continent that is Africa.
In mathematical terms two sets of behaviors are discussed. A set is defined as “a number of things of the same kind that belong together.” Sets can be complete, where all possible variants are included, or incomplete, where only a partial listing is included. In our discussion, the observations of both African and Western behaviors are incomplete sets. Behaviors are discussed that have been seen widely across Africa, but of course they are only a sampling. Many readers have commented that the observations have been useful, in helping them to see things differently from what they are used to, even if there is not a 1:1 correspondence with what they see and experience in their personal or local environment.
Comments over the years have been overwhelmingly positive although a few have been negative. The range of comments can be seen on www.amazon.com. One of those favorable was:
African Friends and Money Matters is essential reading for anyone working in Africa, particularly for short term NGO and mission workers. Unfortunately, I didn’t read it until after my second trip. I’ll be better prepared on my next trip, after having read it. It will save me from some embarrassing and occasionally quasi-confrontational moments as I relate to people I really care for. For you who have been deluged with requests for money and financial help, during and after your visit, it will explain some cultural issues, and will help you to better deal with these issues. I regard it as essential reading for mission organizations, mission workers, and other NGOs working short term or long-term in Africa.
One of those negative comments:
Informative, but very redundant. Author repeats himself over and over. Everything in the book could have been written in two chapters.
A mixed response was received from a university professor:
If I were to review the book…would have to raise questions of methodology and terminology. Your observations for the most part seem based on anecdotal evidence, but you apply them to the entire continent of Africa. Such a procedure immediately generates resistance…When I showed an earlier version of this book to…a professor of classical civilization…his immediate response to reading it was that it needs a broader, more systematic basis of inquiry.
One reason for this comes from the broad sweeping terms “African” and “Western.” In my field of literature, the terms are nowadays almost taboo. In a contribution I made on “African” literature to a recent book…I had to be very, very careful about definitions and point out that the term “African literature” is an oversimplification.
So for a review, I would have to take these methodological and terminological issues into account. I would of course put the best face I could on them. I would insist that what you have given us is a set of hypotheses that need further proof and refinement. (That is also how I will introduce the book to my students.)
I accept these as valid criticisms—from a strictly academic point of view. But this book is not presented as an academic text; rather, it is meant as a practical book for anyone living or traveling in Africa. It is built on anecdotes, rather than on detailed surveys of every point tested as to whether each observation is accurate over a wide area or not, etc. Furthermore, the observations have been informally tested over large parts of Africa, from West to East.
Besides that, the introduction to the first edition (Maranz 2001:10) attempted to be clear about the generality and the limitations of the text:
The “observations” are just that. Africans, and Westerners in the descriptions related to them, have been observed countless times using their resources in the ways described. Some of the observations seem to contradict others. That is natural. People from all cultures behave differently at different times and in different moods. Emotions, recent experiences, family conflicts, health, and many other factors influence behaviors at any one moment. People in all cultures also always have many possible behaviors to choose from at any one time but they tend to follow certain patterns of behavior in similar circumstances. These patterns are distilled in the “observations” found in the following pages. So these “observations” represent behaviors that have been observed across Africa. Some have regional or local variations, or are more typical of one region than another.
Some African readers have pointed out that the dichotomy African/Western is too simple. African culture is fast changing and a cultural gap is widening between rural/traditional and urban/modern. Young people especially realize this is happening, as many of them have to straddle this divide. One wrote:
We are people who have been deeply affected by Christianity and globalization. Therefore while we are Africans, our mindset is different from that of our forefathers. We see certain things from a mixed point of view; not Western, but not traditionally African either.
As for terminology, as referred to by my professor friend, I realize words can involve sensitive issues. He mentions “Africa” and “Westerner.” There are many others. “Tribe” or “tribal” are a common pair. I have personally observed that in some African areas or countries, tribe and tribal are taboo terms, to be avoided at the risk of incurring bad relations. Yet I have also been in areas where, for example, people readily refer to themselves or others by tribal designation. I hope the reader will give the author the benefit of the doubt—that in no instance is a term used with any intent whatsoever to denigrate or to be prejudicial. Political correctness, and keeping up with all local and regional sensitivities, exceed the limitations of the author.
Addressing overgeneralization: from the beginning this was recognized as a liability. Of course, with such a vast continent as is Africa, describing any behavior as “African” will result in misrepresenting some of its many behaviors. Likewise, “Western” covers such a broad area that inaccuracies will result from using such a broad umbrella term. Still, as many observers have noted, much behavior seen in Africa will not be confused with what is seen in Asia. Although there are differences across Africa, there are many things that are African in a unique and identifiable way. It is the latter that this book tries to describe. Many expats and nationals have found the down-to-earth approach followed in this book to be helpful and applicable to the situations within their experience. We hope that the added material will be at least as helpful.
Another criticism has been the tediousness in referring to “African” and “Western” countless times. One reader suggested using a variety of synonyms, such as foreign worker, volunteer, visitor, or outsider. When I attempted to use such alternative terms the result seemed confusing, with referents often becoming unclear. So repetition was chosen over confusion. Sometimes the described contrasts between Western and African behaviors may seem to be greater than what Westerners experience while living in Africa. This comes not from the differences being exaggerated but from long-time residents adjusting to and better understanding African cultures. New arrivals see the differences more keenly.
Two new chapters have been added. New chapter one is an introduction to African society. The first edition jumped right into financial matters. Starting now with general characteristics seems like a better way. A broad collection of topics is provided to try to paint a balanced picture of interpersonal behaviors. With this, the reader should be better able to understand how financial matters fit into society as a whole. Some of the topics covered can be found in the many travel books available. While there may be overlap with some travel books, this chapter goes into more depth than is found in them. Besides, many of the topics presented here are not at all addressed in the travel texts.
New chapter two continues to address everyday topics, but largely those whose significance are more “below the surface.” For example, consider decision-making. An expat involved with a committee tasked with making certain decisions, may not understand the process involved and be frustrated with delays he or she observes. So the section on decision-making processes may be of help. Many behaviors in any culture have meanings that are not obvious to an outsider. One section, describing clientelism, will be seen to be much longer than the others. Clientelism has been much studied in Africa and many scholars agree that it is practiced across the continent and is very important. Hence the detailed description, in the hope that this will help expats understand many behaviors they will observe but often with little understanding of the underlying system they represent.