9 Famous African Tribes, their Cultures & Traditions (and top tours to meet them)

Posted by Andrew Hofmeyr on January 15 2024 in African Culture Enquire Now!

African culture, with its intriguing tribes and traditions, is a wildly diverse subject. (Largely because Africa is such a massive place). Find out more about the most fascinating African tribes and traditional African cultures in this post, along with recommended cultural tours in Africa.

Colonised and pillaged for more than 300 years, Africa is a rich and diverse place.

It is the world's second-largest continent and the only continent spanning the northern and southern hemispheres. Africa is about 11.7 million mi² (30.37 million km²) in size! This means the US is 32.4% the size of Africa, and the UK is only 0.8% of the size.

Africa has over 50 independent countries and accounts for about 16% of the world’s population. That translates to over 1.2 billion people. Now, while it is easy to homogenise and talk about ‘African people’, the truth is that within these 54 separate and unique countries, there are in fact over 3,000 diverse African tribes!

Perhaps South Africa best reflects this diversity through its constitution with all 11 official languages recognized by law.

I’ve picked out 6 of my favourite African tribes to showcase Africa’s fascinating tribal traditions and vibrant cultures of Africa.

Maasai tribal women in Africa by Dylan Walters

6 African Tribes with Traditional African Cultures

Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania
The Hadza tribe of northern Tanzania
Samburu tribe of Northern Kenya
The Karo Tribe of Ethiopia
Himba tribe of northwest Namibia
The Zulu tribe of South Africa
The Xhosa tribe of South Africa
San bushmen (Khoisan tribe) of Southern Africa
Southern Ndebele tribe of South Africa

The Maasai Tribe of Kenya and Tanzania

Population: +/-840 000

Savannahs, lions, safari vehicles, and a red-robed Maasai, standing elegant and slender against the infinite horizon…

The red-clad Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania is synonymous with the Great Plains and savannahs of Africa. They are renowned warriors and pastoralists who for hundreds of years roamed the wilds of East Africa.

Maasai driving cattle into Ngorongoro Crater by Vince Smith

Maasinta, the first Maasai, received a gift of cattle from Ngai – the sky god - who lowered them to earth on a leather thong. Since that time, cattle have been viewed as sacred and their value is rivalled only by the value of their children, indeed, a large herd and a large family are the marks of a truly successful Maasai.

The savannah land that makes up the famous parks of Ngorongoro, Amboseli, Serengeti, the Masai Mara, and Tsavo was all once the nomadic range of the Maasai people.

Despite the pressures of the modern world, the Maasai have fought to preserve their way of life and as a result, any East African safari is awash with the sight of colourful Maasai, herding their cattle, walking along roads, or dancing the adumu.

Famous Masai Mara in Kenya by Michaei Herrera

Amongst the most famous Maasai traditions are the jumping dance, the wearing of colourful shuka, spitting, and the drinking of blood.

The Adamu is the jumping dance that is performed as part of the initiation right when young adults become men. Accompanied by song, pairs of men take turns to see who can jump the highest.

The ritual is performed to show prowess and fitness and it forms a part of the celebration when the boys become eligible bachelors. He who jumps the highest attracts the best bride.

Famous Maasai jumping dance by Michael

The vibrant-coloured cloth worn by the Maasai is known as shuka. Red is considered to be a sacred colour and represents blood and is the basic colour for all shuka.

In addition to these qualities, it also protects the Maasai from wild animals.

Orange is for hospitality, warmth, and friendship, blue is for the sky which provides the rain for the cattle. Green is for nourishment and production and yellow is for fertility and growth.

Together, these vibrant African clothes, are what make the Maasai so distinctive in East Africa.

While in Western traditions saliva is a strictly private and personal matter, in Maasai culture and tradition it is considered extremely good luck to be shared. When shaking the hand of an elder, it is important to spit in one's palm and to ward off evil spirits, one must spit onto a newborn baby's head. Spitting is one thing, drinking blood is completely another.

Maasai tribe in Kenya by Ninara

That’s right, the traditional Maasai people are hematophagous, meaning that they drink blood for nourishment. It is curious because while they drink cow’s blood, often mixed with milk, they are opposed to eating wild animals, and the consumption of beef is reserved for special occasions only.

The Maasai revere their cattle and for this reason, the letting of blood causes no lasting harm to their bovine companions.

Meet the Maasai Tribes of East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania...

Find out more about the Maasai people and their culture.

The Hadza Tribe of Tanzania

Population: 1200 to 1300

The Hadza tribe is an indigenous hunter-gatherer African tribe that resides in the East African country of Tanzania, around Lake Eyasi in the Arusha region. The Hadza, interestingly, is thought to predate the modern Bantu speakers and have inhabited the Lake Eyasi region for thousands of years.

Hadzaland is only 50 km / 31 miles from Olduvai Gorge, known as the Cradle of Mankind on account of the proliferation of hominin fossils, and 40 km / 25 miles from the prehistoric site of Laetoli. The proximity to these important archaeological sites, suggests that the the Hadza have inhabited this area since at least the later Stone Age around 50,000 years ago.

Hadza Hunter Gatherer, Tanzania

The Hadza African tribe is believed to be one of the last remaining groups of traditional hunter-gatherers on the African continent. The Hadza have not only lived in the same region for thousands of years but have maintained a unique and distinct way of life. Renowned for their exceptional skills in hunting and gathering, the Hadza traditionally rely on the surrounding savannah and woodland ecosystems for sustenance, gathering a diverse range of plant foods and engaging in cooperative hunting.

Their social structure is characterized by a lack of centralized leadership, with decisions made collectively within the community. Men specialise in hunting for meat and gathering honey and have developed a special relationship with the honeyguide bird. The women folk are specialist gatherers, collecting berries, tubers, greens, and eggs. Being hunter-gatherers, opportunism is more important than role allocations.

The Hadza language, known as Hadzane, is a language isolate, spoken nowhere else in Africa. It is a unique determinant when identifying Hadzane and is mostly spoken in the home. This is the only tribe in Africa that speaks Hadzane.

According to the Hadza oral tradition, history is divided into 4 distinct periods. The first was a period of the Geranebee, the ancient ones, a race of hairy giants who lived in the open, lacked tools or fire, and ate their meat raw. The intermediate phase or Xhaaxhaanebee were cave dwellers, a hairless race that hunted with dogs and had mastered fire. Next, the Hamakwanebee were smaller people, they erected huts like present-day Hadza and mastered tools like bows and arrows and cooking pots. They were the first of this African tribe to come into contact and trade with other African tribes. They invented a gambling game known as lukuchuko. The last period is characterised by the hamayishonebee or the “present-day people”. This period continues to the present day and is characterised by the use of names of people and places and tracks the passing of time through generational events.

The Hadza Tribe of Tanzania

Today the Hadza face extreme pressures from modernization and land encroachment on their ancestral lands. Although the Hadza continue to preserve their traditional lifestyle, of the 1200 to 1300 Hadza people, only around 400 are believed to still live a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, offering valuable insights into humanity's historical roots and alternative modes of subsistence.

Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit tours

The Samburu Tribe of Northern Kenya

Population of about 160 000

The Samburu tribe from north-central Kenya are pastoralists from the great plains of the Samburu region. They are closely related to the Maasai people of Kenya and are said to have migrated south from the Nile region of North Africa.

The Samburu people speak a dialect of the Maa language which they share with the Maasai. The Samburu are however considered to be even more remote as the region that they inhabit is dry and so can support less life.

Samburu tribe in Africa by Filiberto Strazzari

Pastoralists, the Samburu raise primarily cattle but also keep other livestock like goats, sheep, and even camels. Because of the arid environment that they inhabit, this African tribe is traditionally nomadic.

Constantly in search of pastures for their cattle, much of the conflict in their ever-shrinking range is caused by the search for land. The Samburu diet, like the Maasai, consists of milk and animal blood while eating is reserved for special occasions.

Colourful Samburu culture in Kenya by Ninara

The Samburu people are renowned for their colourful clothing and their unique social structure. The men wear pink or black cloth like the Scottish kilt and adorn themselves with bracelets, anklets, and necklaces.

The warrior age group or Moran is known to wear their hair in long braids. The women, on the other hand, keep their heads shaven and wear two cloths, one around the waist and the other around their chests.

The cloth is usually blue or purple and the women adorn themselves further by applying ochre to their bodies in a fashion similar to the Himba of Namibia.

Traditional Samburu girl, Kenya by vladimir nardin

What sets the Samburu tribe apart, however, is its gerontocracy. A gerontocracy is a social structure that is governed strictly by the elders who make all the decisions.

The leaders are the oldest members of the society and they have the final say in all matters as well as possessing the power to curse younger members of the tribe.

The ultimate source of power for the deeply religious African tribe of the Samburu is their God Nakai. The elders, responsible for law and order are devout and follow his guidance in all matters.

The Samburu tribe is one of the few African tribes that still live according to old traditions and customs, which makes visiting them unique and interesting.

Journey to this remote tribe of northern Kenya to meet the Samburu and see how tradition endures...

Samburu tribe in Kenya by Davida De La Harpe

The Karo Tribe of Ethiopia

Population: 1000 to 3000

The Karo people, an ethnic group residing in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, are known for their vibrant cultural practices and unique way of life. With an estimated population of around 1,000 to 3,000 individuals, the Karo are the smallest African tribe in the Omo Valley and maintain a close connection to the Omo River and the surrounding fertile lands.

Kara means fish in the local language and the Karo are the fish-eaters of the Omo Valley.

Agriculture is a fundamental aspect of their livelihood. The Karo tribe practices flood retreat cultivation, much like the ancient Egyptians did along the Nile River. This African tribe cultivates crops such as sorghum, maize, and beans along the riverbanks. They also fish and breed goats and cattle.

The Karo Tribe of Ethiopia

Inherently artistic, the Karo people are renowned for their captivating body and face painting, a meticulous process involving locally sourced materials like white chalk, yellow mineral rock, iron ore, and charcoal. The elaborate designs vary from delicate dots to bold lines traced with palms or fingers, often featuring animal motifs such as the guinea fowl's spotted plumage. Both men and women engage in this symbolic and ornamental expression, using it not only to enhance attractiveness but also as a cultural practice during special occasions.

Amongst the Karo, scarification is used, especially among women, as a way to enhance beauty. The more scars, the older, wiser, and more attractive a woman becomes. Small incisions are made in the skin and ash is rubbed into the open wound. When they heal, they form small raised welts and ridges that are greatly admired by the men of this African tribe. The men of the Karo tribe also scarify themselves as a status symbol. A man who has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal may scar his chest, each scar representing a kill. Men sporting chest scars are held in high esteem by the Karo community. In addition to the scars made to celebrate kills, Karo warriors distinguish themselves by the right to wear grey or red ochre hair buns. The man-buns are adorned with ostrich feathers, redone every three to six months, and can be worn for up to a year.

Like other African tribes of the Omo Valley, like the Hamar and Bashada, the Karo culture practices the Bula ritual or bull jumping. Before a Karo boy can be considered a man he must jump over rows of bulls as many as 6 consecutive times to prove his agility and strength. Failure results in disgrace, while success qualifies the young men for marriage and grants them the privilege of appearing in sacred locations alongside clan elders.

While the young men must leap over bulls, Karo women ask to be whipped until blood flows to show their commitment and ability to endure adversity. While the scars are a source of pride, they are also an insurance policy as the man who caused them must take care of the woman should her husband ever die.

The Karo Tribe, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Another fascinating tribal ritual is performed to maintain peace between crocodiles and men. At the new moon, a crocodile whisperer descends into the darkness of the river bank carrying a branch covered in leaves which are dipped in the water while he recites a ritual chant. He then descends into the water where he washes himself, thus ensuring peace between the species for another month. The relationship between this man and the crocodiles is passed from father to son, and it is believed that the crocodiles talk to him in his dreams.

Traditionally, there are strict social taboos around marriage. It is believed that children born out of wedlock are mingi or cursed, and these cursed children are held responsible for drought, famine, and other misfortunes. As a result, these children were often abandoned to nature.

The Omo Valley, remote and largely untouched, is one of the most fascinating cultural destinations anywhere in Africa. Named a UNESCO world heritage site since 1980, in recognition of the diversity of African tribes in the area, the Karo are just one example of this unique and spellbinding African cultural destination.

The Karo, like many other indigenous groups in the region, face challenges from external influences and modernization, but their rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions, and intimate relationship with the natural landscape continue to captivate those interested in the diversity of Ethiopia's ethnic tapestry.

Himba African tribe in Namibia by James Whatley

The Himba Tribe of Namibia

Population: +/- 50 000

The desolate Kunene region of northwest Namibia is home to a resilient people called the Himba. Hunter-gatherers and pastoralists, the Himba descend from the southward migrating Herero of Angola.

Unforgiving Namibia home of the Himba by Marc Veraart

Life for the Himba revolves around the holy fire called Okuruwo. Okuruwo, via the smoke, symbolizes a connection with their ancestors, who are in direct communication with their God Mukuru.

The fire burns at the centre of the village and is never allowed to go out and each family has a fire-keeper whose job it is to tend the sacred blaze.

Himba children with traditional hairstyles by Michael Haebner

The Himba are a nomadic African tribe and traditionally travel from waterhole to waterhole tending their cattle and goats.

Day-to-day tasks are traditionally split between the sexes with the women doing the hard tasks of carrying water, milking cows, building homes, and raising children while the men handle politics and tend livestock.

This division even extends to the use of water for bathing which is reserved exclusively for men. Women use herb smoke from fire to cleanse their pores and maintain personal hygiene.

Himba tribe hairstyling by Michael Haebner

Interestingly, the traditional clan structure of the Himba is bilateral – evident in only a handful of traditional peoples around the world. Bilateral descent means that every clan member belongs to two clans, that of the mother, and that of the father. Under this unique arrangement, the sons live with the father’s clan as do the wives, however, inheritance passes from the maternal uncle. Living in such a harsh environment, it is believed that this bilateral descent provides a better chance of survival.

Traditional Himba tribal hairstyle by Joanne Goldby

The most distinctive characteristic of the Himba is its unique adornment. The distinctive red ochre body paint and elaborate hairstyles have become synonymous with any safari to the Kunene region of Namibia. Hairstyles signify status, age, and social standing. From young children with clean-shaven heads to braids and plaits facing forwards and backward and finally, to the Erembe – a sheepskin leather ornament – worn by women who have had children, the often red-ochred hairstyles are both otherworldly and gorgeous.

Himba tribe in Namibia by David Siu

The red ochre body paint of the Himba – called otijze – is made from butter, animal fat, and a naturally occurring earth pigment that contains iron oxide. The Himba women apply this mixture to their skin to protect them from the harsh sun and insect bites, lock in moisture, and beautify themselves. Because of the striking appearance that this red paste creates, the Himba tribe of Namibia has become known as the “Red People of Africa”.

Find the Himba fascinating?

You can meet these traditional people in Namibia and experience their vanishing way of life...

Tribal Zulu warriors, South Africa

The Zulu Tribe of South Africa

Population: between 10 and 13 million

The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. They are descended from East African origins and over centuries, migrated south during what is called the great Bantu migration.

The Zulu rose into a formidable empire under the leadership of Shaka in the early 19^th century. Under his leadership, the Zulu kingdom expanded and played an important role in the history of South Africa.

Over time, the Zulu developed a fearsome reputation that is still evident today.

Modern Zulu culture, Africa by retlaw snellac

The Zulus of today are modern and progressive. While traditional clothing is reserved for special occasions, the Zulu tribe retains strong connections with their ancestral and historical roots. As a people, the Zulu are said to be warm-hearted and hospitable and it is to them that we owe the concept of Ubuntu. Ubuntu states that we are people, not because of our individuality, but by virtue of our connections to other people, thus underlying the importance of relationships.

Zulu African tribe, crafts by Willem van Valkenburg

The Zulu, while predominantly Christian, have retained the belief in their supreme being, Unkulunkulu, who is the creator of all life. While Unkulunkulu is remote and detached, all fortune, misfortune, and good or bad luck is attributed to ancestral spirits or amadlozi. Simply put, the ancestral spirits are the spirits of the dead, specifically, of people who were respected and successful in life. By giving sacrifices to the ancestral spirits, the Zulu people seek to influence their lives on a day-to-day basis and all marriages or births are marked by sacrificial offerings.

Traditional Zulu homestead, South Africa by Steve Slater

The Zulu are also renowned for their skilled craftsmanship from earthenware pottery to weaving but most notably their beadwork. Bright-coloured beads are woven into intricate patterns that are highly decorative but also functional. The patterns and colours have meaning. For example, a triangle is the symbol used for a girl while an inverted triangle indicates a boy. Joined triangles tip-to-tip indicate a married man, while triangles joined base-to-base is a married woman.

Zulu culture, Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa by Running queen

Each colour comes replete with the duality of life and has both a negative and a positive connotation. For example, red is for love and passion but can also represent anger and heartache, similarly, blue is the colour of faithfulness and request but also of hostility and dislike. The symbolism is complex and unique while also being functional and beautiful. It is no wonder then that curio shops from airports to cultural villages and tourist attractions around the country are all stocked with Zulu beadwork curios.

Zulu African tribe, beadwork

The Zulu nation is a proud one. They have opened cultural villages such as Shakaland in KwaZulu Natal, where you can experience their culture firsthand. From traditional houses and styles of dressing to dancing, pottery, and beadwork, you can even help to brew traditional beer.

But don’t forget, the real Zulus are the ones you’ll meet at lodges, as guides, and on the South African streets.

Come, treat yourself to an invigorating cultural experience and visit the traditional Zulu people in South Africa...

Traditional San people by Karen Corby

The Xhosa Tribe of South Africa

Population: More than 9 million

The Xhosa people, the second largest South African tribe, are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group, and are an integral part of the cultural mosaic of South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape regions.

The AmaXhosa are thought to have inhabited the Eastern Cape since the 7th century. They were the southernmost arm of the great Nguni migration that originated in the Great Lakes Region of East Africa and arrived in Southern Africa around 2000 years ago. They integrated with the San and Khoisan and eventually began to displace them with their more sedentary and pastoral nature. All Xhosa people are believed to be descended from Tshawe, the first Xhosa paramount chief or king.

Traditionally, unmarried Xhosa women wear wraps around their shoulders, leaving their breasts exposed. Men often wear animal skins.

Eastern Cape Xhosa Village

The name Xhosa is derived from the Khoisan language and means “angry men”. In Xhosa, about 15% of the vocabulary comes from the Khoekhoe language. IsiXhosa is distinguished by being both a click language and a tonal language.

In the past, the Xhosa thrived as cattle farmers, placing significant importance on the well-being of their herds as symbols of wealth, status, and honour. Cattle played a pivotal role in determining the lobola, or bride price, and were favoured offerings to ancestral spirits. In addition to cattle, the Xhosa traditionally kept dogs, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, and poultry in their husbandry. Their agricultural pursuits featured staple crops like millet, maize, kidney beans, pumpkins, and watermelons. By the eighteenth century, they had also embraced the cultivation of tobacco and hemp.

The Xhosa people traditionally love to eat meat. So much so that the portions, and meat types that are served depend on hierarchy and social status, as well as gender. Prime cuts are often reserved for men, while women and children must make do with lesser parts.

Within the Xhosa belief system, the Supreme Being is referred to as uThixo or uQamata. Similar to the religious traditions of various Bantu communities, God is seldom directly involved in daily affairs. Instead, individuals may connect with the divine through ancestral intermediaries, honoured through ritual sacrifices. Ancestors often communicate their desires through dreams to the living. Xhosa religious observance is marked by intricate and prolonged rituals, including initiations and feasts. Contemporary ceremonies frequently focus on aspects of health and psychological well-being.

The AmaXhosa have been known as the “Red Blanket People” because of the red ochre-dyed blankets that they wrap themselves in.

Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, famous African Tribe

The Xhosa people were integral to South Africa’s struggle against the Apartheid system of governance. Indeed, the Xhosa have produced prominent figures in South African history, such as Nelson Mandela, OR Tambo, and Desmond Tutu, who significantly contributed to the nation's struggle and pursuit of social justice and equality. The Xhosa continue to celebrate their heritage through art, music, and storytelling, making them an essential thread in the rich tapestry of South Africa's diverse cultures.

Today, anyone travelling through the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa will be familiar with the Xhosa-style huts, initiates standing in their blankets, faces painted with ochre, along the roads, and packs of hunting dogs accompanying their owners.

You are likely to meet members of this African Tribe everywhere you travel. However, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape have higher Xhosa populations.

The San Tribe (bushmen tribe) or Khoisan of Southern Africa

A population of about 80,000 between South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia

San people, African tribes by Mario Micklisch

Known as the first people of South Africa, the Khoisan are renowned for their close connection to nature, their nomadic lifestyle, and their language which is comprised of clicking sounds. Sadly, they are also synonymous with the plight of minorities in Southern Africa and have been variously hunted, exploited, and pushed off their land. Today, the survival of the San and their way of life hangs precariously in the balance.

Traditional San bushmen dwelling by WycliffeSA

Traditionally, the San people were hunter-gatherers who lived off the land, roaming vast tracts of bushveld all over southern Africa. For various reasons including mining, farming, and the creation of national parks, the Bushmen have been forced into ever smaller ranges. Today, they are restricted to small clusters around the Makgadikgadi Pan.

Kgalagadi gemsbok, Africa by Jeppestown

The San bushmen were the great artists of southern Africa and their charming rock art – dating back thousands of years – can be found in caves and rock overhangs all over the country. The San used pigments made from mineral deposits, ochres, blood, and eggs to fashion delightful imagery of humans and animals.

Traditional San Bushmen painting by Mike

For many years it was believed that the San rock art paintings were merely representations of everyday life, and it is from caves in the Drakensberg Mountains that we know the area was once home to leopards, elands, and elephants which are now extinct in the area. However, modern theories attribute the paintings of this African tribe to a much more exciting idea. It is believed that the caves were sacred sights, a little bit like cathedrals, used by shamans as an interface with the spirit realm. The depictions are both access points to these realms as well as records of the encounters. What anthropologists believe is that rock art is a pictorial representation of the famous trance dance.

San Bushmen tribe, Southern Africa by Mario Micklisch

The magical trance dance is integral to the customs and beliefs of the Bushman. Also known as the healing dance, this ritual brings together the entire community. While the community members maintain rhythm through clapping and chanting, the healers and elders, who lead the ceremony, dance around the fire, stamping, clapping, and mimicking animals. The exertion, accompanied by hyperventilation, induces a powerful trance-like state in which they can enter the spirit world. The dance has many functions from healing sickness to dispelling what they call “star-sickness” which causes ill-will, anger, arguments, and jealousy.

The San are a marginalized tribe. Few of these gentle African people live the way their ancestors did. Examples and remnants of San culture can still be found where they are intentionally being preserved and you can see ancient San rock art at numerous sites across southern Africa.

Meeting genuine San descendants is a rare cultural encounter worth travelling for, as is gazing upon their distinctive artworks. See for yourself...

Ndebele Traditional African dolls by South African Tourism

Find out more about the Khoisan people of South Africa or delve into San Rock Art in Southern Africa.

The Southern Ndebele Tribe of South Africa

Population of about 1.1 million

The Southern Ndebele is widely distributed through the northeast provinces of South Africa; Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo.

The Ndebele tribes are considered to be cousins of the Zulu and as such share linguistic similarities. The Ndebele are, however, unique in the expression of their culture and their beliefs.

Traditional Ndebele women, South Africa by SA Tourism

In traditional Ndebele society, illness is believed to be caused by spells or curses. They are considered to be an external force inflicted on an individual.

The traditional healer or sangoma is required to do battle with these forces using medicines like herbs or by the throwing of bones.

All izangoma (men and women) can commune with the ancestral spirits. However, it is their ability to defeat illness that defines their success or failure.

Both boys and girls go through initiation rites and initiation schools are held every four years. When Ndebele boys are about 18 years old, they are grouped into a regiment or indanga.

The regiment is given a name that comes from a cycle of 15 or 13 names, depending on the tribe but the initiation rites – which include circumcision – are shrouded in mystery.

Ndebele African tribal beadwork, South Africa

For their initiation rites, Ndebele girls must wear an array of colourful beaded hoops or izigolwan around their limbs, waist, and neck. They are kept in isolation and trained to become matriarchs and homemakers.

To celebrate their ‘coming out’, the izigolwan are traded for hard leather aprons called amaphephetu.

Ndebele tribal woman, South Africa by South African Tourism

To emphasize the importance of this occasion, relatives and friends gather during the initiation period. They take part in activities and celebrations that mark this important event which symbolizes the transition of a person from childhood to adulthood.

While the Ndebele traditions of shamanism and initiation are interesting, what really sets them apart is their unique artistic style.

Women are responsible for decorating the homestead and often the façade and sides of buildings are brightly painted with striking geometric patterns filled in with colour.

Traditional South African culture

While traditional designs make use of earth ochres and muted dyes, modern Ndebele designers use a much more vibrant and vivid palette.

The designs have become synonymous with South Africa and one artist, Esther Mhlangu, has gained international fame.

Her designs have appeared all around the world on the tails of jumbo jets to museums and private art collections. She even became, not only the first woman but also the first African to be asked to do the prestigious BMW art car’, thus putting her in the company of Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Hockney!

Don't just read about rich African cultures - come and experience them on an easy, safe, and affordable safari tour!

Samburu tribal dance, Kenya

African Tribes, Travel & Etiquette

We live in an amazing age where global travel is relatively quick and easy. You no longer need to be an anthropologist to visit these incredible African tribes and to make memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few tips on local etiquette and culture to help you on your way.

Look before you leap. Be conscious of the fact that you are a guest in someone else's country, province, and home. Be mindful of them and their traditional customs, ask questions, and don't assume anything. Often taking pictures is fine but it doesn't hurt to ask first, taking the time to check will make you a welcome guest wherever you go.
When in Rome... not everything you encounter will be to your taste, but that is the whole reason we travel. A double dose of flexibility and patience will go a long way. Sing your heart out, dance the dance, and allow yourself to be led on a beautiful journey.
Smile. If you are not sure what to do, smile. Smiling is a universal language of goodwill, use it liberally and use it well. There will be uncomfortable travel, bad food, tiredness, and many other less-than-desirable situations, these are inevitable, what we can choose is what we give to the world and the cultures we visit, so smile at the driver, at your host, at the women, the children, the shopkeepers, and the passers-by.
Be in time, not on time. In Africa, it is more important to be in the moment than to count the seconds on the clock. People in the present are more valuable than appointments in the future. Focus less on the timetable and more on the people you are with, Africa's people are really what makes it such an amazing place and it is well worth taking the time to be with them.

Traditional Maasai tribe visit by joepyrek

To find out more about the intriguing African tribes of Ethiopia see Up Close and Personal with the Omo Valley Tribes of Ethiopia by Stephanie Parker.

Speak to one of our African Budget Safari experts for help planning your African trip and cultural experiences.

Our team is based in South Africa and has travelled and worked all over Africa. So, we know how to help you get the most out of your travels in Africa.

African tribes and cultures by ABS on Pinterest