Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity
"An invaluable source for anyone wanting to experience Africa. The authors begin with a subject of unimaginable scope and somehow make it concise and comprehensible ... a truly magnificent work for both scholar and novice." - Warren M. Robbins, Founding Director Emeritus, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Across the globe, Africa is seen as the final frontier for economic development and has experienced renewed attention from both Western and Eastern nations, particularly in the last decade. The U.S., India, China and parts of Europe have all increased foreign direct investment in Africa, and yet the complexity and diversity of this vast continent pose risks and challenges for those investments.

For more than a decade, Into Africa has provided valuable advice to those who are interested in traveling to, living in or working in sub-Saharan Africa - businesspeople, human rights and development workers, diplomats, academics and trainers - and anyone else who seeks a better understanding of the cultural characteristics of this dynamic part of the world.

With depth and sensitivity, Into Africa examines the effects of community, ethnicity and language on doing business and establishing professional and personal relationships in African countries. The book explores regional differences, offers detailed guidelines for conducting training programs in Africa and examines issues that reflect the complex relationships involved. This new and expanded edition of Into Africa brings a fresh view on sub-Saharan Africa, showing how the nations of Africa have adapted to Western ways while retaining their cultural traditions and diversity.

Authors Yale Richmond and Phyllis Gestrin explore contemporary Africa in great depth, discussing increased trade with the U.S. and Europe, the role of politics and business, changes in mass communication and the continuing threat of HIV/AIDS. A thorough, lively and carefully researched book, Into Africa is the perfect companion for anyone wishing to gain a more rounded perception of Africa and its diverse cultures.
1124026974
Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity
"An invaluable source for anyone wanting to experience Africa. The authors begin with a subject of unimaginable scope and somehow make it concise and comprehensible ... a truly magnificent work for both scholar and novice." - Warren M. Robbins, Founding Director Emeritus, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Across the globe, Africa is seen as the final frontier for economic development and has experienced renewed attention from both Western and Eastern nations, particularly in the last decade. The U.S., India, China and parts of Europe have all increased foreign direct investment in Africa, and yet the complexity and diversity of this vast continent pose risks and challenges for those investments.

For more than a decade, Into Africa has provided valuable advice to those who are interested in traveling to, living in or working in sub-Saharan Africa - businesspeople, human rights and development workers, diplomats, academics and trainers - and anyone else who seeks a better understanding of the cultural characteristics of this dynamic part of the world.

With depth and sensitivity, Into Africa examines the effects of community, ethnicity and language on doing business and establishing professional and personal relationships in African countries. The book explores regional differences, offers detailed guidelines for conducting training programs in Africa and examines issues that reflect the complex relationships involved. This new and expanded edition of Into Africa brings a fresh view on sub-Saharan Africa, showing how the nations of Africa have adapted to Western ways while retaining their cultural traditions and diversity.

Authors Yale Richmond and Phyllis Gestrin explore contemporary Africa in great depth, discussing increased trade with the U.S. and Europe, the role of politics and business, changes in mass communication and the continuing threat of HIV/AIDS. A thorough, lively and carefully researched book, Into Africa is the perfect companion for anyone wishing to gain a more rounded perception of Africa and its diverse cultures.
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Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity

Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity

by Yale Richmond
Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity

Into Africa: A Guide to Sub-Saharan Culture and Diversity

by Yale Richmond

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Overview

"An invaluable source for anyone wanting to experience Africa. The authors begin with a subject of unimaginable scope and somehow make it concise and comprehensible ... a truly magnificent work for both scholar and novice." - Warren M. Robbins, Founding Director Emeritus, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Across the globe, Africa is seen as the final frontier for economic development and has experienced renewed attention from both Western and Eastern nations, particularly in the last decade. The U.S., India, China and parts of Europe have all increased foreign direct investment in Africa, and yet the complexity and diversity of this vast continent pose risks and challenges for those investments.

For more than a decade, Into Africa has provided valuable advice to those who are interested in traveling to, living in or working in sub-Saharan Africa - businesspeople, human rights and development workers, diplomats, academics and trainers - and anyone else who seeks a better understanding of the cultural characteristics of this dynamic part of the world.

With depth and sensitivity, Into Africa examines the effects of community, ethnicity and language on doing business and establishing professional and personal relationships in African countries. The book explores regional differences, offers detailed guidelines for conducting training programs in Africa and examines issues that reflect the complex relationships involved. This new and expanded edition of Into Africa brings a fresh view on sub-Saharan Africa, showing how the nations of Africa have adapted to Western ways while retaining their cultural traditions and diversity.

Authors Yale Richmond and Phyllis Gestrin explore contemporary Africa in great depth, discussing increased trade with the U.S. and Europe, the role of politics and business, changes in mass communication and the continuing threat of HIV/AIDS. A thorough, lively and carefully researched book, Into Africa is the perfect companion for anyone wishing to gain a more rounded perception of Africa and its diverse cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781931930611
Publisher: Quercus
Publication date: 01/11/2011
Sold by: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format: eBook
Pages: 280
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Yale Richmond is a veteran of thirty years as a cultural officer in the US Foreign Service. Richmond is also the author of several books on intercultural communication including From Nyet to Da: Understanding the Russians and From Da to Yes: Understanding the East Europeans. Phyllis Gestrin has more than twenty years of experience in African affairs and spent 19 years as a senior technical adviser with USAID, including seven years in Somalia and Zaire.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

1 The African Community 1

Communalism 2

The Extended Family 2

Sense of Community 7

The Expat and the Extended Family 9

Ethnicity and Diversity 11

The Colonial Legacy 15

Francophones, Anglophones, and Other "Phones"

Religions and Folk Beliefs 27

Wondrous Women 38

Conjugal Customs 44

Daunting Demographics 51

Schools and Rules 53

Hazardous Health 61

2 Face-to-Face with Africans 65

Communicating with Africans 65

The Languages of Africa 67

Reaching Consensus 71

Ambiguity and Imprecision 74

Body Language 76

African Time 78

Household Help 82

3 Coping with Customs 87

Interpersonal Relationships 87

Greetings and Salutations 88

Home and Hospitality 92

Giving Gifts 97

Dash, Bribery, and Goodwill 98

Money Matters 100

Addictions and Stimulants 103

African Humor 106

4 Doing Business 111

Building Trust 112

The Intermediary as Mediator 114

First Meetings, First Impressions 115

Protocol and Propriety 118

Besting the Bureaucracy 121

The Telephone 123

Crime and Corruption 125

The Big Man 128

The Patron as Paterfamilias 129

Hiring and Firing 133

Working with Africans 135

Forward Planning? 138

Age, Experience, and Gender 142

Negotiating with Africans 143

African Law 149

5 Working the Workshops 155

Preparing the Ground 155

Ground Rules 158

The Search for Solutions 159

Consensus, Again 161

Participatory Training 162

6 Regional Differences 165

Coastal West and Central Africa 166

TheSahel 173

The Horn 177

Swahililand 183

EastAfrica 185

Southern Africa 188

South Africa, an Exception 191

Botswana, Another Exception 196

7 Tips for Travelers199

Staying Healthy 202

Rules of the Road 204

Getting from Here to There 205

8 In Conclusion; Africans, Americans, and African Americans 211

Succeeding in Africa 220

Appendix A Countries, Capitals, and Official Languages 227

Appendix B Recommended Readings 231

Appendix C Internet, Fax, and Telephone Connections for Information on Africa 235

The Authors 237

Notes 239

Index 249

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