Why Change the Way We Write About Africa?: A storyteller’s guide to reframing Africa

African research /MIRH/ 27 October 2022

By: Lerato Mogoatlhe, Africa No Filter

Stories and the words and images used to tell them matter. Repeat them over time, and they become the defining narrative of a people and place. For a generation the story of Africa has remained one of poverty, as well as disease, poor leadership, corruption and conflict.

The stereotypical narrative of Africa has resulted in a significant gap between mainstream and alternative stories of the continent. This handbook defines narrative and why it matters. It also provides a historical context to stereotypical narratives of Africa, from political events like the Berlin Conference, the Mau Mau uprisings and the Rwandan genocide to literature, music and film.

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