Africa is a vast continent with incredible contrasts, ranging from beaches to mountains, deserts to wetlands, and mountains to endless open savannah. You can meet people whose way of life hasn’t changed in centuries and witness wildlife spectacles that have followed millennia-old rhythms.
Africa is the only continent with a distinct identity among the world’s seven continents. Africa’s culture is extremely diverse. It has a diverse cultural heritage, a wealth of natural resources, and breathtaking tourist attractions.
A trip to Africa is something that every black person in the world should do at least once in their lives. Here are some life-changing lessons you will learn if you travel to Africa.
1. Discover how little is required to be truly happy
The majority of Africans emit light, joy, and happiness despite having few resources and possessions,– to the point where it touches your soul. They teach us that there is very little that is required to be truly happy. Relationships are the most important reasons for happiness in Africa, and because the continent is community oriented, you are never truly alone. This centrality of relationships, which is so easily embedded in much of African consciousness, is what the West has now turned to with urgency as it deals with an overwhelming epidemic of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicide despite rising incomes and better technologies.
Watch Unforgetable by French Montana
When French Montana saw the video of the Ugandan children dancing on YouTube, he made an instagram post saying,
“There was no complaining or pain, just pure joy in the music and dancing.” I was watching with the song ‘Unforgettable’ playing in the background when it hit me! Their movements matched the tempo, almost as if God had planned it!
“It inspired me to go find them in Uganda. My team and I searched and we found them. When we arrived, it was so sad for me to find out that one of the kids in the video died before I got to meet him, and my favourite girl Patricia had just woken up from a two-week coma. But it did not stop her from coming to the set and dancing barefoot with the others. These kids made my experience in Uganda #Unforgettable.”
French Montana
2. Learn to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
Africa teaches you to appreciate simple pleasures. a beautiful sunrise and sunset. Smiling, happy children who are creative and innovative, particularly in the way they come up with activities and games to play. The natural beauty that surrounds you no matter where you are.
3. Heartfelt generosity
Generosity that has no monetary value but is comprised of love, support, encouragement, and respect. Families band together and pool resources to celebrate the accomplishments of family members or children sharing food with the children of the family who lives next door is something you will often see. In Africa, generosity knows no bounds, and people will treat you with kindness regardless of how you look.
4. Learn to enjoy life and live in the moment
Africans are generally fun loving people. The yoruba people of Nigeria are genrally known for thier love for parties and having a good time. On a good weekend in Yorubaland, the visible sights will be people dressed in radiant Yoruba attires, men wearing their Buba and Sokoto with Fila, women wearing Iro and Buba of various designs coupled with a large and attractive headgear with combinations of expensive shoes and jeweleries, a street packed with tents and chairs of beautiful decor, and loud music from various angles of the neighbourhood. The video to the song owanbe by Simi is a good depiction of a yoruba party in nigeria.
Watch Owanbe by Simi
5. Cities that are vibrant
African cities are known for their vibrant cultures. Travel to Africa has traditionally been viewed through a Western lens, with the idea of going to see the safari dominating. African culture is gaining more international attention as it becomes more prominent in fashion, music, art, and food around the world.
Cultural events like Lagos Fashion Week, Durban July, and Dak’Art have been flourishing for years, but now that they are being more widely celebrated, Africa is finally being recognised for having more to offer than the Big Five. The African Union has designated 2021 as the Year of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, and highlighting the continent’s customs, crafts, religion, folklore, fashion, cuisine, music, and language will help to expand the tourism experience across Africa.
Watch Sukari by Zuchu
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 