South Africa is an amazing country in many ways. There are 11 official languages, among them - English, which is known by most of the country's inhabitants. The culture of the country is very diverse: the cultures of many African peoples are intertwined here, among them are the Zulu, Swazi, Tsonga and others, as well as peoples with mixed African, Asian and European blood. Many in South Africa and immigrants from India. White South Africans are either Afrikaans speaking Afrikaans or English speaking Anglo-South Africans. The ancestors of the former were mainly from France and Holland, the latter from England.
Due to the large number of mixed cultures, traditions differ depending on the part of the country, but in general, South Africans are similar. The people of South Africa are kind, accommodating and always happy to offer help, taking risks easily. South Africans have great respect for the elderly. Older men are often respectfully referred to as "fathers", "uncles" and women as "mothers" and "aunts". In South African society, the family comes first. This applies to both close and distant relatives, especially in the more traditional black South African culture. White South Africans consider close relatives more important. Many South Africans who move to the cities continue to keep in touch with relatives who have remained in the countryside and try to provide them with financial assistance.
Major differences can be observed between urban and rural populations. City dwellers live at a faster pace than rural dwellers. People in big cities are more interested in material values and may look down on the inhabitants of villages and villages. Cape Towns consider their city to be the best in the country and sometimes treat residents of other cities with superiority. They evaluate people by social status, but at the same time highly value friendly and family ties. Rural blacks often have ancient tribal traditions, while urban blacks are influenced by Western culture. Copyright www.site
The majority of the inhabitants of South Africa are Christians, Muslims make up about 1.5%, even fewer Hindus and Jews, 15% are not religious. Black South Africans make up the majority of the Republic's population. They are mostly friendly, calm and open. Afrikaners are honest and straightforward. The descendants of the British are more closed and polite. Asians, who are a minority of the population, still cling tightly to the traditions of their ancestors. However, they are mostly materialists. Asians who have reached any heights in society love to show off expensive things, clothes and cars.
South African society can be called liberal. Human rights are protected by the constitution, and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2006, but people in rural areas can be much more conservative than city dwellers. Some South Africans prefer to be called "South Africans", considering other terms offensive. Most women work. In some parts of South Africa, polygamous marriage is common, which is allowed only for men. Dividing by gender roles, as well as physical and sexual violence against women, is still very common.
Work and teamwork are valued here. South Africans are generally quite pragmatic, they can be called realists. South Africans love to communicate, including with foreigners. Residents of South Africa usually show affection openly, slap friends on the back, hug them, shake hands. Shaking hands should be accompanied by eye contact as a sign of openness and honesty. It is considered very polite to ask about someone's health - it shows respect and attention. Compliments are also loved here. If a resident of South Africa does not agree with the interlocutor, he will directly tell him about it. Many locals speak much louder than in Europe and America. During a conversation, South Africans stand very close to each other. In public transport, the distances between people are also quite small. While talking, it is customary to maintain eye contact, but many locals look away when talking to someone older than them or higher in social status - this is a sign of respect.
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, who, 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 maintain their traditional culture in the regions where they live.
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.
Traditional dwellings of the peoples of South Africa
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.
Customs of the peoples of South Africa
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.
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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.
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.
