16 African tribes: names, meanings and customs

The african ethnic groups They are one of the greatest cultural riches in the world. Next, we collect in a list the names of african tribes better known, as well as those that, due to their population size or location, may be somewhat unknown.

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

In the next sections we will see in detail the traditions of african tribes better known.

In the amazing kalahari desertthe famous Bushmen tribe has inhabited and developed its culture for several thousand years, being considered the oldest town on Earth. The meaning of the name of their tribe, “man of the forests”, refers to their skill as hunters and gatherers, dedicating themselves mainly to the harvest of plants and fruit trees that grow in the region.

This famous tribe is known worldwide 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 their 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.

Today, the area of ​​occupation of the Bushmen has been severely reduced compared to previous centuries, mainly due to pressure from the Government of Botswana, responsible for the expulsion of Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

In northern Namibia, the tribe of the Himba It is easily recognizable due to the characteristic reddish color of its skin. This custom of paint and decorate their bodies is one of the main traditions of african tribes. In the case of the Himba, they prepare a cream-like mixture with ocher, natural herbs from the region and butter. The result helps them keep their skin clean and protected from strong solar radiation.

The meaning of Himba, “beggar”, refers to their humble lifestyle, currently preserving the same customs and trade as cattle breeders that 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 is about the Daasanacha large tribe in which exiles from numerous different neighboring Ethiopian tribes coexist, which live in the Omo River Valley and Lake Turkana, both declared World Heritage Sites. Thus, the meaning of their tribe’s name, “delta people”, reflects the location close to the river delta and surrounding areas.

The Daasanach are mainly dedicated to agricultureand their most notable tradition is the making of decorations and beads for their hair and their clothing with materials they find discarded in the area where they live, mainly sheets and other metallic materials.

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

In the Maa language used by the Masai, the name of their tribe takes on a curious meaning: “I don’t want to ask.” Perhaps it is linked to their natural and harmonious lifestyle, in which the resources of nature serve as sustenance to build their houses, their red clothing and their leaf beads. Thus, with cow dung, mud and straw, the Masai build their houses in villages and are mainly dedicated to grazing.

Their main traditions include the importance of the people of the tribe based on the number of cows and children they have, as well as their energetic war dances in circles and giving one of the higher jumps made by people, without relying on poles or similar tools; This is without a doubt one of the best-known African tribe dances globally. In this image below you can see this dance full of jumps and, furthermore, in the cover photo of this article you can see the Masai women, also dressed in red tones and full of beads and accessories prepared by the members of the tribe themselves.

Of short stature and dark skin, the members of the Pygmies ethnic group They live in different regions of central Africa, known as the Congo region. The name they receive comes from Greek, and means “the size of a fist”, since adults do not exceed one and a half meters in height.

Among their main customs, their amazing skill as hunters with arrows and nets stands out, thanks to which they hunt large antelopes, pigs, monkeys and a variety of birds, among other animals. The Pygmies also stand out for their characteristic vocal musicwhich is part of the type of music of african tribes 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 clothes. The meaning of the tribe’s name defines them as “the free, the noble”, being one of the nomadic people of the Sahara more abundant and characteristic.

They live in large family units, moving through the desert with the help of camels and other animals, which serve as support and a source of resources for the use of their meat and skins. Their customs include their dedication to shepherding, crafts and commerce. They live in tents called hey and they have their own writing, the tifnagh.

In the south of the African continent, the Zulu tribe He venerates the “heaven or firmament” to which his name refers in his Aboriginal language. They are mainly dedicated to livestock and agriculture on the lands of the Republic of South Africa in which they live. They are prone to practice polygamywith the aim of increasing their pride and happiness, since the more children they have, the greater their achievements and importance within the tribe.

The Zulu are one of the most famous african tribes due to their cheerful music and characteristic dances in which they stagger frantically to the rhythm of percussion instruments, wearing their multiple and colorful necklaces.

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

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