It has been a difficult task to unite the people under laws that represent the traditions and beliefs of all races. The struggle to live together peacefully still continues, but South Africans are generally optimistic about living in harmony with each other. The major differences are that the Nguni tended to settle in scattered, semi-independent groups and intermarrying was strongly prohibited, while the Sotho lived in larger communities and encouraged the marriage of cousins. Common traditional beliefs are that men rank higher than women and may have many wives. First-born males inherit their father s wealth and status.
Cattle are symbols of wealth and are also sacrificial animals.
The black cultures hold strong superstitions and believe in and respect their ancestral spirits. These groups have not really survived the impact of European culture, though some San still live in parts of Southern Africa. These people were native to the Western and Northern Cape and the coloured population includes some descendants of these tribes. The white population is made up of Afrikaners and other European South Africans, mostly of British origin. The Afrikaans race derived from Dutch, German, French and British settlers and traditionally have strong Christian beliefs.