[Lordarminius]

> analysis and archeological evidence suggest that the Bantu originated near the border of Nigeria and Cameroon....

When Mandela and Winne were in the midst of their divorce, I read an article which reported that Winnie got the matrimonial home as part of the settlement because 'the placenta of her children were buried there....' This practice is widespread in West Africa. It surprised me that it was a thing in South Africa as well and spurred my (amateur) search for other similarities in culture.

Turns out there are many : inheritance laws, burial customs,traditional government organization.

This article does a lot to explain why we are so similar. In particular, the culture and traditions of central plains dwelling Nigerian tribes (Tiv, Berom, Jukun etc) are very similar to that of the Eastern and South African Bantu (Swahili, Xhosa, Zulu)

(I am Nigerian)