Africa is incredibly rich in tradition. They are honored by numerous tribes who still preserve the identity of their own cultures. They are very far from civilization. That is why tourists with such interest go on trips across the continent, photographing so different and dissimilar Aboriginal people. It should be said that most local citizens even learned to take money for photographs and are not afraid to pose for the camera. Researchers are most interested in women in Africa. The article will discuss their traditions and strange customs. Women of the wild tribes of Africa deserve special attention.
Mingi are the wrong kids
Alas, women in Africa do not value their children as civilized people do. For example, it is forbidden to have illegitimate children in the tribes of the Omo Valley. If a woman is not pregnant by her spouse, she is required to have an abortion or kill a newborn.
Getting pregnant even from a husband also needs to be “right.” Women are required to undergo many rites and receive the blessing of the elders. If at least one requirement is not met, the child acquires the status of minga. The natives are sure that the mingas bring trouble to the tribe, so they must be put to death immediately after birth.
In some tribes, children with blue eyes and pigmentation disorders are also considered “wrong”.
Division of labor
Most heavy household chores are on the shoulders of women and children. Men are only allowed to milk goats and sheep. Their duties also include collecting honey and repairing the roof.
Most tourists coming to Africa are always amazed at how light women carry heavy loads on their heads while their men walk alongside. The thing is that the responsibilities of both sexes are clearly divided in the communities, which helps to maintain the well-being of not only the family, but also the entire tribe. African women are proud of their physical strength, and an offer to help from a man’s lips will be an insult to them.
It is worth noting that a clear division of labor is another tradition that the tribes sacredly honor. For example, in Central Africa, the fairer sex is forbidden to climb palm trees for coconuts, as this can bring the wrath of spirits to the whole tribe.
Female circumcision
The wild women of Africa still endure initiation, or circumcision. This is a terrifying procedure for girls aged ten years and over. It is carried out in unsanitary conditions and is very painful. However, African tribes continue to practice circumcision, as this is a tradition. They argue that this is a small price for women's happiness, because no one will marry a woman who is not a disfigured one. It is noteworthy that even in Egypt, despite the ban, initiation continues to be carried out.
What do natives wear?
As can be seen in numerous photos, women mostly wear loincloths. Most often they are made of cattle skin. Due to the fact that they leave their breasts naked, it seems that women in African tribes do not wear clothes at all. But this is not so. They cover their hips and are very fond of various decorations. They make most of them on their own.
Some tribes wear cloth clothes. For example, the Masai prefer outfits that are somewhat reminiscent of Roman togas.
Himba
You can see above in the photo a woman of the tribe of Africa called himba ("beggars").
They live in the northwest of Namibia, in the Kakoland desert. At the moment, there are from 20 to 45 thousand. This is a nomadic people living in clan families. They do not know the written language. Sometimes they form small villages. They are only engaged in cattle breeding. Their cows are animals of a special breed that differ in thinness, but can do without water for a long time.
It is here that you can meet the most beautiful women in Africa. Their skin is ideal due to the composition that they apply daily to the body, facial features are much more attractive than those of the weaker sex of other tribes.
Since ancient times, women of the tribe have smeared their faces with a mixture of butter, whipped from milk, various plant elixirs, and also crushed into the finest powder of bright red volcanic pumice. The ointment maintains the necessary level of hygiene, helps protect the skin from insects and sunlight. Instead of perfume, women often use the resin of the omuzumba shrub growing on the dunes. Headgear varies depending on status. So, unmarried girls wear something like a crown on their heads.
Girls become brides at 8 years old. During this period, they can already be redeemed, however, as the bride grows older, the price for her increases.
Women do most of the hard work and livestock. And although the leader is a man, they also have their rights. Himba believe that it was from a woman that the human race began.
Masai
Masai are a relatively few people (no more than millions of people), living in the vicinity of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, they also move freely around the countries.
All the hard work is done mainly by women and children. Men should not be engaged in farming, because they are primarily considered warriors.
Masai women at the age of 14-16 undergo a ceremony of initiation (circumcision). This is a rather painful procedure, but after it the girl can get married. This people has a peculiar idea of beauty.
Holes in the ears in early childhood are burned with pointed smoldering sticks, and then stretched with pieces of bamboo. The larger the hole in the earlobe, the more respect and honor from fellow tribesmen. The more jewelry on the body, the more wealth a woman has.
Mursi - the most unusual tribe in Africa
The Mursi tribe living in Ethiopia is one of the most aggressive. Although their hostility to tourists is easily explainable, they are examined and photographed like monkeys in a circus. However, this does not stop them from taking money for posing.
Women of the tribe are known for wearing plates resembling clay saucers in their lips. The size of the disk, as a rule, indicates the social status of the girl and the number of cattle that the man will receive in case of matchmaking. A girl cuts her lower lip at a young age, the plates are regularly changed. On wedding day they are replaced with clay saucers. At the same time, two teeth of the lower row are knocked out so that they do not knock on the plate. When a woman eats, she has to clean the saucer.
Also, women wear peculiar convex tattoos on their bodies. They are made as follows: the skin is incised and insect larvae are placed inside the body. When the larvae die, covered with connective tissue, tubercles remain on the surface of the skin.
Hamer - beats, then loves
This unique tribe lives in southern Ethiopia. It is one of the most contact ones, so much is known about its customs. One of the traditions of the tribe throws many tourists into shock - men must beat their wives. This testifies to their love for the chosen ones. Scars are an indicator of female strength. The more marks on the woman’s body, the more beautiful she is considered. Tourists note that during the ritual beating, the girls stoically endure blows and even rejoice at them, although their backs resemble a bloody mess. After the ceremony, they can get married.
Polygamy is common here. A man chooses a woman who gives birth to his children. When she cannot fulfill this duty, he takes the next wife. Often women are much younger than their spouses, since the girl is considered a bride, she is barely 12 years old.
Tsamai and family customs
Most women in Africa should remain virgin until marriage. However, a Tsamai from the Omo Valley does not require this. But their connection to the two must be kept secret. If sex leads to pregnancy, the couple must marry.
But more often than not, the parents choose the future husband. In this case, no one is interested in the opinion of the girl. It’s not easy to “buy” a bride for livestock, so all relatives often help a bonfire man to gather. By the way, those who are in kinship are strictly forbidden to marry.
During the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds shave their heads and grease them with fat. They are exempted from work for 6-12 months.
Tuaregs - the freest young ladies in the world
As you can see, African women are not always blacks. This is a people living in the Sahara. Researchers believe that the Tuaregs are descendants of the Berbers - Zenaga. This is a Caucasian race, partially mixed with the African and Arab populations of Africa. This explains the fact that representatives of the people often have European facial features and bright eyes.
Their religion is Islam, but they have preserved pre-Islamic traditions. For example, true Tuareg marries only once, although polygamy is permitted in Islam.
Men are known as wonderful warriors and merchants. But it is their wives who know the property - they own housing and livestock. After a divorce, the spouse often has only one camel.
Here women enjoy a special position. From early childhood, they learn to write and read, while a man is allowed to remain illiterate. In this case, it is the representatives of the stronger sex that should cover the face with tissue. The bedspread is not removed even while eating or sleeping.
Women also have complete sexual freedom and are free to have as many lovers as they wish before marriage. After marriage, they are also allowed to have friends.
