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Nama (Namibia, South Africa) -

The Nama indigenous tribe is deeply connected to the desert of Southern Africa, and most of their traditions are adapted to the arid conditions. Indeed, the Nama people are known for their resilience and resourcefulness in such harsh conditions.

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Nama (Namibia, South Africa) -

The Nama people’s traditions of storytelling and music have helped them establish themselves as the largest group of the Khoikhoi–nomadic, pastoralist indigenous peoples of South Africa.

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Herero (Namibia, Botswana) -

The indigenous Herero tribe is most distinctive due to its rich cultural heritage that includes traditional clothing and deeply traditional beliefs.

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Herero (Namibia, Botswana) -

The Herero culture has been significantly influenced by German colonialism, particularly in language and attire. But despite these challenges, this tribe has preserved its cultural identity and traditions.

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Lozi (Zambia, Namibia, Botswana) -

The Lozi people have a unique system of government centered around the Litunga, a person who is considered both a political and spiritual leader. Pictured here is a spiritual healer blessing the departure of the Litunga.

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Lozi (Zambia, Namibia, Botswana) -

Unlike most African ethnic groups, the Lozi people are not separated into clans. In fact, if a foreigner were to criticize a Litunga, it is treated as a criticism of the Lozi nation as a whole.

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Khoikhoi (South Africa, Namibia) -

Although the Khoikhoi culture is an umbrella for multiple tribes, it is important to distinguish them, as they have a rich oral tradition of storytelling and poetry that has affected much of Southern Africa.

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Khoikhoi (South Africa, Namibia) -

The first recorded contact between Europeans and the Khoikhoi was in the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers arrived to the shores of Africa. Encounters between these two cultures were regularly violent.

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Pedi (South Africa) -

The Pedi people have a rich cultural heritage that includes skilled craftsmanship, a rainmaking ceremony–called dikgafela–and traditional leadership structures headed by a king.

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Pedi (South Africa) -

Pedi society is organized into age sets, with each stage of life marked by specific rituals and responsibilities. Sometimes, animal sacrifices are important for rituals to unfold.

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Tsonga (South Africa, Mozambique) -

Tsonga culture is characterized by its vibrant music and dance, which often accompany social gatherings and ceremonies. Traditional Tsonga music includes the marimba and drums.

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Tsonga (South Africa, Mozambique) -

The dance that Tsonga people perform is called xibelani, which is performed by the women and dates back as early as the 14th century.

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San (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa) -

Also known as the Bushmen, the San are among the oldest inhabitants of Southern Africa, and they are known for their rock art and unique languages characterized by click consonants.

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San (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa) -

The San people have a deep understanding of their environment and are skilled hunters and gatherers. Indeed, the rock paintings found in caves across Southern Africa provide insight into their daily lives.

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Swazi (Eswatini, South Africa) -

The country of Eswatini–formerly Swaziland–is the native home of the Swazi people, who have deep connections with traditional ceremonies and rituals. The monarch of the Swazi people has considerable influence, and is revered as a symbol of unity.

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Swazi (Eswatini, South Africa) -

The Reed Dance ceremony–called Umhlanga– is one of the culture’s most significant events. It happens annually at the end of August, and calls tens of thousands of women from various chiefdoms to participate.

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Venda (South Africa, Zimbabwe) -

The Venda people are most notable for their beliefs in ancestral spirits and their worship of the python as a sacred animal.

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Venda (South Africa, Zimbabwe) -

Venda society is matrilineal, with descent traced through the female line. They are also known for their woodcarving, pottery, and traditional musical instruments.

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Shona (Zimbabwe) -

The largest ethnic group in Zimbabwe, the Shona people have many traditional beliefs and a strong history of kingdom-building, which flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries. Some of the ruins of this kingdom can still be seen today.

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Shona (Zimbabwe) -

Shona culture places a strong emphasis on respect for elders and ancestors. Traditional spiritual beliefs often revolve around ancestral reverence and the role of spiritual mediums known as vadzimu.

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Sotho (Lesotho, South Africa) -

The Sotho people have a strong sense of identity, which is largely derived from the culture’s community and social cohesion among extended family networks.

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Sotho (Lesotho, South Africa) -

They are also known as Basotho, and it is believed that the Sotho people’s ancestors originated from Northeast Africa before they migrated to the south in the 5th century CE.

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Ndebele (Zimbabwe, South Africa) -

The Ndebele people are known for their distinctive art, including vibrant geometric patterns used in their beadwork and house painting.

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Ndebele (Zimbabwe, South Africa) -

Ndebele society traditionally followed a hierarchical structure, with the king (intombi) at the apex of power. This structure still exists in small ways today, but modern politics play a larger role.

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Tswana (Botswana, South Africa) -

Tswana society is organized into various clans, each with its own chief. Traditional practices among the Tswana people include agriculture and livestock farming, but much of this has been replaced by urban professions.

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Tswana (Botswana, South Africa) -

The culture has a strong tradition of storytelling (typically done via oral narrative or dance), which is often used to convey wisdom and cultural norms.

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Xhosa (South Africa) -

The Xhosa people have a deep spiritual connection to their ancestors and the natural world. Traditional healers (sangomas) are known to smear white clay on bodies during the healing process.

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Xhosa (South Africa) -

One of the most known practices among the Xhosa people is that of ulwaluko, which is the initiation ceremony conducted on young men so that they can enter manhood.

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Zulu (South Africa) -

The Zulu culture is one of the largest ethnic groups in South Africa. They are known for their rich cultural heritage–including vibrant traditions, music, and dance–and the historic Zulu Kingdom led by figures like King Shaka.

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Zulu (South Africa) -

The Zulu people are renowned for their military prowess, which was significantly demonstrated during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. Much like other cultures, they also have a rich oral tradition of storytelling.

Sources: (Indigenous Navigator) (Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee) (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs)

See also: Indigenous cultural practices that remain in use today

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