The caste system in Africa

The caste system on the African Continent manifests differently according to region and ethnic groups, but remains an immersive reflection of societal constructs and traditions. Most caste-like systems have been within West Africa, North-African societies and Horn of African societies but are not found all over the continent and without these class society ideologies they still manifest. Historically, such systems have categorized individuals by bloodlines, earnings, and community responsibilities thereby dictating marriage options, social engagement and resource availability.

African caste systems evolved gradually as systems of social organization and labor division. The caste system organized social life in a lot of communities across the African continent guiding what each person did for work, their role in society and sometimes even spiritual obligations. Though the caste system differed by ethnicity and region, they were typically ranked in nature with roles and statuses assigned to each group. These systems were frequently based on heredity, and it was virtually impossible to change caste status after birth.

In contrast to the caste system operated in India, which tends to be more strictly religiously oriented, African caste systems are primarily defined by economic roles and social functions; though there are components of spiritual hierarchy. Even the systems of castes in some of the African societies such as that of blacksmiths, weavers, griots (oral historians), hunters, and farmers generally assigned traditional functions necessary to their society.

West African Caste Systems

The caste system of the Mandé peoples — an ethnic group practical in multiple nations including Mali, Senegal and Guinea — is likely probably the most predominant African one. Among the Mandé, this structuring of society takes place among three more general categories: nobles, commoners and slaves. There are many sub-castes in these casts, each related to a specific work.

The nyamakala (skilled craft specialization) castes are one of the many major divisions within Mandé caste structure. These include the nyamakala, such as blacksmiths, leatherworkers and griots (oral historians and performing musicians). The nyamakala caste has traditionally been seen as "powerful" because they work with metals, which are symbolically and spiritually important. Especially considered workers of magic are blacksmiths who through the transformation of material create tools or weapons.

The griot class has a particularly important role in Mandé culture. Griots are traditional storytellers, poets, and musicians who serve as oral historians and genealogists, passing down the history, traditions, and values of their people. They are seen as the guardians of Mandé culture and are revered for their memory of ancestral lineage and history. But the griot caste is also seen as socially distinct from the noble and farming castes, and they typically marry within their own caste.

Caste groups in many West African communities are generally endogamous, so people ought to marry within their caste. Marriage between different castes, especially noble married to artisan or slave (or the other way around) is generally discouraged and outright forbidden. This endogamous system perpetuates caste relations and upholds the social equilibrium.

Caste Systemslh in the Horn of Africa

Caste systems have existed in the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Somalia. In Ethiopia, for instance, the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews), the Wayto (traditional fishermen) and some potter and blacksmith castes are historically marginalized but are even to this day situated lower in their social hierarchy. These were individuals who belonged to traditionally marginalized caste groups that suffered discrimination, ostracism, and separation from mainstream society on account of their occupation or descent.

The Beta Israel, for example, had to face social exclusion and marginalization due to their religious beliefs and cultural practices. While they remained a community and an identity within Ethiopian society, they experienced extreme social isolation and were usually confined to certain types of roles or work. Likewise, the Wayto were and are still considered unclean by some of the other Ethiopian ethnicities because they had been fish-men traditionally and socially isolated.

Once in Somalia, the Somali people there have a complicated caste system, where various clans rate higher or lower than another on some ladder of social justice. Somali society is traditionally divided into three groups: nobles, artisans and outcast groups. Tumals (blacksmits), Yibirs (ritual specialists) and Midgans (hunters and leatherworkers) belong to the lowest castes in Somali society. Historically, these groups–also known as the “Sab”–have experienced social marginalization and were often restricted to discrete occupations such as metalworking and leatherworking.

Because of their caste status, members of these artisan and outcast groups in Somalia have generally faced discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion. They would be expected to marry within their caste and are likely not allowed to own land or political power. Caste-based discrimination has persisted for many centuries in Somali society, although recent years have seen some effort to reduce discrimination based on caste; the historical legacies of caste still impact some communities though.

Jins: North African Caste-like Hierarchies

Caste-like social hierarchies in certain Berber and Tuareg societies, especially in North Africa The Tuareg, who live in the often rugged and harsh areas of Mali Niger and Algeria have society divided into categories that appear similar to a caste system. The Tuareg have traditionally divided people into four major categories: nobles (Imajaghan), vassals or serfs (Imghad), craftsmen (Inadan) and slaves (Ikelan).

Traditionally, the power and wealth remained in the hands of a noble or warrior caste having political and social responsibilities among the Tuareg. The noble class may have been free, but they were still subjugating those beneath them: the vassal castes. These latter groups of people tended to be pastoralists and farmers who were free—but in practice all but strictly tied to working for nobles. Artisan castes, or Inadan, blacksmiths, jewelers and leatherworkers possessed valuable skills needed in Tuareg culture. Yet just like most African caste systems, they were socially inferior despite their prominent utility.

The Ikelan or ex-slaves class were normally made up of slaves either captured from war or born in the mix since their birth. Despite ending slavery, the Ikelan's descendants are still socially ostracized and discriminated against by Tuareg people. The hierarchical nature of Tuareg society has had a lasting influence over marriage, social mobility, and political authority with strict endogamy along caste boundaries.

The Impact of Caste Systems on Contemporary African Cultures

While caste-like forms of discrimination are increasingly being renounced, the legacies of caste systems in many African societies remain, shaping social relations. Though equality in social rights has been adopted by some communities, and those rights have become law, caste can continue to be a force-or an invisible hand-in the selection of a partner for love or marriage as well as for economic preferences.

Some castes, especially those linked with craft or manual work, still suffer stigma and limited social mobility in some areas of Mali and Senegal. In various rural areas in Ethiopia and Somalia, the continued practice of caste discrimination against caste groups like blacksmiths, leather workers, and fisher communities continues to be an issue. Although urbanization and modernization have brought about more integration of various social classes, cultural beliefs on caste die hard.

In different parts of Africa, organisations and activists are trying to tackle caste-based discrimination through legal reforms, awareness-raising initiatives and equal rights campaigns. These initiatives are being pursued to knock over caste-based prejudices and offer underprivileged sections access to education, jobs and social resources.

The caste system in some African societies shows how the legacy of past social structures can survive well into the next generations. People live out their lives in jobs and in family lines, similar to caste systems, despite the fact that African caste systems are different from those of South Asia, but also include inherited occupational specialization and social stratification. The question of how to confront caste, as African nations grow in many ways prosperous today, remains one of the most consequential questions of social justice and equality.