Outline for Common Elements in African Societies

I. Introduction
a. My speech is on common elements I found in African societies. Among these are animism, Bantu language, and their political organization.
b. The importance of this to Islam is that some African states converted to Islam, which brought Africa into a more Eurasian system of trade, and introduced them to new religious ideas, and political organization.

II. Animism
a. It was common among African societies to believe in Animism, which is a belief in natural forces as gods. It also provided a model for ethical behavior, and well rounded concepts of good and evil. They believed in a creator deity who did their work through lesser spirits.
b. Families, lineages, and clans all played important roles; especially the deceased ancestors. They were believed to be a link to the spiritual world.
c. Although the beliefs are generally the same in Animism throughout the different societies, their rituals are unique and different from one another.

III. Bantu language

a. The movement of Bantu speaking people gave a general linguistic base throughout much of Africa.
b. The only society that had a non-Bantu language was the Yourba.

IV. Political Organization
a. African societies were all either a hierarchy, or a stateless society. A hierarchy is an organization in which people are ranked one above the other according to status. A stateless society is a society that is not governed by a state, and there is little authority.

V. Conclusion
a. In conclusion, Animism and Bantu language were the common elements found in African societies.
b. Again, the conversion of some African states to Islam brought Africa into a more Eurasian system of trade, and introduced them to new religious ideas, and political