The Cultural Beliefs Afar people inhabit the Horn of Africa Tribe are and are concentrated in Ethiopia and areas of Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. They are a nomadic people who eke out a living in a rocky, arid enviroment. They also inhabit the Awash Valley and the forests of northern Djibouti. The popuulation totals about 3 million people. They speak Afar. Their lives are built around the livestock they heard, goats, camels, and sometimes cattle. Religion also plays an important part of their lives.
Most Afars converted to Islam (10th century). There are also a few Christians. Afar clothing is an interesting blend of Arab and African people influences. The women perhaps reflecting the prevalence of Islam traditionally wear head scarves, but go bare breasted.
History The ancestors of the Afar Cultural Beliefs of settled farm land in the Ethiopian highlands some time before AD 1000 and primarily raised livestock. Some time after this they began a gradual transition to a more nomadic lifestyle and moved to the area they currently occupy. Since then they have been involved in many conflicts with bordering african tribes and peoples.
Most of the Afar are nomads who herd sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. A man's wealth is measured by the size of his herds. Not all of the Afar are herdsmen. Many of those who work in the Danakil Depression pry loose slabs of solid salt during the dry season, supplying ready-to-use salt in the form of crude blocks. Some of them live in apartment buildings in the country's capitol city, Addis Ababa. They remain there year round and work in government jobs such as the Afar broadcasts of the Ethiopian radio station.
Early in their history, the Afar were heavily influenced by the Islamic religion; and today, Islam is still held in great esteem. The people do not eat pork and rarely drink alcohol. Those who can afford to do so, make a pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition, many pre-Islamic cultural beliefs and customs are also prevalent among the Afar. They believe that certain trees and groves have sacred powers. They also have various religious rites such as anointing their bodies with ghee (a type of butter). Spirits of the dead are believed to be very powerful, and a "feast of the dead," called Rabena, is celebrated each year. They also give annual offerings to the sea to ensure safety for their villages. Many people wear protective leather amulets that contain herbs and verses from the Koran.
Religious Beliefs Due to the Islamic influence on their culture, most culture of the Afar people are practicing Sunni Muslims, although this cultural belief system is also influenced by an ancient, pre-Islamic religion of worshipping a sky god called Wak. Even with these strong ancient Cushitic religious influences, Afars don't eat pork, drink little alcohol and those who can afford to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Afar Circumcision practice circumcision for both males and females. To circumcise the women, they sew together the vulva, which is also practised by some Bantu and other Cushites. Boys are circumcised during their coming of age when they become men.
Most Afars converted to Islam (10th century). There are also a few Christians. Afar clothing is an interesting blend of Arab and African people influences. The women perhaps reflecting the prevalence of Islam traditionally wear head scarves, but go bare breasted.
History The ancestors of the Afar Cultural Beliefs of settled farm land in the Ethiopian highlands some time before AD 1000 and primarily raised livestock. Some time after this they began a gradual transition to a more nomadic lifestyle and moved to the area they currently occupy. Since then they have been involved in many conflicts with bordering african tribes and peoples.
Most of the Afar are nomads who herd sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. A man's wealth is measured by the size of his herds. Not all of the Afar are herdsmen. Many of those who work in the Danakil Depression pry loose slabs of solid salt during the dry season, supplying ready-to-use salt in the form of crude blocks. Some of them live in apartment buildings in the country's capitol city, Addis Ababa. They remain there year round and work in government jobs such as the Afar broadcasts of the Ethiopian radio station.
Early in their history, the Afar were heavily influenced by the Islamic religion; and today, Islam is still held in great esteem. The people do not eat pork and rarely drink alcohol. Those who can afford to do so, make a pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition, many pre-Islamic cultural beliefs and customs are also prevalent among the Afar. They believe that certain trees and groves have sacred powers. They also have various religious rites such as anointing their bodies with ghee (a type of butter). Spirits of the dead are believed to be very powerful, and a "feast of the dead," called Rabena, is celebrated each year. They also give annual offerings to the sea to ensure safety for their villages. Many people wear protective leather amulets that contain herbs and verses from the Koran.
Religious Beliefs Due to the Islamic influence on their culture, most culture of the Afar people are practicing Sunni Muslims, although this cultural belief system is also influenced by an ancient, pre-Islamic religion of worshipping a sky god called Wak. Even with these strong ancient Cushitic religious influences, Afars don't eat pork, drink little alcohol and those who can afford to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Afar Circumcision practice circumcision for both males and females. To circumcise the women, they sew together the vulva, which is also practised by some Bantu and other Cushites. Boys are circumcised during their coming of age when they become men.
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