Cultural considerations in Africa

The world is full of a wonderful variety of people and culture with different beliefs and traditions, showing a little respect for the traditions of the country you’re travelling in can go a long way!

As more and more of us travel to far-flung places, we come into contact with cultures very different to our own. As fun as this is, it does increase the chance of putting your foot in your mouth (or at least eating with the wrong hand)! The key is to do your research before you go, not just arrive at customs and expect it to be like home, but with more sun! As much as we like to think of ourselves as the same underneath, we can all seem very different sometimes!If you come across something you don’t expect, try not to look too shocked and remember to make a note of it for next time. As long as you try to fit in and show respect, African’s are friendly enough not to mind your mistakes. Showing that you’ve made an effort though, is always likely to be well appreciated. Good guide books like Lonely Planet contain plenty of information on specific countries and we’ve also detailed some of the major cultural considerations you should bear in mind when visiting Africa.

Greetings

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Get the greeting right and whoever you’re talking to will be so impressed they probably won’t notice any other cultural faux pas! Learn the correct local greeting and you’ll be welcomed everywhere you go. Greetings differ even within countries and with over 800 different languages we thought you could do with a little help. Here’s a quick guide to saying “hello” wherever you go. It’s not necessary to perfect the Maasai welcome dance just yet!

Personal space

In Italy, if you don’t touch someone’s arm during a conversation you may be considered rude, but in Korea, touching someone who isn’t a good friend is considered a little too friendly! Africa is a very diverse place so it’s difficult to generalise, but you’ll find that in most places, personal space between people is smaller than in Europe. In many places here, especially in Central African countries like Nigeria, distance between people of the same sex is much less than you might be used to as well. Maybe it’s a good idea to practice standing closer to people before you leave!

Non-verbal communication

In the West we are used to concentrating almost entirely on verbal communication. Unless we meet people with expressive hand gestures we often ignore other forms of communication. People in Africa tend to be much more sensitive to non-verbal means of communication and it’s something you should try to be aware of when travelling abroad. Hand gestures, facial expressions and body posture can often convey things that words can’t. Misunderstandings can result from not paying attention to non-verbal communication so try and listen to the silent messages! It’s a tricky skill to master but one you should be aware of.

Religion

Countless religions exist across Africa, from Christianity and Islam to the complex belief systems of traditional societies. Whichever country you’re in and whatever religion they follow, Africa is still a very conservative place. Travellers should dress modestly and gay and lesbian travellers in particular, should avoid public shows of affection. Africa is a thoroughly friendly place to travel as long as you respect the traditions and beliefs of its people. Be aware also, that in Muslim countries the day of rest is Friday, so don’t turn up at the shops expecting them to be open!

Use the right hand

This one appears as a cultural consideration for nearly all countries! In many places outside of Europe and North America it is impolite to use the right hand when eating, greeting or offering gifts. This left hand was traditionally used as a substitute for toilet paper before it became widely available, so there’s good sense behind the rule! If you’re left-handed this may take a little getting used to so it’s a good idea to have a practice before you go!

Useful links

• http://www.i-to-i.com/what-to-expect-on-gap-year.html
• http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/56-Cultural-considerations-in-Asia

http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/46-Cultural-considerations-in-Australasia

http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/32-Cultural-considerations-in-Latin-America

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