Editorial

A viable undertaking

by Honoré Yao Assouman



African Societies originates in the belief that Africa’s crisis stems from reversible factors

A period photo entitled "Bakuba Dancers", that actually shows a young belgian colonist, between two tribal chief, Ex Congo-Belga. Source: Jan Vansina, University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, Africa Focus, 1929-32

– i.e., linked to the action of specific agents – and, at the same time, that there are actors capable of a turn towards development who are to be given opportunities and support. The way Africa (Sub-Saharian Africa in the first place) is represented outside, and the way Africans themselves represent it, is part of this phenomenology.

It is a phenomenology often made up of stereotypes which, as it becomes increasingly clear, are not simply produced and disseminated by mass-media. They are in fact deeply rooted in the popular cultures in the North of the Planet as far as their systematic character and – in a way – their consistency are concerned, and from a diachronic standpoint. Africa’s negative image has in fact a remote origin, as it appears closely linked to the dynamics of colonial conquest and rule at first and, at a later stage, the dynamics of the existing forms of imperialism and exploitation.

This does not mean there is no place for Africa within global imagery, … far from this but to enter such imagery Africa, as it were, must “know its place” and accept to appear, at worst, as a home to inexplicable disasters and violence and, at best, as a natural, exotic and pristine paradise, or as a source to draw on from time to time – and cautiously – to revive forgotten or neglected impulses (the sense of community, hospitality, corporeity, rhythm…). In the meantime, other elements are concealed which a careful, if sympathetic, observer would still be able to notice – the urban reality, middle classes, scientific and technologic research, the ongoing democratisation processes, cultural and spiritual life, and so forth.

These are die-hard prejudices, a result of narratives from all kinds of sources built up throughout the centuries, and engraved within the collective memory to such an extent that they have become part of common sense. This common sense does not only affect the perception of all events concerning Africa – which is often regarded as an indistinct whole –, but also inspires the actions of media professionals, international co-operation officers and workers, entrepreneurs and businessmen, the religious, teachers, scholars and researchers, with a major – and mainly negative – impact on the development of the entire continent.

A board of directors meeting in a company of Uganda Source: Media for development international. Photoshare,1990

This is a crucial question which we feel able to answer in the affirmative, as long as we understand that providing a more thorough image of the African continent – for both its good and bad aspects – is not an easy task but requires “vision”, and specific strategies and resources.

Given the complexities and stratification of Africa’s negative image, we undoubtedly need the involvement of a number of actors from different areas – from information to co-operation; from economy to culture, science, education, religion. Ideally, these actors should grow more critically aware of their assumptions and prejudices on Africa’s reality; better explore their daily actions, and acquire a tendency to share sensitiveness, resources, research, discoveries, information, experiences.

Clearly, an action at different levels is required – from the macro-political level (international relations) to the micro-political level (daily actions of a number of different subjects) – this latter not less important because of its potential wide-ranging overall effects. As far as African Societies is concerned, we shall continue in our efforts to dismantle the existing stereotypes, and provide, we hope, a more adequate representation of Africa and its key-actors, and report about all that is being done with a view to this.

Issue No 4 of this Magazine focuses on the various expressions of Africa's image.

In his editorial, Editor Honoré Yao Assouman looks at the prejudices about African peoples (that have become stratified with time) produced and disseminated by the Western world. Such prejudices have been the major contributing factor to this continent's crisis and its limited influence on the international stage. Reversing the trend, Assouman warns, is not an easy task; it requires a mobilisation of relevant intellectual and material resources.

The dossier on Africa's image, compiled by sociologist Daniele Mezzana, sets out a range of studies and research on what is described as a 'cancerous' image of the continent. It highlights its root-causes; the mechanics behind the production and dissemination of current stereotypes; the actors playing (or likely to play) an either negative or positive role in this area, and any possible solutions available.

A contribution from Nigerian African art expert - and artist himself - Olu Oguibe deals with the “exoticisation” used by the Western world to define and exorcise Africa and its Art, and the forms of “colonisation” of basic notions such as time, history, modernity, and post-modernity.

The above is followed by an essay by Dutch sociologist Jan Nederveen Pieterse in which he explores African reality as it appeared in Europe's popular culture between the 19th and 20th centuries. Drawing on a wide range of sources, he highlights the birth and consolidation of a peculiar colonialist representation of African peoples.

Lesothian journalist Monica Mofammere focuses on the diverse forms of material, and above all cultural, subjection of African media to former colonial countries' information channels, and highlights the stereotypes about the continent produced, or in at least accepted and circulated, by African information professionals themselves.

Sociologist Greg Philo introduces research by Glasgow Media Group that show, among other things, an inadequate and low-quality media coverage of developing countries overall and of Africa in particular. Such phenomenon is in a way linked to a sort of 'self-fulfilling prophecy' on the part of international media owners as far as their audiences' alleged expectations are concerned.

The United Nations' role in promoting a more comprehensive image of Africa is the subject of an interview with OSCAL's Director, Yvette Stevens, who focuses on ongoing and planned strategies and programmes; representations and stereotypes to change; actors to involve.

Edouard Nanema Kouka, Mayor of the town of Yako, Burkina Faso, focuses on emerging phenomena in the Burkinian and – more in general – African realities, such as the democratisation process and the dissemination of new technologies, which are likely to help considerably change Africa's image.

Another controversial aspect of Africa's image on the global scene is that of religion, and African Societies has opened a specific path for reflection on this subject. Chidi Denis Isizoh, from his “observation post” at the Vatican as an official responsible for inter-religious dialogue, identifies a few salient features of African traditional religions, and stresses their relevance and value.

The – certainly insightful as much as cutting – contribution by cultural anthropologist Jean-Loup Amselle focuses on Africa's important, if ambivalent, role in Western culture where the African continent is regarded at the same time as a 'degenerate entity' and a source of rebirth based on “primitivistic” and misleading stereotypes.

In the opinion of sociologist Luciano d’Andrea, the source of all stereotypes about Africa was a “Myth of the North” that has become established over time, and has introduced the notion of the alleged superiority of the Western culture over any other one from a cognitive standpoint, with special regard to the cultures of – needless to say - African peoples.

This issue also includes the usual column on the Internet world, that sets out a few websites focused on Africa's image and studies on this continent, and a column on employment that advertises job opportunities in and for Africa.

This issue marks the end of Tana Worku Anglana's contribution to this Magazine. We thank her for her contribution, and feel confident that the expertise she has acquired here and the memories of this challenging experience will accompany her in her future activities.

Translation: Rita Bandinelli