Stereotypes of Africa

Stereotypes about Africa, Africans, and African culture are common, especially in the Western World. European imperialism was often justified on paternalistic grounds, casting Africa as less civilised, and Africans as less capable of civilising themselves. These stereotypes can still be seen in today's press.

History

Europe

Several countries, such as France and Portugal, tried to 'civilize' Africa by colonizing it. Belgian cartoonist Hergé depicted Africans as childlike in Tintin in the Congo. The Germans falsely credited African accomplishments to a 'Hamitic' race descended from European settlers. Some Italians stereotype Africans as illegal immigrants and beggars. Poles' understanding of Africa is influenced by its press, which often dwells on bad or alarming news.

North America

In the 19th century, scientific racists such as Josiah C. Nott and George Gliddon likened Africans to the non-human apes. This comparison was used to justify the former's inferior status.

Present

Asia

Japan sees Africa as a continent in need of help, as does China. In Chinese internet culture, unlucky or incompetent video game players are called 'Africans', a reference to the association of black faces with bad luck.

United States

In the United States, Africa is seen as primitive and full of disease. Africans are seen as peculiarly vulnerable to disease. Alternatively, Africa is seen as a sparsely-peopled jungle full of wild animals. American cinema is blamed for disparaging stereotypes of Africa.

Australia

Australians often view Africa as primitive and homogeneous. This view is influenced by stereotypes of African Americans.

Themes

Environment

A common stereotype is that much or all of Africa is an inhospitable jungle or desert, inhabited only by wild animals. Alternatively, many believe that wild animals are ubiquitous and familiar, like domestic animals. Although Africa has many wild animals, among them big game animals, most Africans see them only in zoos and safaris.

Poverty

Africa is often considered primitive and impoverished. Though poverty exists in Africa, many countries have fast-growing economies.

Many people believe most Africans live "in a mud house in the middle of nowhere". Forty-three percent of Africans live in urban areas, slightly below the global average of 55%.

Technology

In rich countries, Africans are often seen as having no access to modern technology. As of 2013, 80% of Africans had a mobile phone. Internet use in Africa grew by 20% in 2018, reaching 59% of North Africa, 51% of Southern Africa, 39% of West Africa, and 45% of East Africa.

Another common stereotype is that Africans, particularly Nigerians, commit online fraud. The most well-known African scam is the advance-fee scam, nicknamed the "Nigerian prince scam".

Unity

Africa is often mistaken for a single state. In fact, it is a continent with 54 states. This mistake can lead people to think all Africans belong to one ethnic group, or to apply disparaging stereotypes about one group to another.

Outsiders may believe that there is only one language, called 'African'. Africa in fact contains more than 1,000 languages. Swahili is the single most widely spoken indigenous African language.