1. Log in and navigate to "Origins" from the "DNA" dropdown menu
Uncover your African
heritage in rich detail.
Uncover your African
heritage in rich detail.
Ancestral origins are revealed through the scientific marvel of DNA, and our latest DNA update uncovered even more new ancestral places. Connect with the stories and ancestors across 22 regions in Africa, including 63 ethnic groups.
See the latest Ancestral Regions and Journeys
using the interactive map below.
Get deep results across many groups.
Africa is a geographically large and genetically diverse continent. You will likely be delighted to discover genetic ties to many groups as opposed to just one.
Because an AncestryDNA test looks at all of your DNA, it can give you insight into your multiple lines of descent. Discover your potential community ties now with an AncestryDNA kit, or by simply clicking through to your DNA results.
Explore 63 new ethnic groups.
We identified these 63 new ethnic groups in partnership with area experts by studying trends in our reference panels involving geographical areas and languages.
Ethnic Groups in Africa
- Afizere
- Agatu (Idoma North)
- Aja
- Ake
- Alago (Idoma Nokwu)
- Anaguta
- Arum
- Atyap
- Babanki
- Bafaw-Balong
- Bafut
- Bakossi
- Bakweri
- Balondo (Balondo-ba-Konja)
- Bambara
- Bambili-Bambui
- Bamileke
- Bangwa
- Banyang
- Berom
- Bu
- Dogon
- Eggon (Mo Egon)
- Esan
- Ewe (Eʋe)
- Fon
- Fula
- Gen
- Gun
- Gwandara
- Ham
- Hausa
- Ibibio
- Idaasha (Ìdàáshà)
- Idoma
- Igbo (Ṇ́dị́ Ìgbò)
- Kom
- Luhya
- Maasai
- Mada
- Mama
- Manenguba
- Mende (Mɛnde)
- Menka
- Mijili (aJijili)
- Mumuye
- Ngemba
- Ninzo
- Nso (Nsọ)
- Oku
- Pinyin
- Rindre
- Tiv
- Tori
- Twa
- Waci
- Weh
- Weme
- Widikum
- Wimbum
- Yoruba (Ìran Yorùbá)
- Zaar
- Zulu
Discover your community.
An ethnic group is a community of people who share common cultural characteristics, such as language, religion, and customs (and often ancestral ties, like the Yoruba and Zulu peoples). In a genetically diverse continent that is as geographically large as Africa, communities evolve over time, and boundaries change. We partnered with Ethnologue/Derivation to help us map these regions.
See which ethnic groups you may have ties to with your AncestryDNA results.
How do I see my ethnic groups?
Take the AncestryDNA test to discover the rich details and ethnic groups living on in your DNA. Once you've taken your test, follow these steps to look even deeper.
2. Select one of your African regions from the results panel
3. Scroll down the page to view the ethnic groups in that region
Hear directly from ethnic groups.
Ancestry brings you authentic cultural traditions, cuisines, celebrations, and glimpses into the daily lives of people. This collection is a labor of love—captured through photos, stories, and videos by the incredible, collaborative work of the communities and our partnership with R’ajwa Company.
Updated regularly, check back often to discover intimate portraits of people you may be connected to through your DNA, documented by local storytellers who sometimes uncover surprising histories about their own regions!
Have goosebumps yet? Imagine learning from tribespeople with whom you potentially share ties!
Reveal your American roots.
Black Americans have shaped the nation since its inception. Their history isn't just African American history—it is American history.
Discover their stories with the help of census and military records, resources on the Great Migration, and unlimited access to the Freedmen’s Bureau Records.
