South African Tribes
Are there a number of tribes or just one?
From my research I have found there is about 9 tribes in south Africa including the:
Zulu - Population: 10.6 million
Area: South Africa Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.
Language: Zulu
Xhosa - Population: 8,104,752
Area: South Africa
Language: Xhosa
Tsonga - Population: 4.6 million
Area: Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland
Language: Tsonga, Portuguese, English
Afrikaner Population: 3.0 million
Area: South Africa, Namibia
Language: Afrikaans
Swazi - Population: 2,482,046
Area: Swaziland and South Africa
Language: Bantu Nguni
South Ndebele - Population: 0.7 million
Area: South Africa
Language: Southern Ndebele
Venda - Population: 558,797
Area: South Africa, bordering Zimbabwe
Language: Venda English Afrikaans
San - Population: 0.09 million
Area: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola
Language: Khoisan
Tswana - Population: unknown
Area: Bantu
Language: Bantu
Many of them are in different countries as well.
Which tribe seems to be more dominant?
According to my research the Zulu tribe seems the most dominant tribe in South Africa because it is the largest tribe in South Africa. It also conquered the most powerful neighboring tribe and became the most powerful tribe in the region because of its leader Shaka Zulu a great warrior chief. They were the most dominant tribe until settlers (The British) came with gun powder and muskets
How far back in time did the Zulu originate from?
According to the Zulu they were descendants from a chief in the Congo and in the 16th century they migrated south picking up cultures along the way.
A little about the Zulu:
The Zulu believe in a god called Nkulunkulu and are famous for their beadwork and basketry. They speak a language called Kwazulu and have a population of 3 million. Zulu architechture is actually quite complex and Rural Zulu’s usually raise cattle and plant vegetables. 50 % of Zulu population live in cities and the other 50% live in rural areas. Although the Zulu are officially ruled by the government of South Africa there chiefs are chosen because of their bloodline.