Tribes
There are 9 South African tribes. Pedi,Sotho,Tswana,Venda people,Xhosa,Khoisans,Hottentotts and Zulu.
Pedi
The Pedipeople live in the northern province of South Africa, in Sekhukhune land. The Pedis are known for storytelling. The stories can teach about life and Bapedi culture. Songs are also a part of the culture. The stories are usually told in the evenings but nowadays radio and TV have replaced them. When the Pedis are working in groups they often sing together to finish quick.
Tswana
There are about four millions of Tswanas. Tswana's can be called bantupeople and are also called Bechuans. Their language is called Sechuan.The Tswanas came to South Africa in the 14th century. They became cattlers and farmers. In 1820 Matabele people drove them to the north. During the 19th century Britains and Boers ruled Tswana. The Tswanas is a peaceloving people. Rain is very important to them. Tswanas think that rain brings life and joy.
Xhosa
The Xhosa's often live in “homelands” in Transkei and Ciskei. Xhosa's came wandering from the north some hundred years ago. They settled down. The Xhosa's are cattlers and need a lot of area for their animals. For more than hundred years they have been fighting against European expansion. The Xhosas have a strong tradition of telling stories. The tradition is used for passing on customs, beliefs and moral instruction. They give strength to the family. Elder people often tell the stories at bedtime. Legend says that if a storyteller would tell a story at daytime he or she would get horns.
Khoisans
Khoisan people isthe name of both the Hottentotts and the Bushmen. Hottentotts call themselves khoi and Bushmen call themselves san.
Hottentotts
The word Hottentott is Dutch and means the one who is stamming. The Hottentotts are much like the Bushmen. They almost the same look, culture and language. The Hottentotts also have a lot in common with tribes in east Africa, for example being cattlers and wander around. This people talk with clicks and smacking sounds, just like the Bushmen.
Zulu
The Zulu's came from the north in the 16th century. Their king Shaka found a great empire in the 19th century. Shaka organised his Zulu nation in a military way.The Zulus were very good soldiers. Shaka had a big army mostly armed with assegajs which is a kind of spear and shields.King Shaka has been called the “Black Napoleon”. For many years the great army prevented the British and Dutch conquers. The Zulus were a perfect warmaschine. Dingane, Mzilikaze and Cetewayo took over when Shaka died. The war against the Britains started in 1823 and ended in July 1879. 4300 Englishmen beated 20 000 Zulus. The Zulus soon became forced to work in the white people’s mines and at the farms.
Pedi
The Pedipeople live in the northern province of South Africa, in Sekhukhune land. The Pedis are known for storytelling. The stories can teach about life and Bapedi culture. Songs are also a part of the culture. The stories are usually told in the evenings but nowadays radio and TV have replaced them. When the Pedis are working in groups they often sing together to finish quick.
Tswana
There are about four millions of Tswanas. Tswana's can be called bantupeople and are also called Bechuans. Their language is called Sechuan.The Tswanas came to South Africa in the 14th century. They became cattlers and farmers. In 1820 Matabele people drove them to the north. During the 19th century Britains and Boers ruled Tswana. The Tswanas is a peaceloving people. Rain is very important to them. Tswanas think that rain brings life and joy.
Xhosa
The Xhosa's often live in “homelands” in Transkei and Ciskei. Xhosa's came wandering from the north some hundred years ago. They settled down. The Xhosa's are cattlers and need a lot of area for their animals. For more than hundred years they have been fighting against European expansion. The Xhosas have a strong tradition of telling stories. The tradition is used for passing on customs, beliefs and moral instruction. They give strength to the family. Elder people often tell the stories at bedtime. Legend says that if a storyteller would tell a story at daytime he or she would get horns.
Khoisans
Khoisan people isthe name of both the Hottentotts and the Bushmen. Hottentotts call themselves khoi and Bushmen call themselves san.
Hottentotts
The word Hottentott is Dutch and means the one who is stamming. The Hottentotts are much like the Bushmen. They almost the same look, culture and language. The Hottentotts also have a lot in common with tribes in east Africa, for example being cattlers and wander around. This people talk with clicks and smacking sounds, just like the Bushmen.
Zulu
The Zulu's came from the north in the 16th century. Their king Shaka found a great empire in the 19th century. Shaka organised his Zulu nation in a military way.The Zulus were very good soldiers. Shaka had a big army mostly armed with assegajs which is a kind of spear and shields.King Shaka has been called the “Black Napoleon”. For many years the great army prevented the British and Dutch conquers. The Zulus were a perfect warmaschine. Dingane, Mzilikaze and Cetewayo took over when Shaka died. The war against the Britains started in 1823 and ended in July 1879. 4300 Englishmen beated 20 000 Zulus. The Zulus soon became forced to work in the white people’s mines and at the farms.