AFRICAN CULTURE IN A WORLD OF CHANGE

Abstract

Arguably, African culture, is the worst hit by the cataclysmic storm of colonialism,
slavery, capitalism, modernism and the current wave of globalization. The gradual
decline and erosion of African culture and value system, the trend of digitalization
with huge cultural disorientation, coupled with the recent brain-drain syndrome
reflect Africa’s current predicament and her preparedness to survive in Heraclitus’
words, “world in perpetual state of flux”. The challenge of cultural intermingling
and value cross-fertilizations occasioned by globalization that has shaped nations’
cultural outlook across frontiers, calls for deep philosophical reflection and cultural
projection for Africa and Africans. This call, urgent and existential, is necessary to
forestall impending fate of identity loses and the apparent obliteration of African
culture in ever changing world. Against this backdrop, this paper advocates
Aristotle’s idea that virtue lies in the middle to project cultural system that will not
only cope with reality of the current wave of globalization but as well as survive
future cultural impasse. The paper emphasizes the need for Africa to embrace
globalization with the consciousness of her core value systems which among other
things include: revival of culture of discipline in child upbringing, encourage decent
dressing among young people, to promote culture of respect for elders, to promote
collective wellbeing and prosperity, protect and safeguard African languages in
schools and other educational institutions, advocate educational policies that promote
teaching of African history, African indigenous languages and moral philosophy in
all educational levels and lastly, to avoid supernaturalism, anachronism and
authoritarianism that had dented African cultural heritage in the past.