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The tribes of africa They have fascinating traditions, dances and music that make them very different from other ancient and modern peoples and civilizations. Always in harmony with nature, African tribes develop amazing abilities to convert natural materials from their environment into all kinds of tools and clothing, as well as constructions and crafts. A clear example of their crafts are the magical and enigmatic masks of African tribes, which they design and use during dances and representations of their religious beliefs.
If you want to know more about the interesting world of African tribes, continue reading this Green Ecologist article in which you will meet 16 African tribes: names, meanings and customs.
African tribal names
The African ethnic groups They are one of the greatest cultural riches in the world. Next, we collect in a list the African tribal names best known, as well as those that due to their population size or location may be somewhat unknown.
- Bushmen: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola.
- Hamer: Ethiopia.
- Himba: Namibia.
- Daasanach: Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan.
- Dinka: Sudan.
- Karo: Ethype.
- Masai: Kenya and Tanzania.
- Mursi: Ethiopia.
- Nyangatom: Ethiopia.
- Nuba: Sudan.
- Pygmies: Congo.
- Samburu: Kenya.
- Surma: Ethiopia.
- Tuareg: Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali, Morocco and Burkina Faso.
- Turkana: Kenya and Sudan.
- Zulu: South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In the next sections we will see in detail the traditions of African tribes best known.
Bushmen
In the amazing kalahari desert, the famous bushmen tribe inhabits and develops its culture for millions of years, being considered the oldest people on Earth. The meaning of the name of his tribe, "man of the forests", refers to their ability as hunters and gatherers, dedicating themselves mainly to the harvest of plants and fruit trees that grow in the region.
This famous tribe is world famous for its strange communication through clicks, these being his only type of language. They are characterized by being a peaceful and generous people, in which the hierarchy of its population lacks a boss, and its main objective is to maintain the general welfare of the tribe, sharing its possessions and making equitable use of its resources.
At present, 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. .
Himba
In northern Namibia, the tribe of the Himba it is easily recognizable due to the characteristic reddish color of their skins. 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 creamy mixture 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 their humble lifestyle, preserving today the same customs and trade as cattle breeders that they have been developing for thousands of years.
Daasanach
Did you know that there is an African tribe famous for its original and artistic decorations made with recycled materials? Is about the Daasanach, a large tribe in which exiles from numerous and different neighboring Ethiopian tribes coexist, which inhabit the Omo River Valley and Lake Turkana, both declared World Heritage Sites. Thus, the meaning of the name of his tribe, "people of the delta", reflects the location near the delta of the river and surrounding areas.
The Daasanach are mainly engaged in the Agriculture, and its most outstanding tradition is the making of decorations and beads for the hair and their clothes with materials that they find discarded in the area where they live, mainly plates and other metallic materials.
Masai, one of the best known African tribes
The Masai are probably the best known tribe in East Africa. They fill with life with their dances and colorful clothing the places of Kenya and Tanzania, where it is estimated that 883,000 individuals of this 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 clothes and their trinkets with leaves. Thus, with cow dung, mud and straw, the Masai build their houses in villages and are mainly dedicated to grazing.
Its 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 leaning on poles or similar tools; this is undoubtedly one of the best known African tribal dances worldwide. In this image below you can see this dance full of jumps and, in addition, in the cover photo of this article you can see the Masai women, also dressed in red tones and full of beads and accessories that the members of the tribe prepare themselves. .
Pygmies
Short in stature and dark skinned, the members of the Pygmy ethnic group They live in different regions of central 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 one and a half meters in height.
Among their main customs, their amazing ability 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 music, which is part of the type of African tribal music more striking. They use repetitive musical patterns and numerous rhythmic figures that make their improvised songs quite a show.
Image: QueCuriosidades
Tuareg
Among the Islamic countries of North Africa, the Tuareg are recognized for their blue clothes. The meaning of the name of the tribe defines them as "the free, the nobles", being one of the nomadic peoples of the Sahara more abundant and characteristic.
They live in large family units, moving through the desert aided by camels and other animals, which serve as a support and source of resources for the use of their meat and skins. Its customs include its dedication to herding, crafts and commerce. They live in stores called hey and have their own writing, the tifnagh.
Image: The Africa Image Library
Zulu
South of the African continent, the zulu tribe he venerates the "sky or firmament" to which his name refers in his aboriginal language. They are mainly engaged in livestock and agriculture on the lands of the Republic of South Africa in which they live. They are prone to practice polygamy, with the aim of increasing their pride and happiness, since the more children they have, the greater their achievements and importance within the tribe characterize them.
The Zulu are one of the most famous African tribes due to their cheerful music and characteristic dances in which they sway 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, in a more or less direct way, and for this we recommend these other articles by Green Ecologist: What animals live in the African jungle, Animals in danger of extinction Africa and Characteristics of the okapi, an endangered African animal.
If you liked discovering these African tribes, do not miss What are the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and Australian Aborigines: names of peoples and their customs.
If you want to read more articles similar to 16 African tribes: names, meanings and customs, we recommend that you enter our category of Indigenous Peoples.
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- Terrades, V. (2015) These are not African masks. polytechnic university of Valencia, pp: 10-16.
- López, A. (2005) The pending revolution: political change in Africa. Editions of the University of Lleida, pp: 107-213.
