellowish-brown skin;
and the very common brown eyes.
However, the peoples of Africa are spread in diverse ethnical groups, each
with certain distinct traits and commonly spoken languages.
Culture: Art, Architecture, Music & Dance
In Africa, culture is celebrated formerly or informerly on an everyday
basis. Carviings and sculptures, ancient drawings and paintings, the
design and build of houses and villages, tell of a rich history and
heritage in not so much as a word. Music is a valued part of daily life.
There is deep cultural meaning in the lyrics, rythm and musical
instruments. With music, of course, goes dancing because to African
people, the art of music is also the art of moving to music.
Religion and Education
Christianity and Islam are the two major religions practised in Africa.
There are roughly the same number of Christians as there are Muslims,
making up 85% of Africans in total. Judaism only consists of a very small
minority. The rest of the African population (about 13%) practice
"traditional religions" as their ancestors have, long before the
European colonial era.
Naturally, religion is integrated in the education system, both formal and
informal. Until quite recently, African native languages were not written,
and so there were no records of past events, with the exceptions of Arabic
and Swahili. Although the literacy rate in most of Africa is still very
low today, that does not override the importance of the passing down of
knowledge from generation to generation through traditional or informal
education.
Africa Region by Region
North
West
Central
East
Southern |
