The Many Ethnic Groups and Languages of Africa

The Many Ethnic Groups and Languages of Africa - The Most Diverse Continent

This is a blog post about the ethnic groups of Africa which is a continent that consists of over 50 countries and has thousands of ethnic groups.

What I have noticed about ethnic groups is that there no clear definition of what they are.

That's what I am noticing in countries in general.

In regards to Africa, I am seeing names of specific ethnic groups like Wolof, Mandinka, Fulani being listed for certain countries, and those ethnic groups are in multiple countries.

I am also seeing nationalities being listed for ethnic groups like Somali for Djibouti.

I am seeing the continental backgrounds like African, European for Cabo Verde which is where my maternal grandfather's paternal grandparents immigrated to USA from when it was still a Portuguese colony.

Of course, there is stuff like Bantu, Berbers, Arabs for ethnic groups

I see color race names listed for ethnic groups like White for Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. The color race names make no sense any way for human beings are far too diverse to be pinned down to color names. The vast majority of geneticists and anthropologists agree that race is a social construct and not biological. All modern human DNA is 99.9% identical. There is greater variation in "racial" groups than between "racial" groups. There are variants that "racial groups share with each other. There is far more genetic diversity in Africa than anywhere else. Everybody has variants that are found in Africans.

Race is real in a sense. It's deeply engraved in our human consciousness. For centuries, people have mistreated each other because of being perceived as a different race. Many things have manifested from the racist ideologies.

If we want to eradicate racism, then we should educate ourselves and others about human genetics and anthropology.

from Encyclopedia Britannica:

People of Africa

Africa is now widely recognized as the birthplace of the Hominidae, the taxonomic family to which modern humans belong. Archaeological evidence indicates that the continent has been inhabited by humans and their forebears for some 4,000,000 years or more. Anatomically modern humans are believed to have appeared as early as 200,000 years ago in the eastern region of sub-Saharan Africa. Somewhat later those early humans spread into northern Africa and the Middle East and, ultimately, to the rest of the world.

Africa is the most tropical of all the continents; some four-fifths of its territory rests between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. As a consequence, the cultures and the physical variations of the peoples reflect adaptation to both hot, dry climates and hot, wet climates. Dark skin is the dominant characteristic of indigenous African peoples, but skin colour is not uniform. Skin colour shows a clinal variation from a light or tan colour in the northern fringe of the continent, which has a Mediterranean climate, to very dark skin in certain Sudanic regions in western and East Africa, where radiation from the Sun has been most intense. Africa has the most physically varied populations in the world, from the tallest peoples to the shortest; body form and facial and other morphological features also vary widely. It is the continent with the greatest human genetic variation, reflecting its evolutionary role as the source of all human DNA.

Throughout human history there have been movements of peoples (see human migration) within, into, and out of Africa along its northern coasts, across the Sinai Peninsula, along the Red Sea, and especially in the Horn of Africa and coastal areas as far south as Southern Africa. North Africa from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Nile River delta has been the site of conquests and movements of peoples for thousands of years. Along the east coast, trading cities arose and fell, cities that had overseas contacts during the past two millennia with peoples of southern Arabia and as far east as India and Indonesia. Internal movements during that time contributed to the heterogeneity and complexity of native African societies. The greatest movement of peoples out of the continent was a result of the Atlantic slave trade that lasted from the 16th to the 19th century and involved the transport of an estimated 10,000,000 people to the New World. Such a loss of people, together with the devastating warfare and raiding associated with it, was the major cause of the subsequent weakness and decline of African societies.

Whereas the majority of Africa’s peoples are indigenous, European colonial settlers constitute the largest majority of new peoples, with substantial numbers in Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique. Dutch settlers first arrived in South Africa in 1652; their descendants now constitute the main Afrikaner, or Boer, population. The vast majority of European settlers arrived after the 1885 Berlin West Africa Conference and the resulting “scramble for Africa,” during which European leaders carved out spheres of influence. Attendant, but unassociated, with the scramble, French and Italian settlers also established new communities in North Africa and, to some extent, western Africa. Much earlier, in several waves of migrations beginning in the 7th century, Arabs spread across northern Africa and, to a lesser extent, into western Africa, bringing a new religion (Islam) and a new language (Arabic), along with some new cultural and political institutions. They also spread Islam southward along the east coast, largely through trading and kinship relationships. (More detail is given in the regional history articles North Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Western Africa, and Eastern Africa.) The colonial era began to disintegrate in the 1950s.

Culture areas

Although the precise number is unknown, there are several thousand different societies or ethnic groups in Africa. They are identified by their recognition of a common culture, language, religion, and history. But in some areas the boundaries among ethnic groups and communities (villages, towns, farm areas) may not always be clear to the outsider. Most Africans speak more than one language, and frequent migrations and interactions, including intermarriage, with other peoples have often blurred ethnic distinctions. There are an estimated 900 to 1,500 different languages, but many distinct political units share a common or similar language (as among the Yoruba, Hausa, and Swahili-speaking peoples). Complicating the situation in the 20th century was the creation of new “tribes” (such as the Zande [Azande] and Luo) that had not been distinct polities before the colonial era. Ethnic (cultural) identities in modern times have often been heightened, exacerbated, or muted for political reasons.

In their attempts to comprehend such a huge heterogeneous continent, scholars have often tried to divide it into culture areas that represent important geographical and ecological circumstances. Those areas reflect differences in the cultural adaptation of traditional societies to varying natural habitats. For the purposes of this discussion, the principal regions are northern, western, west-central, eastern, and Central and Southern Africa; Madagascar is also included.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa/People

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa

The following is information about ethnic groups and languages from Central Intelligence Agency:

Algeria

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

note: although almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab), only a minority identify themselves as primarily Berber, about 15% of the total population; these people live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers and several other communities; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has officially recognized Berber languages and introduced them into public schools

Languages

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq) https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/algeria/#people-and-society

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/algeria/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria

Angola

Ethnic groups

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Languages

Portuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, Fiote 2.4%, Kwanhama 2.3%, Muhumbi 2.1%, Luvale 1%, other 3.6%; note - data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2014 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/angola/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola

Benin

Ethnic groups

Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.)

Languages

55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba (once counted as a Gur language) and Fulfulde

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/benin/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin

Botswana

Ethnic groups

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%

Languages

Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana

Burkina Faso

Ethnic groups

Mossi 52%, Fulani 8.4%, Gurma 7%, Bobo 4.9%, Gurunsi 4.6%, Senufo 4.5%, Bissa 3.7%, Lobi 2.4%, Dagara 2.4%, Tuareg/Bella 1.9%, Dioula 0.8%, unspecified/no answer 0.3%, other 7.2% (2010 est.)

Languages

Mossi 52.9%, Fula 7.8%, Gourmantche 6.8%, Dyula 5.7%, Bissa 3.3%, Gurunsi 3.2%, French (official) 2.2%, Bwamu 2%, Dagara 2%, San 1.7%, Marka 1.6%, Bobo 1.5%, Senufo 1.5%, Lobi 1.2%, other 6.6% (2019 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burkina-faso/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso

Burundi

Ethnic groups

Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy)

Languages

Kirundi only 29.7% (official); French only 0.3% (official); Swahili only 0.2%; English only 0.1% (official); Kirundi and French 8.4%; Kirundi, French, and English 2.4%, other language combinations 2%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burundi/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi

Cabo Verde

Ethnic groups

Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Languages

Portuguese (official), Krioulo (a Portuguese-based Creole language with two main dialects spoken in Cabo Verde and in the Cabo Verdean diaspora worldwide)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cabo-verde/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde

Cameroon

Ethnic groups

Bamileke-Bamu 24.3%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 21.6%, Biu-Mandara 14.6%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 11%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Grassfields 7.7%, Kako, Meka/Pygmy 3.3%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 2.7%, Southwestern Bantu 0.7%, foreign/other ethnic group 4.5% (2018 est.)

Languages

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cameroon/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameroon

Central African Republic

Ethnic groups

Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peul) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups .1% (2003 est.)

Languages

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/central-african-republic/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic

Chad

Ethnic groups

Sara (Ngambaye/Sara/Madjingaye/Mbaye) 30.5%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.8%, Arab 9.7%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, Bulala/Medogo/Kuka 3.7%, Marba/Lele/Mesme 3.5%, Mundang 2.7%, Bidiyo/Migaama/Kenga/Dangleat 2.5%, Dadjo/Kibet/Muro 2.4%, Tupuri/Kera 2%, Gabri/Kabalaye/Nanchere/Somrai 2%, Fulani/Fulbe/Bodore 1.8%, Karo/Zime/Peve 1.3%, Baguirmi/Barma 1.2%, Zaghawa/Bideyat/Kobe 1.1%, Tama/Assongori/Mararit 1.1%, Mesmedje/Massalat/Kadjakse 0.8%, other Chadian ethnicities 3.4%, Chadians of foreign ethnicities 0.9%, foreign nationals 0.3%, unspecified 1.7% (2014-15 est.)

Languages

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/chad/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad

Comoros

Ethnic groups

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Languages

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili) (Comorian)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/comoros/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethnic groups

more than 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) - make up about 45% of the population

Languages

French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-democratic-republic-of-the/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo

Republic of the Congo

Ethnic groups

Kongo 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)

Languages

French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-republic-of-the/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_the_Congo

Cote D'Ivoire

Ethnic groups

Akan 28.9%, Voltaique or Gur 16.1%, Northern Mande 14.5%, Kru 8.5%, Southern Mande 6.9%, unspecified 0.9%, non-Ivoirian 24.2% (2014 est.)

Languages

French (official), 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cote-divoire/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_Coast

Djibouti

Ethnic groups

Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (mostly Yemeni Arab, also French, Ethiopian, and Italian)

Languages

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/djibouti/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti

Egypt

Ethnic groups

Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)

note: data represent respondents by nationality

Languages

Arabic (official), English, and French widely understood by educated classes

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/egypt/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Ethnic groups

Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/equatorial-guinea/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_Guinea

Eritrea

Ethnic groups

Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.)

note: data represent Eritrea's nine recognized ethnic groups

Languages

Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/eritrea/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethnic groups

predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry

Languages

English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/eswatini/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eswatini

Ethiopia

Ethnic groups

Oromo 35.8%, Amhara 24.1%, Somali 7.2%, Tigray 5.7%, Sidama 4.1%, Guragie 2.6%, Welaita 2.3%, Afar 2.2%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, other 13.5% (2022 est.)

Languages

Oromo (official working language in the State of Oromiya) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official working language of the State of Sumale) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official working language of the State of Tigray) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official working language of the State of Afar) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic (2007 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ethiopia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia

Gabon

Ethnic groups

Gabonese-born 80.1% (includes Fang 23.2%, Shira-Punu/Vili 18.9%, Nzabi-Duma 11.3%, Mbede-Teke 6.9%, Myene 5%, Kota-Kele 4.9%, Okande-Tsogo 2.1%, Pygmy 0.3%, other 7.5%), Cameroonian 4.6%, Malian 2.4%, Beninese 2.1%, acquired Gabonese nationality 1.6%, Togolese 1.6%, Senegalese 1.1%, Congolese (Brazzaville) 1%, other 5.5% (includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian) (2012 est.)

Languages

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gabon/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabon

The Gambia

Ethnic groups

Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.)

Languages

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gambia-the/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gambia

Ghana

Ethnic groups

Akan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%, Guan 3.2%, Grusi 2.7%, Mande 2%, other 1.6% (2021 est.)

Languages

Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% (2010 est.)

note: English is the official language

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana

Guinea

Ethnic groups

Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.)

Languages

French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages

note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/guinea/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Ethnic groups

Balanta 30%, Fulani 30%, Manjaco 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%, unspecified smaller ethnic groups 6% (2015 est.)

Languages

Portuguese-based Creole, Portuguese (official; largely used as a second or third language), Pular (a Fula language), Mandingo

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/guinea-bissau/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea-Bissau

Kenya

Ethnic groups

Kikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% (2019 est.)

Languages

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya

Lesotho

Ethnic groups

Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%

Languages

Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesotho

Liberia

Ethnic groups

Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, Krahn 4%, Vai 4%, Mandingo 3.2%, Gbandi 3%, Mende 1.3%, Sapo 1.3%, other Liberian 1.7%, other African 1.4%, non-African 0.1% (2008 est.)

Languages

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia

Libya

Ethnic groups

Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Italian, Maltese, Pakistani, Tunisian, and Turkish)

Languages

Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/libya/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya

Madagascar

Ethnic groups

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Languages

Malagasy (official) 99.9%, French (official) 23.6%, English 8.2%, other 0.6% (2018 est.)

note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/madagascar/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar

Malawi

Ethnic groups

Chewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.)

Languages

English (official), Chewa (common), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao

note: Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects; Nkhonde and Nyakyusa are mutually intelligible dialects

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/malawi/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi

Mali

Ethnic groups

Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.)

Languages

French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.)

note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to its official language

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mali/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali

Mauritania

Ethnic groups

Black Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Berber descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%

Languages

Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French; note - the spoken Arabic in Mauritania differs considerably from the Modern Standard Arabic used for official written purposes or in the media; the Mauritanian dialect, which incorporates many Berber words, is referred to as Hassaniya

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mauritania/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritania

Mauritius

Ethnic groups

Indo-Mauritian (compose approximately two thirds of the total population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian

note: Mauritius has not had a question on ethnicity on its national census since 1972

Languages

Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, one of the two official languages of the National Assembly, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mauritius/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius

Morocco

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy); note - the proportion of Berber speakers is disputed

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco

Mozambique

Ethnic groups

African 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.)

Languages

Makhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Tsonga 8.6%, Nyanja 8.1, Sena 7.1%, Lomwe 7.1%, Chuwabo 4.7%, Ndau 3.8%, Tswa 3.8%, other Mozambican languages 11.8%, other 0.5%, unspecified 1.8% (2017 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mozambique/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique

Namibia

Ethnic groups

Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Languages

Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4% (also a common language), Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.)

note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/namibia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia

Niger

Ethnic groups

Hausa 53.1%, Zarma/Songhai 21.2%, Tuareg 11%, Fulani (Peuhl) 6.5%, Kanuri 5.9%, Gurma 0.8%, Arab 0.4%, Tubu 0.4%, other/unavailable 0.9% (2006 est.)

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/niger/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger

Nigeria

Ethnic groups

Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9% (2018 est.)

note: Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups

Languages

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria

Rwanda

Ethnic groups

Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy)

Languages

Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1, English (official) <0.1, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/rwanda/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda

Saint Helena, Ascension, Tristan da Cunha

Ethnic groups

African descent 50%, White 25%, Chinese 25%

Languages

English

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-helena-ascension-and-tristan-da-cunha/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Helena,_Ascension_and_Tristan_da_Cunha

Sao Tome and Principe

Ethnic groups

Mestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese)

Languages

Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/#people-and-societ

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_and_Pr%C3%ADncipe

Senegal

Ethnic groups

Wolof 39.7%, Pular 27.5%, Serer 16%, Mandinka 4.9%, Jola 4.2%, Soninke 2.4%, other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2019 est.)

Languages

French (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegal

Seychalles

Ethnic groups

predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations

Languages

Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/seychelles/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Ethnic groups

Temne 35.4%, Mende 30.8%, Limba 8.8%, Kono 4.3%, Korankoh 4%, Fullah 3.8%, Mandingo 2.8%, Loko 2%, Sherbro 1.9%, Creole 1.2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), other 5% (2019 est.)

Languages

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sierra-leone/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone

Somalia

Ethnic groups

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)

Languages

Somali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/somalia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalia

South Africa

Ethnic groups

Black African 80.9%, Colored 8.8%, White 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% (2021 est.)

note: colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years

Languages

isiZulu (official) 25.3%, isiXhosa (official) 14.8%, Afrikaans (official) 12.2%, Sepedi (official) 10.1%, Setswana (official) 9.1%, English (official) 8.1%, Sesotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga (official) 3.6%, siSwati (official) 2.8%, Tshivenda (official) 2.5%, isiNdebele (official) 1.6%, other (includes Khoi, Nama, and San languages) 2%; note - data represent language spoken most often at home (2018 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa

South Sudan

Ethnic groups

Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.)

note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies

Languages

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan

Sudan

Ethnic groups

Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Ingessana, Uduk, Fallata, Masalit, Dajo, Gimir, Tunjur, Berti; there are over 500 ethnic groups

Languages

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sudan/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan

Tanzania

Ethnic groups

mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African

Languages

Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages; note - Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/tanzania/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzania

Togo

Ethnic groups

Adja-Ewe/Mina 42.4%, Kabye/Tem 25.9%, Para-Gourma/Akan 17.1%, Akposso/Akebu 4.1%, Ana-Ife 3.2%, other Togolese 1.7%, foreigners 5.2%, no response 0.4% (2013-14 est.)

note: Togo has an estimated 37 ethnic groups

Languages

French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togo

Tunisia

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight); note - despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/tunisia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia

Uganda

Ethnic groups

Baganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.)

Languages

English (official language, taught in schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uganda/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda

Zambia

Ethnic groups

Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Languages

Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)

note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zambia/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia

Zimbabwe

Ethnic groups

African 99.4% (predominantly Shona; Ndebele is the second largest ethnic group), other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2012 est.)

Languages

Shona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English (official; traditionally used for official business), 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa)

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zimbabwe/#people-and-society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe

Decoloniality and Genetic Ancestry: Situating the "African Genome"

webinar

https://elsihub.org/video/decoloniality-and-genetic-ancestry-situating-african-genome

Africans are NOT "Black." The Many Races of Africa

Across the Atlantic and Back: African Human Genomics Comes Full Circle

ASHG 2022 Presidential Symposium: African Genomics

Sarah Tishkoff (U. Pennsylvania) Part 1: African Genomics: Human Evolution

Sarah Tishkoff (U. Pennsylvania) Part 2: African Genomics: African Population History

Sarah Tishkoff (U. Pennsylvania) Part 3: African Genomics: Natural Selection

Genetic/Genomic Research

African Genome Variation Project

https://www.sanger.ac.uk/collaboration/african-genome-variation-project/

How the origin of the KhoiSan tells us that ‘race’ has no place in human ancestry

https://theconversation.com/how-the-origin-of-the-khoisan-tells-us-that-race-has-no-place-in-human-ancestry-53594

Chad Genetic Diversity Reveals an African History Marked by Multiple Holocene Eurasian Migrations

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5142112/

Ancient genome from Africa sequenced for the first time

https://phys.org/news/2015-10-ancient-genome-africa-sequenced.html

Ancient Ethiopian genome reveals extensive Eurasian admixture in Eastern Africa

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aad2879

New study identifies Neanderthal ancestry in African populations and describes its origin

https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/01/30/new-study-identifies-neanderthal-ancestry-african-populations-and-describes-its

Sequencing of African populations aims to make genomics more representative

https://www.pnas.org/post/journal-club/sequencing-african-populations-aims-make-genomics-more-representative

Genetic Variation and Adaptation in Africa: Implications for Human Evolution and Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4067985/

Major new study unveils complexity and vast diversity of Africa’s genetic variation

https://theconversation.com/major-new-study-unveils-complexity-and-vast-diversity-of-africas-genetic-variation-150090

Whole-genome sequence analysis of a Pan African set of samples reveals archaic gene flow from an extinct basal population of modern humans into sub-Saharan populations

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6485163/

High-depth African genomes inform human migration and health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7759466/

Genetic differentiation in East African ethnicities and its relationship with endurance running success

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9119534/

Dense sampling of ethnic groups within African countries reveals fine-scale genetic structure and extensive historical admixture

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abq2616

Larger Genetic Differences Within Africans Than Between Africans and Eurasians

https://academic.oup.com/genetics/article/161/1/269/6049925

Ancient DNA and deep population structure in sub-Saharan African foragers

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04430-9

Ancient DNA illuminates how humans travelled and interacted in Stone Age Africa

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00479-8

Africa’s people must be able to write their own genomics agenda

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03028-3

How unlocking the secrets of African DNA could change the world

https://www.ft.com/content/eed0555c-5e2b-11ea-b0ab-339c2307bcd4

African genetic diversity provides novel insights into evolutionary history and local adaptations

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6061870/

Entwined African and Asian genetic roots of medieval peoples of the Swahili coast

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05754-w

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF AFRICAN POPULATIONS: HUMAN EVOLUTION AND COMPLEX DISEASE

https://www.uvm.edu/~rsingle/stat395/S04/papers/Tishkoff+Williams-NatRevGenetics-02.pdf

Expansive genetic diversity in Africa revealed

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/expansive-genetic-diversity-africa-revealed

Important gene variants found in certain African populations

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191031112533.htm

The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24394165_The_Genetic_Structure_and_History_of_Africans_and_African_Americans

The genetic diversity in Africa is greater than in any other region in the world

https://blogs.bcm.edu/2018/07/19/genetic-diversity-in-africa-is-greater-than-in-any-other-region-in-the-world/

Sequence three million genomes across Africa

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00313-7

Dense sampling of ethnic groups within African countries reveals fine-scale genetic structure and extensive historical admixture

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abq2616

African genetic diversity provides novel insights into evolutionary history and local adaptations

https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/27/R2/R209/4993963

Landmark Study Looks at Genetics of Africans, African Americans

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/landmark-study-looks-genetics-africans-african-americans

AFRICAN GENETIC DIVERSITY: Implications for Human Demographic History, Modern Human Origins, and Complex Disease Mapping

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953791/

Ancient African empires’ impact on migration revealed by genetics

https://www.newswise.com/articles/ancient-african-empires-impact-on-migration-revealed-by-genetics

Larger Genetic Differences Within Africans Than Between Africans and Eurasians

https://academic.oup.com/genetics/article/161/1/269/6049925

Africans have world's greatest genetic variation

Africans have more genetic variation than anyone else on Earth, according to a new study that helps narrow the location where humans first evolved, probably near the South Africa-Namibia border.

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30502963

Genetics and the African Past

https://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-143;jsessionid=B412AB3AD295C6D358468BA7BA83112B

African evolutionary history inferred from whole genome sequence data of 44 indigenous African populations

https://genomebiology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13059-019-1679-2

Evaluating the promise of inclusion of African ancestry populations in genomics

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-019-0111-x

The genetics of East African populations: a Nilo-Saharan component in the African genetic landscape

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep09996

Major new study unveils complexity and vast diversity of Africa’s genetic variation

More than three million new genetic variants discovered, details of migration and expansion of groups across the continent found

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/major-new-study-unveils-complexity-and-vast-diversity-of-africa-s-genetic-variation-74352