The document discusses indigenous peoples in Africa. It defines indigenous peoples as ethnic groups who have the earliest historical connection to a geographical region and have maintained aspects of their distinct culture and society. Examples given are the San people, Batwa, and Amazigh/Tuareg. Characteristics include practicing unique cultures threatened by dominant societies, dependence on traditional lands, and experiences of discrimination, marginalization, and human rights violations. Misconceptions are that advocating for indigenous rights means special rights or that the term does not apply in Africa where all people are indigenous. The document aims to illustrate indigenous groups in Africa and discuss their human rights concerns.

1. THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
22 FEBRUARY 2017
MR M.E MADITSI
IKSM 111

2. Who are the Indigenous people?
 The term indigenous people can be used about any ethnic group
who inhabit the geographical region with which they have the
earliest historical connection.
 Drawing on these, a contemporary working definition of “indigenous
people” for certain purposes has a criteria which would seek to
include cultural groups (and their descendants) who have a
historical continuity or association with a given region, or parts of a
region, and who formerly or currently inhabit the region either:
 Before its subsequent colonization or annexation or;
 Alongside other cultural groups during the formation of a nation/state
 Independently or largely isolated from the influence of the claimed
governance by a nation/state
 Furthermore have maintaned at least in part their distinct linguistic,
cultural and social/ organizational characteristics and in doing so
remain differentiated in some degree from the surrounding
populations and dominant culture of the nation/ state

3. Examples of indigenous people in
South Africa

4. Cont…
• Nguni People (Zulus/Xhosa) • Batswanas of SA

5. Characteristics of indigenous peoples
in Africa
 The African peoples who are applying the term “indigenous” in their
efforts to address their particular human rights situation cut across
various economic systems and embrace hunter-gatherers,
pastoralists as well as some small scale farmers.
 They practice different cultures, have different social institutions and
observe different religious systems.
 Their culture and ways of life differ considerably from the dominant
society
 Their cultures are under threat, in some cases at the point of
extinction
 Their survival depends on access and rights to traditional lands and
natural resources thereon.
 They suffer from discrimination (they are regarded as less
developed and advanced)

6. Cont…
 They often live in inaccessible regions, often geographically
isolated, and often suffer from various forms of marginalization
(politically and socially)
 They are subjected to domination and exploitation within national
political and economic structures that are commonly designed to
reflect the interests and activities of the national majority
 This discrimination, domination and marginalization;
i. violates their human rights as people/communities
ii. Threatens the continuation of their cultures and ways of life
iii. Prevents them from being able to genuinely participate in
decisions regarding their own future and forms of development

7. Misconceptions
 One of the misconceptions regarding indigenous people is that to
advocate for the protection of the rights of indigenous people would
be to give special rights to some ethnic groups over and above the
rights of all other groups within a state.
 This is not the case!!!!!!
 The issue is not special rights
 Because of marginalization, social exclusion and discrimination, it is
therefore legitimate for these marginalized groups to call for
protection of their rights in order to alleviate this particular form of
discrimination
 A closely related misconception is that the term “indigenous” is not
applicable to Africa as all Africans are indigenous.
 Another misunderstanding is that talking about indigenous rights will
lead to tribalism and ethnic conflict.
i. Not true, unless other certain dominant groups force, through a
sort of “unity” that only reflects the perspectives and interests of
certain powerful groups/states

8. Examples of indigenous people in
Africa
 For the purpose of illustration, the table below provides examples of
some of the groups in Africa who identify themselves as indigenous
people.
Country Group Main econ
activity
Algeria Amazigh
tuareg
Farmers
pastoralists
Botswana San Hunter-gatherers
Burundi Batwa Hunter-gatherers
CAR Bakola, Bagyeli
Mbororo
Hunter-gatherers
pastoralists
Zimbabwe San Hunter-gatherers
South Africa San Hunter-gatheres
Namibia San
Himba
Hunter-gatherers
pastoralists

9. The human rights situation of indigenous
peoples of Africa (Major concerns)
Next week Monday (27/02/2017)