DUNIA Magazine

“Tell me about Africa.” “I’d like to know more about the people of Africa.” “Where is Cameroon?” “What do you love most about Africa?”

I, like many Africans residing abroad, have been asked these questions countless times. And even for the most expressive of us, attempting to paint a befitting picture of where we come from in a few sentences has left us stuttering more than once.

Africa… what makes her beautiful? Well, how can one possibly capture in words the allure of a land so wide and diverse, and with a history so deep? This seems quite daunting to me, not because English happens to be my second language, but because the magnificence of Africa transcends human expression and can only be felt by the heart.

The continent of Africa is the second largest in the world (after Asia) and is made up of 54 countries. Over 1.1 billion people live on the continent; making it home to 16% of the world’s population. Over 2,000 languages are spoken in Africa (of which Arabic, English, French, Swahili, Berber, Hausa, and Portuguese are most popular), by over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups.

Whether discussing the hot expansive Sahara Desert in the northern part of the continent, or the pristine beauty of island nations such as Seychelles; or simply marveling at the north flowing River Nile (to the east), not far from which the immensity of the Congo Basin that spans 6 countries unfolds; or just pondering the giant ancient pyramids of Egypt while gloating over historic remnants of the powerful Mali Kingdoms; Africa means something different to a lot of people.

What becomes interesting is that in spite of its vast topographical differences and diverse cultures, certain strong commonalities exist that tie Africa (and Africans everywhere) together.

These can be summarized into the following:

1. She Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving.

Africa possesses some of the world’s richest natural resources. The continent holds the largest known reserves of many valuable minerals, including more than 90% of global platinum reserves, over 60% of cobalt reserves, and more than 40% of gold reserves. It is also rich in diamonds, uranium, bauxite, silver, iron ore, coal, oil, and natural gas.

Beyond minerals, Africa has abundant agricultural and forest resources, producing salt, cocoa, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, and timber.

Overall, Africa is estimated to contain about 30% of the Earth’s mineral resources, making it one of the most resource-rich continents in the world.

Not only is she naturally blessed, Africa is also a land of possibilities.

For centuries, Africa has been a vital source of the world’s minerals, food, energy, knowledge, skilled labor, and human talent. Yet despite its immense contributions, the continent and its people have endured some of history’s darkest and most oppressive systems, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonial rule, and numerous devastating wars.

Even today, many argue that Africa continues to lose a significant share of its wealth through unequal economic relationships with resource-hungry global powers and foreign-owned corporations that extract its natural resources while much of the value created leaves the continent.

Despite these enduring challenges, the continent continues to demonstrate grit, innovation, and determination as it forges its own path forward.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), three of the world’s fastest ten growing economies this year are in Africa: Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Senegal.

At the Tokyo International Conference on African Development held in Kenya this year, Japan pledged to invest $30 billion in Africa over the next three years. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (of Japan) said, “We have a feeling in our gut that in Africa, where possibilities abound, Japan can grow vigorously.”

Japan is just one of many nations seeking to tap into the enormous potential of a rapidly advancing Africa.

Africa’s beauty lies in her fruitfulness, her tenacity and in the sheer power of her continuing, and enchanting existence.

2. The Spirit Of The People.

If one was to describe Africans in 3 words, I would say: warm-hearted, welcoming and hardworking.

In our Conversations Group on Facebook, we posed the question: As people of African descent, apart from our skin color, what other traits/commonalities do we share?

Input from group members included:

“Great food and our rich culture!” (Betty H); “Hospitality…love for family,” (Adele M); “Spirituality,” (Eugene N); “Rhythm and rhyme. Musical genius. Drums,” (Glen C); “Community/ it takes a village,” (Lawrence I); “Humor and wit,” (Foday M); “Intense spiritual connections,” (Kween A); “We’re ingenious and innovative,” (Kenya M).

As you walk the streets of Africa, you will feel her in the air that surrounds you; you will hear her in the hearty laughter of her people and the melodious rhythms of music; you will see her in the graceful dance of women and the gentle thud of barefooted children running around freely. She is present in the confident voices of community elders and the warm conversations of families gathered around a shared meal; she is the peace that permeates the air of hot humid evenings that settle into long peaceful nights before the break of new dawns.

It is often said that many visitors to the continent feel a strong pull to return, simply because the African experience is an extraordinarily soulful one.

3. Red Mud and Lush Vegetation.

Last year, I had the pleasure of traveling back home to Cameroon for 3 weeks. I had not been to the continent in close to 7 years and to my home country for even longer (please don’t ask why … I’ll blame it on years that sped by too fast and plans that somehow didn’t happen soon enough).

Needless to say, it was a trip filled with very special moments.

During my stay, I noticed something I had previously taken for granted – the raw authenticity of the African lifestyle. I was struck by the beautiful parts of our motherland where nature remains largely untouched.

Africa is grounded to the earth, her originality deeply rooted and connected to the fresh red mud. Africa is bright colors, joie-de-vivre, community and people who find ways to make ends meet.

4. The Best of Both Worlds.

Africa’s appeal runs deeper than the expertly manicured lawns and carefully planned cities that the west boasts of.

She is different, for she offers the best of both worlds – the “developed” and the natural. Across most African nations, there is  something for everyone.

For the city-loving traveler, there are countless exciting and cosmopolitan destinations that offer glamorous amenities—Abuja (Nigeria), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Dar-Es-Salaam (Tanzania), Douala (Cameroon), Cairo (Egypt), Kinshasa (DR Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), Marrakesh (Morocco), Pretoria (South Africa), Yaounde (Cameroon), Kampala (Uganda), Gaborone (Botswana), Accra (Ghana); all of which cannot be possibly listed here. South Africa alone, one of the continent’s leading tourist destinations, welcomed over 14 million visitors in 2013.

For the traveler eager to venture beyond the cities, luxury chauffeur-driven cars, five-star hotels, and gleaming skyscrapers gradually give way to roads (often bumpy and sometimes unpaved), leading into expanding inland towns. These communities are vibrant and industrious.

During my time in Nigeria and Cameroon, I observed the constant movement of motorcycle taxis—known as okada in Nigeria and benskin in Cameroon—which have become an essential means of transportation in these areas.

Africa’s inland towns are alive with enterprise, energy, and commercial activity.

For those seeking the closest embrace of Mama Africa, the journey continues into villages nestled among rolling hills, lush vegetation, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Here, thatched-roof homes remain a familiar sight, and women and children bathe in streams after hot days on the farm.

As you can see, the true aesthetic beauty of Africa can easily be overlooked by those influenced by certain pervasive stereotypes. To truly appreciate the continent, one must look beyond familiar standards and embrace the richness of her unique character.

For the global citizen seeking a wholesome, calming, and deeply grounding experience, Africa offers far more than breathtaking landscapes. As you marvel at her physical beauty, it is her spirit that will leave the deepest impression… for you will feel Africa in your heart. She is, indeed, the Motherland.

Lema is on Twitter: @LemaAbeng; Website: www.lemaabeng.com