Ovimbundu

expand_more Description

The Ovimbundu are the largest ethnic group in Angola. They live in the Benguela Highlands (Bié Plateau) practicing shifting cultivation, primarily of maize and beans, raise domestic animals(cattle, goats, pigs, and fowl), and fish, hunt and trap in the dry season. The Ovimbundu were major traders in central Africa, operating Large caravans operated throughout the region. Trade items included slaves, ivory, domesticated animals, axes, hoes, guns, salt, skins, and maize. In precolonial times, Ovimbundu society included a king, other members of the ruling elite, freeborn, clients, and slaves.

Identifier

Region

• Africa

Subregion

• Southern Africa

Subsistence Type

• horticulturalists

Samples

• EA
• SCCS
• SRS

Countries

• Angola

External Links

• Mbundu (Ethnographic Atlas) D-PLACE
• Mbundu (Standard Cross-Cultural Sample) D-PLACE