South African Culture

South African Culture

South Africa's location

the southern tip of Africa

Values

Daily Life

Marriage

Patterns

• Polygyny is practiced in South Africa, but is less common then Monogamy
• Most South African weddings are followed by a feast called the Karamu
• Traditional weddings have a unity light ceremony where the 12 symbols of life are administered

• Bible of the Koran

Bitter Herbs

• Broom
• Honey
• Pepper
• Pot and Spoon
• Salt
• Shield
• Spear
• Water
• Wheat
• Wine

Symbols/Gestures

• Shaking hands is the most common way of greeting someone
• The V symbol is very insulting when palm is facing the signer

• National Flag

• National Anthem

• National Coat of Arms

• National Bird

• National Fish

• National Flower

• National Tree

• National Animal

• National orders

Rites of Passage

• Male circumcisions are performed to transform boys into men between the ages of 16-18. Boys are taken to an isolated area and stay in grass huts.
• Girls' coming of age begins when she gets her first menstrual cycle she collects the roots of the rubia cordifolia shrub and she stays in her mother's hut during this time period

Education System

-South Africa has over

20 colleges to attend

South Africa has two

differnt types of school

• Primary school (grade 1 to 7)
• High School
• (grade 8 to 12)

South Africa has

over 12 million

learners

• having your hands in your pockets while talking to someone is insulting

Sports/Games

• Rugby (even won rugby world cup in 1995)
• Cricket
• Soccer (won African Nations Cup on home turf in 1996)

Holidays

21 March: Human Rights Day

Because people had been killed for protesting in the past, this holiday ensures that their rights will never be abused again

27 April: Freedom Day

the day the 1st democratic election was held in 1994

1 May: Worker's Day

• commemorate the contribution made by workers to society

16 June: Youth Day

honors the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and Bantu Education

18 July: Mandela Day

celebrates Nelson Mandela

24 September: Heritage Day

Celebrates the publics diversity

16 December: Day of Reconciliation

celebrates overcoming the conflicts of the past and building a new nation

Divorce rate

is over 50%

-Traditional South Africans value their tribal groups.

The tribe provides both emotional and financial security f

or it's members.

-South Africans deeply value their religion, most are

Christian.

-South Africans are hospitable, helpful, sympathetic, and

most anxious to avoid verbal conflict or unsociable

manners, they value treating others well and not getting

into verbal conflicts with others

Population

About 48.8 million people

Food

Amasi: sour milk.

Biltong: a salty dried meat

Bobotie: a dish of Malay descent, is like meatloaf with raisins and with baked egg on top.

Kota: curry stuffed into a hollowed-out loaf of bread.

Chutney: a sweet sauce made from fruit that is usually poured on meat.

Frikkadelle : meatballs.

• Men are typically the head of the house hold

• Men typically care for the livestock or become migrant laborers

• Women are in charge of household chores and also of childcare