The African continent has 54 countries and around 1.3 billion people. Much of the African population belongs to one of the estimated 3,000 tribes, each with their own dialect and culture.
Colonized and pillaged for more than 300 years, Africa is a rich and diverse place.It is the world’s second-largest continent and the only continent that spans both northern and southern hemispheres. I’ve picked out 6 of my favourite African tribes to showcase Africa’s fascinating tribal traditions and the vibrant cultures of Africa.
1. South Africa‘s Zulu
The Zulu tribe is one of the most widely known and popular tribes in Africa. They’re known for their strong fighting spirit, which has been marked by warriors such as the legendary Shaka Zulu and documented in wars fought in history. The Zulu tribe is rich in history, culture and tradition; definitely an enchanting tribe to learn about.
2. Ethiopian Karo
people in decorating their faces and bodies with chalk and ochre serves various purposes, including enhancing the chance of finding love, intimidating rivals and for aesthetics. The rituals might have originated with the Hamar Group, with which they share the same lineage.
Their unique substance is used to create intricate designs on faces and bodies of both males and females. While the women use this technique to be more visually appealing, the men also paint their faces and bodies to boost their sex appeal.
3. Yoruba of Nigeria
The ancient mythology of the Yoruba people is a major religion in Nigeria, claimed by its devotees to be one of the oldest religions in the world and still practiced today. It has since brought forth new, modified world religions such as Santería in Cuba and Candomblé in Brazil.
4. The Himba Tribe of Namibia
Himba tribal people are considered the last semi-nomadic herder of Namibia. The ladies of the Himba Tribal group are often called the ‘red beauties’ due to their stunning red skin and hair color. Well, they do not have red skin, they acquire it by practicing a unique skin coloring procedure.
There are many more amazing facts associated with these most intriguing tribes of Africa. A tribe that still maintains the traditions of their ancestors, a tribe that has maintained their own way of life since the early 16th century.
5. The San
The San or Saan People who are also known as the “Bushmen”, are the indigenous people of Africa and believed to be the oldest inhabitants of Africa. They are known to be the descendants of the first modern man or Homo sapiens.
They are semi-nomadic meaning they move from place to place seasonally depending on the availability of resources such as food and water. In the old days, they could roam from place to place freely until the 17th and 18th century when colonists started building their farmlands in the fertile areas of Africa.
Africa is a vital region with some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Africa is a continent of thousands of languages and cultures, unparalleled eco-diversity, and over a billion vibrant and innovative people.
The relevance of African issues is apparent in our everyday lives; we use African products, exports, or mineral resources, sometimes unknowingly and unaware of the consequences for people and the environment. Studying African history and politics gives us a deeper understanding of world history and especially of current events.
