TRIBES MAINTAINING AFRICAN CULTURE
Africa is one of the continents still with indigenous tribes who still maintain their cultures.
These are two of the many inventions that have come to define our modern society. But, somewhere in remote areas and rich plains of Africa, there are groups of people who continue to live peacefully without dependence on any of the inventions the modern world values so dearly.
These are the indigenous communities whose traditions, customs and way of life have astonishingly withstood the test of time and the sweeping force of modernization.
1. The “Pygmies.”
The African Rainforest is home to a group of peoples known as the “Pygmies.” While the term ‘Pygmy’ used to be derogatory, it has been reclaimed by the group as a term of identity.
This ethnic group consists of distinct indistinguishable tribes who live in the rainforests throughout Central Africa and have an intimate connection to the forests.
The group consists of the Mbuti (Democratic Republic of Congo), Aka (Central African Republic), Baka (Southern Cameroon), as well as the Twa (Rwanda). These tribes collectively account for an estimated 130,000 to 170,000 forest dwellers.
2. The Himba
The men and women of the Himba tribe are known for their unique hairstyles that incorporate red paste of red ochre, butter, and fat known as otjize. They use this on their hair and skin to make their bodies glow with beauty.
Located in Namibia’s Kunene Region, The Himba tribe dates back to the 16th Century. There are between 30,000 to 50,000 in this tribe today
3. The Dogon
The Dogon people are believed to be descendants of ancient Egyptians and are most famous for their astronomical knowledge and wisdom. The Dogon knew about the Sirius – the brightest star in the sky and the three-star system (Sirius A, Sirius B, and Sirius C) before scientists started researching outer space. The Dogon Tribe are known for their mask dances and architecture. There are between 400,000 and 800,000 Dogon people in Mali.
4. The Turkana Tribe
Located in Kenya’s Turkana District, The Turkana Tribe belongs to a bigger group of Nilotic tribes with the Maasai and Samburu. Their history starts in Uganda before migrating to Kenya more than 400 years ago. The Turkana are known as survivors as they inhabit the dry region of Northwest Kenya, where temperatures reach as high as 113 degrees.
5. The Karo tribe
The Karo Tribe is one of the smallest tribes left on the continent. There’s only a population of 1,000 to 2,000. Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia, they’re widely recognized because of their body art. The Karo paint their bodies with a mixture of white chalk, yellow mineral rock, iron ore, and charcoal to express beauty.
6. The Karamojong
With a history that can be traced to Ethiopia, the Karamojong have lived in the Northeastern region of Uganda for more than four centuries.
The Karamojong take pride in their rich cultural heritage and have avoided conforming to modern standards, including with clothing.
The tribe still dresses in traditional clothing, which consists of a blanket-like shawl, and the women wear elaborate beads and necklaces.
7. The Wodaabe Tribe
The Wodaabe Tribe is located in Niger and Chad. The Wodaabe are known for their tradition of Gerewol – a festival where men compete for love.
They paint their faces in bright colors, wear elaborate clothing, and perform a series of dance routines to attract women. The dances, which go on for hours, are performed in front of female judges who choose the men they find the most beautiful.
8. The Tuareg
The Tuareg live in the Sahara, and their population is spread across several countries, including Niger, Algeria, Libya, and Mali. They are nomadic pastoralists, moving from one place to another with their herds of camel, cattle, and goats.
In many Muslim societies, women traditionally wear a hijab, but when it comes to the Tuareg, the veil is worn only by men.
They begin wearing it at the age of 25, signifying adulthood and preparedness for marriage. The first veiling is performed by a “Marabout,” or religious leader, who wraps the veil around the young man’s head