16 African tribes: names, meanings and customs

The African ethnic groups They are one of the world’s greatest cultural wealth. Next, we collect in a list the Names of African tribes Best known, as well as those who, due to their population size or location, can be something unknown.

1. Bosquimanos: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola.
2. Hamer: Ethiopia.
3. Himba: Namibia.
4. Daasanach: Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan.
5. Dinkka: Sudan.
6. Karo: Ethipous.
7. Masai: Kenya and Tanzania.
8. Mursi: Ethiopia.
9. Nyangatom: Ethiopia.
10. Nuba: Sudan.
11. Pygmeans: Congo.
12. Samburu: Kenya.
13. SURMA: Ethiopia.
14. Tuareg: Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali, Morocco and Burkina Faso.
15. Turkana: Kenya and Sudan.
16. Zulú: South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In the next sections we will see in detail the African tribes traditions best known.

In the amazing Kalahari desertthe famous Bosquimanos tribe Inhabits and develops its culture for several thousand years, being considered The people of greatest of the earth. The meaning of the name of his tribe, “forest man”, refers to his ability as hunters and collectors, mainly dedicating himself to the harvest of fruit plants and trees that grow in the region.

This famous tribe is worldwide known for its strange Communication through clicksthese being their only type of language. They are characterized by being a peaceful and generous people, in which the hierarchy of its population lacks a bossand its main objective is to maintain the general well -being of the tribe, sharing its possessions and making equitable use of its resources.

At present, the area of ​​occupation of the Bosquimanos has been severely reduced compared to the previous centuries, mainly due to the pressure by the Botswana government, responsible for the expulsion of Bosquimanos of the Central Kalahari hunting reserve.

North of Namibia, the tribe of The Himba It is easily recognizable due to the characteristic reddish color of its skins. This custom of Paint and decorate your bodies is one of the main African tribes traditions. In the case of the Himba, they prepare a mixture as a cream with ocher, natural herbs of the region and butter. The result serves to keep the skin clean and be protected from strong solar radiation.

The meaning of Himba, “beggar”, refers to his humble lifestyle, currently retaining the same customs and trade as cattle breeders they have been developing for thousands of years.

Did you know that there is an African tribe famous for its original and artistic decorations made with recycled materials? It’s about Los Daasanacha great tribe in which exiled from numerous and different neighboring Ethiopian tribes coexist, which live in the OMO river valley and Lake Turkana, both declared a World Heritage. Thus, the meaning of the name of his tribe, “people of Delta”, reflects the location close to the river delta and adjacent areas.

The daasanach are mainly dedicated to Agricultureand its most prominent tradition is the preparation of decorations and beads for hair and their clothing with materials that find discarded in the area in which they live, mainly sheets and other metal materials.

Probably, the Masai are the best known tribe in East Africa. They fill with life with their dances and colorful clothing the places of Kenya and Tanzaniawhere it is estimated that some 883,000 individuals of this famous African tribe.

In the MAA LANGUAGE Used by the Masai, the name of his tribe acquires a curious meaning: “I don’t want to ask.” Perhaps they are linked to their natural and harmonious lifestyle, in which nature’s resources serve as a livelihood to build their houses, their red clothes and their beads with leaves. Thus, with cow manure, barros and straw, the Masai build their houses in villages and are mainly dedicated to grazing.

Among its main traditions include the importance of the people of the tribe according to the number of cows and children they have, as well as their energy dances in circles and giving one of the higher jumps made by people, without relying on poles or similar tools; This is undoubtedly one of the best -known African tribes dances worldwide. In this image below you can see this dance full of jumps and, Aumás, in the cover photo of this article you can see the Masai women, also dressed in red and full of beads and accessories that prepare the members of the tribe themselves.

Of low stature and dark skin, the members of the ethnic group of pigmeans They inhabit different regions of the center of Africa, known as the Congo region. The name they receive comes from the Greek, and means “the size of a fist”, since Adults do not exceed the meter and a half height.

Among its main customs, its amazing ability is highlighted as hunters with arrows and networks, thanks to which large antelopes, pigs, monkeys and variety of birds hunt, among other animals. Pygmies also stand out for characteristic vocal musicwhich is part of the type of African tribes music more striking. They use musical patterns with repetitions and numerous rhythmic figures that make their improvised songs a spectacle.

Among the Islamic countries of North Africa, The Tuareg They are recognized for their blue clothing. The meaning of the tribe’s name defines them as “the free, the noble”, being one of the Sahara nomadic peoples more abundant and characteristic.

They live in large family units, moving through the desert aid of camels and other animals, which serve as support and source of resources for the use of their meats and skins. Among their customs include their dedication to grazing, crafts and commerce. They live in stores called Ehe And they have their own writing, the Typhnagh.

To the south of the African continent, the Zulu tribe Venera the “sky or firmament” which refers to its name in its aboriginal language. They are mainly dedicated to livestock and agriculture of the lands of the Republic of South Africa in which they live. Are prone to practice Polygamywith the aim of increasing their pride and happiness, since as they have more children, they characterize greater achievements and importance within the tribe.

The Zulu are one of the most famous African tribes Due to their cheerful music and characteristics dances in which they are frantically wobble to the rhythm of percussion instruments, wearing its multiple and colorful necklaces.

To finish talking about African tribes, their names, meanings and customswe also want to show a little about animals that live with these people in nature, more or less directly, and for this we recommend these other articles of ecology see: what animals live in the African jungle, animals in danger of extinction of Africa and characteristics of the okapi, an African animal in danger of extinction.

If you liked to discover these African tribes, do not miss what the indigenous peoples of the Australian Amazon and Aboriginal Aboriginals: names of peoples and their customs.

If you want to read more articles similar to 16 African tribes: names, meanings and customswe recommend that you enter our category of indigenous peoples.