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West Africa
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West Africa is know for its rich trading empire, natural landmarks, for their beautifully designed cloth, and jewelry.
To begin with, West Africa is known for its interesting land features, landforms, and its gradually changing climate. For example, Lake Chad is one of West Africa's well known features. Lake Chad is one of Africa's largest freshwater lake, and is know for its shrinking over time in size. Some other rivers located in this region include the Senegal, Niger, Volta, and the Benue river. Oceans surrounding this region include the Atlantic Ocean which is south of this region. The two types of coasts in this region include a low,muddy coast, which is found around a major river delta, and other coasts in which the offshore current is weak. Also, mountain ranges in this region include the Guinea Highlands, the Cameroon Mountains, and other mountain ranges. As for climate, It is always gradually changing from hot,to wet, and humid in the south, and very hot and dry in the north...
The first West African state of record was Ghana which had been ruled by over forty kings by the year 300 A.D. The early Ghanaians were a peaceful and prosperous people who developed an economy based on agriculture and...
Liberia owes its establishment to the American Colonization Society; founded in 1816 to resettle freed American slaves in Africa. An attempt at colonization in Sierra Leone had failed in 1815. Six years later native rulers granted a tract of land on Cape Mesurado, at the mouth of the Saint Paul River, to U.S. representatives, and the first Americo-Liberians, led by Jehudi Ashmun, began the settlement. In 1824 an American agent for the society, Ralph Randolph Gurley, named the new colony Liberia and the Cape Mesurado settlement Monrovia. Other separate settlements were established along the coast during the next 20 years. Soon, however, conflicts arose between the settlers and the society in the United States. By the time Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first black governor in 1841, the decision had been made to give the colonists almost full control of the government. A constitution modeled on that of the United States was drawn up, and Liberia became an independent republic in July 1847. Roberts was its first president, serving until 1856. Liberia was recognized by Britain in 1848, by France in 1852 and by the United States in 1862. The Americo-Liberian communities eked out a precarious existence during the 19th century. Claims over i nterior territory were disputed not only by the indigenous Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), Kru, and Gola peoples, but also by European states that did not recognize Liberian jurisdiction over the interior. U.S. support led to a series of agreements with Britain and France between 1892 and 1911, which marked the present boundaries. (Liberian control over the interior peoples, however, was not completely assured until the 1940s.) Loans from Britain and the United States partially eased the country's financial difficulties. Liberia declared war on Germany on August 14, 1917, which gave the Allies an additional base in West Africa during World War I (1914-1918). In 1926 the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company opened a rubber plantation on 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) of land granted by the Liberian government the year before. Rubber production became the mainstay of the nation's economy.
When I was first assigned this research paper on Voodoo, the first thing I thought of was Voodoo dolls, zombies, and evil magic. I think Voodoo is an evil religion which sacrifices humans as well as animals to demonic gods. I think it has been around for thousands of years, but is little left today. I believe that Voodoo is nothing but evil and the work of the devil. Voodoo originated in Western Africa by the Yoruba tribe. The Yoruba religion has about four hundred lesser gods called Orisa. This is not the actual Voodoo religion as we know it today, but plays an important role in it. Voodoo believes that the Grand Master or God rules over all things, but pays no attention to human affairs. This is why they believe in lower spirits or Loa to whom they worship and make sacrifices to(Belgum 14-28). When the slave trade started, people of the Yoruba tribe were captured and brought over as slaves. when the slaves arrived, they were baptized into the Catholic religion. The slaves continued to practice their native religion in secret which over time was mixed with Catholicism to create the Voodoo that we know today (Introduction 1). Over sixty-million people still continue to practice Voodoo worldwide (Vodun 1). The main center of Voodoo in the United States is New Orleans (3). About fifteen percent of New Orleans practices (Voodoo 1). The Voodoo religion contacts the spiritual worked Quite frequently. They believe that spirits help people in all that they do (Belgum 30-1). The Voodoo religion believes that true communion comes only through possession of the body by a Loa or spirit. Possession is very common during rituals for it is how the Loa give instructions to or help the people. They believe they get possessed for certain reasons. Such things as protection, cures from illness, or even to give warning to an individual or to the whole community of worshipers (Possession 1). When a person gets possessed, they show struggle moving and jumping around like crazy people. Then all of a sudden they go blank and motionless. They then come out of that trance a totally different person. While a person is possessed all bodily functions and gestures take the form of the Loa which possesses the body. While the Loa possesses the body it will often smoke, drink alcohol, and eat.
Malawi Malawi is a landlocked nation in the east Africa; it is boarded by Tanzania to the north and Zambia on the North West, it is therefore found below the brant line in the southern hemisphere, subsequently showing that it’s an LEDC however there are many areas in Malawi that are LLEDC. Malawi is classed as one of the poorest country in the world having low numbers of economic development with an annual income per person of only US$170. The vast majority of the population live in the rural areas as there are only 14% of urban areas in Malawi. Malawi is an example of an area with low levels of development and large rural areas and therefore relies on agriculture for its economic growth. The table below shows the relationship between low levels of development and large rural areas.
Ethiopia was the second country, after Armenia, to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Approximately two thirds of the Ethiopian population is Christian; among them, the majority belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Religion plays a major role in everyday life. Moreover, "the Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural and social life of the population" (A-Z World Culture). Religious life is an important value to the Christian community. Holidays and Festivals are celebrated with great and colorful events. Important Christian holidays include Meskal (Finding of the True Cross), Gena (Christmas), Timkat (Epiphany), and Fasika (Easter). During these festivities, government offices, banks, business offices and retail stores are usually closed. For the three-day celebration of the Christ’s baptism, the Orthodox community gathers in churches for a mass service. As explained in the A-Z World Culture website, the event is celebrated “with colorful and dramatic processions attended by devotees and priests”. The procession is then followed by loud singing and blowing of horns while the priests and members of the Church carry the Tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant). Ethiopian Christians’ devotion to religious life is also seen during the fasting periods. For instance during Siklet (Suffering Friday), “devotees abstain from eating dishes containing meat and dairy products” (A-Z World Culture). Ethiopian Christians believe fasting is a way to attain forgiveness for their sins. Some fasting periods are short lasting from a few days to two weeks. Others may last two months, like the Lenten season that leads up to Easter. Easter is one of the greatest Christian holidays. It is actually considered...
“Ghana, a land full of gold. Africa, a land full of resources.” Where is Ghana and what is it known for? In my paper, we will learn the location, population, how they citizens received their known name, and many more interesting facts.
Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, is known for its natural landmarks
It stands as one of the oldest nations of the world, dating back to 1000 BC when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon. Ethiopia was a nation with promise, a nation with riches and the greatest Ivory market as far as the eye can see. So one would assume that Ethiopia is the place to live. Well if you have been to Ethiopia you would see this is not the case. Ethiopia is a povershed country where people are fighting to live everyday. There economy is nearly in ruins and there main export, is almost stolen from them. But the promise that Ethiopia had when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon is still there. But in order to restore Ethiopia to its previous glory, we need your help. We need that $50 million to give life back to the Ethiopian people.
South Africa is located east of South America at the southern tip Africa; it is surrounded by the East Indian Ocean and the West Atlantic Ocean. The reason South Africa is in stage three of the demographic transition theory is because the CBR has dropped to twenty-one in 2013, but the CDR and population are still growing. Infant mortality rate has decreased compared to in 2004 when it was fifty- two. This makes them in stage three because they have moderate growth. (Gapminder) There still is a lot of poverty in South Africa. For this reason, people can murder each other so easily, even over witchcraft. Some reason’s the murder rate in South Africa has increased is because of the witchcraft, health, and white farmers.
Have you ever heard of Botswana? Well, it is a country in Africa. Most people have never heard of Botswana, just like most people do not know that Egypt is in Africa. Pretty interesting? I, myself, had never heard of Botswana until I was selected to spend six weeks on a missionary internship there. I also did not know that Egypt was in Africa until recently. I would not give up my experience in Botswana away for the world. That is not what I am here to tell you about, though. I would love to tell you all about the mission trip and my plans for going back for a two year stay; however, I would like to inform you about the country of Botswana. I would like to begin by telling you where Botswana is. We will then look at this country under South African rule, compared to the independent government of Botswana that now exists. I would also like to have you look at the people and their culture to sho3w you what kind of people they are, and how simply they live and still get along quite well. I hope you enjoy this informational page of a country that many people have never heard about, and maybe it will inspire you to at least make a visit to see if I am telling the truth.
The amazing thing as you fly into Hoedspruit from Jo’burg is seeing the walls of the canyon from the air, and how the ‘highveld’ drops horizontally more than 1000 metres into a vast, flat expanse known as the ‘lowveld.’
One may never know how strong they may be until being strong is the only option. Being mentally strong and willing to adapt to the worlds alterations may be the only factor to survival. In “In Exile” by Anton Chekhov analyzes the lives of people who have been sentenced to live in Siberia, isolated without family, shelter, food or clothing. The story opens up to an old man that goes by the name of Semyon who talks to the protagonist, a middle aged man, Tarter. Tarter has just arrived to Siberia and explains to Semyon how badly he longs to be with his wife and child. Semyon explains to Tarter in order to survive one must learn to go without their desires and accept that life is no longer about happiness but survival. Semyon tells Tarter about the gentlemen who attempts to recreate his life. All hopes eventually diminish as the issues increase. Similar to “In Exile”, Africa struggles with severe mob conflicts that leave people without food or shelter, many die from health issues and others are forced to live in exile within their own country. The people of Africa suffer each day as the quality of their life diminishes, left with hopelessness, confusion, and the struggle to live another day.
Before the Western world had an influence on them, Africa, like the other continents had stable systems that differed, but resembled other civilizations around the world. Ibn, Battuta, Visit from Mombasa
South Africa is such a beautiful country abundant of life and hope. Africa 's landscape is composed of wide open spaces, brownish hills and red sunsets. These prodigious backgrounds depict the nature of the culture in South Africa. Culture is what makes Africa special and aside from beautiful landscapes, the fervent and contrasting culture in South Africa is what makes it unique. This is a country were there are people with different beliefs and traditions, but at the end they are identified by their pride of being from South Africa.