As a vast continent that can be divided into many regions, with about 3,000 tribes and 2,000 languages and dialects, Africa has appeal everywhere. Here are some of the most impressive tribes in terms of history and lifestyle.
North Africa
Tuareg</ p>
Tuareg man in Morocco
The Tuareg are a large tribe of Berber ethnicity occupying large areas of the Sahara desert . As nomadic herders they move constantly in search of food and water. They are therefore found in Mediterranean countries such as Libya and Algeria as well as countries in the region known as the Sahel on the southern boundary of the Sahara such as Niger.
>Bedouin
Bedouin tribes in Egypt
The Bedouins are nomadic people of Arab origin living in Northeast Africa but they also widely scattered throughout Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. The name comes from the Arabic word “badawi” meaning desert dweller. Most people of this tribe are Muslim and live by herding goats and camels.
Dogon
Dogon tribe of Mali
The Dogon people are a branch of the Niger-Congo language group, a tribe of 400,000 to 800,000 people. They live in well-defended villages on the Central Plateau of Mali and Burkina Faso.
It is thought that they originally came from the north to avoid Islamization and life Theirs revolve around traditional tribal religion although some are now Muslim and others Christian. Famous for their art and astronomical knowledge, the Dogon people survive by farming and raising livestock.
West Africa
Yoruba
Yoruba women dancing in Nigeria
Yoruba people live almost exclusively in Southwestern Nigeria (accounting for 21% of the population) numbering over 40 million they are therefore considered the largest tribe in the whole of West Africa. The large central area of Lagos is dominated by Yoruba people, whose dress and lifestyle are quite modern and can only be distinguished by language. However, in other rural towns in the vast Yoruba region many people still live a traditional, self-sufficient life.
Ashanti
(Photo: Ashanti tribe in Ghana)
With a population of about 9 million, the Ashanti people of Ghana have their own language despite being a colonial language English is widespread in major cities.
Their religion involves the supernatural and spirituality, with ancestors very important in family life. Those aspects are more evident in rural areas away from Ghana’s capital, Accra.
Mbenga
(Photo: Women of the Mbenga Tribe)
The best known Pygmy people are the Mbenga people who live in the Western Congo basin. There are dozens of different pygmy groups with the Mbenga group speaking Bantu and Ubangian. They were hunter-gatherers who depended largely on what the forest could provide.
They bartered with neighbors for other things they needed. It is difficult to determine exact figures, but the latest studies show that about half a million people live in the Congolese rainforest.
East Africa
< p>Hamer
(Photo: Hamer Tribe in Ethiopia)
Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is an attractive location. The Hamer are a tribe living in this fertile valley where their main activity is tending livestock and are also known for their bull jumping ritual. Ethiopia is attracting increasing numbers of tourists and its main attractions are the tribes of this southern valley.
Maasai
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(Photo: Maasai tribe in Kenya)
Perhaps the most famous in East Africa is the Maasai tribe. This tribe mostly lives in Kenya and the area they live in is very close to many famous parks in East Africa which means they have a lot of contact with foreign tourists. Part of the Nilotic Ethnic Group they speak Maa and their numbers are growing to nearly 900,000.
Hadzabe
(Photo: San Tribe in Botswana)
Commonly known as the Bushmen of the Kalahari San developed the skills to hunt and survive in a seemingly completely barren desert land. Their skill in tracking down prey is famous for their success with bows and poisoned arrows which are both impressive.
The San are found throughout Southern Africa in countries such as Botswana Angola and Zimbabwe. There are significant language differences across their vast territory but good survival skills are a common trait shared by all.
Zulu</p >
(Photo: Zulu Tribe of South Africa)
The number of Zulus today is about 10 million and they are one powerful warrior tribe with the Kingdom of Shaka in the early 19th century. Their language is one of the official languages of South Africa and the main inhabited area is KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
Indian Ocean Coast
Himba
(Photo: Tribes Himba of Namibia)
This small tribe lives in Northern Namibia and numbering around 50,000 people lead a semi-nomadic life with people moving about in search of herding their livestock. Their language is classified as Bantu.
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