Abstract This paper presents a history of two major African groups in South Africa prior to the coming of the Europeans. They were referred to by the Dutch and Portuguese as "Bushmen" and "Hottentots" or lumped together into a category called the Bantu.
From the Paper "This world is full of men and women who have the same dreams. They all fought and died for human rights, freedom of equality. One such man who dreamed of this freedom was a South African man who not only lived and fought for what he believed in, but also died for it. This man was Steven Biko, who was a primary leader in the Black Consciousness Movement against apartheid (Jackson, 1999). "
Abstract This paper examines the book "Lugbara of Uganda" by well-known ethnographer Middleton, which presents observations of the different African cultures and some unexplored areas. It includes a case study of the Lugbara people of Uganda with a description of the society and the complex sociopolitical system. The paper provides a summary of the history of Uganda and investigates the current conditions and issues of these cultures.
From the Paper "The book "Lugbara of Uganda" is written by one of the most famous and well-known ethnographers who have worked on different African cultures and have explored different untouched avenues of the African world. This book is a result of about 30 years of research and writing by the author as well as his colleagues and peers. In this book, Middleton has sketched the picture of the specific ethnic group of Uganda i.e. the Lubgara people. In this case study he has given a sensitive description of how this society, composed of a complex sociopolitical system and which was once dependent on such practices as dispute and warfare to gain control of the society and to keep the competition alive, has now become a civilization of refugees who are continuous victims of harassment."
Abstract This paper, written by a native of Angola, describes the violent, strife-ridden, and tumultuous past of Angola and the impact this has had on the country's present affairs and conditions. The paper describes the early history of Angola before Portuguese rule, its culture, beliefs, and practices. It then looks at how Portugal, upon assuming leadership of the country, destroyed the culture, traditions, and peoples of Angola, and how this rule, while ended, still affects Angola today.
From the Paper "It pains me to talk about our situation here in Angola. During my entire young life, I have seen nothing but internal strife. Although Portugal is now out of our country, there is still unrest. I truly believe that things would have been much different if the Portuguese (and other Western countries) had not taken over and plundered our country. Portugal treated our people of Angola with contempt and indifference for five centuries of colonization. From as early as the 1400s to the 20th century, the Africans under the Portuguese rule only knew of slavery, hunger and bloodshed."
Abstract This paper examines how, virtually unknown to the Western world until the 19th century, the Ju/'Hoansi of the Dobe region of the Kalahari were brought into increasing contact with outsiders in the 20th century, and today, they represent one the most well-studied autonomous forager peoples in history. It provides a review and analysis of "The Dobe Ju/Hoansi" by Richard B. Lee, followed by a personal reaction assessment. A summary of the research will be provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "The family organization of the Ju/'hoansi is centered around frequently polygamous marriages of siblings and their spouses and the extended family that results. According to the author, some of the processes that serve to influence the family group composition include residential shifts that occur at marriage, the adjustment of sex and dependency ratios, and the adjustment of overall numbers of the Ju/'hoansi themselves (2003, p. 63). Elaborate rituals involving name-calling and joking are engaged in by the Ju/'hoansi and the author provides a comprehensive analysis of how these fit within the family organization and relationships."
Abstract This paper explains that the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, has been plagued with ethnic turmoil and civil war, exacerbated by the massive influx of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi, which has reduced a once prospering country into a state of turmoil. The author points out that there are over 200 African ethnic groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo of which the majority of these are Bantu. The paper explains that the U.N.'s Human Development Index (HDI), which is a composite of human development indicators, such as longevity, knowledge and education, and economic measurements, is a better system of determining living standards than the GDP alone; Democratic Republic of Congo ranks very near the bottom. Many graphs and charts.
Table of Contents
Democratic Republic of Congo Background
Introduction
Geographic Placement
Ethnic Composition of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Religious Composition of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Colonial History of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Form of Government for the Democratic Republic of Congo
Main Sources of Economic Activity
Structure of the Economy of Democratic Republic of Congo
Economic Background
Nominal and Real GDP Per Capita for the Previous 10 Years, in US$
Nominal and Real GDP Per Capita for the Previous 10 Years, in LCU
Comparison of Two Graphs
Life Expectancy
Adult Literacy Rate
Primary School Enrollment Rate
Human Development Index (HDI)
HDI Formula
HDI Versus GDP
5 Obstacles to Economic Development in the Past 5 Years
Actions that Could be Taken to Overcome These Challenges
From the Paper "Currently the country is under a dictatorship and is presumably transitioning towards a representative government; however, this has yet to be realized. A 500-member transitional National Assembly, along with a 120-member Senate was installed in July of 2003. These members were drawn from groups that signed the Pretoria Accord in December 2002. Elections were scheduled to be held in June of 2005; however, these are not likely to take place. Instead, it is likely that the transitional government will remain in place until the early part of 2006. President Joseph Kabila heads this transitional government. The transitional government includes an executive president, four vice-presidents, and a cabinet that is drawn from five armed groups, the unarmed political opposition, civil society, and the previous government of Joseph Kabila."
A look at the success of legislation, introduced into 1950s South Africa, that was intended to suppress black interests in order to ensure white dominance.
Abstract This paper discusses how throughout the 1950s, the government of South Africa passed extensive legislation in an attempt to suppress the African population and ensure the dominance of white South Africans. In order to evaluate the success of government attempts to stifle black interests, it considers the impact of legislation passed during the 1950s. More specifically, the paper analyzes legislation regarding social, political and economic factors. It considers the impact of legislation relating to relationships between the different racial groups and government attempts to control the education of African children. The paper also analyzes the success of the government's attempts to protect the industrial interests of white workers by limiting the employment opportunities available to Africans.
From the Paper "The restriction of black economic interests also played a key role in Government attempts to ensure white dominance. The Government's influx control policies were closely linked to economic factors; Posel contends that the Native Affairs Department viewed its influx control strategy as a method of 'rational' distribution of African labour between the cities and white farms. Verwoerd claimed that in the long-term apartheid required 'purposeful and deliberate economic segregation, not only by means of colour bars in regard to Bantu labour in white areas. But also by mechanisation of all labour activity to such an extent that the need for Bantu labour be reduced to a minimum' (Barnard, 'Thirteen Years', page 40). Beinart claims that the apartheid planners attempted to protect the interests of white workers and control the position of Africans in the labour market."
Abstract This paper discusses the Lemba people of southern Africa, a traditional Bantu speaking tribe that has been quantifiably linked with Jewish priestly origins. It describes some of their traditions and the rituals that link them with Judaism.
From the Paper "Ritual is a crucial aspect of how people live their daily lives in study by archaeologists and anthropologists alike. This significant breakthrough in research enables researchers to link cultural characteristics by genetics in what is considered nothing short of a phenomenal breakthrough in linking culture with genetics. The Lemba people of southern Africa, a traditional Bantu speaking tribe, have been quantifiably linked with Jewish priestly origins, which explains the reasons they have retained many rituals of religious and Orthodox Jews, such as keeping Kosher and maintaining specific dietary restrictions that match identically the rituals of traditional Jewish orthodoxy."
