This continent has shared its rich heritage and produce with the rest of mankind throughout history . Numerous genres of modern ‘ western ’ music had their origin in the drum beats and rhythms of native Africa and the multibillion dollar music industry of today grew from African seeds ! Tribal dancing with its energetic compulsive and hypnotic moves was the precursor of the way we all dance today ! It ’ s not the ‘ developed world ’ that invented the child carrier nicknamed the ' marsupial ' for us to carry our young children close to our chests or on our backs ; African Mama ’ s have ' backed ’ their babies securely using a piece of firmly tied cloth for countless generations !
MANY EVERYDAY COMMODITIES THAT WE HAVE CLAIMED AS OUR OWN , HAVE AFRICAN ORIGINS !
Our diet too has been indelibly influenced by Africa ’ s numerous exported products : peanuts , guinea fowl , watermelon , the American ' yam ’ or for the English the ‘ sweet potato ’, the kola nut which is an essential ingredient in the original Coca Cola recipe , sugar , black-eyed peas ( we even named a pop group after these !), rice and okra – all come from Africa – daily fare that we don ’ t ever imagine as originating elsewhere ; things we consider to be ‘ ours ’ by right and tradition !
More than our diet , we owe our very lifestyle to an African gift ….. Who amongst us can imagine starting the day , meeting a friend for breakfast or going to an appointment with a colleague at around 11 am , without a cup of it ? We even end our meals with it ! And we have all claimed COFFEE as our own !
The frothy Italian ‘ Cappuccino ’ and their short and strong ' Espresso ’, the Spanish ‘ Café con Leche ’ and whisky-enhanced ‘ Carahillo ’, The French ‘ Cafe Latte !’ that the English have adopted as their ’ s and of course the citizen-less ‘ Americano ’ taken black or with milk , with or without ! – we think we own this addictive tradition , yet Ethiopian and Kenyan tribesmen were roasting their beans over open fires long before ‘ Lavazza ’ or ‘ Illy ’ were even thought of ! ( ii )
AS UNBELIEVABLE AS IT MAY SEEM , IT WASN ’ T STARBUCKS OR COSTA THAT DISCOVERED COFFEE !
Africa is indeed a diverse and contradictory Continent ; a contrast of exaggerated extremes and diversifications ; an intricate blend of cultures and peoples , each bringing their own flavour and adding their own contribution to make it the place it is today , and to make our world , our own Reality , what it is today ! – African Reality has influenced OUR Reality for centuries , no matter where in the world we live ! We cannot escape the fact we are all living in a Global Society that has much to be grateful to Africa for !
Once you visit Africa you WILL be changed . You won ’ t be able to help but be captivated by this fascinating and alluring destination that gives and has given so much – and when you leave , you WILL forever experience your own ‘ Mal D ’ Africa !’
( i ) https :// www . cdc . gov / vhf / ebola / outbreaks / 2014-west- africa / index . html June 22 pdf : ‘ CDC ’ s ongoing work to contain Ebola in West Africa ’ ( ii ) http :// www . ncausa . org / About-Coffee / History-of- Coffee National Coffee Association , USA