Cultural Sensitivity; Embracing East African Values

Planning a trip to East Africa? Maybe you're curious about the values our African friends hold dear to them. Either way, keep reading if you would like to learn more about East African ideology and how to be respectful of their customs.

What is cultural sensitivity? One definition we embrace is from Dr. Winston Sieck, "Cultural sensitivity means that you are aware and accepting of cultural differences. It implies that you withhold judgment of cross-cultural practices, and that you can deal effectively with these differences," (globalcognition.org).

Here are three paramount values of East African culture:

1. Relationships

“Where there is love, there is no darkness,” Burundian Proverb.

We can learn so much from the East African people. In our opinion, the most admirable aspect of their way of life, is the importance placed on relationships. Personal interactions are essential to all areas of their lives. What is precious to God, is precious to them – people.

Texts, emails, and phone calls are convenient forms of communication but, in East Africa, they do not constitute a relationship. One needs to be in the present, engaged, relaxed and interested. There is giving and receiving of authentic selves. Good conversation often revolves around ideas and beliefs, passing through the generations.

No rushing. No pushing the agenda. Proper business etiquette involves time spent together. Africans want to get to know who they will be doing business with. Getting to know a person means getting to know their family as well. For the most favorable business interactions, be sure to dine with them. That will signify your deep respect for what matters to them.

African-style hospitality is a virtue. It is warm, spontaneous, welcoming, celebratory, and enduring. One does not need to wait for an invitation. Unlike Western culture, pop-in visits are encouraged. The practice of hospitality is about relationships. It is foundational to their worldview.

2. Food & Beverage

Continuing with the theme of hospitality, East Africans show kindness to their visitors through food. Foods are primarily from the earth. There, food staples are grains, rice, bread, meat, and ugali (stiff cornmeal mush).

They eat a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits. Daily meals include beans, corn, yams, and sorghum (leafy greens). Sukuma wiki is a favorite dish made with collard greens, onions, and spices. Tanzanian cuisine incorporates spicy foods and coconut milk into many main dishes.

​Chai tea is often served any time of day and is delicious. If you pop-in to visit a friend or new acquaintance, there’s a high probability that you’ll be offered a cup of sweet chai tea.

*Recipe courtesy of Chef Jean atfood.com.

3. Art Expression

East Africans unapologetically express themselves through art. At the forefront of their art are vibrant colors, clothing, accessories, music, and dance.

Color

Lively, spirited, and dynamic colors portray the cultural personality of East Africa. You’ll see it everywhere, especially in rural areas that are less Westernized. A rainbow of colors can be observed in East African arts and crafts, sculptures, paintings, pottery, and woodcarvings. Multicolored beadwork is often used to create intricate visual and useable art.

​Clothing

Clothing is a form of cultural identity. It can symbolize tribe, clan, marital status, gender and age. Although urban dwellers wear less traditional clothing, they often incorporate traditional color, patterns, and motifs into their attire.

Traditional dress includes bright, colorful, patterned cloths called kanga. These can be wrapped around the waist, used as a hair covering, or draped over the shoulders. You’ll also find Swahili-speaking women wearing gomesi. Men who speak Swahili often wear a dress called kanzu.

​Their expressive dress is worn modestly. In some area, such as parts of Tanzania, modest clothing is a must, including the covering of men’s knees. Women are expected to cover their shoulders, knees, and thighs.

Music & Dance

Music is central to all African lifestyles. It is rooted in religion, history, story-telling, politics, rituals, and ceremony. It is carried through generations. Singing and dancing are immersed into the highly musical culture. A wide variety of instruments are used. Common instruments include the drum, rattle, gong, double bells, harp, fiddle, flute, shaker, xylophone, Kora, ngoni, and the mbira.

Indigenous dance tradition binds the community and communities together. It is complex in purpose. Dance helps them remember, continue, understand, express, and connect with the sacred. For instance, an historic dance, called Adumu, originated from Maasai warriors forming a circle and systematically jumping during the warriors’ coming of age ceremony.

A Culture to Celebrate

These examples are just a taste of the engaging cultural values found in East Africa. We are aware of the blessing we have in our friends there. God has given all of us unique genealogy, yet one mind in Him. We look forward to learning so much more from them in our upcoming visits.

Thank you for your continual confidence in I AM Provision Ministries and the ministries in East Africa that we support. “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” (Rev 7:9).