Culture

Ethnicity http://jspivey.wikispaces.com/file/view/ black_sudanese.jpg/34257087/black_sudanese.jpg	Religion http://mysteryworlds.files.wordpress.com /2011/08/christianity_cross.png
Language http://www.puo.co.za/export/sites/puo/ files/content/TipsFlagLanguages.jpg	Food http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u80/ AtlFoodie/BoneHeads/Chicken2.jpg

In South Africa, there is a very diverse culture made of up different aspects such as ehnicities,language, religion and beliefs, and food. The country is made up of 79% Black Africans, 10% White, 2.9% Asian and 8.5% mixed races(Black and European). Since colonization, South Africa has been an immense place of migration leading directly to their varying ethnic groups. As people settled, their culture did too, allowing different ethnic groups to communicate. European Imperialism brought Europeans, adding to the large mix. Next, slaves were sent in from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Mozambique, and Indians were recruited for helping with agriculture. Then, when Apartheid occured, the races were seperated but when it finally came to an end, Black and White people started marrying, forming another ethnic group of mixed descent. Along with ethnicites, the religions practiced are also an assortmant. 75-80% of the population are Christian, being the official religion, but there are others that are widely practiced among natives with christian ideals. When Europeans immigrated into the area, they brought their catholoic beliefs with them. Soon after, natives that were invaded on adopted catholic views and incorperated them into their own religions-one of them being the San and Khoisan religion. The people that continue to worship with that religion believe that hands and dance to the God heel all sicknesses and wounds. Christianity and San and Khosian are not the only religions, though, there are also some Muslims and Hindus living in South Africa. These religions were introduced from the Asian descent in the country. There are 11 official languages in South Africa, the major ones being English and Afrikaan. Like religions, there is are more languages that are spoken, just not as widely spread, and by native tribes that remain still in the area. The languages came along with all of the immigrants, and have mixed to form branches of dialects off of the main languages. Finally, the food in South Africa was also brought by the different origins of South Africans, and now are the normal local cuisine. The farmers typically harvest millet, sweet potatoes, beans, nuts and pumpkins and use them to make meals around the house. Rice, meat, and milk products are also highly consumed among households and restaurants. The Indian and Asian backgrounds introduced chutney, garlic, chilies, onions, and curry to spice up their every-day food. Lastly, the British immigrants brought the idea of meat pies, which are sold almost everywhere in South Africa.


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