List of contemporary ethnic groups of Africa

The following is a list of contemporary ethnic groups of Africa. There has been constant debate over the classification of ethnic groups. Membership of an ethnic group tends to be associated with shared ancestry, history, homeland, language or dialect and cultural heritage; where the term "culture" specifically includes aspects such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, dressing (clothing) style and other factors.
By the nature of the concept, ethnic groups tend to be divided into subgroups, may themselves be or not be identified as independent ethnic groups depending on the source consulted.
Africa here is considered to be approximately delimited from South America by the South Atlantic Ocean; from Asia by the Red Sea, Suez Canal, and Gulf of Aden; and from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Sicily, and Strait of Gibraltar.

Ethnic groups

The following groups are commonly identified as "ethnic groups", as opposed to ethno-linguistic phyla, national groups, racial groups or similar.

Ethnicity	Language	Primary homeland	Subgroups, tribes & castes	Religion
Abagusii	Atlantic–Congo → Bantu → Gusii	Kenya	Abagetutu, Abanyaribari, Abagirango, Abanchari, Abamachoge, Ababasi	Christianity, Traditional African religion
Acholi	Nilotic → Luo → Acholi	South Sudan, Uganda	Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Pader, Omoro	Christianity, Islam
Adjoukrou	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Adjukru	Ivory Coast	Akradio, Agneby, Armébé, Gbougbo, Vieil-Aklodj, Débrimou, Lopou, Tiaha, Kpass, Orbaff, Bonn, Kaka, Kpanda, Mopoyem, Cosrou, Dabouly, Abraniamienbro, Bodou, Bouboury, Agbaille, Yassap, Vieux-Badien, Youhouli, N'gatty, Toupah	Christianity
Afar	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Afar	Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia	Asaimara, Adoimara	Islam, Early Cushitic
Afemai	Atlantic–Congo → Edoid → Afenmai	Nigeria	Agenebode, Weppa, Oshiolo, Emokwemhe Iviagbapue, Auchi, Ihievbe, Afuze, Warrake, Iviukwe, South Ibie, Agbede, Sabongida Ora, Igarra, Ekperi, Jattu, Fugar, Aviele, Okpella, Uneme Ehrunrun, Uneme Osu, Iviukhua, Ososo, Uzanu, Uzebba, Iviukhua, Weppa, Okpella, Okpekpe, Somorika	Christianity
Afrikaners	Indo-European → Germanic → Dutch → Afrikaans	South Africa	Boers	Christianity → Protestantism → Calvinism
Agaw	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Agaw	Horn of Africa	Bilen, Ximre, Awi, Qemant	Christianity → Oriental Orthodoxy → Ethiopian Orthodoxy
Aja	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Adja	Benin, Togo		West African Vodun
Aka	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Aka	Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo		Traditional Aka religion
Akans	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Central Tano, Avikam–Alladian, Potou, Abé, Abidji, Attie, Ega Francosign → American Sign → Ghanaian Sign Adamorobe Sign, Nanabin Sign	Ghana	Abbé, Abidji, Ahafo, Ahanta, Akuapem, Akwamu, Akyem, Alladian, Anyi, Ashanti, Assin, Attie, Avikam, Baoulé, Bonos, Chakosi, Egas, Evalue, Fante, M'Bato, Nzema, Sefwi, Tchaman, Wasa	Christianity
Akie	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Kalenjin → Akie Maasai	Tanzania		Traditional Akie religion
Alur	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Alur	Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity
Ambundu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kimbundu	Angola		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Amdang	Furan → Amdang	Sudan, Chad		Islam
Americo-Liberians	Various languages of different African ethnic groups English English → Merico English → Liberian Kreyol	Liberia		Christianity → Protestantism
Amhara	Afroasiatic → Semitic → Ethiopic → Amharic	Ethiopia		Christianity → Oriental Orthodoxy → Ethiopian Orthodoxy
Anglo-Africans	Indo-European → Germanic → English → South African English, Zimbabwean English	South Africa, Zimbabwe, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	Anglo-South Africans Anglo-Zimbabweans Saint Helenians	Christianity
Anuak	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Anuak	Ethiopia, South Sudan		Christianity
Arabs	Afroasiatic → Semitic → Arabic Arab Sign, Sudanese sign languages	North Africa, Sahel	Bedouins, Egyptian Arabs, Maghrebi Arabs, Dawada, Sudanese Arabs, Arab Christians, Rashaida, Baggara Arabs, Abbala Arabs, Azawagh Arabs, Diffa Arabs, Manga Arabs, Ababda, Arab-Berbers	Islam → Sunni Islam, Sufism, Shia Islam → Twelver Shi'ism, Isma'ilism → Tayyibi Isma'ilism → Sulaymani, Zaydism, Ibadism Christianity → Eastern Orthodoxy → Greek Orthodoxy → Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria Christianity → Catholicism → Melkite Catholicism
Argobba	Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Argobba	Ethiopia		Islam → Sunni Islam
Atyap	Niger–Congo → Plateau → Tyap	Nigeria		Christianity, Abwoi
[Babur and Bura language\|Bura people\|Babur and Bura]	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Bura	Nigeria	Babur, Bura	Islam
Bagirmi	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Bongo-Bagirmi → Bagirmi	Chad		Islam → Folk Islam
Bajju	Niger–Congo → Plateau → Jju	Nigeria		Christianity, Abwoi
Bajuni	Atlantic–Congo → Bantu → Swahili → Bajuni	Somalia, Kenya		Islam → Sunnism → Shafi'ism
Bakossi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Akoose	Cameroon		Christianity → Catholicism
Balanta	Niger–Congo → West Atlantic → Senegambian → Balanta	Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, The Gambia		Traditional African religions
Balondo-ba-Konja	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Londo	Cameroon		Creationism → Balondo-ba-Konja religion
Bambara	Niger–Congo → Mande → Manding → Bambara	Mali		Islam
Bamileke	Niger–Congo → Grassfields → Bamileke	Cameroon	Mengaka, Ngiemboon, Ngombale, Ngomba, Ngwe, Yemba, Fe'fe', Ghomala', Kwaʼ, Nda'nda', Medumba	Christianity
Bamum	Niger–Congo → Grassfields → Bamum	Cameroon		Islam
Banda	Niger–Congo → Ubangian → Banda	Central African Republic, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo	Central Banda, South Banda, West Banda	Christianity
Bangweulu Twa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Bemba	Zambia		Traditional African Religion
Bari	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Bari	South Sudan, Uganda	Pojulu, Kakwa, Nyangwara, Mandari, Kuku, other Karo tribes	Christianity, Traditional African religion, Islam → Sunni Islam
Bariba	Niger–Congo → Gur → Bariba	Borgu		Islam
Bassa	Niger–Congo → Kru → Bassa	Liberia		Christianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism
Basters	Indo-European → Germanic → Dutch → Afrikaans	Namibia		Christianity → Protestantism
Batwa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kirundi Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kiga	African Great Lakes		Traditional African religion
Beja	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Beja	Sudan, Egypt, Eritrea	Bishari, Hadendoa, Hedareb, Amarar, Beni-Amer	Islam → Sunni Islam
Bemba	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Bemba	Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity → Protestantism
Bembe	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Bembe	Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania		Christianity → Protestantism, Traditional African religions
Bena	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Bena	Tanzania		Christianity → Catholicism
Berom	Niger–Congo → Plateau → Berom	Niger		Christianity
Berta	Nilo-Saharan → Berta	Ethiopia, South Sudan		Islam
Beti	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Ewondo, Eton	Cameroon	Ewondo, Eton	Christianity
Bissa	Niger–Congo → Mande → Bissa	Burkina Faso		Islam
Boa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Boa	Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity
Bobo	Niger–Congo → Mande → Bobo	Burkina Faso, Mali		Traditional African religions
Bolewa	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Bole	Nigeria		Islam
Bondei	Niger–Congo → Bantu → [Northeast Coast Bantu languages\|Bantu languages\|Sueta] → Bondei	Tanzania		Islam, Traditional African religions
Bozo	Niger–Congo → Mande → Bozo	Mali		Islam
Bubi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Bube	Equatorial Guinea		Christianity → Catholicism
Budu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Budu	Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity
Buduma	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Yedina	Lake Chad		Islam
Bwa	Niger–Congo → Gur → Bwa	Burkina Faso, Mali		Traditional African religions
Bwatiye	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Bacama	Nigeria		Christianity, Neo-Pentecostalism
Cafres	French Creole → Bourbonnais Creole → Réunion Creole	Réunion		Christianity
Cape Muslims	Historically Malay, Makassarese, Dutch, Arabic Afrikaans Afrikaans, Kaaps, English	South Africa		Islam
Chaga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Chaga	Tanzania	Gwenos, Rombos, Central Chaga, Rusa, West Chaga	Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religions
Chagossians	Indo-European → Bourbonnais Creole → Chagossian Creole	Chagos Archipelago		Christianity, Rastafari
Chaoui	Afroasiatic → Berber → Shawiya	Algeria		Islam → Sunnism
Chenouas	Afroasiatic → Berber → Shenwa	Algeria		Islam → Sunnism
Chewa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Chewa	Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Chinois	French Creole → Bourbonnais Creole → Réunion Creole Sino-Tibetan → Sinitic → Chinese → Hakka, Cantonese	Réunion		Christianity → Catholicism, Buddhism → Mahayana Buddhism
Chokwe	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Chokwe	Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia		Christianity
Coloureds	Indo-European → Germanic → Afrikaans, Kaaps, English	South Africa	Cape Coloureds	Christianity
Comorians	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Comorian	Comoros, France	Grande Comorians, Anjouans, Mohélians, Maorais, Significant population in Metropolitan France	Islam → Sunnism
Dagaaba	Niger–Congo → Gur → Dagaare	Ghana, Burkina Faso		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Dagombas	Niger–Congo → Gur → Dagbani	Ghana		Islam → Sunnism
Damara	Khoe → Khoekhoe	Namibia		Christianity
Dinka	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Dinka	South Sudan		Christianity, Dinka religion
Dogon	Niger–Congo → Dogon Bangime, Tebul Sign	Mali	Ampari Dogon, Tebul U, Mombo Dogon, Escarpment Dogon, Jamsai Dogon, Nanga Dogon, Yanda Dogon, Walo, Beente, Duleri Dogon, Pinia, Bondum Dogon, Dogul Dogon, Budu, Western Plains Dogon, Toro-tegu Dogon, Bangande	Traditional African religions
Dwe'e	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nzime	Cameroon		Christianity
Dyula	Niger–Congo → Mande → Manding → Dyula	Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali		Islam → Sunnism
Ebira	Niger–Congo → Nupoid → Ebira	Nigeria		Islam
Edo	Niger–Congo → Edoid → Edo	Nigeria	Ika, Emai	Christianity
Efik	Niger–Congo → Cross River → Ibibio-Efik → Efik	Nigeria		Christianity, Efik religion
Egyptians	Afroasiatic → Semitic → Arabic Historically Afroasiatic → Egyptian → Coptic Egyptian Sign	Egypt, Sudan, Libya	Copts,	Islam → Sunni Islam Christianity → Oriental Orthodoxy → Coptic Orthodoxy Christianity → Catholicism → Eastern Catholicism → Coptic Catholicism
Ekoi	Niger–Congo → Bantoid → Jagham	Nigeria, Cameroon		Christianity, Ekoi religion
Embu	Niger-Congo ~ Bantu ~ Embu	Kenya		Christianity
Esan	Niger–Congo → Edoid → Esan	Nigeria		Christianity
Ewe	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Ewe, Waci, Kpessi	Togo, Ghana	Agave, Agome, Anlo, Avenor, Waci	Christianity, West African Vodun
Fang	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Fang	Equatorial Guinea, Gabon		Christianity
Fipa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Fipa Niger–Congo → Bantu → Mambwe-Lungu	Rukwa Region, Tanzania		Christianity → Catholicism
Fon	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Gbe → Fon	Benin		Christianity → Catholicism, West African Vodun
Franco-Mauritians	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Mauritian Creole	Mauritius		Christianity → Catholicism
Franco-Seychellois	Indo-European → French-based creole → Seychellois Creole	Seychelles		Christianity → Catholicism
Frantsay	Indo-European → Romance → French	Madagascar		Christianity → Catholicism, Christianity → Protestantism
Fula	Atlantic–Congo → Senegambian → Fula	West Africa	Wodaabe, Maasina Fulfulde, Sierra Leonean Fula, Toucouleur	Islam
Fur	Furan → Fur	Sudan		Islam → Sunni Islam
Ga-Adangbe	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Ga–Dangme	Greater Accra	Ga, Adangbe	Christianity
Gade	Niger–Congo → Nupoid → Gade	Nigeria		Gobo
Ganda	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Great Lakes → Luganda	Uganda		Christianity
Gbagyi	Niger–Congo → Nupoid → Gwari	Nigeria		Traditional African religions
Gbaya	Niger–Congo → Ubangian → Gbaya	Central African Republic, Cameroon	Bokoto, Kara, Buli, Ali, Mandja, Gbaya-Bossangoa, Bozom, Mbodomo, Gbanu, Bangandu	Islam
Gedeo	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Gedeo	Ethiopia		Christianity → Protestantism → P'ent'ay
Ghomaras	Afroasiatic → Berber → Ghomara	Morocco		Islam → Sunni Islam
Gnawas	Originally various languages of different African ethnic groups Arabic → Maghrebi Arabic	Morocco		Islam and Animism → Sufism and Animism → Gnawa religion
Gogo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Gogo	Tanzania		Christianity, African Traditional Religion
Gola	Niger–Congo → Gola	Liberia, Sierra Leone		Islam
Gosha	Originally various languages of different Bantu ethnic groups Niger-Congo → Bantu → Zigula → Mushunguli	Somalia		Islam
Greeks	Indo-European → Hellenic Afroasiatic → Arabic → Egyptian Arabic Francosign → French Sign and American Sign → Greek Sign	Egypt	Egyptian Greeks, along with significant populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe	Christianity → Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism → Greek Byzantine Catholicism, historically Hellenism, Neoplatonism, Greco-Roman Mysteries
Guan	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Guang	Ghana	Gonja, Kyode, Cherepon, Efutu, Anyanga, Larteh, Chumburung, Krache, Anum-Boso	Christianity
Gumuz	Bʼaga languages	Ethiopia		Traditional African religion
Gurage	Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Gurage; historically Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Mesmes	Ethiopia	Kistane, Zay, Inor, Mesqan, Muher Sebat Bet	Christianity
Gurma	Niger–Congo → Gur → Gourmanche	Gurmaland	Ntcham, Bimoba	Islam
Gurunsi	Niger–Congo → Gur → Gurunsi	Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo	Lukpa, Kabye, Tem, Lamba, Delo, Bago-Kusuntu, Chala, Lyele, Nuna, Kalamse, Pana, Winye, Deg, Puguli, Paasaal, Sisaala, Chakali, Siti, Tamprusi, Vagla	Traditional African religions, Islam → Sunni Islam
Ha	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Ha	Tanzania		Animism
Hadiya	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Hadiyya	Ethiopia		Islam
Hadza	Hadza language	Tanzania		Hadza mythology
Ham	Niger–Congo → Plateau → Hyam	Nigeria		Christianity, Abwoi
Hangaza	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Hangaza	Tanzania		Christianity
Harari	Afroasiatic → Semitic → Ethiopic → Harari	Ethiopia		Islam → Sunni Islam
Haratins	Afroasiatic → Arabic → Maghrebi Arabic, Afroasiatic → Berber	Mauritania		Islam → Sunni Islam
Hausa	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Hausa	Hausaland		Islam → Sunni Islam
Haya	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Haya	Tanzania		Christianity, Ruhanga
Hawwara	Historically Afroasiatic → Berber Arabic	Lybia, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria and Morocco	Hawwara	Islam → Sunni Islam
Hehe	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Hehe	Tanzania		Christianity
Herero	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Herero	Namibia, Angola	OvaHimba, Ovambanderu	Christianity
Hutu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Great Lakes → Rwanda-Rundi	Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity
Ibibio	Niger–Congo → Cross River → Ibibio, Anaang, Eket, Oron	Nigeria	Eket, Anaang, Oron	Christianity
Idoma	Niger–Congo → Idomoid → Idoma	Nigeria	Agatu, Alago, Yala	Christianity
Igala	Niger-Congo → Igala → Igala	Nigeria	Ayangba, Igala ogba Royalty → Ibaji, Igalamela, Ogugu, Akpanya, Ebu	Christianity, Islam
Igbo	Niger–Congo → Igbo	Nigeria	Anioma, Aro, Edda, Ekpeye, Etche, Ezaa, Ika, Ikwerre, Ikwo, Isu, Izzi, Mbaise, Mgbo, Ngwa, Nri-Igbo, Ogba, Ohafia, Ohuhu, Onitsha-Ado, Ukwuani, Waawa	Christianity, Odinala
Igdalen	Songhay → Northern Songhay → Tagdal	Niger, Mali, Algeria		Islam → Sunni Islam
Igede	Niger–Congo → Idomoid → Igede	Nigeria		Christianity
Ijaw	Niger–Congo → Ijaw	Nigeria	Bille, Engenni, Ibani, Kalabari, Kula, Nkoro, Nkoroo, Obolo	Christianity
Imraguen	Afroasiatic → Arabic → Hassaniya Arabic → Imraguen	Mauritania, Western Sahara		Islam → Sunni Islam
Indo-Mauritians	Indo-European → French-based creole → Mauritian Creole Indo-European → Indo-Aryan → Bhojpuri, Hindustani, Marathi Dravidian → Tamil, Telugu	Mauritius	Bihari Mauritians, Tamil Mauritians	Hinduism, Islam
Indo-Seychellois	Indo-European → French-based creole → Seychellois Creole Indo-European → Indo-Aryan → Bhojpuri, Bihari languages, Hindustani, Bengali, Gujarati, Kutchi, Odia Dravidian → Tamil, Telugu, Kannada	Seychelles		Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism
Indo-South Africans	Various languages of different Indian ethnic groups English → South African English	South Africa		Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism
Iraqw	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Iraqw	Tanzania		Christianity
Isoko	Niger–Congo → Edoid → Isoko	Nigeria		Christianity
Jerba	Afroasiatic → Berber → Nafusi Arabic	Tunisia		Islam → Sunni Islam
Jews	Afroasiatic → Canaanite → Hebrew → Modern Hebrew, Jewish languages, DGSic → Israeli Sign	North Africa, East Africa	Sephardim, Beta Israel, Rusape Jews, Abayudaya, Igbo Jews, as well as historically some Aksumites, along with significant populations in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe	Judaism
Jita	Atlantic–Congo → Bantu → Suguti	Tanzania		Christianity, Ethnic Religion
Jola	Niger–Congo → West Atlantic → Senegambian → Jola	Senegal	Banjaal, Bayot, Gusilay, Fogni, Karon, Kasa, Kuwaataay, Mlomp	Traditional African religions
Jukun	Niger–Congo → Jukun Takum	Nigeria	Wannu	Traditional African religions
Jur	Nilotic → Luo → Jur	South Sudan	Beli, Sopi, Mödö, Nyamusa, Wira, Biti, Morokodo	Christianity, Traditional African religions
Kabyle	Afroasiatic → Berber → Kabyle	Algeria		Islam → Sunni Islam
Kafwe Twa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tonga	Zambia		Traditional African religion
Kaguru	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kagulu	Tanzania		Folk religion
Kalanga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Shona → Kalanga	Zimbabwe, Botswana	Nambya	Christianity
Kalenjin	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Kalenjin	Kenya	Keiyo, Tugen, Marakwet, Nandi, Kipsigis, Sabaot, Pokoot, Terik	Christianity
Kamba	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kamba	Kenya		Christianity
Kanuri	Nilo-Saharan → Saharan → Kanuri	Kanuriland	Kanembu, Yerwa Kanuri	Islam
Kapsiki	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Kapsiki	Mandara Mountains		Islam
Karai-Karai	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Karai-Karai	Nigeria		Islam, Christianity
Karana	Indo-European → Indo-Aryan → Gujarati, Hindustani, Kutchi, Sindhi Dravidian → Tamil, Telugu	Madagascar		Islam
Kassena	Atlantic–Congo → Gur → Kasena	Ghana, Burkina Faso		Kassena religion
Kerewe	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kerewe	Tanzania		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Kiga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kiga	Uganda, Rwanda		Christianity → Catholicism, Christianity → Protestantism
Kikuyu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kikuyu	Kenya		Christianity
Kilba	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Huba	Nigeria		Christianity
Kinga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kinga	Tanzania		Christianity, Traditional African religion
Kissi	Niger–Congo → West Atlantic → Mel → Kissi	Guinea, Sierra Leone		Christianity
Kofyar	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Kofyar	Nigeria		Traditional African religions
Kongo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kongo	Kongoland	Lari, Vili, Yombe, Suundi, Dondo, Hangala, Kugni, Manyanga, Beembe	Christianity, Kongo religion
Konjo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Konjo	Rwenzori Mountains	Nande	Christianity
Konkomba	Niger–Congo → Gur → Konkomba	Ghana, Togo		Traditional African religions, Christianity
Konso	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Konso	Ethiopia		Traditional African religions
Kpelle	Niger–Congo → Mande → Kpelle	Liberia, Guinea		Traditional African religions
Kposo	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Ghana–Togo Mountain → Kposo	Togo, Ghana		Christianity → Catholicism
Kru	Niger–Congo → Kru	Liberia	Aizi, Bete, Bakwe, Grebo, Krahn, Kuwaa	Christianity
Kunama	Nilo-Saharan → Kunama	Eritrea, Ethiopia		Christianity → Oriental Orthodoxy → Ethiopian Orthodoxy
Kuria	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kuria	Kenya, Tanzania		Traditional African religions, Christianity
Kuteb	Niger–Congo → Jukunoid → Kuteb	Nigeria		Christianity
Kwaya	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kwaya	Tanzania		Christianity, Traditional African religion
Kwere	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Kwere	Tanzania		Islam, Traditional African religion
Lega	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Lega	Democratic Republic of the Congo		Traditional African religions
Lemba	Historycally Old South Arabian languages Niger–Congo → Bantu → Venda, Shona	Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique		Christianity, Islam, Judaism
Limba	Niger–Congo → Limba	Sierra Leone		Christianity
Lisi	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Naba	Chad	Bilala, Kuka and the Medogo	Islam
Lozi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Lozi	Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana	Mafwe, Mbukushu, Totela, Yeyi	Christianity, Traditional African religions
Luba	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Luban	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Luba-Kasai, Luba-Katanga, Hemba, Songe, Lulua	Christianity
Lugbara	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Lugbara	Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda	Ayivu, Maracha, Terego, Vurra, Aringa	Christianity, Islam, Lugbara religion
Luhya	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Luhya	Kenya	Bukusu, Idakho, Isukha, Kabras, Khayo, Kisa, Marachi, Maragoli, Marama, Nyole, Samia, Tachoni, Tiriki, Tsotso, Wanga,	Christianity
Luo	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Dholuo	Kenya		Christianity
Luso-Africans	Indo-European → Romance → Portuguese → African Portuguese	PALOP countries, South Africa	Portuguese Africans	Christianity → Catholicism
Maasai	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Maasai	Maasailand	Samburu, Arusha, Kwavi	Traditional African religions
Madi	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Ma'di	Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda		Christianity
Mafa	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Mafa	Cameroon		Christianity
Makaa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Makaa, Niger–Congo → Bantu → Byep	Cameroon	South Makaa, North Makaa	Christianity, Traditional African religion
Makonde	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Makonde	Tanzania, Mozambique	Machinga	Islam
Makua	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Makhuwa	Mozambique	Lomwe, Chuwabu, Moniga, Koti, Nathembo	Traditional African religions
Malagasy	Austronesian → Greater Barito → Malagasy	Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, Réunion, Mauritius	Merina, Sihanaka, Betsileo, Zafimaniry, Antaifasy, Antemoro, Antaisaka, Antambahoaka, Tandroy, Antankarana, Antanosy, Bara, Betsimisaraka, Bezanozano, Mahafaly, Makoa, Mikea, Sakalava, Tanala, Tsimihety, Vezo	Christianity, Malagasy religion
Malbars	French Creole → Bourbonnais Creole → Réunion Creole Historycally Dravidian → Tamil	Réunion		Hinduism
Mambila	Niger–Congo → Mambila	Mambilla Plateau	Somyev	Traditional African religions
Mandinka	Niger–Congo → Mande → Manding	Mali, The Gambia, Guinea, Senegal	Bolon	Islam
Manjak	Niger–Congo → West Atlantic → Senegambian → Manjak	Guinea-Bissau, Senegal		Traditional African religions
Masa	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Masana	Cameroon, Chad		Christianity, Islam
Masalit	Nilo-Saharan → Masalit	Sudan, Chad		Islam → Sunni Islam
Mauritian Creoles	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Mauritian Creole	Mauritius		Christianity → Catholicism, Rastafari
Mbaka	Niger–Congo → Ubangian → Mbaka	Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity → Catholicism
Mbugu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Mbugu, Pare Niger–Congo and Afroasiatic → Bantu and Cushitic → Maʼa	Tanzania		Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religion
Mende	Niger–Congo → Mande → Mende	Sierra Leone		Islam
Mijikenda	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Mijikenda	Kenya	Chonyi, Giriama, Digo, Segeju, Rabai	Christianity
Mongo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Mongo	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Bolia, Ntomba, Ngando, Iyaelima, Mbole, Mpama, Nkutu, Sengele, Hendo, Dengese, Tetela	Christianity
Moru	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Moru	South Sudan	Miza, Ägyi, Moroändri, Kediro, 'Bari'ba	Christianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism → Episcopal Church of the South Sudan
Mossi	Niger–Congo → Gur → Mossi	Burkina Faso		Islam
Mozabite	Afroasiatic → Berber → Mozabite Arabic	Algeria		Islam → Sunni Islam
Mumuye	Niger–Congo → Adamawa → Mumuye	Nigeria		Traditional African religions
Musgum	Afroasiatic → Chadic → Musgu	Cameroon, Chad		Islam
Mwera	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Mwera	Tanzania		Islam
Nama	Khoe → Khoekhoe	Namibia, South Africa	Oorlams	Christianity
Ndendeule	Niger-Congo languages → Bantu languages → Ndendeule	Tanzania		Animism
Ngbandi	Niger–Congo → Ubangian → Ngbandi	Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic	Yakoma	Christianity
Ngoni	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Ngoni	Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia		Christianity, African Traditional Religion, Sangoma, Islam
Nkole	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nkore-Kiga → Nkore	Uganda		Christianity, Ruhanga
Northern Ndebele	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nguni → Northern Ndebele	Zimbabwe		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Nubians	Nilo-Saharan → Nubian	Nubia	Nobiin, Mattokki, Dongolawi, Midob, Birgid, Hill Nubians	Islam → Sunni Islam
Nubis	Afroasiatic → Arabic creoles → Nubi	Uganda, Kenya	Ugandan Nubis, Kenyan Nubis	Islam
Nuer	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Nuer	South Sudan		Traditional African religions
Nupe	Niger–Congo → Nupoid → Nupe	Nigeria		Islam, Christianity, Traditional African religions
Nyambo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nyambo	Tanzania		Christianity → Protestantism → Evangelicalism
Ogiek	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Ogiek	Kenya		Christianity, Traditional Ogiek religion
Ogoni	Niger–Congo → Cross River → Ogoni	Nigeria	Baan, Eleme, Gokana, Tẹẹ	Christianity
Ogu	Niger–Congo → Kwa → Gbe → Gun	Nigeria, Benin		Christianity, Islam, West African Vodun
Oku	Indo-European → English-based creoles → Krio Indo-European → Germanic → English	Sierra Leone, The Gambia		Islam
Oromo	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Oromo	Ethiopia, Kenya	Boorana, Barento, Salale, Machaa, Arsi, Wollo	Islam → Sunni Islam
Ovambo	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Ovambo	Namibia, Angola		Christianity → Protestantism → Lutheranism
Ovimbundu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Umbundu	Angola		Christianity
Papel	Niger–Congo → Atlantic → Senegambian → Papel	Guinea-Bissau		Christianity → Catholicism
Pare	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Pare	Tanzania		Islam
Pedi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Northern Sotho → Sepedi	South Africa		Christianity
Pende	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Pende	Democratic Republic of the Congo		Christianity
Rendille	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Rendille	Kenya		Waaq
Rifians	Afroasiatic → Berber → Tarifit	Morocco		Islam → Sunnism
Saho	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Saho	Eritrea, Ethiopia		Islam → Sunnism
Sandawe	Sandawe	Tanzania		Traditional African Religion, Islam
Sara	Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic → Sara	Chad, Central African Republic	Ngambay, Doba, Laka, Kabba, Sar, Mbay, Ngam, Dagba, Gulay	Traditional African religions
Senufo	Atlantic–Congo → → Senufo	Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso	Nafana, Minyanka	Traditional African religions
Serer	Atlantic–Congo → Senegambian → Serer, Cangin	Senegal	Laalaa, Ndut, Niominka, Serer-Noon, Palor, Saafi	Islam, Serer religion
Seychellois Creoles	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Seychellois Creole	Seychelles		Christianity → Catholicism
Sherbro	Atlantic–Congo → Mel → Sherbro	Sierra Leone		Traditional African religions
Shilha	Afroasiatic → Berber → Shilha	Morocco		Islam → Sunnism
Shilluk	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Shilluk	South Sudan	Gule	Christianity → Catholicism
Shona	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Shona	Zimbabwe	Manyika, Ndau	Christianity
Sidama	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Sidaama	Ethiopia		Christianity
Sierra Leone Creoles	Various languages of different African ethnic groups Indo-European → English-based creoles → Krio, Pichinglis	Sierra Leone	Gambian Creoles, Saros, Krio Fernandinos, with significant populations in the United States	Christianity
Siltʼe	Afroasiatic → Semitic → Ethiopic → Gurage → Siltʼe	Ethiopia		Islam
Sino-Mauritians	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Mauritian Creole Sino-Tibetan → Sinitic → Chinese → Hakka, Cantonese	Mauritius		Christianity, Chinese folk religion, Buddhism
Sino-Seychellois	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Seychellois Creole Sino-Tibetan → Sinitic → Chinese → Hakka, Cantonese	Seychelles		Christianity, Chinese folk religion, Buddhism
Sinoa	Sino-Tibetan → Sinitic → Chinese → Cantonese, Mandarin	Madagascar		Christianity → Catholicism
Siwi	Afroasiatic → Berber → Siwi language Arabic	Egypt, Lybia		Islam → Sunni Islam
Soga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Soga	Uganda		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Somalis	Afroasiatic → Cushitic → Somali	Greater Somalia	Hawiye, Darod, Isaaq, Dir, Rahanweyn, Madhiban, Yibir, Ajuran along with significant populations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Canada	Islam → Sunnism → Shafi'ism
Songhai	Songhay languages	West Africa	Songhai proper, Zarma, Wogo, Kurtey, Ingalkoyyu, Arma, Belbali, Dendi	Islam
Soninke	Niger–Congo → Mande → Soninke	Mali		Islam → Sunni Islam → Malikism
Sotho	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Sotho	South Africa, Lesotho		Christianity
Southern Ndebele	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nguni → Southern Ndebele	South Africa		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Spaniards	Indo-European → Romance → Spanish → Canarian Spanish, Silbo Gomero, Isleño Spanish	Spain		Christianity → Catholicism
Sukuma	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Sukuma	Tanzania		Christianity → Catholicism
Surma	Nilo-Saharan → Surmic	Ethiopia, South Sudan	Me'en, Mursi, Kichepo	Traditional African religions
Susu	Niger–Congo → Mande → Susu	Guinea, Sierra Leone		Islam
Swahili	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Swahili	Swahili coast	Shirazi	Islam
Swazi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Swazi	South Africa, Eswatini		Christianity → African Zionism
Tallensi	Atlantic–Congo → Gur → Talni	Ghana, Burkina Faso		Tallensi religion
Tama	Nilo-Saharan → Taman → Tama	Chad, Sudan		Islam
Tarok	Niger–Congo → Plateau → Tarok	Nigeria		Christianity
Teke	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Teke	Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo		Traditional African religions
Temne	Niger–Congo → Mel → Temne	Sierra Leone		Islam
Tigrayans	Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Tigrinya	Eritrea, Ethiopia		Christianity → Oriental Orthodoxy → Ethiopian Orthodoxy
Tigre	Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Tigre	Eritrea		Islam
Tiv	Niger–Congo → Tiv	Nigeria		Christianity
Tonga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tonga	Zambia, Zimbabwe		Traditional African Religion
Tooro	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tooro	Uganda	Abagweri, Abasingo, Abahinda, Ababiito, Abasumbi, Abayaga, Ababwiju, Abasiita, Abasambo, Ababoopi, Ababwooro, Abagaya, Abalebeki, Abango, Abagimu, Abarungu, Abanyakyoozi, Abasoigi	Christianity, Ruhanga
Toubou	Nilo-Saharan → Saharan → Tebu	Toubouland	Daza, Teda	Islam → Sunni Islam
Tsonga	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tsonga	Mozambique, South Africa		Christianity → Catholicism
Tswana	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tswana	Botswana, South Africa	Balete, Mangwato, Bangwaketse, Bakwena, Batlokwa, Bahurutshe, Bakgatla, Rolong	Christianity
Tuareg	Afroasiatic → Berber → Tuareg languages Arabic	Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania		Islam → Sunni Islam
Tumbuka	Niger-Congo → Bantu → Tumbuka	Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe	Senga, Henga, Yombe, Phoka, Tonga	Christianity, Tumbuka mythology
Tupuri	Niger–Congo → Adamawa → Tupuri	Cameroon, Chad		Christianity
Turkana	Nilo-Saharan → Nilotic → Turkana	Kenya		Christianity → Catholicism
Tutsi	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Great Lakes → Rwanda-Rundi	Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo	Banyamulenge	Christianity, Islam
Urhobos	Niger–Congo → Edoid → Urhobo	Nigeria		Christianity
Vai	Niger–Congo → Mande → Vai	Liberia, Sierra Leone		Islam, Christianity, Traditional African religions
Venda	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Tshivenda	South Africa		Christianity, Traditional African religions
Wala	Niger–Congo → Gur → Wali	Ghana		Islam → Sunni Islam, Animism
Welayta	Afroasiatic → Omotic → Wolaitta	Ethiopia		Christianity → Protestantism → P'ent'ay
Wolane	Afroasiatic → Ethiopic → Wolane	Ethiopia		Islam
Wolof	Niger–Congo → Atlantic → Senegambian → Wolof	Senegambia	Lebu	Islam → Sunni Islam → Sufism → Mouride
Xhosa	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nguni → Xhosa	South Africa		Christianity
Yabs	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Réunion Creole	Réunion		Christianity
Yako	Niger–Congo → Cross River → Yako	Nigeria		Christianity
Yao	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Yao	Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania		Islam and Animism → Yao Folk Islam
Yoa-Lokpa	Niger–Congo → Gur → Oti–Volta → Yom, Niger–Congo → Gur → Gurunsi → Lukpa	Benin		Ethnic religion
Yoruba	Atlantic–Congo → Yoruboid → Yoruba Yoruba Sign	Yorubaland	Ijesha, Egba, Yewa, Igbomina, Awori, Akoko, Okun, Ana, Ekiti, Ilaje, Ijebu, Oyo, Ondo, Ife, Nagos, with significant populations in the United States and Canada	Islam, Christianity, Yoruba religion
Zaghawa	Nilo-Saharan → Saharan → Zaghawa	Chad, Sudan		Islam → Sunni Islam
Zande	Niger–Congo → Zande	Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan	Barambu	Christianity
Zarabes	Indo-European → French-based creoles → Réunion Creole Historycally Indo-European → Indo-Aryan → Gujarati	Réunion		Islam
Zayanes	Afroasiatic → Berber → Central Atlas Tamazight Arabic	Morocco		Islam → Sunni Islam
Zulu	Niger–Congo → Bantu → Nguni → Zulu	South Africa		Christianity
ǃKung	Kxʼa → ǃKung	Namibia	ǃXun, Ju	Animism
ǂAakhoe	Khoe-Kwadi → Khoe → Khoekhoe → ǂAakhoe	Namibia		Animism

Lists of ethnic groups

;By status:

;Regional lists: