More specifically ethnic groups such as the the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba who have historically controlled very powerful kingdoms and empires and lived in urban areas even longer than most Europeans did. West Africans have also been practicing agriculture and metallurgy longer than most of Europe as well. To me, the word tribe seems like a European invention to downplay the historical kingdoms, empires and overall centralized states and governments that Africans come from. Same thing with when they referred to high ranking officials in these empires as "chiefs." If there was an identical group of people in Europe, they'd refer to it as a "nation" or an "ethnic group" and they'd refer to the "chiefs" as lieutenants or nobles. I don't think you Africans should take the bait. I'm an American and even I find it offensive. The Basque in Spain for example are an "ethnic group" that number only 2.4 million. Historically they did have their own kingdom but more often than not, they were a vassal of a larger kingdom. The Yoruba on the other hand number 40 million and have always been a political powerhouse even to this day.

I surely do not and for many reasons. Most of these ethnic groups have several subgroups so calling them a tribe makes no sense.

Fulaman198:
I surely do not and for many reasons. Most of these ethnic groups have several subgroups so calling them a tribe makes no sense.

Exactly. I'd feel very insulted if people downplayed my history and culture by calling it a tribe or "tribal"

Kanoro:


Exactly. I'd feel very insulted if people downplayed my history and culture by calling it a tribe or "tribal"

Those who typically refer to it as a tribe are brainwashed and suffering from inferiority complex.

Fulaman198:


Those who typically refer to it as a tribe are brainwashed and suffering from inferiority complex.

Unfortunately most black people in the world suffer from an inferiority complex. Even those of us who were born in the West.

Kanoro:


Unfortunately most black people in the world suffer from an inferiority complex. Even those of us who were born in the West.

You were born in the West, but you are Nigerian though right? I assume you are from Kano judging by your name. Are you Hausa?

Fulaman198:


You were born in the West, but you are Nigerian though right? I assume you are from Kano judging by your name. Are you Hausa?

No to all 3. I'm full blooded American.

Do I even know the difference between Tribe and Ethnic group