Movement of Bantu Speaking People into Africa south of equator Began around 3000 BCE from southeastern Nigeria and the Cameroons Over time 400 distinct Bantu languages developed By 1 st century CE Bantu agriculturalists occupied forest regions of equatorial Africa some had probably re ID: 738079
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Slide1
Alternatives to Civilization: Bantu AfricaSlide2
Movement of Bantu Speaking People into Africa south of equator
Began around 3000 B.C.E. from southeastern Nigeria and the Cameroons
Over time, 400 distinct Bantu languages developed
By 1st century C.E., Bantu agriculturalists occupied forest regions of equatorial Africa; some had probably reached East African coastSpread to most of eastern and southern AfricaMovement was not conquest or self-conscious migrationSlide3
Advantages of Bantu Speaking Peoples
Interacted with established societies
Numbers: agriculture supports population increases
Disease: Bantu brought new diseases to people with little immunityIronGathering and hunting peoples were either displaced, absorbed, eliminatedSlide4
Bantu Societies
Bantu societies will develop into many distinct societies:
Kenya: decision making by kinship and age structures
Zimbabwe and Lake Victoria region: larger kingdomsEast African Coast after 1000 C.E.: rival city statesSlide5
Bantu Religion
Religion placed less emphasis on a remote high god and more on ancestral or nature spirits
Sacrifices (especially cattle) to access power of dead ancestors
Power of charms was activated by proper ritualsWidespread belief in witchesDiviners could access world of supernaturalBased on the notion of “continuous revelation”: new messages will come from the world beyondNo missionary impulse