Cultural Tourism in Africa

Cultural Tourism in Africa: An Evolving Landscape

Infancy Stage: Cultural tourism in Africa is still in its formative years. Despite the continent’s rich heritage, the sector has yet to fully mature. Visitor numbers remain lower than anticipated, and many existing tours cater primarily to Western expectations. These often highlight widely recognized elements, such as Classical Mediterranean art from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, visits to tribal communities, and museums focused on the slave trade.

New Freedom: Post-independence, many African nations have seen a revitalization of their cultural expression. This newfound freedom has sparked a creative renaissance in the arts. Efforts are also underway to repatriate African art that was taken during colonial times, with the internet facilitating connections between Africa and its global diaspora.

Cultural tourism in Africa and engagement

Supporting Role: As African communities reclaim and reassert their cultural identities, tourism plays a crucial role. It offers a platform for showcasing a broader spectrum of African culture beyond the commonly portrayed images. This includes the diverse traditions, arts, and practices that define the continent.

Reasons to Go on a Cultural Holiday in Africa:

• Safari and Culture: Many tours blend wildlife safaris with cultural experiences. For instance, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda offer itineraries that combine wildlife excursions with visits to local communities.
• Festivals: Africa is home to vibrant festivals such as the Voodoo Festival in Benin and the Abu Simbel Sun Festival in Egypt. These events offer unique insights into local traditions and celebrations.
• Lesser-Visited Destinations: Countries like South Sudan, Liberia, Comoros, St. Helena, Morocco, and Egypt offer cultural experiences away from the typical tourist trail.
• Quality Guides: Tours frequently include knowledgeable local guides, whether for small groups or custom itineraries, enhancing the cultural experience.

Reasons to Avoid a Cultural Holiday in Africa:

• Challenges: Be prepared for long journeys over rough terrain to reach remote areas.
• Social Preferences: If you prefer minimal social interaction, cultural tours, which often involve engaging with local communities, might not be suitable.
• All-Inclusive Preference: International resorts offer limited local interaction, which might not satisfy those seeking an immersive cultural experience.
• Urban Avoidance: While rural tours are common, Africa’s cities are where significant contemporary cultural shifts are happening, including in art and music.

Underrated Attractions

African Cities: Discover the hidden gems of African cities. In Accra, you can visit dynamic art collectives. Asmara boasts stunning Art Deco architecture, while Bujumbura features Bauhaus buildings. The scenic beauty of Cape Town and the historic Casbah of Algiers also offer enriching experiences.

Monuments: The continent is rich in historical sites such as the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, the Great Mosque of Djenne, and the Meroe Pyramids. Each site provides a unique glimpse into Africa’s past and its architectural marvels.

Culinary Experiences

Regional Cuisines: African cuisine, though often underrepresented internationally, is diverse and flavorful. Enjoy Moroccan tagines, complex West African stews, celebratory South African braais, and Ethiopian vegan dishes. The potential for these cuisines to gain global recognition is significant.

Rated Experiences

Tribal Tourism: Ensure that tribal tourism is conducted ethically. Choose operators who maintain good relations with local communities, adhere to cultural norms, and keep group sizes manageable to avoid overwhelming small villages.

Handicrafts: Visiting crafting cooperatives allows you to see artisans—many of whom are women—create and sell their work fairly. Look for traditional musical instruments, wood carvings, metalware, and pottery.

Combining Safari with Culture: Many itineraries integrate cultural experiences with safari adventures. For example, you might visit Maasai communities in Kenya or enjoy a homestay in Malawi before exploring national parks.

Overrated Aspects

Classical Mediterranean Focus: While the Mediterranean civilizations are historically significant, Africa is home to other important cultures such as the Kingdom of Kush, the Aksumite Empire, and the Benin Empire. These civilizations also deserve attention.

Constant Photography: Respect local customs regarding photography. Always seek permission before taking photos, particularly in villages and tribal areas. In places like the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, photography fees are an important source of income.

‘Topping and Tailing’: Many tourists only visit the most popular destinations—Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa. However, Africa’s remaining 51 countries each have unique cultural offerings that are often overlooked.

Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Africa

Overview

Universal Appeal: Cultural heritage stands as a universal tourist attraction. Although Africa’s rich cultural heritage offers significant potential, many regions have yet to focus on developing cultural heritage tourism fully.

Book Focus: Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Africa is a collection of essays that explores how various aspects of cultural heritage intersect with tourism. This work presents interdisciplinary perspectives to address the challenges of preserving cultural heritage while promoting tourism.

Structure of the Book

The book is divided into 18 chapters, categorized into three main themes:

Categories and Key Themes

Tangible Cultural Heritage Tourism:

• Rural Heritage Tourism: Joseph Mbaiwa and colleagues discuss the nascent state of rural heritage tourism in Africa, noting significant variations in development across countries.
• Agri-Heritage Tourism: Brent Lovelock highlights how traditional agricultural practices can be showcased through tourism, benefiting local ethnic groups.
• Culinary Heritage Tourism: Roselyne Okech examines African food cultures, stressing their health benefits and potential for local job creation.
• Archaeological Heritage Tourism: Clinton Merwe explores both abandoned and operational industrial landscapes, discussing the potential and challenges of industrial tourism.
• Archaeological Sites: Liza Gijanto points out the abundance of archaeological sites in Africa, noting that progress is evident in politically stable and economically developing countries, though the sector remains underdeveloped.
• Natural Heritage Tourism: Chiedza Mutanga evaluates how tourism contributes to wildlife and nature conservation in African reserves.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives: The book integrates insights from tourism studies, culture, heritage, geography, anthropology, sociology, history, and global studies to provide a comprehensive analysis of cultural heritage tourism.

Contributions: Written predominantly by African experts, the essays offer valuable local perspectives on the development and challenges of cultural heritage tourism across the continent.

Additional Aspects of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Africa

Colonial Heritage Tourism:

• Urban Tourism: Gustav Visser examines colonial heritage in African cities, noting conflicts between historical sites and modern urban development.
• Dark Tourism: Phillip Stone discusses how Africa’s dark tourism industry, which focuses on historical tragedies, has its roots in European colonialism. This form of tourism aims to explore and present the significance of these events.

Challenges and Perspectives on Heritage Preservation and Tourism:

• European Colonial Impact: Joao Sarmento critiques European colonialists for their exploitation of Africa’s cultural heritage, resulting in many artifacts being housed in European and North American museums.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism: This involves promoting and preserving indigenous cultures and events. Challenges include lack of resource ownership, inadequate funding, and cultural appropriation. Kokel Melubo and Moren T. Stone et al. advocate for better integration of intangible cultural heritage into tourism strategies, while Ikechukwu O. Ezeuduji suggests sustainable tourism practices based on cultural events.

Third Category: Blend of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism

Religious Tourism: Ermias Gedechodeng highlights the significance of traditional religions in Africa’s cultural and architectural landscape. These religious sites offer both cultural depth and tourist appeal.

African Diaspora Tourism:

• Historical Context: Aaron Yankholmes explores how the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade has become a focal point for tourism in West Africa, serving both as a memorial and an attraction for the African diaspora.
• Diaspora Tourism Impact: Emmanuel Adu-Ampong et al. discuss the positive socio-economic contributions of diaspora tourism to Africa.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

• Climate Change: Jarkko Saarinen et al. address how drought and desertification impact African cultural tourism, emphasizing the need for sustainable tourism management.
• Future Potential: Dallen Timothy predicts that Africa’s diverse cultural heritage holds immense tourism potential, which must be preserved and managed sustainably.

Contribution and Areas for Further Research

Book’s Contribution: The book provides valuable insights into the significance of African cultural heritage tourism, examining various forms of heritage and the sector’s opportunities and challenges. It also offers recommendations for sustainable development.

Areas for Further Investigation: Despite the book’s comprehensive analysis, numerous aspects of heritage-based tourism in Africa require further exploration. Potential research areas include:

• Living Indigenous Cultures
• Ancient Civilizations
• Urban Built Environments
• Rural Landscapes and Livelihoods
• Colonial and Industrial Complexes
• Religious Practices and Events
• Diasporas and Migrations
• Food Trends
• Nature Preserves
• Places with Dark History

The developed nature of cultural tourism in Africa, the great potential for growth, the need to continue research and sustainable practices.