7 Fascinating African Traditions – Highlights of African Culture.

Africa is a treasure trove of people and their traditions in addition to its amazing wildlife and landscapes. With so many distinct African tribes and customs, each one more astounding than the previous, African culture is fascinating!

The large continent of Africa is home to a massive number of people who are separated into numerous African tribes and groups, each with its own customs and cultures. One of the many reasons Africa is such a great and fascinating location is because of this melting pot of people. We examine only a few of the African cultural traditions in this blog.

Please keep in mind that etiquette and customs vary by location and the people who live there. If you’re unclear about how to behave in any social scenario, ask about to reduce the chance of a faux pas and make sure you respect the local way of life. A kind and hospitable attitude is something that all Africans share!

1. Handshakes in Africa

Many Europeans kiss each other on the cheek when they first meet; some do this once, while others do so up to four times, switching cheeks. It is customary in African culture to shake hands. And we don’t mean the cliched “clasp hands, shake, separate” either. No, we approach things in a much more engaging manner. For one example, watch the video above.

One of the great things about African culture is that it values respect. As a sign of respect, the other hand is put on the upper arm when shaking hands.

2. Using African Culture to Speak Up

You talk loudly in many African cultures. This isn’t to annoy those around you; rather, it’s to make sure that no one believes that gossip or secrets are being whispered to one another. Once more, this shows respect for others.

It’s also a great thing about Africa: it’s noisy, hectic, and bustling!

3. African Dancing

We dance for everything in Africa. Getting hitched? We move to the music. Reaching adulthood? We move to the music. Friday evening? We move to the music. A funeral? We move to the music. Yes, you read correctly. Almost every facet of African culture is infused with the beat of Africa.

Nothing moves the soul more than the sound of dancing feet stirring the dust and the rhythm of an African drum.

Once more, the dance and music styles vary depending on the individual and the event. Try to see (and do) as many as you can while on safari; they’re breathtaking. These are but two examples of the numerous

Adumu, a jumping dance, is customarily done at the coming-of-age ritual for boys who are becoming warriors. In contrast to the majority of other African civilizations, the Maasai primarily employ singing to accompany their dances; drums are not used frequently.

In the amazing warrior dance, the warriors form a circle, move into the center one at a time, and jump as high and elegantly as they can without letting their heels contact the earth. The strongest people are the ones who jump the highest, and they win the gals!

Tanzania and Kenya are home to the majority of the Maasai people.

Gule Wamkulu (Culture of Malawi)

The Gule Wamkulu is a dance that is performed at Chewa festivities, funerals, and initiation ceremonies in Malawi. Members of Nyau, a covert male society said to have been founded as a counterbalance to the Chewa matrilineal society, perform it.

To conceal their identities, dancers kick up dust and don intricate masks, frequently depicting animals. It is believed that the dance serves as a means of communication with the ancestors.

4. South African culture, or Lobola

In several African tribes, it is customary for a groom to “pay” his future bride’s family. In the past (and even now, in rural areas), this payment, known as lobola in South Africa, was made in the form of cows. If this payment is made these days, it’s usually in cash.

The bride’s elders meet with the groom prior to the wedding, and they decide on a price together.

5. The River God Nyami Nyami (Zimbabwe Culture)

Every visitor to Victoria Falls (and the rest of Zimbabwe) will have encountered the river deity Nyami Nyami. Before Kariba Dam was constructed, he and his spouse resided in the Kariwa Gorge on the Zambezi River, where he was known as the protector of the Tonga people.

The Nyami Nyami, which has a fish’s head and a snake’s body, is carved out of bone and wood and sold in marketplaces and curio stores as pendants, walking sticks, and other items. Many people, particularly those who work on or near the Zambezi River, wear it around their necks for protection.

Nyami Nyami is thought to have been enraged by the construction of the Kariba Dam because it flooded his house and caused him to be separated from his wife. Even now, there are still earth tremors in the area from the disaster and flooding that accompanied the dam’s construction. While some scientists attribute the shifting landscape to the dam, others attribute it to the irate Nyami Nyami.

6. Namibian culture’s Himba “Sun Block”

Because of a paste that is applied daily, all Himba women in Namibia’s Kunene region have a lovely reddish-orange complexion. It is composed of butter and powdered ochre.

The tribe’s women are the only ones who use it, and they do it every day to protect their skin and hair from the scorching desert heat. It serves as a sunscreen and is also utilized for cosmetic purposes.

7. Ancestors & Family Traditions

In African culture, family is the most significant thing. The term “family” in the majority of African tribes refers to the extended family, which includes aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives, rather than just the close family as it is in the West. Ancestors are significant as well.

But above all, respect for the family elders is one of the characteristics from which the Western world may learn a few things. Elders must typically meet before making major decisions regarding any family member.

African festivities are usually big and boisterous since the entire family joins in on each significant occasion!

The spirits of the ancestors are a widely held concept in sub-Saharan Africa. It is really important to please them. It is said that after passing away, a person still has an impact on and interest in their family’s lives.

In order to communicate with the ancestors, many African customs, dances, and ceremonies are still performed today. They are trusted to provide direction.

Elder gatherings and African customs

These are only a handful of the amazing customs that contribute to Africa’s distinctiveness and allure.

Cultural trips and experiences throughout South and East Africa, ranging from Ethiopia and Rwanda to South Africa and Botswana, are part of a number of our African safaris. Some of our suggested African safaris that offer unique cultural travel experiences are listed below.