Anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss famously said that “animals are good to think with”. We often use animals as symbols to explain the relationships between people and the world. Certain animals have physical attributes and behaviours that strike us deeply.
African Elephant
Let's delve into the fascinating world of West African animal names and meanings, exploring the cultural significance and symbolism behind these creatures.
The Big Five: Icons of the African Wilderness
None more so than the Big 5 animals-all of which are large, powerful and dangerous. But these days the most important role that lions, buffalos, leopards, elephants and rhinos play is as the stars of safaris in Africa, which keeps the continent’s game parks thriving.
Lion
Lions have always been associated with courage, power and nobility. Anyone who has slept in the bush knows that when you hear a lion roar, it is unquestionably the king of its domain; even if you are safe in a lodge, you still quiver in your bed.
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One of the most widely known tribal rituals featuring lions is the Maasai rite of passage. In this ritual boys who wish to become men have to kill, using only spears, Africa’s apex predator. The Maasai people were pastoralists, and lions were understandably seen as a threat to their most valuable possessions, their cattle.
Hunting a lion on your own is extremely dangerous, especially if the lion is not out in the open savannah. Many brave youngsters lost life and limb in their quest to demonstrate their prowess and manhood. These days, with increased conservation awareness in Kenya, a new custom has been encouraged.
Another Zulu term for lion is ibubesi, which comes from the verb bhubeza meaning 'to make the final decision', supporting the belief that the lion is king of the beasts. In Tsonga, 'ku va nghala', 'to be a lion' refers to being brave and 'ku lwa xinghala' translates 'to fight like a lion'.
Buffalo
African buffalo are renowned for being fearless, standing together and taking on lions when threatened, and have thus become a symbol of unity and strength in many African tribes. Buffalo may look a bit like cows, but over the centuries efforts by pastoralists to domesticate them have failed, as they are fickle and cantankerous.
They can carry certain diseases that cattle can catch such as bovine tuberculosis, and have been devastated by domestic outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and rinderpest. The Balete tribe of Botswana adopted the buffalo as their totem, symbolising their army’s strength and ability to stand united, which protected them in the past in times of conflict.
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Elephant
Beyond the most obvious trait of elephants - their size and strength - they are also associated with longevity, as they live almost as long as we do, and loyalty, as the bonds that tie them together, are exceptional.
It takes a very special kind of hunter to take down an elephant with just a bow and arrow, but the men of the Watha tribe were excellent at doing just that. The Watha lived on the border of Kenya and Ethiopia, and because they were a small tribe, competition with neighbouring tribes led them to become nomads, living by hunting rather than by raising livestock.
Using poison arrows, huge bows, and possessing intimate knowledge of their prey, they were adept at bringing down Africa’s largest land animal. Elephants are regarded as relatives of humans by the Watha: they have a myth that a husband who returned from hunting with only small animals made his wife so angry that she turned into an elephant, destroyed their hut and stormed off into the bush.
The Tswana and Sotho word for elephant, tlou, and the Tsonga word njovu also carry this meaning. Several Tsonga idioms provide food for thought: 'ku ba ndlopfu hi xibakele' translates to 'hit an elephant with a fist', i.e. 'to make a very slight impression'. 'Nkari wa mahlemba - ndlopfu' means 'the time of the elephants bath', ie 'the early hours before dawn'.
Leopard
In many African tribes, leopards are even more highly regarded than lions, due to their courage, cunning and immense strength. Thus, leopard skins are worn by the Zulu nobility and the warriors of the East African Karamajo and Acholi tribes.
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There have been several secret cults such as the Anyoto, known as the Leopard Men or Leopard Society that carried out grisly nocturnal murders with metal claws - frequently on their colonial rulers - in the Congo and West Africa, about 100 years ago. The Basimba are a tribe in Uganda whose name means “big lion” in Swahili.
The kingdom of Buganda was established in the 14th century by 13 clans, among them the Leopard or Ngo clan, who were often captured and executed in later years, as they had royal blood and were perceived as a threat by the king. At times, African tribal beliefs about the leopard can help to conserve it.
In some Zulu clans, it is known as the “ingwe”, symbolising honour and nobility, and members of this clan are expected to honour the leopard by preserving its life and habitat.
All African tribes regard the leopard as an animal that symbolizes all that is noble, courageous and honorable. It is called ingwe by the Zulus and nkwe by the Basutos. These words originally meant 'pure sovereignty' or 'pure kingship'. In very ancient times, a king who supposedly ruled over other kings among the Botswana tribes was called nkwetona.
Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros is a symbol of strength in African folklore, but it is better known as a powerful protector symbol. The rhino also symbolises authority: in the ruins of the ancient city of Mapungubwe in South Africa, gold rhino effigies made it clear that the black rhino symbolised sacred leadership in a society that was class-based.
The rhino is most closely revered by the Langi tribe of Uganda, who revere it as their totem animal. They were once known as the five hardest animals to hunt on foot.
The “Big Five” Animals in Africa!
Zebra
Antelope and Other Horned Animals
Antelope and other horned animals are the most abundant type of animals in Africa. These African animals are hardy. They have adapted to different environments.
While exploring the continent’s beautiful landscapes, you will learn to identify different horned African animals. You will also learn to identify some of the largest antelope in Africa, as well as some of the smallest antelope species. Both these species are medium-sized South African antelope that are near extinction.
At one point in history, only 17 bontebok remained in the wild. Now there are around 3000, mostly in parks on the country’s coastal fringes. Elusive yet widespread across the majority of Sub-Saharan Africa, bushbuck live among the trees.
Many people think dik-dik to be Africa’s smallest antelope. But still, dik-dik are tiny and adorable. Despite being widespread, they are so small it is difficult to see them above the grass. Weighing close to one ton in weight, they are slow and defenseless, except for their size.
Thomson’s gazelle are incredibly abundant in Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara. Grant’s gazelle are larger and occupy similar spaces, notably in Kenya. Gemsbok are plentiful in Botswana and Namibia.
Rising straight and true, gemsbok horns are some of the finest in Africa. Gerenuk are the giraffes of the antelope world. They have enormous necks. Found in Tanzania and Kenya, they are one of Africa’s most elegant antelope species.
Gerenuk have also evolved to live without water. Burning amber coats can alert you to hartebeest. This is an enormous antelope scattered all over Southern and East Africa. Males tend to roam on their own and lock horns with male rivals.
All hartebeest species are fussy eaters. They prefer the best and lushest grass available. Elegant and agile, impala are slender antelope commonly mistaken for gazelle. Impala on the run is a spectacular safari sight.
Klipspringers do not need to run from predators. Combine an impressive size with beautiful horns, and it is easy to see why everyone loves the kudu. Lechwe looks a lot like Bambi.
Huge populations live in the swamps and wetlands of Southern Africa, notably in Botswana and Zambia. This African horned animal is a common sight on safaris. The South African horned animal is often confused with bushbuck.
Beisa oryx are often hunted for their beautiful horns. Reedbuck wandered enormous distances across Southern Africa’s arid plains. They are the same color as the desert and can be difficult to see, even on very open landscapes.
Steenbok are a sight for safari connoisseurs. They are small and orange with squat horns, their appearance easily confused with impala. Are sable antelope the most impressive antelope in Africa? Their fur shimmers black and red, and their horns rise straight and proud.
Their numbers are dwindling, notably, because they are premier hunting trophies. Millions of springbok live in South Africa, inside and outside the country’s parks and reserves. Their most bizarre behavior is pronking. Suni are on the tick-list of people who have been on dozens of safari.
They usually travel in herds of only five individuals but sometimes join the great wildebeest migration. Tsessebe do not have the most stunning appearance. Blue wildebeest are more common. They are mid-sized antelope full of energy and charm.
Black wildebeest are mostly populated in South Africa.
Predators of Africa
Many of Africa’s most famous animals are predators. They are icons of their environment, symbols of a wild and untouched continent. They live in prides and usually occur in the open, all across East and Southern Africa.
Lions are not scared of anything. Lionesses do most of the hunting. Interestingly, these large cats don’t only roar. Leopards are majestic and radiate mystique. With their sheer size and incredible speed, leopards are among Africa’s top apex predators.
Two iconic scenes take place on safaris. One is of an African leopard resting in a tree, its tail flicking casually. One of the fastest animals in the world is native to Africa but has lost 91% of its historic range over the last two centuries.
Cheetahs are also secretive, and they are not hugely strong. While leopards have incredible jaw power, cheetahs trip their prey at high speed. King cheetahs are one of the rarest African animals.
Estimates suggest that only ten exist in the wild. Three hyena subspecies live in Africa. All three are incredible hunters, even though their reputation precedes them. Most people think of hyenas to be ugly and nasty African animals, a little like Whoopi Goldberg’s character in The Lion King.
Spotted hyenas are the most common hyena subspecies. Striped hyenas were once common across Africa and Asia. They regularly come into contact with people and scavenge from garbage bins.
Unfortunately, they are another animal that is often hunted and near extinction. Shabby and wide-eyed, there is a surreal beauty to African wild dogs. A photogenic canid that is both scavenger and hunter, jackals, are an adorable sight on safari.
Black-backed and side-striped jackals occur across East and Southern Africa. A number of smaller cats roam the African savannah. Servals are slender and look a bit like miniature cheetahs.
Caracals are a nocturnal lynx species with pointed ears and smooth golden fur. Some are comically brilliant, such as the mongoose or meerkat. They are both predators and prey.
South African people know the hyena by its Zulu name, impisi , while some tribes in Zimbabwe call it sisi. These words literally mean 'the purifier ', 'the cleaner', 'the one who makes things orderly '. In Sestwana the hyena is called sephiri or phiri.
The Shangaan people associate the hyena with evil and witchcraft. 'Ku va mhisi', in Tsonga means to be a hyena, i.e. a hard and fearless worker. 'Ku va ni matimaba ya mhisi,' i.e. 'to have the strength of a hyena', that is to be strong and evil.
Other Iconic African Animals
Most safari reverie is dominated by the largest and most iconic animals. These African animals have come to symbolize a continent. Africa’s large animals are usually much larger than people realize, certainly much bigger than photos suggest.
One elephant is an incredible sight. A herd of elephants is more impressive. They are remarkable animals. Rhinos are an emblem of an African safari. Sadly, they are critically endangered and only occur in a small number of parks in national parks in Africa.
White and black rhinos are both actually grey in appearance. White rhinos are larger and more abundant. Up to 20,000 southern white rhinos remain. Only two northern white rhinos remain. Yes, two!
