Famous African tribes
The Zulu people are South Africa’s largest ethnic group. It is estimated that between ten and eleven million people live in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. During 19th and 20th much of South Africa was under apartheid and the Zulu people were classed as third-class citizens often suffering from discrimination. Today they have equal rights along with all other citizens.
The Maasai people live in the Rift Valley region of Kenya and Tazania. They own large herds of cattle, sheep and goats, which they regularly move around to new grazing grounds and water sources. They are a proud and independent tribe who base their wealth and power on cattle. The more cattle a Maasai member has, the more rich and powerful they are seen as by their tribe.
There are more than fifty unique tribes living in the Omo River Region of South western Ethiopia, making it a great place to visit if you are interesting in African culture. Many of the traditional customs and beliefs have remained intact due to lack of access to area.
African Foods
Many people living in Eastern, Western and Southern African states are farmers. They live almost entirely off the food they grow themselves. Traditional African food is also sold at outdoor markets. In countries like Morocco and Algeria couscous is a popular dish served with meat and vegetables. In Western Africa it is common for people to grow and eat cassava, maize, mille and plantains. When visiting African countries you will find that they are very traditional, with most woman and girls carrying out the task of cooking meals. Colonisation has also affected the food and drink served in some parts of Africa such as Kenya where it is common for people to drink tea.
African Art
Africans are one of the biggest contributors to sculptural art. The art form of African sculpture dates back thousands of years with some of the earliest sculptures being found in Egypt.
African Languages
There are thousands of indigenous languages and dialects spoken in Africa. Every African country has its own languages, even the smaller countries. However due to the fact that many African countries were once part of European colonies, many people are able to speak Creole or Pidgin versions of English, Portuguese of French. In Northern Africa Arabic is spoken, whereas in East Africa Swahili is the dominant language.
When it comes to African history and culture there is so much to learn about. The best way to understand the various different customs and cultures is to visit African countries and speak to the people. With some of the most diverse customs, languages and traditions in the world, Africa is truly a fascinating continent.
credit: Petra Udeh/ editor: ToluRock