African Culture builds the base of a global culture because its dynamic, rich, and beautiful nature contributes to the creation of art, music, fashion, and more. The African roots can be heard in many popular songs, and they can be felt in the qualitative textiles and seen in the beauty of African-inspired clothes and incredible pieces of art that foster positive emotions within us. Being fascinated by Africa is very common because we can say that it surely has the most beautiful traditions, which are worth exploring. If you feel attracted by African culture, you will most likely want to practice cultural appropriation, but how to do it without offending African natives? The concept of cultural appropriation is not offensive by itself for Africans, but you should still do your research to ensure that your actions will not be misunderstood, even if you have the best intentions. So, in this article, we are going to unveil the best ways to get closer to Africa with confidence:
Do your research
African culture is one of the richest, so it’s no surprise that you feel deeply fascinated by it. However, in order to practice appropriation, it’s crucial to do your homework and try to understand the values and traditions of the motherland. UNESCO considers African culture a complex interaction between knowledge, arts, beliefs, customs, and morals, labeling the mother continent as a culture that serves it all. Diversity and rich heritage are some core aspects that characterize Africa, so the culture we know today is a mix of various tribes, civilizations, visions, and traditions. Art, music, Literature, and other forms of traditional arts are built by many ethnic groups, each one contributing to a timeless legacy. Countries from all over the world borrow elements of the African culture, but as an individual who tries to practice appropriation, it’s essential to learn everything you can about the dynamic Africa, see what could be offending for African people, and avoid exaggerating when embracing their habits.
Connect with traditional art
African art is deeply related to traditions and the artistic vision of African tribes and civilizations. Visual art in Africa includes sculpture, pottery, painting, rock art, jewelry, and textiles, which can be found in shops and exhibitions all over the world. Trying to connect with art is a great way to understand the values of African culture because the artists try to transmit an emotional message and tell viewers something about their vision of the world. Consider looking for museums exposing African art in your areas, look for shops online to purchase pieces you can integrate into your house to bring a sense of history indoors and get in touch with local African artists to talk about their creations.
Feel the vibe of African Music
African music has a strong influence on modern music. For instance, some common styles where you can clearly hear the African roots are samba, salsa, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and recently, even some house pieces. The afrobeat genre is usually very danceable, and it relies on layers of rhythms, percussions, and call-and-response vocalization. The Musical Spirit of Africa is a view that stands apart from other styles, so if you want to connect with the rich culture, it would be a great idea to research the main components of the Afro beats, so you can try recognizing them whenever you hear a new song on the radio. You can diversify your music tastes on YouTube by researching the songs that are trending in African countries, and to fully commit to this kind of music, consider also taking some dance classes from African people, who usually have incredible talent and can help you gain confidence with your best moves.
Explore African fashion
Africa has a prestigious fashion heritage, which is derived from its cultural diversity. African fashion has a strong influence globally, and colorful patterns and qualitative textiles can be seen on the most popular runways. African clothes are a great element you could embrace when practicing cultural appropriation. For instance, consider purchasing a beautiful headwrap that can be used in various ways, and it can be found in a wide range of colorful patterns that can surely make you stand out. These pieces represent a timeless fashion trend that recalls the traditional African beauty of women. The beauty of African women is, in fact, undeniable, and their perfect-looking skin is usually achieved using an African net sponge for a deeper cleanse. The dark skin tone of African people creates a beautiful contrast with the colors they usually embrace for clothing, but even if you might feel very fascinated about this aspect, make sure to avoid exaggerating your fashion choices. For example, a traditional African outfit as a Halloween costume can be really offensive, so it would be better to avoid it.
Explore Africa
The best way to really commit to African culture and unveil its hidden gems is to book your next trip to one of your favorite countries. By traveling to Africa, you have the opportunity to meet people who can surely give you valuable information about their heritage; you can hop on traditional adventures, get to know the tribes that are still leading some areas and get involved in activities that can make you feel included. African people are very friendly, and they are ready to answer all your questions.
Final thoughts
We can surely say that African culture is fascinating. From the unparalleled vibe of music to the beautiful pieces of clothing, Africa seems to serve it all. The dynamic countries are at the top of the bucket list of committed travelers from all over the world, so we hope this article encourages you to book your next adventure in the mother continent for a memorable experience.