There is a Xhosa proverb, “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” (“A person is a person through persons.”), which I believe sums up the African Spirit.
Africa has a rich and diverse culture, which varies from region to region, country to country, and community by community. In Kenya, for instance, there are over 42 indigenous peoples with unique traditions and ways of life. It is without a doubt that there are many differences between the various peoples of Africa, but there are also many surprisingly striking similarities. Let’s embark on the journey of rediscovering what the African brand is, what our shared culture is, and how the African Culture influences our present-day art and design.
African Design
African Design celebrates and reflects the cultural heritage of its people. It tells the story of the land and its people in simple and often natural forms; utilizing locally available material in most cases. African Design incorporates the use of earth, carvings & sculptures, and flora and fauna to symbolize key aspects of the local culture. It more often than not involves the use of traditional crafts and techniques passed down from generation to generation.
As Dr Lilac Osanjo so nicely puts it, Afrikan Design is any design that is referenced from the African Continent, i.e. the environment, its people, ceremonies, architecture, plants & animals, artefacts, folklore, indigenous technology, and so on.
Afrikan Design Breakdown
Prof. Mugendi M’Rithaa highlights what he believes best describes Afrikan Design. He uses the initials D.E.S.I.G.N. to show its main aspects.
- D: Afrikan Design is Discursive; it invites people into discussion and debate
- E: Afrikan Design is Eclectic; inspires and is also inspired by other cultures
- S: Afrikan Design is Symbolism-rich; communicates using traditional illustrations and colours with deeper meaning
- I: African Design is Intricate; with fine details and sophisticated patterns
- G: Afrikan Design is Generative; not wasteful and utilising most of the available material to create newness
- N: Afrikan Design is Novel; new and original making use of innovative technology
“I’m not an African because I was born in Africa, but because Afrika was born in me.”
– Kwame Nkrumah
African Architecture
African Architecture entails the creation of buildings that are uniquely adapted to their environment, that are more often than not built with materials that are available locally and whose form is often natural. Architecture is used to depict key aspects of the local culture, utilising earth (e.g. mud-bricks, pottery), metal works, sticks & timber, rocks & stones, and carvings & sculptures, to communicate religious and cultural beliefs.
African Architecture uses open spaces and interconnectivity with nature to create a sense of oneness with the environment. The courtyard at the centre of the homestead brings the outdoors indoors and creates a space for communion. By using colours and patterns to communicate emotion and culture, Designers are able to pass-down key cultural information through their work. African Architecture creates a sense of community by bringing people together through unifying design that speaks of the values and the beliefs of the local people, and the status of the users of the buildings. The Contemporary African Architecture style is being modelled by present-day African Designers like Francis Kere & Christian Benimana, who are paying tribute to Traditional African Architecture by making use of traditional craftsmanship, locally available materials and modern design and construction technology.
Afrikan Design, Modern Tech
In Japan, there’s a term, Yamato-damashii (大和魂, “Japanese spirit”), which describes the indigenous Japanese cultural values as opposed to cultural values of foreign nations. Japan has been able to preserve its own culture and to modernize without Westernizing. The Japanese model is one worth emulating.
We the African people have an obligation to preserve our culture, while at the same time leveraging on new technology to create maximum value. African culture is people-centred, and places a priority on the welfare of present and future generations, as opposed to modern western culture which is materialistic and acquisitive.
By injecting a dose of modern technology to the African creative process, keeping in mind the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) – where the critical 20% is the African cultural heritage expressed with the aid of modern technology, African Designers of today can create contemporary works that are true to their roots while at the same time serving the needs of the African people.
Additional Information
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Good post!
Thank you!