Historical and cultural areas

Sub-Saharan African people have a lot of common cultural features that distinguish them from the inhabitants of other continents. But, if one takes a closer look, it becomes obvious that each ethnic group has its peculiar features which make it different from the others. One should also keep in mind that ethnic groups speaking kindred languages do not necessarily have similar culture: of more importance may be a long co-existence and the life in similar climatic conditions.

Several zones can be distinguished based on cultural similarities and differences. The north-eastern region, which includes Ethiopia, Somalia and part of Sudan, stands apart. In many respects it is closer to the Near East countries than to the rest of Africa. It is an area of an ancient written culture, where Christianity came very early.

In West Sudan, a broad savanna belt from Lake Chad to Senegal, powerful political entities began to rise as early as in the second half of the first millennium AD. These empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhay, one after another, controlled huge territories, and, especially the trade routes across the Sahara desert that connected this area with Northern Africa. The culture of West Sudan was formed under a strong influence of Islam.

In the south, in the humid forests of the Guinea coast, situation was different. Islam did not penetrate here, and no powerful kingdoms existed on this territory before the arrival of the European ships, the only exception being the Yoruba cities in the south of modern Nigeria. It is here that the forests step back, and the open landscapes stretch to the ocean.

Central Africa is the valley of the Congo River covered with rainforest. The influence of Islam did not go as far as here, but as early as in the 15th century this region had tight connections with Portugal. That is why here the influence of the Catholic Church is strong, which coexists with ancient cults of masks and the traditional ways of life.

The culture of East Africa was influenced by sea trade with the Near East and India. As a result, Swahili trade cities emerged very early. Trade expeditions from these cities penetrated deep into the continent.

South Africa for a long time was populated by the short San (Bushmen) people, who are hunters and gatherers, and the Khoikhoi (Hottentot) people, who are cattle-breeders. The Bantu-speaking Negroids came there even later than the Dutch migrants.

Madagascar is populated by descendants of migrants from South-East Asia, kindred with the Malayan. That is why one can say that in what concerns its culture, the island lies outside of Africa.

Residential area and ponds for fish breeding.  Rwanda. Ye. V. Perehvalskaya. 2004		Little orange seller.  Kenia, Nairobi. The Masai. Ye. V. Perehvalskaya. 2004		Forties deathday. The central event of the ceremony. Nyagasola, Erman A., 1999
A hot noon in the center of the village Sebekoro, Vydrin V., 1998		Bread peddlers are waiting new bread at the bakery. Luanda, Perekhvalskaya E., 2004