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1996 map of the major ethnolinguistic groups of Africa, by the
Library of Congress Geography and Map Division (substantially based on G.P. Murdock,
Africa, its peoples and their cultural history, 1959). Color-coded are major 15 ethnolinguistic super-groups, as follows:
Afro-Asiatic
Hamitic (Berber, Cushitic) + Semitic (Ethiopian, Arabic)
Hausa (Chadic)
Niger Congo
Bantu
"Guinean" (Volta-Niger, Kru)
"Western Bantoid" (Senegambian, Bak)
"Central Bantoid" (Gur)
"Eastern Bantoid" (Southern Bantoid)
Mande
Nilo-Saharan (unity doubtful)
Nilotic
Central Sudanic+Eastern Sudanic
Kanuri
Songhai
other
Khoi-San (unity doubtful; Khoikhoi, San, Sandawe, Hadza)
Malayo-Polynesian (Malagasy)
Indo-European (Afrikaaner)
The ethnic groups of Africa number in the thousands, each generally having its own language (or dialect of a language) and culture. The ethnolinguistic groups include various Afro-Asiatic, Indo-European, Khoisan, Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan populations.
Overview
Lua error in Module:Details at line 30: attempt to call field '_formatLink' (a nil value). The official population count of the various ethnic groups in Africa has in some instances been controversial because certain groups believe populations are fixed to give other ethnicities numerical superiority (as in the case of Nigeria's Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo people).[1][2][3] The following ethnic groups number 10 million people or more:
Central Africa
Horn of Africa
North Africa
Southeast Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
- Ethnic groups of Rivers State in Nigeria
- Yoruba in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone (c. 40 million)
- Hausa in Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Chad and Sudan (c. 35 million)
- Igbo in Nigeria (c. 32 million)
- Mande peoples in The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Niger, Mauritania and Chad (c. 30 million)
- Akan in Ghana and Ivory Coast (c. 20 million)
- Fula in Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Chad (c. 20 million)
List of African populations
Central Africa
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Aka |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Aka |
Central/Northern |
Western Central African Republic, Northwest Congo |
|
The Aka are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Baka |
Pygmy |
Baka |
Central/Northern |
Western Equatoria in South Sudan |
0.25 |
There is also another ethnic group called Baka living across West Africa. |
Banda |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Banda language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Chewa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chichewa |
Central/Southern |
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
9 |
|
Chokwe |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chokwe |
Central |
Angola, Congo (Kinshasa), Zambia |
1.1 |
|
Efé |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Efe |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Efe are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Gbaya |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Gbaya language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Kongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Republic of the Congo |
10 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Lingala |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Lingala |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Angola, Central African Republic |
|
|
Luba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luba-Kasai, Luba-Katanga |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
13 |
|
Kotoko |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Lagwan |
Chad Basin |
Cameroon, Chad |
< 1 |
|
Mbunda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mbúùnda, Chimbúùnda, Mpuun |
Central |
Angola, Zambia |
0.5 |
|
Mbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kimbundu |
Central |
Angola |
2.4 |
|
Moghamo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Moghamo |
Central/West |
Cameroon |
0.018 |
|
Mongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
12 |
|
Ngamambo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Ngamambo |
Central/West |
Cameroon |
0.011 |
|
Ovimbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Umbundu |
Central |
Angola |
4.6 |
|
Sara |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Sara |
Chad Basin |
Chad,[6] Cameroon,[9] Central African Republic[10] |
3.5 |
|
Sua |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Sua |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Sua are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Zande |
Niger–Congo, Ubangian |
Zande |
Chad Basin |
South Sudan,[11] Central African Republic[8] |
1-4 |
|
Zaghawa |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Saharan |
Zaghawa |
Chad Basin |
Chad, Sudan |
< 1 |
|
Horn of Africa
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Afar |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Afar |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea |
1.5 |
|
Agaw |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Agaw |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia, Eritrea |
1 |
|
Amhara |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Amharic |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia |
24 |
|
Beja |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Beja |
Horn of Africa |
Sudan, Eritrea |
2 |
|
Bilen |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Bilen |
Horn of Africa |
Eritrea |
0.2 |
|
Gurage |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Gurage |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia |
1.9 |
|
Oromo |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Oromo |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya |
30 |
|
Saho |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Saho |
Horn of Africa |
Eritrea, Ethiopia |
0.2 |
|
Sidama |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Sidama |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia |
3 |
|
Somali |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Af Somali |
Horn of Africa |
Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya |
16-19 |
|
Tigray-Tigrinya |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Tigrinya |
Horn of Africa |
Ethiopia, Eritrea |
9 |
|
Tigre |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Af Tigre |
Horn of Africa |
Eritrea, Sudan |
1.5 |
|
North Africa
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Berbers |
Afro-Asiatic, Berber |
Berber |
Maghreb |
Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia |
30+ |
|
Copts |
Afro-Asiatic, Egyptian |
Coptic |
Nile Valley |
Egypt, Sudan |
40 |
|
Egyptians |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Arabic |
Nile Valley |
Egypt |
91 |
|
Fur[12] |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Fur language |
Nile Valley |
Sudan |
1.0 |
|
Maghrebis |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Arabic |
Maghreb |
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya |
88 |
|
Nubians |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Nobiin |
Nile Valley |
Sudan, Egypt |
1.0[12] |
|
Tuareg |
Afro-Asiatic, Berber |
Tuareg |
Maghreb/Sahara |
Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia |
1.2 |
|
Zaghawa |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Saharan |
Zaghawa |
Chad Basin |
Chad, Sudan |
0.2 |
|
East Africa (Great Lakes Region)
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Alur |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Alur |
East/Central |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
|
Anuak |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Anuak |
Southeast/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Acholi |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Acholi |
East |
Uganda, South Sudan |
|
|
Banyoro |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Nyoro (Runyakitara) |
East |
Uganda |
1.4 |
|
Chagga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Bantu |
Kilimanjaro |
Tanzania |
8 |
|
Dinka |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Dinka language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
5 |
|
Ganda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ganda |
East |
Uganda |
3 |
|
Langi |
|Lango, Luo |
Langi |
East |
Uganda |
2.2 |
Hutu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo |
16 |
|
Kamba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kamba |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Kalenjin |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Highland |
Kalenjin |
East |
Kenya |
3 |
|
Kikuyu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Gikuyu |
East |
Kenya |
5.3 |
|
Kwama |
Nilo-Saharan |
Kwama |
East/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Lugbara people |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Lugbara |
East |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
11 |
|
Luo |
Nilo-Saharan, Luo, River-Lake |
Luo |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Luhya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luhya |
East |
Kenya |
5.4 |
|
Maasai |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Maasai |
East |
Kenya, Tanzania |
0.9 |
|
Makonde |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makonde |
Southeast |
Tanzania, Mozambique |
1.3 |
|
Ameru |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Meru |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Nuer |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Nuer language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
3 |
|
Samburu |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Samburu |
East |
Kenya |
0.1 |
|
Shilluk |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Luo |
Shilluk language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
1.5 |
|
Swahili |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Swahili |
East |
Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique |
0.1 |
|
Tutsi |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
3 |
|
Great Lakes Twa (Batwa) |
Pygmy |
Rundi, Kiga |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
0.8 |
|
Southern Africa
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Afrikaner |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa, Namibia |
3.5 |
|
San (Bushmen) |
Khoisan |
Khoisan |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola |
0.09 |
|
Ambo (Ovambo, Owambo) |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ovambo |
South |
Namibia |
0.9 |
|
Bemba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Bemba language |
South |
Zambia |
5.0 |
|
Cape Coloured |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa |
4.7 |
|
Herero |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Herero |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.2 |
|
Wayeyi |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shiyeyi |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.3 |
|
Himba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Otjihimbo (Herero dialect) |
South |
Namibia |
0.05 |
|
Goffal |
Indo-European |
Zimbabwean English |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.03 |
|
Kalanga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
Khoikhoi |
Khoisan |
Khoekhoegowab |
South |
|
- |
|
Makua |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makua |
South/East |
Mozambique, Tanzania |
1.1 |
|
Nambya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
North Ndebele |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Sindebele |
South |
Zimbabwe |
1.5 |
|
South Ndebele |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Southern Ndebele |
South |
South Africa |
0.7 |
|
Shona |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Mozambique, Zimbabwe |
10.6 |
|
Sotho |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Sotho |
South |
Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe (Gwanda District) |
5.3 |
|
Swazi |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique |
3.5 |
|
Tonga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe, Zambia |
2 |
|
Tsonga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts) |
5.5 |
|
Tswana |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tswana |
South |
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe |
4.5 |
|
Venda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Venda |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe |
1 |
|
Xhosa |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Xhosa |
South |
South Africa |
7.9 |
|
Zulu |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Zulu |
South |
South Africa |
10.6 |
|
West Africa
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Akan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Akan |
West |
South Ghana, Ivory Coast |
20 |
An ethnic group of related sub-groups. The largest subgroups are the Ashanti and the Fante |
Aku |
(Creole) |
Aku |
West |
Gambia |
0.01 |
|
Baka |
Niger Congo, Ubangian |
Baka |
West/Central |
Southeastern Cameroon, Northern Congo, Northern Gabon |
0.3-0.4 |
The Baka are also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, or Bibaya, or (along with the other Mbenga peoples) the derogatory Babinga. |
Bambara |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Bambara |
West |
Mali |
3 |
|
Basaa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Basaa |
West |
Cameroon |
0.2 |
|
Bassa |
Niger–Congo, Kru |
Bassa |
West |
Liberia |
0.3 |
|
Beti-Pahuin |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ewondo, Fang, Bulu |
West |
Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe |
3.3 |
group of 20 sub-ethnicities |
Biafada |
Niger–Congo |
Biafada |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.04 |
|
Mole-Dagbani |
Niger–Congo, Gur |
Dagbani |
West |
Ghana, Burkina Faso |
8.6 |
Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba, Mossi, Gurma |
Dendi |
Niger–Congo |
Dendi |
West |
Benin |
0.1 |
|
Edo (also called Bini or Benin) |
Niger–Congo, Edo |
Edo |
West |
Nigeria |
1.6 |
|
Efik |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Ibibio-Efik |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
0.5 |
|
Eket |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Eket (Ibibio dialect) |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
0.3 |
|
Esan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Esan |
West |
Nigeria |
0.5 |
|
Ewe |
Niger–Congo, Gbe |
Ewe |
West |
Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Volta Region (British Togoland), Togoland |
4.8 |
|
Fon |
Niger–Congo |
Fon |
West |
Benin, Nigeria |
3.5 |
|
Fulani |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Fula |
West |
Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Chad, Togo, Ivory Coast |
20 |
|
Ga |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Ga, Ga-Adangme |
West |
Togo, Greater Accra |
2 |
|
Gwari |
|
|
West |
Nigeria |
1 |
|
Hausa |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Hausa |
West/Northern |
Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan |
30-35 |
|
Igbo (Ibo) |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Igbo |
West |
Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea |
30[13] |
Includes various subgroups. |
Ijaw |
Niger–Congo, Ijoid |
Ijaw |
West |
Nigeria |
14[4] |
Sub-groups include Andoni, Ibani, Kalabari, Nembe, Ogbia and Okrika. |
Jola |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Jola, Kriol |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.5 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Mandé |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mandingo |
West/Central |
The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Chad |
13 |
|
Marka |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Marka |
West/Northern |
Mali |
0.4 |
|
Mende |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mende |
West |
Sierra Leone |
2 |
|
Papel |
Niger–Congo |
Papel |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.1 |
|
Serer |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Serer, Cangin |
West |
Found mostly in Senegal and The Gambia. Small number in Mauritania. Also found in the West. |
1.9[14][15] |
The Serer people include: Serer-Sine, Serer-Safene, Serer-Ndut, Serer-Palor, Serer-Niominka, Serer-Laalaa, Serer-Noon. Apart from the Serer-Sine, they speak Cangin languages rather than Serer. |
Songhai[5] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Songhai |
West |
Mali |
5 |
|
Tiv |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tiv |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
2 |
|
Urhobo |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Urhobo |
West |
Nigeria |
1-1.5 |
|
Wolof |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Wolof |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania |
4 |
|
Yoruba |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Yoruba |
West |
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast[16] Sierra Leone[17] |
38 |
|
Zarma[5][18] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Zarma |
West |
Niger |
5 |
|
See also
|
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References
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|
Sovereign states |
|
States with limited
recognition
|
|
Dependencies and
other territories
|
|
de:Liste afrikanischer Sprachen
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Peter Austin, One Thousand Languages (2008), p. 75, books.google.com/books?isbn=0520255607:"Kanuri is a major Saharan language spoken in the Lake Chad Basin in the Borno area of northeastern Nigeria, as well as in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad (where the variety is known as Kanembul[)]."
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Stefan Goodwin, Africas Legacies Of Urbanization (2006),p. 191, books.google.com/books?isbn=0739133489:"...and further west the even more numerous Sara [western Central African Republic, southern Chad, and northern Cameroon."
- ↑ Peoples of Africa: Burkina Faso-Comoros - Volume 2 (2001), p. 86, books.google.com/books?isbn=076147160X:"The Central African Republic is a land of many different peoples... The Sara (SAHR) live in the grain-growing lands of the north as well as across the border in Chad."
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Nigeria at CIA World Factbook: "Igbo 18%" out of a population of 177 million (2014 estimate)
- ↑ Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie. In Senegal alone, estimated figure for 2007 is 1,840,712.1
- ↑ Gambia keep poor records of its ethnic minorities. Estimated Gambian figure is 31,900 (2006) Ethnologue.com
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.