Southern African representation

[HNation]

I think that's because indigenous Subsaharan civs got so little space in the series prior to civ6 that almost nobody wanted one of the few precious African "slots" being taken by Western colonizers

One could argue that the Boer Republics were a more impressive accomplishment than the Mfecane. On the other hand, the Zulu are iconic to Civ.

Civ6 on the other hand already featured a ton of Western colonial offshoots (America, Brazil, Canada, Australia) so nobody wanted yet another one instead more slots devoted to the remote insigenous cultures

I'm not sure why America, Canada, and Australia should all be in the game, but not the Boers. I don't see what's so bad with having a lot of Western colonial offshoots, they are some of the most recognizable countries today.

Since they are decendants of mostly Dutch immigrants (also Germans and lots of others) I would concur, but only after the Zulu or one of the other Nguni kingdoms/tribes are introduced first.
And as they have to come in the modern age , they may be a good alternative for the Dutch (who are probably only an Explorer age civ if they are coming in game) to evolve in.

Yes, they would be a good modern age alternative for the Dutch.

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

I'm not sure why America, Canada, and Australia should all be in the game, but not the Boers.

None of them should be in the game (except maybe America)

I don't see what's so bad with having a lot of Western colonial offshoots, they are some of the most recognizable countries today.

Yet another reason not to have them. Almost everyone knows about them, there are lots of non-Western peoples and civilizations that don't get the same level of exposure in pop culture (including but not limited to video games)

 

[BuchiTaton]

We can create some very interesting historical paths throughout Africa. Here are some suggestions of mine. Obviously, I'm not convinced that we have enough materials to make all of them playable civs.

1. Maghreb
Numidians > Marinid/Almohad > Morocco

Personally, I have a slightly stronger preference for Marinid, but Almohad would also work quite well. By the way, I love this path and hope to have something similar at some point in the game.

2. Sahara Desert
Garamantes > Songhai > Kaabu

I'd like to point out here that I'd have preferred them to have gone to Mali instead of Songhai, and I don't think we'll have both included.

3. Akan States
Bonoman > Denkyira > Ashanti

While Ashanti and Denkyira fit well into their Ages, Bonoman is way outside of what Age 1 would be.

4. Nigeria
Ife > Benin > Oyo

Ife is way outside of what Age 1 would be and I can't think of any other option.

5. Ethiopia
Aksum > Zagwe > Ethiopia

I think this path works quite well. We could expand this path and call it the "Horn of Africa path" and put Somali (or more specifically a Sultanate, like Ajuran) in Age 2 instead of Zagwe (or could we create a Somali path of its own?). I'd be fine if Nubia was also part of this path as Age 1.

6. Southwest Africa
???? > Ndongo > Kongo

The transition from Ndongo to Kongo works well, but I can't think of any options for Age 1.

7. South Africa
Mapungubwe > Mutapa > Rozvi and Zulu

Mutapa was very prominent in the region, so I chose it over Zimbabwe (I'd be fine if Great Zimbabwe was a Mutapa-associated wonder). The transition to Age 3 could lead to either Rozvi or Zulu, depending on the player's choice.

8. Southeast Africa
Swahili > Kilwa > Omani and Buganda (???)

This seems like a good historical path to me, but I'm not sure there are enough materials to make an Age 1 Swahili civ. Perhaps Buganda could function as an alternative successor to Kilwa?

9. Madagascar
Vazimba > Merina > Madagascar

I'm pretty sure that Age 1 of this path is too obscure to be a viable civ. Merina, however, is pretty easy to make a playable civ because it's well documented.

Horn of Africa
Punt > Adal > Somalia

 

[Australopithecine]

One could argue that the Boer Republics were a more impressive accomplishment than the Mfecane. On the other hand, the Zulu are iconic to Civ.

I'm not sure why America, Canada, and Australia should all be in the game, but not the Boers. I don't see what's so bad with having a lot of Western colonial offshoots, they are some of the most recognizable countries today.

Yes, they would be a good modern age alternative for the Dutch.

The Boers (Afrikaners) are predominantly of Dutch descent, yes.
As mentioned, they also have notable French Huguenot and German roots, and even, (to a lesser extent,) Flemish, Danish, Norwegian, Swiss and Swedish ones.

In a broader context, South Africa makes a good modern amalgamation point for many peoples, since it is composed of many broadly endemic cultures (rainbow nation).
Afrikaner, Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, Ndebele as well as the San and the Khoikhoi naturally culminate there. (Not disregarding Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho)
In fact, the very first modern humans inhabited South Africa, 100 000 years ago. Hence the Cradle of humankind world heritage site.

It is a bit of a stretch to jump on from a non-endemic group, but if you are willing to make that leap then you have even more options:
Malay, Indian, Portuguese (the first 'explorers' to land in 1486), and more.

 

[Ornen]

And as they have to come in the modern age , they may be a good alternative for the Dutch (who are probably only an Explorer age civ if they are coming in game) to evolve in.

Given how they're divvying up eras so far, I'm starting to think the Dutch are more likely for the modern age. (possibly with a civ like Holland or Burgundy in the second age)

 

[Xandinho]

Given how they're divvying up eras so far, I'm starting to think the Dutch are more likely for the modern age. (possibly with a civ like Holland or Burgundy in the second age)

I've also been strongly suspecting that Netherlands will be Age 3. The first reason is that its gameplay may directly overlap with that of Portugal and possibly Venice, both of which sea trade. The second reason is its very difficult transition to Age 3.