Culture of Great Lakes Region
Languages
French is spoken in the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi.
English is spoken in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia.
Swahili is spoken in Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda.
Portuguese is spoken in Mozambique.
In Burundi, a small number of people speak English and Swahili. Besides English and Swahili, Ganda is also a prominent language in Uganda. Lingala, Tshiluba, and Kikongo are all spoken in the Congo There are hundreds of native tongues that are spoken in the Great lakes region, most of them are Bantu languages. In Ethiopia, there are over 100 languages spoken. In the Congo, there are over 200 spoken, which makes sense since it has the largest population in Central Africa.
Religion
Christianity and Islam are the most prominent religions throughout this region. They are practiced in every country within the Great Lakes region. Besides these two, Indigenous beliefs are also very important; sometimes people will combine Christianity with indigenous beliefs, and so forth.One of the traditional beliefs in Rwanda is about a supreme being called the Imana.The Imana is believed to help in the creation of children inside the mother’s womb by shaping the clay which forms us. Women sometimes leave a few drops of water in a jar at night so that the potter has some water with which to work the clay. Though a minority, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism are also practiced in this region.
Sports
Football, or soccer is a favorite pastime in the Great Lakes region, and all of Africa for that matter. But Track and Field are really popular in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Burundi. Boxing, netball, volleyball, squash, rugby, golf, and athletics are all popular in Zambia, football (soccer) is considered the national sport.
Holidays
In countries where Christianity is highly practiced, Christmas is a national holiday; along with New years and Easter. Independence day is obviously a very important holiday, which is celebrated in all of these countries. Ethiopia's Muslim population celebrates Muslim holidays, and the christian population celebrate Meskel.
Meskel is the event of the year in Ethiopia. It celebrates Queen Helena (mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine) who is believed to have found the True Cross on which Christ was crucified.Helena had a revelation during a dream that the smoke from a bonfire would show her where the True Cross was buried.it is said that she gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches, including the Ethiopian Church.People travel to Meskel Square, an arena in Addis Ababa to join in this vibrant celebration. People spend most of the day and night dancing and singing. Finally a bonfire, made from sticks and the Meskel daisies, is lit by the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The smoke can be seen for miles and miles.
There are also a few national holidays you don't see everywhere.
In Zambia for example, they celebrate Youth Day, Heroes Day, Unity Day, and Farmers’ Day. In the Congo, they celebrate Labor Day,Parents’ Day, Youth Day, Army Day, and the Anniversary of the Second Republic.
Traditional celebrations
This defers by ethnic group and their area. They can be for initiation into the community (a little like a quinceneara) for boys and girls or celebrating a season or time like harvest season.
In Malawian culture Gule Wamkulu, meaning great dance is a dance that dancers use to summon dead relatives. They wear masks, ragged clothes, and animal skins. In Mozambique the Chopi group have a hunting dance where the dancers dress in lion skins,
Art and Music
Music, art, and dance are very important in Africa. Many traditional instruments are handmade, like the drums, the shekere- a rattle made with gourds or wood and filled with beads, pebbles, or rocks. Traditional Ethipian music is very diverse. Brass enssembles and soul have also had some influence in Ethiopian music. Wood carving, basket weaving, mask making, and pottery are the prominent forms of art.
Education
In these countries, education is free. But a lot of parents can't pay the school fees, so children can't go to school, whether in the city or rural areas.
Even if someone finishes school, the unemployment rate is very high, especially for younger people. Because of this, there are a lot of people leaving their countries and going overseas for more opportunities.
In the concept of relationships with people, children are taught to respect their elders. In Ethiopia, old age earns respect and prominence in society because it brings wisdom and knowledge.
In Rwanda, one day each month, Rwandans are asked to take part in some kind of community service, such as cleaning streets or helping to plant trees.
Sources:
Payanzo, Ntsomo. "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (capital at Kinshasa)."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/132363/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-DRC>.
"DR Congo." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/democratic-republic-of-congo>.
"Ethiopia." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/ethiopia>.
Crummey, Donald Edward. "Ethiopia." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194084/Ethiopia>
"Kenya." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/kenya>.
Ntarangwi, Mwenda. "Kenya."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/315078/Kenya>.
"Malawi." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/malawi>.
Ingham, Kenneth. "Malawi."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/359614/Malawi>.
"Mozambique." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/mozambique>.
Sheldon, Kathleen Eddy. "Mozambique." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/395363/Mozambique>.
"Rwanda." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/rwanda>.
Lemarchand, René. "Rwanda."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/514402/Rwanda>.
"Uganda." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/uganda>
Kokole, Omari H. "Uganda."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/612597/Uganda>.
"Zambia." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/zambia>.
Hobson, Richard Hamilton. "Zambia." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655568/Zambia>.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by.html>.
Eggers, Ellen Kahan. "Burundi."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/85931/Burundi>.
"Meskel Festival in Ethiopia."YouTube. YouTube, 04 Nov. 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svepVhHdiZo>
"Koffi Olomide - Airway (Les Titre De L'Album Loi)."YouTube. YouTube, 14 May 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZpJozNpMio>
French is spoken in the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi.
English is spoken in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia.
Swahili is spoken in Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda.
Portuguese is spoken in Mozambique.
In Burundi, a small number of people speak English and Swahili. Besides English and Swahili, Ganda is also a prominent language in Uganda. Lingala, Tshiluba, and Kikongo are all spoken in the Congo There are hundreds of native tongues that are spoken in the Great lakes region, most of them are Bantu languages. In Ethiopia, there are over 100 languages spoken. In the Congo, there are over 200 spoken, which makes sense since it has the largest population in Central Africa.
Religion
Christianity and Islam are the most prominent religions throughout this region. They are practiced in every country within the Great Lakes region. Besides these two, Indigenous beliefs are also very important; sometimes people will combine Christianity with indigenous beliefs, and so forth.One of the traditional beliefs in Rwanda is about a supreme being called the Imana.The Imana is believed to help in the creation of children inside the mother’s womb by shaping the clay which forms us. Women sometimes leave a few drops of water in a jar at night so that the potter has some water with which to work the clay. Though a minority, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism are also practiced in this region.
Sports
Football, or soccer is a favorite pastime in the Great Lakes region, and all of Africa for that matter. But Track and Field are really popular in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Burundi. Boxing, netball, volleyball, squash, rugby, golf, and athletics are all popular in Zambia, football (soccer) is considered the national sport.
Holidays
In countries where Christianity is highly practiced, Christmas is a national holiday; along with New years and Easter. Independence day is obviously a very important holiday, which is celebrated in all of these countries. Ethiopia's Muslim population celebrates Muslim holidays, and the christian population celebrate Meskel.
Meskel is the event of the year in Ethiopia. It celebrates Queen Helena (mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine) who is believed to have found the True Cross on which Christ was crucified.Helena had a revelation during a dream that the smoke from a bonfire would show her where the True Cross was buried.it is said that she gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches, including the Ethiopian Church.People travel to Meskel Square, an arena in Addis Ababa to join in this vibrant celebration. People spend most of the day and night dancing and singing. Finally a bonfire, made from sticks and the Meskel daisies, is lit by the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The smoke can be seen for miles and miles.
There are also a few national holidays you don't see everywhere.
In Zambia for example, they celebrate Youth Day, Heroes Day, Unity Day, and Farmers’ Day. In the Congo, they celebrate Labor Day,Parents’ Day, Youth Day, Army Day, and the Anniversary of the Second Republic.
Traditional celebrations
This defers by ethnic group and their area. They can be for initiation into the community (a little like a quinceneara) for boys and girls or celebrating a season or time like harvest season.
In Malawian culture Gule Wamkulu, meaning great dance is a dance that dancers use to summon dead relatives. They wear masks, ragged clothes, and animal skins. In Mozambique the Chopi group have a hunting dance where the dancers dress in lion skins,
Art and Music
Music, art, and dance are very important in Africa. Many traditional instruments are handmade, like the drums, the shekere- a rattle made with gourds or wood and filled with beads, pebbles, or rocks. Traditional Ethipian music is very diverse. Brass enssembles and soul have also had some influence in Ethiopian music. Wood carving, basket weaving, mask making, and pottery are the prominent forms of art.
Education
In these countries, education is free. But a lot of parents can't pay the school fees, so children can't go to school, whether in the city or rural areas.
Even if someone finishes school, the unemployment rate is very high, especially for younger people. Because of this, there are a lot of people leaving their countries and going overseas for more opportunities.
In the concept of relationships with people, children are taught to respect their elders. In Ethiopia, old age earns respect and prominence in society because it brings wisdom and knowledge.
In Rwanda, one day each month, Rwandans are asked to take part in some kind of community service, such as cleaning streets or helping to plant trees.
Sources:
Payanzo, Ntsomo. "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (capital at Kinshasa)."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/132363/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-DRC>.
"DR Congo." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/democratic-republic-of-congo>.
"Ethiopia." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/ethiopia>.
Crummey, Donald Edward. "Ethiopia." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194084/Ethiopia>
"Kenya." Our Africa. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/kenya>.
Ntarangwi, Mwenda. "Kenya."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/315078/Kenya>.
"Malawi." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/malawi>.
Ingham, Kenneth. "Malawi."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/359614/Malawi>.
"Mozambique." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/mozambique>.
Sheldon, Kathleen Eddy. "Mozambique." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/395363/Mozambique>.
"Rwanda." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/rwanda>.
Lemarchand, René. "Rwanda."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/514402/Rwanda>.
"Uganda." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/uganda>
Kokole, Omari H. "Uganda."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/612597/Uganda>.
"Zambia." Our Africa. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.our-africa.org/zambia>.
Hobson, Richard Hamilton. "Zambia." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655568/Zambia>.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by.html>.
Eggers, Ellen Kahan. "Burundi."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/85931/Burundi>.
"Meskel Festival in Ethiopia."YouTube. YouTube, 04 Nov. 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svepVhHdiZo>
"Koffi Olomide - Airway (Les Titre De L'Album Loi)."YouTube. YouTube, 14 May 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZpJozNpMio>