Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

africa

11

Medicine and healing

When seeking a cure for sickness, some

Africans consult Western-style doctors.

Others consult a traditional healer

(above). Healers are respected

members of a community, with vast

knowledge of local herbs and plants and

the ways in which they can be used as

medicines. To identify the source of an

illness, the healer might contact good or

evil spirits by going into a trance.

Treatment may include animal sacrifice.

WAr And fAmine

Civil wars and famines are common in

Africa. many are caused by political

disagreements, and some are the result

of tribal conflicts. in 2010, protests in

Tunisia marked the start of a series

of revolutions across north

Africa and the middle east.

in Sudan, a civil war lasting from

1983 to 2005 ended only with the

creation of the new country of South

Sudan. Other misery is caused by

famine. Traditionally, most people grew

enough food each year to last until the

next harvest. However, African countries

increasingly produce export crops and rely on

imported food. if food distribution breaks down or

drought ruins crops, thousands of people may starve.

rurAl life

Although African cities have been growing fast, most Africans still live in the countryside.

They grow their own food and only rarely have a surplus to sell or exchange for other goods.

most tribes have farmed the same land for generations, living in villages with all of their

relatives. Sometimes the young men go to live in cities for a few years to earn money in mines

or factories. Then they return to the village to marry and settle down. The types of crops

grown vary widely. Yams, cassava,

and bananas are produced in

the lush tropical regions;

farmers in drier areas

concentrate on cattle

and grain.

SAHArA deSerT

The Sahara is the largest desert in the

world and covers nearly one-third of

Africa. in recent years, the desert

has spread, destroying farmland

and causing famine. in some areas,

irrigation has stopped the spread of the

desert, but long-term irrigation can make

the soil salty and infertile. Temperatures

have been known to exceed 120 ̊f (50 ̊C)

in this inhospitable environment.

In West Africa,

drumming is a

highly developed

art. People once

used drum

beats to pass

on messages.

develOpmenT

poor infrastructure,

including unreliable roads,

railroads, and electricity

supplies, holds back the

economic growth of many

African nations. most

countries rely on loans from

Western governments and

international banks to pay for

their development programs.

muSiC And CulTure

Africa has a rich and varied

culture. north Africa shares

the islamic traditions of the

middle east, producing

beautiful mosques and palaces.

West African music has a strong

rhythm, and there are many

interesting dances from this

region. The area is also home

to a flourishing woodcarving

industry. eastern and

southern Africa have

become famous for

beautiful beadwork and

colorful festive costumes.

Road building

in Nigeria

Africa, history of

Central africa

east africa

South africa

West africa

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