Africa must claim its space in its Narrative

“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” African  proverb

The Narrative of Africa in shaping its identity in the global space is critical.  Africa must co-create itself. Its stories. Its history. Its present and the future. Africa must claim its space in the narrative of the universe. Africa cannot be re-told, Africa must tell. Telling its own stories also allows Africa to showcase its rich cultural heritage, history, and contemporary experiences.

Africa can no-longer allow the payer to pipe the tune as the saying goes “he who pays the piper calls the tune” Irish Proverb

Prelude

The power of Africa telling its story is indisputable from generation this has been a way of connecting people, sharing experiences, building homogeneity, and shaping an understanding of Africa to the world.

This narrative has been an integral part of the culture for centuries, passed down from one generation to another through oral tradition. This tradition goes back to pre-historic times. Before the advent of writing, the use of oral tradition to preserve cultural heritage, pass down knowledge, and educ-entertainment has lived on.

Griots, or oral historians, were highly respected members of societies and were responsible for preserving and transmitting the stories, myths, and legends of their people through generations. Some of the stories were often accompanied by music, dance, and other forms of performance, making them an integral part of African culture. Tin this way societies were able to preserve their traditions, values, and world-views, and maintain a strong sense of identity and community.

Today, storytelling has taken on new forms and mediums, from literature and film to music and art. These stories have the power to challenge dominant narratives, reshape identities, and inspire change. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of African storytelling and the impact it is having on shaping Africa’s narrative offering new perspectives and insights that challenge the dominant narrative and reshape Africa’s identity.

Africa is rich in culture, diversity, and history. This post  will further explore the importance of African storytelling highlights some of the incredible stories who are making a difference and shaping Africa’s identify. Among the story tellers of Africa in the coeval are film-makers and writers to poets and musicians, who showcase this diversity and richness and inspire, transform, and unite.

So whether you are an avid reader, a film enthusiast, or a lover of music, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and exploration, as we celebrate the art of African storytelling and all that it represents.

Misrepresentation’s of Africa Narrative

“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

For far too long, Africa has been portrayed in a negative light by outsiders who often focus on its challenges and struggles, rather than its triumphs and achievements. This one-sided narrative has created a skewed perception of Africa, which does not reflect the reality of its diverse societies, cultures, and peoples.

Africa is a vast and diverse continent with over 1.2 billion people, 54 countries, and a rich history and culture. Unfortunately, The world has been fed a narrow and often inaccurate representation of Africa, perpetuated by colonialism and reinforced by media and popular culture. The continent has been portrayed as a place of poverty, disease, and war, with little attention given to its vibrant cultures, thriving economies, and rich natural resources. As a result, the continent has suffered from misrepresentation and negative stereotypes, which have had significant consequences for its people and their livelihoods.

There are  misconceptions about Africa that the world tells, including:

• Africa is a country rather than a continent: This is one of the most common misconceptions, however Africa is made up of 54 diverse countries with distinct cultures, histories, and identities.
• Africa is poor and underdeveloped, while it is true that Africa faces significant economic and social challenges, there are also many success stories of economic growth, innovation, and development across the continent.
• There is also a tendency to portray Africa as a continent of conflict and violence. While Africa has experienced conflicts and political instability, it is also a place of peace, stability, and thriving communities.
• Another misconception is that Africa is a culturally homogeneous continent, with little diversity or complexity. In reality, Africa is home to a vast array of cultures, traditions, and languages, each with their own unique histories and identities.
• There is a tendency to view Africa through the lens of charity and aid, with a focus on poverty reduction and development assistance. While aid can be an important tool for supporting development, it is also important to recognize and celebrate the agency and resilience of African communities and to highlight their contributions to the global community. 

Reclaiming the Perspective… taking the bull by its horns

The growing movement of African voices reclaiming their own narrative and telling their own stories. This is challenging the dominant narrative, shifting perceptions, and breaking down stereotypes.

Africa can present a more accurate and balanced picture of itself to the world. It should showcase the successes and contributions to the global community, as well as acknowledging and addressing its challenges and complexities and how this is perceived in the global world.

The continent should tell its stories, through literature, art, music, film, and digital media, these platforms will showcase the diversity and complexity and thus break the stereotypes and misrepresentations that have been perpetuated for far too long.

The narrative that reflects Africans own perspectives and experiences means its  defined by insiders rather than the outsiders. This can empower African communities and individuals to take control of their own narratives, and to shape how they are perceived by the rest of the world.

They would highlight the diversity, complexity, and richness of their cultures, societies, and experiences. This definitely would challenge the dominant narrative of Africa as a monolithic, homogeneous, and impoverished continent, and can provide a more nuanced and balanced perspective on the realities of life in Africa.

Ultimately, telling its own stories can help Africa to reclaim its narrative and reshape the perception of  the rest of the world. This is an essential step towards creating a more inclusive, accurate, equitable, just representation of the continent, and contributes to a more equitable and just global community.

Contemporary stories challenging the misrepresentation

1. One example of a case where telling its own stories challenged stereotypes and misrepresentations about Africa is the #MeToo movement in Nigeria. In 2018, Nigerian journalist Kiki Mordi released an undercover documentary titled “Sex for Grades,” which exposed sexual harassment of female students by university professors in Nigeria. The documentary went viral and sparked a nationwide conversation about sexual harassment and assault in higher education institutions.

This challenged the common misperception that sexual harassment is not a serious issue in Africa, and highlighted the courage and agency of Nigerian women who spoke out against their abusers.

The documentary was produced by a team of Nigerian journalists, led by Mordi, and provided a powerful example of Africans telling their own stories and challenging negative stereotypes and misrepresentations about the continent.

Furthermore, the success of the documentary demonstrated the power of African storytelling to effect positive social change, and highlighted the importance of empowering African voices to speak out against injustice and discrimination.

#MeToo movement in Nigeria:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50019875 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/world/africa/nigeria-sexual-harassment.html

2. Another example of how telling its own stories challenged stereotypes and misrepresentations about Africa is the “Africa is not a Country” campaign by South African creative agency, Studio Muti.

The campaign, launched in 2017, sought to challenge the common misperception that Africa is a single country, rather than a diverse continent made up of 54 distinct countries with unique cultures, traditions, and identities.

Studio Muti created a series of vibrant illustrations featuring iconic African landmarks and cultural symbols, accompanied by the message “Africa is not a country.” The campaign was widely shared on social media and helped to raise awareness about the diversity and complexity of Africa, while challenging the stereotypes and misrepresentations perpetuated by outsiders.

This was an example of Africans taking control of their own narratives and challenging negative stereotypes and misrepresentations about the continent. By using art and creativity to convey their message, Studio Muti demonstrated the power of storytelling to challenge dominant narratives and shift perceptions.

“Africa is not a Country” campaign:

https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/africa-not-country-campaign-aims-educate-global-audiences

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/25/africa-is-not-a-country-designers-tackle-continent-stereotypes

Demystifying the stereotypes… more here…

African tech industry success stories:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56114592

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/16/africa/african-tech-companies-success-stories-intl-cmd/index.html

The “Slay Queens of Nairobi” photo series challenging stereotypes of African beauty:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/07/slay-queens-of-nairobi-photo-series-challenges-stereotypes-african-beauty/

The African Renaissance Monument in Senegal challenging stereotypes of African art:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20181019-the-massive-statue-challenging-africas-art-stereotypes

The Case of Uganda’s Narrative

Uganda has a diverse and rich narrative that is shaped by its unique history, culture, and geography. It’s a country home to over 50 different ethnic groups, each with its unique  own language, customs, and traditions. Across generations Ugandan storytelling is deeply rooted in oral tradition, with folktales, legends, and myths being passed down through generations by griots, elders, and other community members.

In Buganda for example, one of the well-known folktales is that of “Kintu and Nambi,” which tells the story of the first man on earth and his journey to find his place in the world. This is  story is often used to teach moral lessons and impart wisdom to younger generations.

Uganda’s contemporary narrative is also shaped with colonialism, pre- and post independence, and civil strife all playing significant roles. The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1962, however it has experienced periods of political unrest and violence.

Even then Uganda’s cultural and artistic traditions have continued to thrive with vibrant music and dance scenes, and has produced renowned artists like the late Philly Lutaaya and the legendary Ugandan musician, Eddy Kenzo.

In recent years, Uganda has also emerged as a hub for contemporary African literature, with authors gaining international acclaim for their work.

Overall, Uganda’s narrative is one of resilience, diversity, and creativity, shaped by both its rich cultural heritage and its complex modern history.

Some Take-away  

• Intentional Representation: Africa’s narrative has long been shaped by external factors, and there is a need for intentional efforts for Africans to take ownership of their own stories and challenge negative stereotypes and misrepresentations.
• By telling African stories, this can be a powerful tool for promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural exchange, as well as self empowering while promoting economic development.
• Accurate and balanced representation of Africa requires a proactive approach in collaboration and dialogue within the diversity of our communities and the interests of various stakeholders.
• The Education and skills development systems are crucial for enabling the mindset change and doctrine of Africa’s narration. Africa’s education must present its history  contextually and shape the present and future narration. This galvanised power will empower the people to participate in shaping and sharing Africa’s narrative, and building the confidence of local content creators and storytellers.
• Leaders have an important role to play in promoting Africa’s narrative and empowering its people. They should reflect on ways they can use their position and influence to promote a more diverse and inclusive culture, support local content creators, and challenge negative stereotypes and misrepresentations.

The Lion must tell its own stories

We must continue to reclaim the African narrative and tell African stories to the world. We must challenge the power of stereotypes, reshape Africa’s identity, and pave the way for a future that reflects the narrative for Africa by Africans. A narrative that Africans have a say or a counter say.

However, this alone is not enough. Proactive actions to address the underlying issues that perpetuate negative stereotypes and misrepresentations of Africa must be addressed.  This includes advocating for more diverse representation in media and supporting initiatives that empower African voices.

Action must be taken to create a more equitable and just world. This is the future where Africa’s beauty, complexity, and richness are celebrated and where African voices are heard and respected. The journey may be long, but its possible to make a difference.

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Africa Must BREED trans-formative LEADERS Yesterday.