Bantu Peoples

The Bantu peoples refer to a group of over 500 ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa who speak Bantu languages. They originated in what is now southeastern Nigeria and migrated across Africa over centuries, around 1000 BCE to 500 CE, spreading agriculture, ironworking, and cultural practices. This migration significantly influenced the demographics and cultures of many regions, including Central, East, and Southern Africa. Today, the Bantu encompass diverse communities, each with unique languages, traditions, and histories, contributing richly to the continent's cultural tapestry.