Birth

The life of the baby is really important, as well as its name. In African traditions, the beggining of the baby's life is important because it requires the entire tribe or community to create memories and long lasting things for the baby.

• Before a baby is born, a song has to developed. This song is sang to the offspring throughout it's entire life.
• The song first must be made up by the mother. The pregnant mother, then must go to a journey a plot a song to sing to her baby.
• Once a song is developed, the mother must share her song to her husband, and then share it to her tribe.
• The name of the baby must be planned out according to the parents. Traditionally, the name of the offspring usually is named after their grandparents.
• The name of an offspring is very important, since according to tradition, the name will influence the life style of the baby.

Marriage

"A man without a wife is like a vase without flowers " African Proverb

"Marriage is a journey throughout life which enhances and enriches the strength in a marriage and the entire community." African Proverb

Marriage is an important and serious matter in Africa. If a young man is not married and does not provide a children throughout his entire lifetime, his name is a disgrace and his legacy is forever lost. If the man is old and wise and has strongly impacted the community and tribe than the man shall be forever respected and his legacy will forever be remembered

1. Marriage is a serious part of cultural traditions. Marriage is also very sacred in Africa, because it solidifies their community. In African cultures, marriage represents new life and new hope as well as patience and unity.
2. Marriage is not a Human right, it is a privilege afforded by communities, between man and woman whom meet the tribe's criteria.
3. In Africa, there are standards in which the couples must meet. If the couples meet the criteria, they are allowed for marriage.
4. Once in the ceremony of the marriage, the bride participates in an important role and is treated with respect. Also in a marriage woman who are mothers earn a high status in society.

Death

"Death is once, but life is here and eternal."

In most religions of Africa, life does not end in death, but continues in another realm.

• During a ceremony, the dead must first be removed by the ceiling of the house, that way the soul of the body may not remember the way back to the house or body. As the corpse is raise to the sky, the feet must go up first, the rest of the body.
• The family members can also decide where the corpse is buried. Occasionally, the corpse can be buried near or under their house.
• During death rituals, the ashes of the dead body are smeared on the windows and doors.
• All objects such as pictures, television etc. have to be turned to face the wall, symbolizing respect.
• In the death rituals, some animals might be sacrificed and killed. The blood of the animal is smeared all over the house. It is believed that if doing so, the misfortune can be prevented and anymore death can be slowed down.

In this photo, a cow is being sacrificed

Mourning is also an important part of the ceremony and funeral. Black is often worn in funerals. It is a requirement for men to shave of their hair and facial hair, the hair is a symbolization of death, and the once it gets shaved of then the baldness is new life or a new beggining.

Mayor Myths

Abiyoyo is a major myth in Africa. Is is believed that monster named Abiyoyo terrorized a village. Eventually, a magician who played tricks with his magic wand and his annoying boy who played music 24/7 whom were both ostracized by the village, pacified the monster with soothing music until he disappeared with the help of the magic wand the father had.

Another ancient folklore was about a wise man named Mamad who never told a lie. He was very wise.

Voodoo and Witchcraft

Something that also belongs in this category, is witchcraft and voodoo. Africa it he mother of this dark magic. Magic! Magic is very popular in Africa

This is a wrag doll. It was believed to be a replica of another human being. The person who had the doll had the ability to do whatever they desired to do with the doll, including torquing it.

Voodoo

Believe it or not, Voodoo is one of the oldest religion from Africa and has been utilized since the beginning of the human civilization. An estimate of this religion is around 10,000 year. Voodoo was believed t be a religion in which helped people buy providing medication to the harmed.

Witchcraft

In ancient times, around the 15th century, witchcraft was invented and later on arose in Africa. The people who participated in witchcraft often where woman, and occasionally children. It was believed that witches would hid in the forest to devise ways to torture people and cast spells villages. According to historical belief, witches also had the ability to convert themselves into nocturnal creatures. If natural disasters accord, like drought, earthquakes, and flooding occurred the people responsible where then witches. As a result, people started hunting down witches and eventually put the witches to extinction.

Superstions

There's are lots of superstitious beliefs in Africa, African people are very superstitious, as a result , their everyday routines require some sort of superstition roles.

• If a man is sick, the only reason this happened was because an evil spirit has entered his body.
• If you dream of fish, someone you know is pregnant or will have a baby soon.
• If a woman is pregnant she shall not go to the zoo.
• Related to the last superstition, animals can can detect when a person is pregnant
• In the first year of a baby's hair, you should not cut its hair
• It is a recommendation to keep children from sweeping the floor, that is if you do not want any unwanted guess in the house
• Also, never put your bags on the floor, because you will instantly or eventually become a poor person.
• If your fingers are itchy, this means that you will get money
• Never buy your wife shoes because she will go walking out of the house into another man's arms

Citations 

"AFRICAN MARRIAGE | Marriage | Pro- Life | Family | Culture." AFRICAN MARRIAGE | Marriage | Pro- Life | Family | Culture. 2001. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

"Death Rituals in Africa." LoveToKnow. 2006. Web. 25 Oct. 2015. Days

"African Baby Naming Ceremonies - Festival." African Baby Naming Ceremonies - Festival. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

er, Pete, and Michael Hays. Abiyoyo. New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2001. Print