Information about the South African republic. National traditions of South Africa, habits and characteristics of local residents

National mentality

South Africa is famous for the endless facets of its culture and the diversity of traditions associated with the intersection of the customs of many peoples inhabiting the country.

South Africans attach great importance to the family, this is a cult beginning. At the same time, the understanding of the family varies from a nuclear family (only parents and children) to a tribal union as the main form of society. Polygamy (polygamy) is officially and traditionally allowed in the country, and cows are required for a ransom for the bride. Girls can marry at a young age, starting at the age of 13-14. According to tradition, permission to marry is given by the leader of the tribe. The main bearer of strength and power in the family is a man. Worship of a male deity is one of the strongest cults among Africans.

Also, the indigenous people, no matter what beliefs they belong to, believe in the transmigration of souls and the presence of supernatural natural forces, have a lot of taboos. It is also customary to believe in tales and legends. So, many do not eat fish and seafood, because, according to legend, the water is dangerous and inhabited by underwater inhabitants.

South Africa famous for the contrasts of his life. This is clearly expressed in the difference between rural and urban views of the world. Villagers tend to honor the traditions of their ancestors, take care of their families, they have a rather narrow vision of reality. City dwellers appreciate success, material values ​​(this is especially true for the residents of Johannesburg). In Cape Town, family ties are more important, although social standing is also important to earn.

The atmosphere of South Africa is quite laid-back, with few hard and fast rules regarding dress, appearance or formal behavior. Ha Punctuality is a characteristic feature of South Africans; being late is regarded as disrespectful and bad manners.

Traditional dwellings of the peoples of South Africa Speaking about the traditions of South Africa, we should talk about customs and rituals based on the traditional beliefs of the indigenous South African tribes, which, despite the continuous mixing and unification of different peoples of Africa and along with the constant suppression of traditional cultures during the long years of apartheid, managed to preserve their traditional culture in the regions they inhabited.
Officially, there are only nine indigenous peoples in South Africa, and if you count all the representatives of the aborigines, you get several dozen. But the main, most striking and numerous peoples are the Zulu, Xhosa and Bantu.

The main type of rural settlement of the indigenous peoples of South Africa is the kraal with collapsible huts set in a circle, forming a square inside, which serves as a corral for livestock. Next to the huts are granaries - pits or huge domed baskets on the scaffolds.

Despite the difference in beliefs of the indigenous peoples of South Africa, they are based on many taboos and belief in the higher forces of nature. Power and control are concentrated in the hands of men. And the strongest cult is the belief in a male deity, as well as in the transmigration of spirits and supernatural powers. In the black faith there is no good and evil. There is no hell and heaven. There is life and there is death. There is also no religious hierarchy, high priests or heads of the clergy. This role is performed by people in each tribe - shamans, healers, elders, even the leader himself. Special traditions accompany marriages and funerals, since all religious groups have strong traditions of marriage and family - all tribes are united in this.

Polygamy is traditionally allowed, and the number of wives is limited by financial condition. For each wife it is necessary to pay a ransom (lobola) - in cows. The average size of a lobola is ten to twelve cows. The number is negotiated during matchmaking, by the families of the young. Girls can marry at a young age, usually at 13 or 14, but according to tradition, permission to marry is given by the leader. A young man, before marrying, must become a man. To do this, he must go through the ritual of initiation, initiation. This usually happens at the age of 15, the time is appointed by the leader. On this day, several young people are dedicated at once. First of all, they are separated from the tribe, settling in wild places. There, the elder who will conduct the initiation tells them what the future man needs to know. Traditionally during this period they live on a semi-starved diet and an act of bravery is expected from them. In some tribes, this could be a hunt for wild animals, or an act of courage.

In this seclusion, young people spend several days. On the day before the ceremony, guests come to them, who sing traditional songs, and the young men perform various dances. The next morning, the boys are led to a river or lake, where they perform a ritual bath. Afterwards, in the presence of relatives and guests, young people are lined up and the head of the ceremony calls them one by one for circumcision, which is performed with a sharp knife, without sterilization or anesthesia. The young man must endure the pain without crying out, after which he becomes a man. The cut off skin must be buried at night so that evil spirits do not find it. This ritual symbolizes farewell to boyishness.
Immediately after circumcision, certain herbs are applied to the wound, after which the guys are returned to the huts, where they make a fire from wet logs, believing that the smoke will help recovery. There they are coated with white clay, a symbol of purity. In this white clay, their skin is until complete recovery after circumcision, a couple of days. Then the new man goes to the river and washes off the white paint, after which he is covered with red clay. Sometimes traditions involve the first night with the girl who later becomes his wife. She must wipe off the new paint from the youth's body with her body. And then - a mountain feast, dances, songs, stories, toasts.

The local tribes strongly believe in stories and legends. According to one of them, underwater inhabitants living at the bottom of reservoirs and rivers drag people under water and make them their slaves forever. Very few manage to escape from this slavery. Therefore, the natives approach the water with caution. Fish and fish products are practically not eaten.
Almost everyone believes in Tokolosh, the pot-bellied brownie. He hides in corners and steals girls. From this house was traditionally built with round walls, without corners.

In each tribe there is also a sangoma - a medicine man and a shaman who is responsible for herbs, curing ailments. The shaman oversees the well-being of the tribe, as the right hand of the leader. Once upon a time, shamans were used by leaders to eliminate objectionable fellow tribesmen. If things went badly in the tribe, they looked for the culprit. It was a sniffing ritual. The whole tribe lined up in the kraal, and the shaman, after a long dance, fell into a trance, then in turn sniffed each standing one. As a result, he found a villain whom the tribe killed. Usually the villain turned out to be an objectionable leader. Killing after the sniffing ritual was perceived as a human sacrifice. In fact, it was partly true. Cannibalism existed at the ritual level. During the battle, the warrior could cut the chest of the stricken enemy and bite off part of the heart. At the same time, the strength and courage of the slain passed into the winner. The burial of the dead began only at the end of the 18th century. Before that, they simply threw the body to be eaten by animals.

Behavior rules

Since many traditions and customs of different peoples intersect in South Africa, the best way to adopt the right course of action is to observe the behavior of the locals and be careful in movements and words.

The clothes chosen by the visitor must be appropriate for the situation. You can stop at sneakers and shorts when going to a picnic or other informal event. In business communication, men have a tie and a suit, women have business, but beautiful dresses, suits.

When meeting men, they exchange the usual handshake, and women, as a rule, kiss each other on the cheek..

When visiting the house of a local resident, the invitee brings with him a small gift - wine or a bouquet of flowers. Any flowers can be chosen, although carnations are sometimes associated with funeral associations. Cigarettes, whiskey, souvenirs with the symbols of the tourist's homeland are also well suited. No need to try to buy the most expensive gift possible, no more than $50.

If the visitor himself received the gift, then it is worth unpacking it right there, and accepting it either with two hands, or only with the right. Leaving uneaten food on the table is not accepted. The full satiety of the guest is demonstrated by the position of the fork and knife next to the plate, and the crossed fork and knife are a sign of an unfinished meal.

Trying to sunbathe completely naked, unless you are on a special nude beach, is not necessary, it can cause an acute negative reaction. Do not forget about correctness in relation to representatives of different races. So, Afrikaners are very offended when they are called "Dutch", and their language is "kitchen Dutch".

Special rules apply to golf clubs common in South Africa. Playing in jeans is unacceptable, suitable clothing is required. Be sure to visit the club bar "halfway house" and eat a sandwich, thereby showing solidarity with other players.

National holidays of South Africa

• January 1 - New Year;
• March 21 - Human Rights Day (Sharpeville Day);
• April 13 - Good Friday;
• April 16 - Family Day;
• April 27 - Constitution Day;
• May 1 - Workers' Day;
• June 16 - Youth Day;
• August 9 - National Women's Day;
• September 24 - Population Day;
• December 16 - Reconciliation Day;
• December 25 - Christmas;
• December 26 - Thanksgiving Day.

South Africa is famous for the endless facets of its culture and the diversity of traditions associated with the intersection of the customs of many peoples inhabiting the country.

South Africans attach great importance to the family, this is a cult beginning. At the same time, the understanding of the family varies from a nuclear family (only parents and children) to a tribal union as the main form of society.

Polygamy (polygamy) is officially and traditionally allowed in the country, and cows are required for a ransom for the bride. Girls can marry at a young age, starting at the age of 13-14. According to tradition, permission to marry is given by the leader of the tribe.

The main bearer of strength and power in the family is a man. Worship of a male deity is one of the strongest cults among Africans.

Also, the indigenous people, no matter what beliefs they belong to, believe in the transmigration of souls and the presence of supernatural natural forces, have a lot of taboos. It is also customary to believe in tales and legends. So, many do not eat fish and seafood, because, according to legend, the water is dangerous and inhabited by underwater inhabitants.

South Africa is famous for the contrasts of its life. This is clearly expressed in the difference between rural and urban views of the world. Villagers tend to honor the traditions of their ancestors, take care of their families, they have a rather narrow vision of reality. City dwellers appreciate success, material values ​​(this is especially true for the residents of Johannesburg). In Cape Town, family ties are more important, although social standing is also important to earn.

The atmosphere of South Africa is quite laid-back, with few hard and fast rules regarding dress, appearance or formal behavior. A characteristic feature of South Africans is punctuality, being late is regarded as disrespectful and bad manners.

Population

In total, South Africa is inhabited by about 49.3 million people. Classification of the population, as a rule, is made on a racial basis, and then on a national basis. Africans in the country prevailing number - 79% of the population. They include representatives of such nationalities as Zulu (38.5%), Sotho (27.5%), Xhosa, Shangaan, Tsonga, Bushmen, Hottentots, Tswana and others.

Unlike most African countries, South Africa has a significant white European population, represented by Afrikaners and Anglo-Americans, about 10%. Basically, Europeans are based in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. 11% of the country's population is made up of Chinese living in the southwestern part of the country, and Indians in coastal areas in the southeast. And Cape Town is marked by a group of Cape Malays in the amount of 0.2 million people.

Today, in South Africa, there are processes of mass emigration of the country's white population, as well as a large number of deaths of the African American population due to disease and high crime rates. Thousands of immigrants from neighboring countries of the African continent (mostly from Zimbabwe) enter the country every year.

The average life expectancy in South Africa is very low, it is only 49 years, and only a few years ago it was 43 years. Unusually, women live on average less than men.

Language

The multinationality of South Africa has also led to linguistic diversity: the country has as many as 11 officially recognized languages, approximately equal in status. In terms of frequency of use, Afrikaans is the leader among others - a distorted form of the Dutch language and English.

One tenth of the population speaks and actively uses the Bantu languages, including Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi. Often South Africans speak several languages ​​at once, including international English, so tourists should have no difficulty in explaining to the local population.

Religion

Mostly the population adheres to the Christian religion (80% of the inhabitants). Approximately one and a half percent are Hindus and Muslims, but there are fewer Jews - only 0.2%. 15% of the country's citizens are not interested in religion at all, considering themselves atheists.

About 5 million people in South Africa are adherents of the traditional beliefs of African tribes, which are based on long lists of taboos and faith in the higher forces of nature.

In general, it is worth noting that South Africa is distinguished by complete freedom of religion, the state in its policy does not interfere in the affairs of various types of churches and confessions.

Behavior rules

Since many traditions and customs of different peoples intersect in South Africa, the best way to adopt the right course of action is to observe the behavior of the locals and be careful in movements and words.

The clothes chosen by the visitor must be appropriate for the situation. You can stop at sneakers and shorts when going to a picnic or other informal event. In business communication, men have a tie and a suit, women have business, but beautiful dresses, suits.

When meeting, men exchange the usual handshake, and women, as a rule, kiss each other on the cheek.

When visiting the house of a local resident, the invitee brings with him a small gift - wine or a bouquet of flowers. Any flowers can be chosen, although carnations are sometimes associated with funeral associations. Cigarettes, whiskey, souvenirs with the symbols of the tourist's homeland are also well suited. No need to try to buy the most expensive gift possible, no more than $50.

If the visitor himself received the gift, then it is worth unpacking it right there, and accepting it either with two hands, or only with the right. Leaving uneaten food on the table is not accepted. The full satiety of the guest is demonstrated by the position of the fork and knife next to the plate, and the crossed fork and knife are a sign of an unfinished meal.

Trying to sunbathe completely naked, unless you are on a special nude beach, is not necessary, it can cause an acute negative reaction. Do not forget about correctness in relation to representatives of different races. So, Afrikaners are very offended when they are called "Dutch", and their language is "kitchen Dutch".

Special rules apply to golf clubs common in South Africa. Playing in jeans is unacceptable, suitable clothing is required. Be sure to visit the club bar "halfway house" and eat a sandwich, thereby showing solidarity with other players.

National holidays of South Africa

• January 1 - New Year;
• March 21 - Human Rights Day (Sharpeville Day);
• April 13 - Good Friday;
• April 16 - Family Day;
• April 27 - Constitution Day;
• May 1 - Workers' Day;
• June 16 - Youth Day;
• August 9 - National Women's Day;
• September 24 - Population Day;
• December 16 - Reconciliation Day;
• December 25 - Christmas;
• December 26 - Thanksgiving Day.

Africa is the second largest continent after Eurasia, hundreds of tribes live on its territory, speak a hundred languages, and practice hundreds of cults. The difference between the traditions of the peoples of South Africa and Ethiopia is like between the Chinese and Russians, for example. Paganism, Islam, several confessions of Christianity, religious syncretism, which combined pantheism with monotheism - all this seethes here, boils and sometimes "splashes out" the most interesting splashes.
However, in the minds of the majority, the entire culture of these peoples is summarized in one phrase: “African traditions”. I'm talking about those that are in circulation in Ethiopia.

Out of marriage - outside the law
Among the tribes of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, while premarital sex is not taboo and is widely practiced at traditional harvest festivals and other festivals, one of the strictest prohibitions is the birth of an illegitimate child - before marriage or in marriage, but not from a husband. The pregnant woman in this case is obliged to get rid of the child by having an abortion or by killing him immediately after childbirth. However, not only the presence of a husband in a woman legitimizes conception and childbirth - the obligatory observance of a whole chain of rituals, blessings and priestly approval is required in order for the born child to be accepted by the community. Otherwise, he will receive the status of a mingi - bringing misfortune to the tribe, marked by the devil - and must also be killed. There are quite a few signs by which a child will become a mingi: the lack of rituals before conception and childbirth, blue eyes, vetiligo, and even the appearance of the first tooth from above, and not from below. Such children in Omo are taken from their mother and taken to the forest or to the river. The taboo against living in a mingi child's village is perhaps one of the strongest in the region.

Away, unclean!
As well as in monotheistic religions, most of the tribes of the Horn of Africa (Somalia and Ethiopia) and Central Africa (Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Angola, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe) have a prohibition for sexual relations with a woman after childbirth. She is considered unclean for 40 days if a boy is born and 80 days if a girl is born. For childbirth, a woman is forced to leave the village for the savannah, and after them she is obliged to live in a separate hut from her husband until she becomes again ritually clean and free for any physical contact.

traditional society
Unconditional and unequivocal taboo are all homosexual relationships, regardless of which African country we are talking about, as well as incest and closely related mixing on the maternal side. In the countries of the Horn of Africa, homosexuality is a criminal offense at the state level, and in pagan tribes, a young man is at best expelled from the village, at worst, they are killed. Scandals related to women are practically unknown in this case, so we can most likely talk about a more loyal attitude of society, and also about a more oppressed position of a woman in this society, who does not have the opportunity to express her sexuality.

Daughters-mothers
There are also many taboos on the relationship between family and daughters. For example, in the Hamar tribe living in the Omo River Valley in Ethiopia, daughters have the status of a shoshi - a temporary guest. And in the neighboring Dassenech tribe, almost all contacts between the daughter and mother are prohibited, and the daughter is completely transferred to the disposal of the husband and his parents. Often this leads to a ban on the daughter touching the mother. There are cases when a deceased woman had no one to bury, because of the heirs she had only daughters who were forbidden to enter the house to her mother. In principle, despite the fact that the birth of girls in a family is considered a great success and a gift from the gods (they are given in marriage, receiving a douri - a ransom, sometimes 20–30 goats, sheep or cows), sons are critically important for parents, because it is with them there is constant contact, spiritual and physical, in contrast to daughters who "cut off" from their parents when they get married.

Give them your right hand
If you ever happen to drink coffee in one of the traditional Ethiopian roadside cafes, you will surely notice not only how structured the coffee ceremony is, but also that you will be served coffee, holding the coffee pot exclusively in your right hand, supporting it under your left wrist. . Change will also be given to you exclusively with your right hand, and they will do it this way everywhere, from the metropolis of Addis Ababa to the very, very wilderness. This tradition speaks of the “purity” of the right hand, therefore all important actions, such as pouring coffee, transferring money, shaking hands, etc., are performed by it, and not by the left, which would be considered disrespectful and bad form.

Forbid them to eat
Another large group of taboos is associated with the prohibition on eating certain types of food. So, for example, in the already mentioned Hamar tribe, in the period between the engagement and the wedding, the groom is completely forbidden to eat plant foods. However, 99% of all food taboos affect women during pregnancy or lactation, or the female gender in general. Such prohibitions in popular beliefs are designed to facilitate pregnancy and childbirth, but in practice they exclude nutrients almost completely.

So, for example, in the Ethiopian highlands and the southern part of the country, among 25 (!) Ethnic groups, white food, that is, milk, fatty meat, potatoes, bananas, porridge, etc., is completely prohibited for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children . By and large, only gray teff, corn, sorghum and a minimum amount of non-white vegetables and fruits are allowed to be eaten. Green hot peppers are also forbidden during this period, as they cause bad breath in both mother and child.

Goats for men, coffee for ladies
In addition to diet, there are certain activities that are unacceptable for women. For example, in the Hamar tribe, it is strictly forbidden for women to milk goats or sheep, collect honey, and cover the hut with grass. In the same way, there are exclusively female activities, such as cooking in jugs (men roast meat on a fire) and brewing coffee. A man who dares to brew coffee will be ridiculed by his fellow tribesmen and his social status in the tribe will be threatened.

Holidays in South Africa can bring a lot of unforgettable experiences. Amazing natural landscapes, plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, unique culture and traditions, beautiful beaches - the Republic of South Africa has a lot to offer the traveler.

Country Information

The Republic of South Africa is located in the very south of the continent. It borders Namibia (in the northwest), Mozambique and Swaziland (in the northeast), Zimbawa and Botswana (in the north). It is washed by the waters of two oceans - the Atlantic (in the west) and the Indian (in the east). South Africa is the most economically developed country in Africa and the only one on the continent that does not belong to the third world countries.

Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial).

Population: 48,601,098 (2013 data)

State structure: parliamentary republic.

Language: South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Tswana, Swazi, Venda, Tsonga.

Religion: The country has freedom of religion. Approximately 80% of the population identifies themselves as Protestant Christians, about 2% as Muslims, and 1.5% as Hindus. 20% profess traditional beliefs (animalism, ancestor cult, fetishism, etc.).

Time: 2 hours behind Moscow time.

Republic of South Africa

Climate

The climate of South Africa has its own distinctive features in each of the provinces. Summer starts in October and ends in March. This period is characterized by sunny and clear weather in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Such contrasts are characteristic of almost all regions of the country, excluding the Cape Provinces, where the greatest amount of precipitation falls in winter (the main cities are Cape Town, Bisho, Kimberley). In contrast, the provinces of Mpulanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal have very dry winters. During the day, the temperature rises to +30 °C, and at night it often drops to +15 °C. In general, in winter (from June to August) it is usually sunny, up to +20 °C, at night the temperature drops to +5 °C.

If you are going on a safari tour in South Africa to see the famous national parks, then it is better to choose the period from May to July - at this time the weather is the most suitable for such trips.

The average daily temperature in the resorts of South Africa

Republic of South Africa

Nature

South Africa has amazing nature. Deserts, savannahs, tropical forests, picturesque valleys, majestic mountain ranges, beautiful beaches of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans - there is something to see here. There are many nature reserves in the country: Umfolozi, Giant Castle, Wilderness, Loteni, Mkuzi, etc. The magnificent national parks Royal Natal, Augrabis, Kalahari-Gemsbok, Kruger, Tugela waterfall (height - 948 m), lakes Santa Lucia and Sibaya - each of these places deserves a visit. Over 20,000 plant species can be seen in South Africa, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Huge baobabs, unique proteas, Cape heather, spurges, boxwoods, various herbs and flowers create the image of the country. The fauna is represented by African elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, antelopes, many species of monkeys, birds, etc. Many representatives of the fauna of South Africa today are on the verge of extinction. They can only be seen in national parks and reserves.

Throughout history in South Africa there has been a mixture of cultures of indigenous peoples, colonialists and migrants, but the traditions and customs of some tribes have survived to our time almost unchanged. They are more common in villages and remote parts of the country. City dwellers consider themselves modern and value material goods more than the traditions of their ancestors. In South Africa, there are few formalities regarding appearance and behavior, but punctuality is of great importance: being late is considered disrespectful.

Republic of South Africa

In each settlement there is a shaman who is turned to for a cure for ailments. This is a very revered person, they often come to him for worldly advice. Traditional wedding ceremonies have been preserved. Girls can get married even at a very young age (13-14 years old), while guys must prove their worth. The groom undergoes initiation: he spends several days in solitude and conversations with the elder. The community expects a feat from him - the extraction of a large hunting trophy or another act of courage (it all depends on the customs of the tribe). On the eve of the wedding, several future husbands perform ritual dances, sing, and in the morning they take a bath in the lake. Then, surrounded by relatives, a rather severe initiation ceremony takes place, and a few days later they play a wedding. A rich feast, toasts, dances, songs are the obligatory components of the holiday. By the way, in many tribes polygamy is allowed. The number of "second halves" depends only on the financial capabilities of the husband. For each wife, it is customary to pay "lobola" - a ransom, usually in the amount of 10-12 cows.

The indigenous peoples of South Africa believe in the higher forces of nature, the transmigration of souls, stories and legends of their ancestors. For example, it is very common to believe that underwater inhabitants live in water bodies, which drag people to the bottom and make them their slaves. Therefore, in some tribes, they are wary of any gifts of the seas and rivers - fish, seafood, etc. There is a widespread belief in Tolokosh - a brownie who hides in dark corners and steals girls. That is why many traditional buildings in South Africa are round, without corners.

Major holidays and events in South Africa: Reconciliation Day (December 16), Youth Day (June 16), National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (in July), Big Living Arts Festival (September-October). The country hosts many exhibitions where you can get acquainted with folk art. The inhabitants of South Africa have very developed traditional crafts: making ceramics, creating jewelry from beads, weaving baskets and mats, and woodcarving. A separate place is occupied by the production of filters for filtering beer (from palm branches and leaves) for the Zulu beer ceremony.

Republic of South Africa

Culture and architecture

The architecture and culture of South Africa intricately combines European and local traditions. "Kraal" - a settlement consisting of a corral for cattle and round or rectangular huts surrounding it. Different nationalities have adopted their own ways of decorating a home. For example, the Ndebele decorate walls with paintings depicting geometric figures, people, animals, etc. In large cities, you can see examples of the so-called "Cape architecture", in which the European style is adapted to African conditions.

South Africa is famous for rock art. In the caves of the Dragon Mountains, images of animals, people and fantastic creatures are still found. The most ancient of them were found near the town of Kuruman. According to some estimates, they were created more than 10 thousand years ago. As for the professional fine arts, Gerard Sekoto, Georges Pemba and Gerard Bhengu (XX century) are considered to be its recognized founders. Other well-known painters include such artists as Mhlaba Dumile-Feni, Helen Makgabo Sebidi, Jeremy Vafer, Karel Nel and others. Their works can be seen in the National Art Gallery of South Africa in Cape Town, Durban Art Gallery, etc.

In literature, the legends and tales of various peoples of South Africa: the Zulus, Hottentots, Bushmen, etc., have a great influence. Modern writers write both in English and in Afrikaans and other official languages. One of the first African novels that the world saw was The African Farm by Olive Schreiner (1883). The themes of many books are related to the apartheid regime. Among the writers of South Africa there are two Nobel laureates - Nadine Gordimer and John Michael Kutzie. Other famous writers are Mike Nicola, Andre Brink, Ivan Vladislavich, Adele Naode and others.

Musical traditions have both local and European roots. Music and dance are closely woven into the daily life of South Africa. They play mainly drums, xylophones, saxophones, harps, guitars, etc. Developed choral singing, especially among the Shona and Matabele peoples. Many dances are associated with traditional beliefs - “harvest dances”, “hunters dances”, etc. Famous musicians include such names as Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassi, the Grammy-winning band Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Republic of South Africa

Main currency

The official currency of South Africa is the South African rand, divided into 100 cents. You can exchange money at banks, airports and hotels. Banks are open only until 15:30 on weekdays and until 11:00 on weekends, which is not very convenient, and hotels charge an additional commission of 1%. Exchange offices are not very common, so it is best to use a credit card for payments. Their main types are accepted in all large stores, hotels, etc. The exception is gas stations - there payment is possible only in cash.

There are no direct flights from Russia to South Africa, but the choice of airlines operating regular flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town is quite wide: KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Egypt Air, Qatar Airways, Swiss, Emirates. Depending on the carrier, you will need to transfer in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Zurich or Dubai. Flight duration - 14-15 hours (excluding docking).

Standard voltage - 220 V (exceptions: in Port Elizabeth - 200/250 V, in Pretoria - 230-250 V). Plugs are usually with 3 round pins, but there are also devices with two pins, moreover, smaller in size. Adapters can be purchased, but you will have to spend some time looking for them.

Anyone over the age of 23 who has an international driver's license can rent a car for a tour of South Africa. The rental price already includes insurance. You also need to pay a deposit for a tank of gasoline (about 400 rand), it will be returned after you return the car with a full tank. Traffic in South Africa is left-handed, the speed should not exceed 60-80 km / h in the city and 120 km / h on the highway. Given the level of crime, it is imperative to block the doors, and always roll up the windows when stopping.

Republic of South Africa

Our advice

The crime rate in South Africa is high. This is especially true of Johannesburg, which is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. The resorts of South Africa are relatively safe, but do not forget about precautions: do not carry large amounts of money with you, be especially careful when withdrawing money from an ATM (fraud in this area is very developed), do not go anywhere alone, do not use public transport in night time, etc. In addition, you should not take camouflage and khaki clothes in general on vacation in South Africa, especially if you are going on an excursion to neighboring countries - you may be misunderstood.

No special vaccinations are required for holidays in South Africa. You may only be required to confirm vaccination at the border if you have visited countries where there are outbreaks of dangerous diseases, such as yellow fever (the Amazon region, etc.). It is necessary to bring malaria medicines, sunscreen, repellent, long-sleeved natural fabric clothing, and a hat. It is worth listening to the guide's recommendation not to swim in unfamiliar waters and follow all the instructions of the safari escort.

South Africa boasts the most developed healthcare system on the continent, meeting European standards. Even in small and remote settlements you will find a well-equipped clinic and hospital. Emergency care in the country is free, you will have to pay for further treatment (medical care is very expensive). Tests for yellow fever, malaria and HIV infection are carried out everywhere (for a very nominal fee).

South African mentality

South Africa has always been famous for the versatility of its culture, as well as the variety of customs and customs associated with the frequent overlapping of the traditions of many peoples inhabiting this country.

Local residents attach great importance to the family and kinship, they are considered a cult beginning. At the same time, the relationship between fathers and children and the tribal union are considered differently as one of the fundamental forms of society.

Polygamy is officially recognized in the country, the groom must pay a ransom to the bride's parents. Such compensation is given by cows. It is customary to give girls in marriage from a young age - from the age of thirteen. At the same time, only the leader of the tribe should allow the marriage, parental consent is not required.

Absolute patriarchy

The man alone is responsible for all decisions in the family. One of the main cults among Africans is the worship of a common male deity.

Whatever directions of faith the locals belong to, there is a common feature: they all believe in the presence of powerful supernatural forces of nature and the transmigration of souls. It is believed that local tales and legends have true roots, due to this, many, considering the dangerous water and its inhabitants, do not eat fish and any seafood.

Life in South Africa is quite contrasting.

This finds its most striking expression in the difference in how urban and rural residents see the world. The inhabitants of the village rely on and rely on traditions in everything, they honor them, they see reality rather narrowly. The most important thing for them is taking care of the family. Urban dwellers have broad views and value material values ​​and social status most of all. This is especially true for residents of Johannesburg.

In South Africa, the atmosphere is very relaxed, there are no set rules about dress code, behavior or appearance. Punctuality is the main feature of the natives. Being late here is considered bad form and is equated with bad manners and disrespect.

Population

The population of South Africa is almost fifty million people. Classify people by race and nationality. Africans inhabit the country almost eighty percent. The main living nationalities are Sotho, Zulu, Shangaan, Bushmen, Tsonga, Xhosa, Tswana and some others.

South Africa differs from other African countries in a large number of living Europeans, who are mainly located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Another fairly large group are the Chinese and Indians, who live mainly in the coastal areas of the southern part of the country.

One of the main problems at the moment for South Africa is the high mortality of the population due to diseases and the increased level of crime, and as a result, the mass emigration of the white population. A fairly large number of immigrants from neighboring countries constantly enter the country.

Life expectancy for the average African has increased significantly over the past few years and is now 49 years. As we can see, this is very small. It's rather strange, but the life of women, unlike other countries, is shorter than that of men. Language.

The country has 11 official languages. This is due to the multinationality of its population. However, Afrikaans can be recognized as the leading one, its progenitor was Dutch and English. The natives also speak the Bantu dialect. Very often, locals know several languages, so tourists who speak English should not have communication problems.

Religion

Basically, such a religion as Christianity is widespread among the population. There are also few Muslims and Hindus in the state, very few Jews. A significant part of the population quite justifiably consider themselves atheists. Some Africans worship natural forces, these beliefs have a whole list of taboos that must be strictly adhered to. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the government is loyal to any kind of religion and in no case interferes in the affairs of the church.

Behavior

As you remember, South Africa is a multinational country, so it is quite difficult to give general advice here. When arriving in a new place, it is best to first follow how the natives behave, and only then adjust to them. It is advisable at the first moment not to go on the rampage, but to take a wait-and-see attitude.

The clothing worn by the tourist must be adequate according to the situation. If you wear shorts and a T-shirt, then this is a picnic or excursion, but if the purpose of your trip is a business meeting, then men wear a suit tie, women a strict but elegant suit or dress.

When meeting, men shake hands, and women kiss each other on the cheeks. When you go to visit, it is customary to take a small nice gift with you - it can be flowers for the hostess of the house or wine. You can also present something from the homeland of a tourist or cigarettes. The value of your gift should not exceed fifty dollars.

If the owners of the house decided to surprise the visitor, then it must be unpacked immediately. It should be taken either with the right hand, or with both, in no case with the left. Do not leave anything half-eaten - this is a sign of bad taste. If you are full, then you can show this to the hostess by putting cutlery next to the plate. If you want to continue the meal, then the knife and fork are placed crossed on it.

Sunbathing in the nude is not accepted on public beaches. For this, there are specially designated places. Be careful, the reaction of local residents can be very sharp, negative and unpredictable. Be correct and loyal in your behavior to all nationalities. Afrikaners get quite offended when someone calls them "Dutch".

Golf clubs in South Africa have their own special rules. For example, it is permissible to play only in special clothes, jeans are by no means allowed here. You should also definitely visit the bar in the club and have a snack there with a sandwich, this way you seem to show commonality with other players.

Approved Holidays in South Africa

Just like all over the world, Africans celebrate the New Year on January 1st. The next holiday for them is Human Rights Day, which falls on March 21st. On April 13, Good Friday is singled out as a separate celebration, on the 16th - family day, on the 27th day of the Constitution. On May 1st, as in Russia, “Mir. Work. May." - Workers' Day. June 16 - Youth Day. They celebrate Women's Day on August 9th. And then September 24th is Population Day, December 16th is Reconciliation Day, Christmas Day is on the 25th, and Thanksgiving Day is on the 26th. As you can see, there are not so many holidays, apparently Africans are hardworking people.