African Tribalism

In Lusaka Zambia, a young man applying for a job was told to see the manager. He leaned over the receptionist's desk and asked "what tribe is he".When the receptionist told him that the manager was  a  Mashona. The applicant replied "I will never get the job".

This phenomenon is called tribalism. There are more than 2000 tribes in black Africa.Each has its own language ,customs ,and physical  characteristics that makes its members almost immediately recognizable to person from other tribe.

To the westerner ,tribalism is one of the most difficult of African customs to understand ,it makes many people think of savagery warfare and old-fashioned customs .However ,to most African, tribalism means very strong loyalty to one's ethnic group.It is a  force that can be  both good and bad.By definition of tribalism means sharing among member of extended family .It makes sure that a person can be taken care of by his own group tribesman.It is not wrong to give a fellow a job.It is a  obligation. Similarly ,for a  politician and military    leader, it is considered good common sense to choose his closest advisers from people of his own tribe.It ensures security  continuity  authority .Tribal loyalty means quick promotion --from sergeant to captain from clerk to manager within very short time.Modern politicians publicly speak out against tribal divisions.Yet tribalism remains the  most powerful force in day- to- day African life.