Families were the basic group of village society.
How was West African society organized?
The foundation of society. The economy of West African villages depended on the work of families producing crops. Families formed lineages and lineages formed villages. Villages formed “ethnic groups” that shared a distinct culture, language, and identity.
What was the largest social class in ancient West African societies Brainly?
What was the largest social class in ancient West African societies? the royal class.
Who has the lowest status in West African society?
West African Slavery
Enslaved people made up the lowest level of society.
How were lineages clans villages and ethnic groups related in West African society?
Families with related lineages formed larger family groups called clans. Several related clans would live together in village. Villages that shared a culture and language formed an ethnic group. This is how family relationships, or kinship, tied West African society together.
What is the most important structure in ancient West Africa society?
Probably the most famous class of structure in all Africa, the Pyramids of Egypt remain one of the world’s greatest early architectural achievements, regardless of practicality and origins in a funerary context.
What were the key characteristics of West African society?
What were the key characteristics of West African society? West African societies varied in size from small kingdoms to large empires. Most people lived by farming, but there were also many skilled artisans. Religion and family ties were central to West African life.
Which factor most contributed to labor specialization in West Africa?
the growth of gold trade.
Why were masks an important part of ancient West African culture?
They were used as shields during wartime. They symbolized important people or things. They helped divide the different social classes.
How did griots preserve West African culture?
The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. The griots’ role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part of the griot’s repertoire.
Why did West Africans want to please nature spirits?
What is the most likely reason that early West Africans wanted to please nature spirits? to protect their ancestors from evil. to help them have success in battle. to increase their chances of becoming wealthy. to ensure their crops would get enough water.
What was the West African society?
Art, such as this bronze head from Benin, is used to recount the history of the kingdom and its rulers. Merchants traded with other African communities, as well as with Europeans and Arabs. … Some West Africans mined gold, salt, iron, copper or even diamonds.
What castes made up West African societies?
What caste groups made up West African society? The caste groups were made up of Emperor, Nobles, Traders/Free people, Skilled Workers, and Slaves.
What was Africa’s social structure?
Under the system called APARTHEID, social groups were legally organized into a hierarchy, with whites at the top, followed by Indians, “Coloureds” (people of mixed race), and Africans at the bottom of the social ladder.
What kind of tribes and caste are found in Africa?
The four strata social system – high lineage, low lineage, caste groups and slaves – found among the Somalis has been common in the Horn of Africa region, states Donald Levine, and is also found among ethnic groups such as Afar, Amhara, Borana, Leqa, Sidamo, Kefa, Janjero and other peoples.
Why did West African families join together?
What are some reasons family-based communities joined together? Extended families formed villages to control flooding rivers, to mine for iron and gold, or for protections from raiders.