Resources for Learning About the Peoples of Africa

Published:
March 22, 2021

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

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The striking beauty and diversity of the people of Africa is captivating. Explore these resources for learning about the peoples of Africa in your homeschool.

Resources for Learning About the Peoples of Africa text and background image of various hands being held out

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The word “African” is defined as a term that super-umbrellas all the indigenous ethnicities from the continent of Africa.

This is the only issue about teaching our kids about Africa’s people. They are so absolutely diverse that it is hard to teach about just one group. 

They are beautifully different and have various diverse cultures all their own, all within one continent.

There are, at least, 3,000 completely distinct ethnic groups or tribes in Africa and 2,000 different languages. This makes Africa the most physically varied population in the entire world.

Due to this, Africa is also the continent with the greatest human genetic variation. Interesting, right!

There are so many interesting things we learned about the peoples of Africa. I think we may actually revisit the unit later in the year.

Most African people speak more than one language (amazing!) 

There are over 50 independent countries in the continent of Africa in which 1.2 billion people live.

Because there are so many different ethnic groups, it may be best to study the people of Africa by selecting a few different tribes and role with your lessons that way.

We only studied three different tribes in our first unit, and that’s why I feel like we may do another unit later on in the year.

We studied the Zulu of South Africa, the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, and the Himba of northwest Namibia.

I let my kids choose which to learn about. They each are unique and very distinct. My children enjoyed learning about each of them. 

The Himba tribe has distinctive red ochre body paint and elaborate hairstyles. My children loved seeing videos of the breathtaking vision of the people.

a close up picture of a person\'s side profile with their head down and eyes closed
Himba Image by D Mz from Pixabay

The Zulu tribe was interesting for my kids as they are the largest ethnic group within Africa; the Zulu has 11 million people and is the birthplace of the legendary chief Shaka Zulu.

a picture of a group of people playing outside
Zulu Image by Ron Porter from Pixabay

The Massai tribe is known to have the most contact with tourists as they are near Africa’s top game parks. This tribe grabbed my kids’ attention as they are known for drinking blood, wearing cool colorful robes, and doing interesting jumping dances as part of their culture.

A group of people standing in front of a crowd
Massai Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay

Whichever group of peoples in Africa your students want to learn more about, they no doubt will learn fascinating things about the magnificently rich cultures.

Note: Please review sources before allowing your students to explore them. Some of the resources mentioned a “million years ago” in their text as fact. If you’d like more resources for teaching your children about Creation and a young Earth, explore these posts on teaching Creation science.

Resources for learning about the history and land of the African peoples:

10 Days of African History for Kids | Look We’re Learning

African Kingdoms! A Printable African History Unit Study for Kids | Look We’re Learning

Introduction to Africa Lesson Plan for Kids | Look We’re Learning

A Continent Study of AFRICA for Kids | Pinay Homeschooler

South Africa For Kids FREE Printable Book | 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Africa Facts for Kids | Kids World Travel Guide

Let’s Explore Nigeria | Little Explorers Big World

Africa Unit With FREE Printables | Every Star is Different

Resources and Africa Lesson Plans | Mr.Donn

Fun FREE Way to Explore Africa With Your Kids | WriteBonnieRose

My Book About Botswana

Explore these awesome resources for learning about the peoples of Africa:

African People & Wildlife (APW)

Learn About and Help The People of Niger With Samaritan’s Purse | Homegrown Learners

Africa’s People and Cultures | Natural History

Malawi – The Warm Heart Of Africa – People And Culture  | The Explorations Company

African Tribes, African Traditions & Cultures of Africa | African Budget Safaris

People of Africa | Fourmilab.com

Africa: Its People and Places (Lesson Plan) | Common Sense Education

People, Geography, & Facts of Africa | Teacher Planet

Africa for Kids! Movies, Shows, and Playlists for your Continent Study | The Homeschool Resource Room

Nation, Tribe and Ethnic Group in Africa | Cultural Survival

African Culture | Victoria-Falls Guide

7 Amazing African Tribal Traditions | RhinoAfrica.com

African People and Culture | AfricaGuide

Human Geography: Africa | National Geographic

African culture and values | SciELO 

Beautiful and Diverse People of Africa | African Holocaust

People of Africa | Britannica

African Tribes | Safari Africana

Meet The Famous Tribes In Africa | Africa.com

Recommended Resource: Geography Activity Pack

Students will explore every independent country in the world plus discover the most significant mountains, deserts, rivers, and lakes with this huge Geography Activity Pack.

geography learning activity printables and workbook

Explore these crafts and activities to go alongside your lessons on learning about the peoples of Africa:

How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask | Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus

a picture of a globe, a book, and a craft for learning about Africa

20 Beautiful African Art Projects For Kids | Craft Whack

Painted African Houses | KROKOTAK

Recycled Tribal Necklace | Redefine Creativity

African Necklace Craft for Kids | ofamily learning together

10 Traditional African Crafts For Kids To Make | Artsy Craftsy Mom

FUN Activities for Your Africa Lesson Plans! | The Homeschool Resource Room

Select some of these children’s books from your local library about Africa and African peoples:

13 Children’s Books About South Africa | Intentional Homeschooling

10 Great Picture Books to Learn About Africa and its People | Pragmatic Mom

Africa Books for Kids | Happy Brown House

Five African Children’s Books To Fuel Your Child’s Mind | Medium

Top 10 Books About Africa and People of Africa | Bookroo

Videos to help your visual learners with learning about the people of Africa:

(Please be cautious at showing these videos (or random photos of tribes) to your kids as tribal clothing is very different from what we are used to. It may not be suitable for your children, definitely younger. My 14-year-old daughter and 11 year-old-son watched all the videos.)

Maasai Life Through A Child’s Eyes | Operation Blessing

Culture and Diversity: A Look at Africa | Studies Weekly

Maasai Jumping Contest | Maasai Lifestyle

Come Explore…Africa with Lonely Planet Kids | Lonely Planet

The Story Of Shaka Zulu (Animation) | Two Tribes

Teaching children about people in the world around them is extremely important in their worldview. 

Whether it be through reading, movies, community, or other means, the foundation and appreciation of diversity and respect for all humanity is crucial.

As my favorite Pastor ever, Voddie Baucham (who recently moved to Africa himself) says, there isn’t a world full of races. We are a world full of diversity and ethnicity within the human race. How beautiful that we get to share these beautiful differences with our children.

Resources for Learning About the Peoples of Africa text and background image of various hands being held out

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