For a continent that has been oppressed and looked down upon for many years, there has got to be something to keep you rooted and confident in who you are and where you come from.

There’s this common quote which says “ you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family” I kind of liken this quote to who i am. I am African, I did not choose to be born in Ghana to parents of the Akan Ethnic group and if I don’t own that no one will own it for me.

If i were to come back on earth, i would want to do things differently but one thing i would n’t change is being African.

Here are the reasons why i love being African

My genetics

I appreciate the natural strength of Africans; it’s amazing how muscularly built we can look without even hitting the gym. African populations also exhibit the highest levels of genetic and phenotypic variation among all humans. This variation helps in characterizing demographic history in Africa, including times when populations increased in size, contracted, migrated, or when admixture between them occurred.

African populations live in diverse environments, including deserts, savannas, and tropical regions, and are exposed to different infectious diseases, diets, and subsistence patterns. This broad range of environments means that African populations may have regional or population-specific genetic variants that contribute to local adaptation to different selection pressures. The study of African genomic variation is particularly interesting due to the high proportion of human genetic variation observed in African populations and the length of human history on the continent.

Our Hospitality

Africans are known for their warmth and hospitality. It’s common to hear stories of people visiting African countries and being welcomed with open arms by the locals.

We love to make people feel at home, and our hospitality extends beyond just offering food and drinks. We want to know about your life, your family, and your dreams. We want to share our culture with you and learn about yours.

Hospitality is a core value in African culture, and it’s something we take pride in.

Skin

I love my skin. Being dark-skinned is beautiful and attractive to me. Our skin tone is beautiful, and we can stay under the sun for long periods without getting sunburned because of the natural melanin protection we possess. However, we still need sunscreen.

Our bodies are strong and built to withstand tides and fire. Maaan… we have built our own thick skin. We are beautiful, and our curves are a manifestation of our beauty.

Our resilience

Africans are some of the most resilient people I know. Resilience is commonly referred to as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties and setbacks. It is also defined as the positive adaptation of an individual despite the presence of significant challenges. Africans over the years have been subject to immense atrocities from all sides. We have had to deal with the aftermath of the damage that was done, heal from the past, and build a future, which has not been easy. We face a lack of education, infrastructure, political instability, and genuine interest to rebuild nations by leaders. Nonetheless, Africans keep rising. We work many jobs to put food on the table and take care of not only our immediate families but also our extended families. Each day is another day to step out and hustle; somehow, that is what we know and what we do. The can-do spirit is big, and the will to keep pushing keeps getting stronger and stronger. Our history, culture, and heritage have built us in a way that giving up is not an option. We were born in ashes, and from ashes, we rise and build ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Our sense of humor

Finally, I love our sense of humor. Africans have a unique way of finding humor in the midst of difficult situations. We use humor to cope with challenges and to bring joy to those around us.

Our humor is contagious and can lighten up any room. We can find the funny side of everything and make people laugh even when they don’t feel like it.

Our sense of humor is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can still find joy and happiness.

Diversity

I love the diversity within the African continent. Each person is like a tiny star in a galaxy full of millions of distinct but shining stars. When attempting to define African culture and identity, we must be mindful of the broad ethnicity comprising different sub-communities resistant to having their heritage and culture boxed into simplistic labels. This is why I do not like the label “black” for African.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world, with 54 countries, thousands of ethnic groups and tribes, and different types of people. Apart from English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, which are usually official languages in most parts of the continent, we also have our own languages. It is common to find most Africans being bilingual or multilingual. That’s just how we roll.

Despite our differences, we have a rich culture that is similar in terms of the morals we uphold, respect for culture and traditions, and strong respect for the elderly.

Our music and dance

Have you ever seen an African move to the rhythm of a song? Well then, I guess I don’t need to say much. It’s one thing to move to a song, but it’s another thing to move to the soul of the music.

The kind of connection we have with our rhythms, drums, and horns is insane, and the sense of togetherness that happens when we connect with our music and storytelling is magical.

It’s a beautiful sight to behold when the next African right next to the next African knows the next move and joins in the beautiful energetic field.

This is who we are. Music is a part of us, and dancing is how we express our emotions and connect with each other. It’s a beautiful experience.

Our drums and horns have influenced so many sounds and music genres all over the world, and it’s a vibe there’s no denying.

Style and Confidence

The nation of vibrant colours.

How does everything look so beautiful on this skin we have. The confidence to rock any colour and still add our spice is not to be taken for granted. We have a way of making everything beautiful. It’s our power. Africans have a unique sense of fashion. We love to express ourselves through our clothing and our accessories. Our sense of fashion is a reflection of our creativity and our desire to stand out. African fashion is bold, colorful, and expressive. From Ankara to Kente, African prints are a celebration of our culture and creativity. Our fashion is not just about looking good; it’s about expressing who we are and where we come from.

Sense of community

I love our sense of community. Have you ever heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”? That’s what I mean.

Sometimes our African aunties and uncles push it way too far, I will be honest, but the sense of community is awesome.

I love that everyone is looking out for each other and sharing in each other’s joy and happiness.

It’s the fact that we are in our neighbors’ businesses and they are in ours, or running out of salt and not having to worry because I can check up on my neighbor for salt and more. Hand goes, hand comes. Africans value family. We believe in taking care of our loved ones and looking out for each other. Our love for family is a reflection of our community and our desire to create a better future for ourselves and our children.Helping each other. I love that.

Our Names

One of the things I love about being African is our beautiful and meaningful names. African names are often given to reflect the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth, the parents’ aspirations, or to honor a deceased family member. Names can also reflect the time, season, or day a child was born.

In many African cultures, names have a deep significance and are believed to have a strong influence on the child’s life. For example, a name that means “strength” or “courage” may be given to a child to encourage them to embody those qualities throughout their life.

African names are also incredibly diverse, with each country and ethnic group having its own unique naming traditions. Some names are unisex, while others are specific to either males or females.

It’s always interesting to learn the meanings behind different African names and the stories behind their origins. As an African, I am proud of my name and the significance it holds in my life.

Our Food

African cuisine is a reflection of our diversity, culture, and heritage. From Jollof rice to fufu, injera to plantains, the flavors, spices, and textures are unique and unforgettable. Our food brings people together, and it’s a way to celebrate our culture and traditions. Cooking is an art, and African cuisine is a masterpiece that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated globally.

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