Interesting facts about African tribes

It is already difficult for us to imagine a normal life without all the technological benefits of progress. Some people may have a panic attack if left for a whole day without the Internet and a smartphone. And in African tribes, they will not understand what is at stake even approximately. Of course, there are such megacities (by African standards) as: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Windhoek, Harare, and so on, in which there is quite a modern standard of living. However, in Africa there are a lot of tribes that to this day live according to ancient traditions that will surprise any person. Let's get to know some of them.

Mbororo people, Chad

As a rule, tattoos on the face of representatives of African tribes are a kind of “passport” by which you can learn almost everything about a person. But among the people of Mbororo, this is a sign of beauty.

A boy from one of the Ethiopian Banna tribes is being prepared to participate in the rite of "bull jumping".

The essence of this ceremony is that a young man, eager to find a bride this year, must run naked on the backs of bulls several times in a row. Only then can he marry.

Hamar people, Ethiopia

Hamar people are one of the most beautiful representatives of Ethiopia. They are especially distinguished by their outlandish hairstyles that they wear all their lives. Usually, male hamars leave a tuft of their hair at the top of their head, and the rest is cut off and fixed with clay, ocher and sheep fat. They always have a special high chair for their heads in order to sleep better with such hair.

And here is what the hamar women hairstyle looks like

Women of the Mursi people who are doomed to wear beaded beads all their lives. Just imagine, such beads can weigh from 6 to 8 kilograms.

Himba people, Namibia

One of the features of this ancient people is their sculpted hairstyles on their heads. It was they who glorified this tribe outside the country. But the inhabitants of the tribe did not come up with such intricate bundles of their hair (and not only) on purpose - the unbearable heat of the lands where they live are to blame for this.

Tribes of Uganda

Scarification is a common and terribly painful procedure among many African tribes. But if earlier they did it to distinguish their own people from strangers, now the same convex scars on the body have become an exotic decoration of their appearance.

Masai, Kenya

The Masai have a rare custom of initiation when men (30 to 40 years old) finally come of age. To show their joy at the event, they dance, jumping high up.

Mursi and Suri tribes, Ethiopia and Kenya

These two tribes still practice a strange tradition - plates in the lips. Only women wear this attribute, from adolescence. Over time, the diameter of the plate increases and reaches 4 centimeters. Why do they do it? Researchers still cannot give an exact answer. But the main assumption is, once again, for the sake of beauty.

Surma, Ethiopia

Representatives of this tribe can rightly be considered the most original decorators of their bodies. They paint themselves with bright colors (but most often white and orange colors) with or without it. It is believed that some mysterious message is hidden in these wavy patterns. But is it really so, no one knows.

Beauty contest in Niger

The traditional beauty pageant among African tribes is different from similar contests that we are used to seeing. Here, guys are fighting for the title of handsome, and girls are the judges. To win the heart of a lady, Africans have a hard time. They carefully select their makeup and outfit, which will definitely symbolize something. The reward is an unlimited number of girls they like, with whom they can live for a whole month.

Beauty standard from the Bodi tribe, Ethiopia

The main handsome man and a favorite among all the ladies of the Bodi tribe will be the one who will have the biggest belly. And it's not a joke. This nation even has a special competition for young people who are diligently gaining weight, so that later they can show off their treasure to everyone. The fatter you are, the richer and prettier you are.

Representatives of the Masai tribe and their way of greeting

For the Masai, spitting symbolizes greeting and respect. Often mothers and fathers practice this procedure with babies as well. Thus, they show their happiness and wish the child health and longevity.