Editing Sub-Saharan Africa (section)

==Culture==
{{Further|Culture of Africa|West Africa#Culture|Central Africa#Culture|East Africa#Culture|Horn of Africa#Culture|Southern Africa#Culture|Southeast Africa#Culture}}
Sub-Saharan Africa is diverse, with many communities, villages, and cities, each with their own beliefs and traditions. Traditional African Societies are communal, they believe that the needs of the many far outweigh an individual's needs and achievements. Essentially, an individual's keep must be shared with other extended family members. Extended families are made up of various individuals and families who have shared responsibilities within the community. This extended family is one of the core aspects of every African community. "An African will refer to an older person as auntie or uncle. Siblings of parents will be called father or mother rather than uncle and aunt. Cousins will be called brother or sister". This system can be very difficult for outsiders to understand; however, it is no less important. "Also reflecting their communal ethic, Africans are reluctant to stand out in a crowd or to appear different from their neighbours or colleagues, a result of social pressure to avoid offense to group standards and traditions." Women also have a very important role in African culture because they take care of the house and children. Traditionally, in many cultures "men do the heavy work of clearing and ploughing the land, women sow the seeds, tend the fields, harvest the crops, haul the water, and bear the major burden for growing the family's food". Despite their work in the fields, women are expected to be subservient to men in some African cultures. "When young women migrate to cities, this imbalance between the sexes, as well as financial need, often causes young women of lower economic status, who lack education and job training, to have sexual relationships with older men who are established in their work or profession and can afford to support a girlfriend or two".<ref name="Intercultural Press">{{cite book |last1=Richmond |first1=Yale |last2=Gestrin |first2=Phyllis |title=Into Africa: a guide to Sub-Saharan culture and diversity |date=2009 |publisher=Intercultural Press |location=Boston |isbn=978-1-931930-91-8 }}</ref>

===Art===
{{Further|African art|Pottery#Africa|Ceramic art#Sub-Saharan Africa}}
[[File:Chiwara Chicago sculpture.jpg|thumb|Two [[Bambara people|Bambara]] [[Chiwara]] {{circa}} late 19th / early 20th centuries. Female (left) and male Vertical styles.]]
The oldest [[abstract art]] in the world is a shell necklace, dated to 82,000 years, in the Cave of Pigeons in [[Taforalt]], eastern Morocco.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070618091210.htm |title=ScienceDaily.com |publisher=ScienceDaily.com |date=18 June 2007 |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090204/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070618091210.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The second-oldest abstract form of art, and the oldest rock art, is found in the [[Blombos Cave]] at the Cape in South Africa, dated 77,000 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1753326.stm |work=BBC News |title='Oldest' prehistoric art unearthed |date=10 January 2002 |access-date=9 April 2010 |archive-date=30 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130102308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1753326.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the oldest and most varied style of rock art in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanrockart.org/rockafrica/main.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130191809/http://www.africanrockart.org/rockafrica/main.html |url-status=dead |title=>TARA – Trust for African Rock Art: Rock Art in Africa |date=6 January 2009 |archive-date=30 January 2010 |access-date=21 November 2009 }}</ref>

Although sub-Saharan African art is very diverse, there are some common themes. One is the use of the human figure. Second, there is a preference for [[sculpture]]. Sub-Saharan African art is meant to be experienced in three dimensions, not two. A house is meant to be experienced from all angles. Third, art is meant to be performed. Sub-Saharan Africans have a specific name for masks. The name incorporates the sculpture, the dance, and the spirit that incorporates the mask. The name denotes all three elements. Fourth, art that serves a practical function. The artist and craftsman are not separate. A sculpture shaped like a hand can be used as a stool. Fifth, the use of [[fractals]] or non-linear scaling. The shape of the whole is the shape of the parts at different scales. Before the discovery of fractal geometry, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Senegal's first president, referred to this as "dynamic symmetry". [[William Buller Fagg|William Fagg]], a British art historian, has compared it to the logarithmic mapping of natural growth by biologist D'Arcy Thompson. Lastly, sub-Saharan African art is visually abstract, instead of naturalistic. Sub-Saharan African art represents spiritual notions, social norms, ideas, values, etc. An artist might exaggerate the head of a sculpture in relation to the body not because he does not know anatomy but because he wants to illustrate that the head is the seat of knowledge and wisdom.

The visual abstraction of African art was very influential in the works of [[modernist art]]ists like [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Henri Matisse]], and [[Jacques Lipchitz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aima/hd_aima.htm |title=African Influences in Modern Art &#124; Thematic Essay &#124; Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History &#124; The Metropolitan Museum of Art |publisher=Metmuseum.org |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=29 September 2015 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025538/https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aima/hd_aima.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Alexandre, Marc(1998). World Bank Publication: DC. {{ISBN|978-0-8213-4195-7 }}</ref>

===Architecture===
{{Further|History of architecture#Africa|Megalith#African megaliths|Tumulus#Africa}}

===Music===
{{Further|Music of Africa|African dance|African popular music|Sub-Saharan African music traditions|Rhythm in Sub-Saharan Africa|History of music#Africa|Dance#Africa}}
[[File:TrebleKalimba.jpg|thumb|A traditional polyrhythmic [[kalimba]]]]

Traditional sub-Saharan African music is as diverse as the region's various populations. The common perception of sub-Saharan African music is that it is rhythmic music centered around the drums. This is partially true. A large part of sub-Saharan music, mainly among speakers of [[Niger–Congo]] and [[Nilo-Saharan]] languages, is rhythmic and centered around the drum. Sub-Saharan music is polyrhythmic, usually consisting of multiple rhythms in one composition. Dance involves moving multiple body parts. These aspects of sub-Saharan music has been transferred to the new world by enslaved sub-Saharan Africans and can be seen in its influence on music forms as [[samba]], [[jazz]], [[rhythm and blues]], [[rock and roll]], [[salsa music|salsa]], [[reggae]] and [[rap music]].<ref name=autogenerated1>Bowden, Rob(2007). Africa South of the Sahara. Coughlan Publishing: p. 40, {{ISBN|1-4034-9910-1}}.</ref>

Some forms of sub-Saharan African music use strings, horns, and very little poly-rhythms. Music from the eastern Sahel and along the Nile, among the [[Nilo-Saharan]], made extensive use of strings and horns in ancient times. Among the [[Afro-Asiatic]]s of [[Horn of Africa|Northeast Africa]], there is extensive use of [[Music of Ethiopia|string instruments]] and the [[pentatonic scale]]. Dancing involves swaying body movements and footwork. Among the [[San people|San]] is extensive use of string instruments with emphasis on footwork.<ref>[[Christopher Ehret]], (2002). The Civilizations of Africa. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, p. 103, {{ISBN|0-8139-2085-X}}.</ref>

Modern sub-Saharan African music has been influenced by music from the New World (Jazz, Salsa, Rhythm and Blues etc.) vice versa being influenced by enslaved sub-Saharan Africans. Popular styles are [[Mbalax]] in [[Senegal]] and [[Gambia]], [[Highlife]] in [[Ghana]], [[Zoblazo]] in [[Ivory Coast]], [[Makossa]] in [[Cameroon]], [[Soukous]] in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], [[Kizomba]] in [[Angola]], and [[Mbaqanga]] in [[South Africa]]. New World styles like Salsa, R&B/Rap, Reggae, and Zouk also have widespread popularity.

===Cuisine===
{{Further|African cuisine|List of African cuisines|History of breakfast#Africa|History of the potato#Africa}}
[[File:Fufu.jpg|thumb|A plate of [[fufu]] accompanied with [[peanut soup]]]]

[[African cuisine|Sub-Saharan African cuisine]] is very diverse. A lot of regional overlapping occurs, but there are dominant elements region by region.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Njogu |first1=K. |last2=Ngeta |first2=K. |last3=Wanjau |first3=M. |title=Ethnic Diversity in Eastern Africa: Opportunities and Challenges |publisher=Twaweza Communications |year=2010 |isbn=978-9966-7244-8-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15V7_OFkh6QC&pg=PA78 |access-date=30 November 2017 |pages=78–79 |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221115317/https://books.google.com/books?id=15V7_OFkh6QC&pg=PA78 |url-status=live }}</ref>

West African cuisine can be described as starchy, flavorfully spicey. Dishes include [[fufu]], [[kenkey]], [[couscous]], [[garri]], foutou, and [[Banku (dish)|banku]]. Ingredients are of native starchy tubers, [[Yam (vegetable)|yams]], [[Eddoe|cocoyams]], and [[cassava]]. Grains include [[millet]], [[sorghum]], and [[rice]], usually in the Sahel. Oils include [[palm oil]] and [[shea butter]] (Sahel). One finds recipes that mix [[Fish as food|fish]] and [[meat]]. Beverages are [[palm wine]] (sweet or sour) and [[millet beer]]. [[Roasting]], [[baking]], [[boiling]], [[frying]], [[mashing]], and [[spicing]] are all cooking techniques.
[[File:Ugali and cabbage.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ugali]] and [[cabbage]]]]
Southeast African cuisine, especially those of the Swahili people, reflects its Islamic, geographical Indian Ocean cultural links. Dishes include [[ugali]], [[sukuma wiki]], and [[halva]]. Spices such as [[curry]], [[saffron]], [[clove]]s, [[cinnamon]], [[pomegranate juice]], [[cardamon]], [[ghee]], and [[Salvia officinalis|sage]] are used, especially among Muslims. Meat includes [[cattle]], [[sheep]], and [[goat]]s, but is rarely eaten since meat is viewed as a luxury.

In the [[Horn of Africa]], pork and non-fish seafood are avoided by Christians and Muslims. Dairy products and all meats are avoided during lent by Ethiopians. [[Maize]] (corn) is a major staple. [[Cornmeal]] is used to make ugali, a popular dish with different names. [[Teff]] is used to make [[injera]] or canjeero (Somali) bread. Other important foods include [[enset]], [[noog]], [[lentil]]s, rice, [[banana]], [[leafy greens]], [[chili pepper]]s, [[coconut milk]], and [[tomato]]es. Beverages are coffee (domesticated in Ethiopia), [[chai tea]], fermented [[beer]] from banana or millet. Cooking techniques include roasting and [[marinating]].

[[File:Alicha 1.jpg|thumb|This meal, consisting of ''[[injera]]'' and several kinds of ''[[Wat (food)|wat]]'' (stew), is typical of [[Ethiopia]]n and [[Eritrea]]n cuisine.]]
Central African cuisine connects with all major regions of sub-Saharan Africa: Its cuisine reflects that. [[Ugali]] and fufu are eaten in the region. Central African cuisine is very starchy and spicy hot. Dominant crops include [[Cooking banana|plantains]], cassava, [[peanut]]s, chillis, and okra. Meats include [[beef]], [[Chicken as food|chicken]], and sometimes exotic meats called [[bushmeat]] ([[antelope]], [[warthog]], [[crocodile]]). Widespread spicy hot fish cuisine is one of the differentiating aspects. [[Edible mushroom|Mushroom]] is sometimes used as a meat substitute.

Traditional Southern African cuisine surrounds meat. Traditional society typically focused on raising sheep, goats, and especially cattle. Dishes include [[braai]] (barbecue meat), [[sadza]], [[bogobe]], [[pap (food)|pap]] (fermented cornmeal), [[milk product]]s ([[buttermilk]], [[yoghurt]]). Crops utilised are sorghum, maize (corn), pumpkin beans, leafy greens, and [[cabbage]]. Beverages include ting (fermented sorghum or maize), [[milk]], [[chibuku]] (milky beer). Influences from the Indian and Malay communities can be seen in its use of curries, [[sambal]]s, [[pickled fish]], [[fish stew]]s, [[chutney]], and [[samosa]]. European influences can be seen in cuisines like [[biltong]] (dried beef strips), [[potjie]]s (stews of maize, [[onion]]s, tomatoes), [[French wine]]s, and crueler or [[koeksister]] (sugar syrup cookie).

===Clothing===
{{Further|Clothing in Africa|Folk costume#Africa}}
[[File:Kent wove.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Akan people|The Akan]] [[Kente]] cloth patterns|alt=]]

Like most of the world, sub-Saharan Africans have adopted Western-style clothing. In some countries like Zambia, used Western clothing has flooded markets, causing great angst in the retail community. Sub-Saharan Africa boasts its own traditional [http://www.hamillgallery.com/SITE/Textiles.html clothing style]. Cotton seems to be the dominant material.

In East Africa, one finds extensive use of cotton clothing. Shemma, shama, and [[kuta (clothing)|kuta]] are types of Ethiopian clothing. [[Kanga (African garment)|Kanga]] are [[Swahili culture|Swahili]] cloth that comes in rectangular shapes, made of pure cotton, and put together to make clothing. [[Kitenge]]s are similar to kangas and [[kikoy]], but are of a thicker cloth, and have an edging only on a long side. [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], [[Tanzania]], and [[South Sudan]] are some of the African countries where kitenge is worn. In [[Malawi]], [[Namibia]] and [[Zambia]], kitenge is known as Chitenge. One of the unique materials, which is not a fiber and is used to make clothing is barkcloth,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=UG&topic=mp |title=Intangible Heritage Home –- intangible heritage – Culture Sector |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=17 November 2009 |archive-date=12 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112105439/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=UG&topic=mp |url-status=live }}</ref> an innovation of the Baganda people of Uganda. It came from the Mutuba tree ([[Ficus natalensis]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proclamation 2005: La fabrication des tissus d'écorce en Ouganda |trans-title=Proclamation 2005: Barcloth making in Uganda |language=fr |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=UG&topic=mp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112105439/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=UG&topic=mp |archive-date=12 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Madagascar a type of draped cloth called [[Lamba (garment)|lamba]] is worn.

[[File:Kangas drying in Zanzibar.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kanga (African garment)|Kangas]]]]
In West Africa, again cotton is the material of choice. In the Sahel and other parts of West Africa the [[boubou (clothing)|boubou]] and [[kaftan]] style of clothing are featured. [[Kente cloth]] is created by the [[Akan people]] of Ghana and Ivory Coast, from silk of the various moth species in West Africa. Kente comes from the [[Akan language|Akan]] [[twi]] word ''kenten'' which means basket. It is sometimes used to make [[dashiki]] and [[kufi]]. Adire is a type of Yoruba cloth that is starch resistant. Raffia cloth<ref name="metmuseum.org">{{Cite web |url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/11/sfc/ho_1999.522.15.htm |title=Prestige Panel &#91;Democratic Republic of Congo; Kuba peoples&#93; (1999.522.15) &#124; Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History &#124; the Metropolitan Museum of Art |access-date=17 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217053531/http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/11/sfc/ho_1999.522.15.htm |archive-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and barkcloth are also utilised in the region.

In Central Africa, the Kuba people developed raffia cloth<ref name="metmuseum.org"/> from the raffia plant fibers. It was widely used in the region. Barkcloth was also extensively used.

In Southern Africa one finds numerous uses of animal hide and skins for clothing. The Ndau in central Mozambique and the Shona mix hide with barkcloth and cotton cloth. Cotton cloth is referred to as machira. Xhosa, Tswana, Sotho, and Swazi also made extensive use of hides. Hides come from cattle, sheep, goat, and elephant. Leopard skins were coveted and were a symbol of kingship in Zulu society. Skins were tanned to form leather, dyed, and embedded with beads.

===Theater===
{{Further|History of theatre#African theatre}}

===Film industry===
{{Further|Cinema of Africa|List of African films}}

===Games===
{{Further|History of games#Africa}}

===Sports===
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan men are its main patrons. Major competitions include the [[CAF Champions League|African Champions League]], a competition for the best clubs on the continent and the [[CAF Confederation Cup|Confederation Cup]], a competition primarily for the national cup winner of each African country. The [[Africa Cup of Nations]] is a competition of 16 national teams from various African countries held every two years. South Africa hosted the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], a first for a sub-Saharan country. In 2010, Cameroon played in the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] for the sixth time, which is the current record for a sub-Saharan team. In [[Nigeria at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Nigeria won the Olympic gold for football]]. In 2000 Cameroon maintained the continent's supremacy by winning the title too. Momentous achievements for sub-Saharan African football. Famous sub-Saharan football stars include [[Abedi Pele]], [[Emmanuel Adebayor]], [[George Weah]], [[Michael Essien]], [[Didier Drogba]], [[Roger Milla]], [[Nwankwo Kanu]], [[Jay-Jay Okocha]], [[Bruce Grobbelaar]], [[Samuel Eto'o]], [[Kolo Touré]], [[Yaya Touré]], [[Sadio Mané]] and [[Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang]]. The most talented sub-Saharan African football players find themselves courted and sought after by European leagues. There are currently more than 1000 Africans playing for European clubs. Sub-Saharan Africans have found themselves the target of racism by European fans. FIFA has been trying hard to crack down on racist outburst during games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://goafrica.about.com/od/workinafrica/a/football.htm |title=About.com |work=About.com Travel |publisher=Goafrica.about.com |access-date=26 December 2009 |archive-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520165528/http://goafrica.about.com/od/workinafrica/a/football.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200911161557.html |title=AllAfrica.com |publisher=AllAfrica.com |date=16 November 2009 |access-date=26 December 2009 |archive-date=18 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118154311/http://allafrica.com/stories/200911161557.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1798795,00.html |title=European Soccer's Racism Problem |date=2 December 2005 |journal=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=26 December 2009 |archive-date=10 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410041000/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1798795,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Namibia Rugby Team.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Namibia national rugby union team|Namibia rugby team]]]]
[[Rugby union|Rugby]] is popular in sub-Saharan Africa. The [[Confederation of African Rugby]] governs rugby games in the region. South Africa is a major force in the game and won the Rugby World Cup in [[1995 Rugby World Cup|1995]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]] and [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]. Africa is also allotted one guaranteed qualifying place in the [[Rugby World Cup]].

Boxing is a popular sport. [[Battling Siki]] is the first world champion to come out of sub-Saharan Africa. Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa have produced numerous professional world champions such as [[Dick Tiger]], [[Hogan Bassey]], [[Gerrie Coetzee]], [[Samuel Peter]], [[Azumah Nelson]] and [[Jake Matlala]].

Cricket has a following. The [[African Cricket Association]] is an international body which oversees cricket in African countries. South Africa and Zimbabwe have their own governing bodies. In 2003 the [[Cricket World Cup]] was held in South Africa, first time it was held in sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the years, [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]] have produced many notable long-distance athletes. Each country has federations that identify and cultivate top talent. Athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya hold, save for two exceptions, all the men's outdoor records for Olympic distance events from 800m to the [[marathon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's outdoor world records |url=http://www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records#results-tab-sub=0&results-tab-sub-men=0 |access-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=[[IAAF|iaaf.org]] |archive-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808043103/http://www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records#results-tab-sub=0&results-tab-sub-men=0 |url-status=live}}<br />As can be seen: 800m is Kenya; 5000m is Ethiopia; 10000m is Ethiopia; marathon is Kenya. The two exceptions are the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase records, though the latter is held by [[Stephen Cherono]], who was born and raised in Kenya.</ref> Famous runners include [[Haile Gebrselassie]], [[Kenenisa Bekele]], [[Paul Tergat]], and [[John Cheruiyot Korir]].<ref>Tucker, Ross and Dugas, Jonathan. [http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/07/kenya-vs-ethiopia.html ''Sport's great rivalries: Kenya vs. Ethiopia, and a one-sided battle (at least on the track)''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420161131/http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/07/kenya-vs-ethiopia.html |date=20 April 2010 }}, The Science of Sport, 14 July 2008.</ref>
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