The continent of Africa is inhabited by over a billion people in 54 countries. There are around 3,000 ethnic groups from diverse groups of varying degrees all across the continent. Much of the population comprises people from ten ethnic groups — making up roughly 30 percent of the African population. These tribes are very popular in Africa, and if you’re from Africa, chances are you might be native to one of these tribes. Here are the ten largest tribes in Africa by their population density.
Related media: Top 10 Largest Tribes In Africa
#10. Hutu
Origin: Bantu region;
Nativity: Rwanda 🇷🇼 Burundi 🇧🇮
Language: Rwanda-Rundi;
Population: roughly 20 million people;
The tribal members are mainly Rwandan or Burundian people — a combined 85 percent of people in both countries are Hutus. They share a similar culture with the neighboring Tutsi and Twa tribes — such as language, food, and customs. However, a small portion of the Hutus speaks French. The Hutus and Tutsis lived together for years in harmony, until the European’s invasion of the tribes led to their sudden political uprising. If their names ring a bell, these were the tribes that were involved in the Rwandan Genocide.
Famous personalities include; the presidents of Rwanda (Paul Kagame) and Burundi, among several professionals.
Let us know if you’re a Hutu.
#9. Somali
Origin: Horn of Africa;
Nativity: Somalia 🇸🇴 (that is where the majority are) Djibouti 🇩🇯 Ethiopia 🇪🇹 and Kenya 🇰🇪
Language: Somali, which is a Cushitic language.
Population: roughly 20 million people;
Famous personalities include; Canadian-based rap artist K’naan, renowned economist Abdusalam, and US House member Ilhan Omar, among several presidents of Somalia.
Let us know if you’re a Somali.
#8. Akan
Origin: Nile civilization, around Egypt or Nubia;
Nativity: Ghana 🇬🇭 Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
Language: Twi, including varieties like Asante, Akyeam, Akuapem, Bono, Fante, and so on.
Population: roughly 20 million people;
Famous personalities include; Nobel Peace Prize award-winner and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Pan-African movement leader Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanaian international footballer Asamoah Gyan, among several others.
Let us know if you’re an Akan.
Fun fact: Did you know that Factionary CEO is an Akan member.
#7. Amhara
Origin: Central highland plateau in Ethiopia;
Nativity: Ethiopia 🇪🇹
Language: Amharic;
Population: roughly 20 million people;
Famous personalities include; Emperor Selaise, Olympic gold medalist Gabriel Selaise, among athletes, and several government officials.
Let us know if you’re an Amhara.
#6. Fulani
Origin: somewhere around present-day Jordan
Nativity: Nigeria 🇳🇬 Mali 🇲🇱 Niger 🇳🇪 Guinea 🇬🇳 Cameroon 🇨🇲 Senegal 🇸🇳 and Chad 🇹🇩
Language: Fula;
Population: roughly 40 million people;
Famous personalities include; the President of Cameroon, Ahmadou Ahidjo, and the President of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari, among others.
Let us know if you’re a Fulani.
#5. Oromo
Origin: probably native to the Ethiopian region;
Nativity: Ethiopia 🇪🇹
Language: Oromo;
Population: roughly 40 million people;
Famous personalities include; the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, and the current President as well.
Let us know if you’re an Oromo.
#4. Amazigh
Origin: inhabited the Maghreb region;
Nativity: Morocco 🇲🇦 Algeria 🇩🇿 also found in Tunisia 🇹🇳 Libya 🇱🇾 Egypt 🇪🇬 Mali 🇲🇱 Mauritania 🇲🇷 and Niger 🇳🇪
Language: Amazigh, but chiefly speaking Arabic;
Population: roughly 40 million people;
Famous personalities include; Juba II, King of Mauretania Caesariensis, Jugurtha, King of Numidia, and Ahmed Ouyahia, four-time prime minister of Algeria. Professional footballers like Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema are Amazigh people.
Let us know if you’re an Amazigh.
#3. Yoruba
Origin: Ancient Yorubaland;
Nativity: Nigeria 🇳🇬 Benin 🇧🇯
Language: Yoruba, part of the Niger-Congo family of languages;
Population: roughly 47 million people;
Famous personalities include; Nollywood actors and actresses, politicians, and former heads of state of Nigeria, including former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Let us know if you’re a Yoruba.
#2. Igbo
Origin: Nsukka region of Igboland;
Nativity: Nigeria 🇳🇬 Guinea 🇬🇳
Language: Igbo;
Population: roughly 45 million people;
Famous personalities include; the first President of Nigeria, …, Nigerian writer and novelist Chinua Achebe, former professional footballers Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha.
Let us know if you’re an Igbo.
#1. Hausa
Origin: Hausa Kingdoms;
Nativity: mainly in Nigeria 🇳🇬 but sizable numbers are found in Niger 🇳🇪 Benin 🇧🇯 Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 Sudan 🇸🇩 Ghana 🇬🇭 Chad 🇹🇩 Togo 🇹🇬 Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 and Algeria 🇩🇿
Language: Hausa;
Population: roughly 74 million people;
Famous personalities include; many Sultans of Sokoto, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, and current Nigerian international footballer Ahmed Musa.
Let us know if you’re a Hausa.
Which other tribe in Africa do you think we should have mentioned? Let us know.
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Written by: Nana Kwadwo, Tue, Apr 05, 2022.