WG.9 d - Cultural Influences and Landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa

The student will analyze the characteristics of the Sub-Saharan African region by 

d) recognizing cultural influences and landscapes. 

A variety of cultural traditions exist as a result of the diversity of ethnicities and populations throughout the region. This range of ethnicity can be found both from state to state and within states

Cultural characteristics 

• Uneven population distribution 
• Many ethnic groups, languages, and customs 
• Large numbers of refugees as a result of political, ethnic, and environmental crises 
• Knowledge of history through oral tradition (i.e., through griots) 

Cultural heritage 

• Masks 
• Sculpture 
• Dance 
• Music, drumming 
• Colorful traditional dress 
• Jewelry 
• Griots 
  

Cultural influences 

• European influences from colonization and decolonization have greatly influenced the region. 

• Markets 
• Churches 
• Mosques, minarets 
• Villages 
• Modern city cores and schools