Bantu Civilization and Expansion

Presentation on theme: "Bantu Civilization and Expansion"— Presentation transcript:

1 Bantu Civilization and Expansion
Saahil, Sophia, Max

2 Who were the Bantu? Who? Group of people who spoke Bantu languages distributed from Cameroon over southern Africa. Bantu family is fragmented into 100’s of small groups Largest is the Zulu Largest language is Swahili

3 How were the Bantu Unique?
Mythology/religion Polyrhythm and dance Language The Bantu were unique in their mythological beliefs, their polyrhythmic dances and their expansive and adaptive language.

4 Religion and Culture Natural world Ancestral worship
Shamans dealing with witchcraft Myths Village dwellers Social structure based on kinship Council of Elders Chameleon and lizard associated with death Universe is eternal and has no beginning – hence no story of the creation of earth Sun is the oldest ancestor

5 The Arts Wooden carvings Ancestral figures Music and Dance
Polyrhythmic performance Dance – new form of expression Body movement over footwork

6 Unique Social dimension

7 Connections/comparisons
Feale Luba Ancestral Statue Religion – China Ancestor worship Religion – Aboriginals – natural world Religion - Classical Greece – each god represented a part of nature The hands on the breasts signify devotion, respect and the holding of secret knowledge

8 Change over time As people migrated Lives and societies
Long distance trade Kinship Kingship Language Settled people would encounter Bantu speakers Iron that the Bantu would trade