African Culture Research Articles

The Image of Cultures and Religions of Migrants from Africa in the Polish Media

The media monitoring shows that the stereotypical image of Africa as a poor, politically and militarily unstable continent, in need of mostly humanitarian help, with excellent sportsmen, Catholic missions, and beautiful, wild nature is maintained. While informing about Africa, the media do not specify the national, ethnic or religious affiliation of Africans, except for individual, original, tragic or exotic events. Overall, Poles are still not interested in Africa and its people; a short, often laconic media message does not therefore raise objections or trigger a desire to learn more. African culture, science, and religions are underrepresented in the Polish media, with the exception of Islam, associated with terrorism and fundamentalism.

Women and Femininity in Setswana Proverbs: Pragmatic Analysis

Many African cultures have been discredited, ridiculed and negated. This study offers a different perspective on understanding African cultures. The article visits one of the oldest forms of literature in African societies, oral literature, focusing on proverbs to unpack gender issues embedded within proverbs. This article analyses a selected number of Setswana proverbs and studies how they encompass feminist ideas and empower women. The study argues that the Batswana have always provided women with social and cultural power and strength through proverbs. The question of how Africans empower women through conversations, riddles, proverbs, idioms and sayings should receive more attention in academic circles. African institutions have cultural norms and values that empower and celebrate women. The article uses gender equality perspectives and feminist frameworks to analyse and examine the selected Setswana proverbs that suggest or promote women’s empowerment. These proverbs portray women as powerful, independent, caring, tender and loving. The interpretation of these proverbs also depicts matriarchy as a common feature of the Batswana people.

An Afrocentric Treatise of Psalm 105 as an Instructional Song on Historical Divine Exclusivity

The use of songs for instructional purposes is a shared tradition in both African folk culture and the Hebrew scriptures. This article examines Psalm 105 as a song which emphasises divine exclusivity, drawing connections to African song traditions that serve to preserve essential beliefs for future generations. While all psalms were originally sung, their melodies have been lost over time, though they continue to be used in liturgical contexts. However, scholarly analysis of the psalms as songs has declined. This article begins by exploring the role of songs in African traditional cultures as tools for information retention and teaching, highlighting their parallels with the psalms. It then provides an analysis of Psalm 105 and concludes with the implications of viewing the psalms through the lens of song.

Sustainable insect proteins vs. conventional proteins as fillings in gluten-free oat-based breakfast wraps: nutritional, microbial, and sensory quality

Aim: Livestock production plays a significant role in meeting global protein demands but is a major contributor to climate change. With the world population projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, identifying sustainable alternative protein sources has become more critical than ever. Edible insects offer an affordable protein option compared to beef, chicken, and fish, especially in many African and Asian cultures, where these conventional protein sources are considered relatively expensive. This study aimed to investigate the potential of mulberry silkworm pupae and African palm weevil larvae as alternative proteins to conventional protein sources for use in gluten-free wraps. Methods: Five gluten-free breakfast wraps were developed using oat flour and fillings made from beef, chicken, mackerel fish, palm weevil larvae, and silkworm pupae. The nutritional composition (amino acid and fatty acid profiles, micronutrient contents) and chemical, microbial, and sensory properties were determined using standard methods. Results: The wraps had protein contents ranging from 23.78% to 35.60%. Breakfast wrap with palm weevil larvae had slightly more fiber (4.01%) and carbohydrate (36.11%) contents and lower fat (10.22%) compared to the other wraps. It also had an impressive vitamin A content (528.96 μg RAE/100 g) and an exceptional amino acid profile. The insect wraps had more vitamin B12 (0.02 mg/g) contents than the conventional wraps. The fish-based version was the most preferred of all the wraps, with an overall acceptability score of 7.80. All developed products were within permissible limits for microbial quality. Conclusions: Edible insects, such as palm weevil larvae and silkworm pupae, could serve as an alternative source of protein in the production of gluten-free foods.

Devastating Effects of Stigmatising Names in Swati Culture: Breaking the Curse of Bad Reputation

In African culture, naming a child is an act of anointing or bestowing of value, a whispered hope that the child will live up to the name. This study examined the Siswati adage “libito lelibi liyamona umntfwana,” meaning “a poor name brings calamity to the child.” It highlights the adverse effects of giving a child a negative name, which can impact their future. While names are significant in Swati culture, individuals with stigmatized names often face prejudice, leading to social stigma and emotional challenges. This study employed discourse analysis and onomastics to understand the subject matter comprehensively. The researchers conducted a comprehensive study by sampling a total of sixteen (16) participants who were residents of South Africa, specifically from the Mpumalanga province located in Bushbuckridge. This study focused on derogatory names assigned to illegitimate children and those who are unwanted. It explored the reasoning behind these names and their effects on the bearers. Based on the findings of this study, many people believe names can influence destiny, making careful selection crucial. However, some names associated with negative traits or historical events create burdens for individuals, resulting in low self-esteem and withdrawal from social interactions, which hinders personal and professional growth. Furthermore, it reveals that the vital practice of naming carries with it a profound potential. It suggests that this act should not merely be a matter of identification; rather, it should serve to foster a brighter perspective on life. Consequently, it powerfully bolsters the ongoing development of self-assuredness and confidence in people.

Family-Centred Early Hearing Detection and Intervention in the African Context: Relevance and Responsiveness to African Culture.

Family-centred early hearing detection and intervention (FC-EHDI) is an established framework globally recognized for its emphasis on family involvement in supporting children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). In the African context, unique sociocultural and systemic challenges necessitate tailored approaches to ensure effective implementation. This narrative review explores the relevance of FC-EHDI in Africa, highlights barriers to its implementation, and offers recommendations for creating sustainable and culturally aligned interventions. A narrative review methodology synthesizing evidence from African countries to examine the intersection of FC-EHDI with cultural practices, systemic barriers, and opportunities for innovation was adopted. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reports published between 2000 and 2024. Keywords included "family-centred care", "EHDI", "Africa", "cultural responsiveness", and "early hearing detection and intervention". Studies were included if they addressed EHDI in African contexts, explored family-centred approaches, or provided barriers and recommendations specific to the region. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize findings into barriers, evidence, and strategies for FC-EHDI implementation. Data were extracted and analysed thematically to identify patterns and gaps in knowledge. Key challenges identified include resource limitations, economic constraints, linguistic and cultural diversity, and fragmented healthcare systems. Evidence highlights the effectiveness of community-based care, linguistic inclusivity, and culturally tailored interventions in enhancing family engagement and programme outcomes. Recommendations focus on leveraging technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy advocacy. FC-EHDI offers a transformative approach to addressing DHH African children by integrating family involvement, cultural responsiveness, and systemic innovations. Future efforts should emphasize technology, scalable models, and family empowerment to create sustainable and equitable services.

Naming South African frogs and reptiles in nine Indigenous languages

ABSTRACT Scientific taxonomy, as a standardised means of communicating about wildlife, might have limited use or relevance for wildlife conservation stakeholders with minimal understanding of scientific names. Indigenous language names can improve species-specific communication with non-expert conservation stakeholders due to their familiarity. Indigenous names for wildlife are, however, not specific to all scientifically described species and are seldom documented for wider use. To have a folk-formal taxonomy that is familiar to non-expert stakeholders in herptile (amphibians and reptiles) conservation and useable by experts, we conducted the first comprehensive analysis of nine South African Indigenous cultures’ naming and classification of herptiles based on Indigenous language names recorded from an online questionnaire and existing literature. Etic and emic analyses of the collected names revealed the underlying guidelines of folk taxonomy and its comparability to scientific taxonomy respectively. Furthermore, taxonomic correspondence analysis provided an understanding of the correspondence between scientific species and Indigenous language delineation of herptile diversity. Multiple scientific species are generally grouped together into a single folk taxon based on observed similarities and only a few Indigenous language names are specific to scientific species. The underlying guidelines of folk taxonomy and their comparability and correspondence to scientific taxonomy were the basis for extending the generalised Indigenous names of herptiles into a comprehensive list of names for South Africa’s 543 scientifically described herptile species (136 frog and 407 reptile species) in the nine official South African Indigenous languages.

Consolidating or Deconsolidating Security? Analyses of the Security Implications of the Exit of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from ECOWAS

Abstract In recent years, the dramatic changes in cooperation and alliance of states and peoples, particularly the “Sahexit” has sparked significant interest and debates among scholars. Ancient African societies and cultures sought to integrate their energies and resources to survive, fight common enemies, withstand common threats, or contemporarily, resolve disputes. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), anchored on Pan-African ideals of nonalignment, unity, and indivisibility of the destiny of African peoples, expanded its initial scope for economic purposes to deal with the rising security challenges in West Africa. Yet, ECOWAS continues to struggle with insurgent activities, recurrent coup d’etats, and more recently the threat of succession from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali (“Sahexit”). Drawing on Regional Security Complex and human security perspectives, and the literature on Pan Africanism, this paper examines the security challenges of Sahexit for the subregion. It argues that Sahexit poses significant security challenges to the fragile security situation in the subregion particularly at the regional, state, and individual levels. The exit will weaken ECOWAS regional security cooperation, disrupt coordinated regional strategies, and leave major gaps in joint security operations and intelligence sharing, and complicate insecurities in the subregion. The paper concludes with recommendations to mitigate the security challenges.

‘They Declared War on Fish!’ An Eighteenth-Century Algerian Folk Poem on the 1770 Danish-Norwegian Bombardment of Algiers

ABSTRACT This article presents and analyses an eighteenth-century Algerian folk poem (malḥūn) about the 1770 Danish-Norwegian bombardment of Algiers, referred to in Algerian sources as ‘The Poem of the Bomb’. By reading this poem in conjunction with other previously overlooked late eighteenth-century Algerian sources, namely Ibn Ruqayyah al-Tilimsānī’s The Radiant Flower Regarding the Attacks of the Infidels on Algiers and al-Sharīf al-Zahhār’s Memoire, I aim to highlight the importance of engaging with these neglected non-European and non-Eurocentric sources that offer the Algerian perspective on the 1769–1772 Danish-Algerian War and the 1770 bombardment of Algiers. Furthermore, in addition to analysing the poem’s use of Romance loanwords associated with corsairs and piracy, I draw comparisons with an older Algerian folk poem, ‘My Corsair Has Won a Booty’, about the Algerian-Ottoman siege of Malta in 1565. Finally, through a comparative examination of the glorified portrayal of the Ottoman Dey Muḥammad Bāchā and the Turkish military oligarchy in ‘The Poem of the Bomb’ and the anti-Ottoman sentiment prevalent in Maghribī Arabic and Tamazight folk poetry lamenting the French conquest of Algiers in 1830, I shed light on what I see as a significant textual and discursive shift in the representation of Ottomans and Turks in Algerian and North African history, literature, and culture.

Influence of Organisational Culture on Bridal Price in Masaba Land, Eastern Uganda

The bride price is a longstanding cultural institution in several African civilizations, notably in Masaba-Land in Eastern Uganda. This study examines how organizational culture characterized by common values, norms, and practices inside institutions affects the perception, negotiation, and payment of bride price in the area. The research analyses the influence of local administration, religious groups, and educational institutions on this cultural practice via anthropological and sociological lenses. Research indicates that while conventional values prevail, contemporary pressures from religious institutions, women's rights groups, and educational establishments are progressively altering perceptions about bride price. This study employed a qualitative research approach, using ethnographic methods to gather insights into how organisational culture influences bride price in Masaba-Land. Findings reveal that organisational culture significantly impacts perceptions and practices related to bride price, with some organisations promoting its reform or abolition, while others inadvertently perpetuate its persistence. The study highlights the complex interplay between tradition and modernity, offering insights into how organizational interventions can contribute to cultural change in Masaba-Land as bride price is a customary payment made by the groom to the bride’s family which is prevalent in many African cultures. It is seen as a symbol of respect and a way to formalize or legalize marriage. This research contributes to broader discussions on gender, culture, and development, providing recommendations for organizations seeking to address the challenges associated with bride price in a culturally sensitive manner.

Perspectives on the Handling and Storage of Human Remains in Tanzania: A Due diligence to Restitution Plan

The notion of “life after death” encompasses an infinite belief system across the universe. In most African cultures, death is not the end of life; rather, the reality of human personality exists throughout a person's lifetime and continues after death. Many people believe that the deceased maintain a spiritual connection through blessings and curses among the living. This article focuses on perspectives regarding the handling and storage of human remains in Tanzania, a nation with more than 120 ethnic groups, each with different cultures and religions. Moreover, it examines ritual practices and traditional guidelines established to honor the dead, misconceptions, and unsubstantiated beliefs related to the handling of human remains. It also explores the legal framework of the country, institutional guidelines, and articulated codes of ethics from the relevant societies in Tanzania. Ultimately, the article highlights the relationships among existing perspectives and the potential for implementing the restitution of human remains taken during the colonial era, as well as the challenges that may arise and the mitigation measures that can be adopted

Unearthing the Intersection of Unbelonging and Postcolonialism in Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest

Postcolonialism in general is related to the colonization of the Oriental countries by the Occidental ones in terms of political, historical and cultural aspects. The literary figures in this scope attempt to shed light on the unbearable effects of colonization over the economically weak countries. From this perspective, Wole Soyinka became the voice of African countries since he touches upon fundamental problems such as hybridity, loss of identity, and exploitation in his Kongi’s Harvest. Moreover, he highlights the concept of unbelonging through black characters who are expected to be part of African culture, as in the case of Kongi, who does not accept the dominance of local authority over himself anymore. This means that Kongi appears as a rebellious character who goes beyond the boundaries of traditional restrictions, unlike the general portrayal of a native man. In this respect, the purpose of this article is to show how the Africans suffer from the exploitation of the Europeans by creating a sense of alienation from their own culture through indecisive characters that belong to nowhere.

The quest for women's agency: An Africana Womanist's perspective of gender involvement in global pandemics, the case of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe

The paper is a qualitative exploration of the role and involvement of women in global pandemics, especially HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. Women are regarded as a biologically weak species yet so important that a family cannot run without them, thus the African proverb 'musha mukadzi' (A home can only be called a home with a woman around). Their gender makeup deprives them of so many opportunities, and it often makes them susceptible to being regarded as the 'other' compared to their male counterparts. Granted their central role in the home, let alone in responding to a global pandemic like HIV/AIDS, need not be overemphasized. Noteworthy, African culture and religion have given women the power to be at the center of their homes despite the patriarchal system that characterizes most African societies. Women in African culture play a central role by virtue of their connection with the Earth as healers and nurturers of life. Socially, politically, and economically, the centrality of a woman cannot be overlooked; hence, her participation in the global pandemic of HIV/AIDS has given impetus to this research. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, the research purposively selected women and girls in Gweru urban whose families have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic to assess their responsibilities and roles in handling the situation. Guided by the Africana womanist perspective, an African-centered paradigm on gender, the article argues that locating women's agency in the face of global pandemics gives them the respect that they deserve, hence the researcher's motivation to delve into the issue of gender participation in that regard. Thus, in the quest for women's agency, the paper gives African women the mandate to be at the helm of the family in the face of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. Their role positions them as an important supporting system in communities that sometimes denigrate them.

Religion, Gender, and the COVID-19 pandemic: Opportunities and opportunism in the use of herbal medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

Unethical behaviours emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic have received limited attention in terms of research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with imposed COVID-19 protocols, the general populace had to find genuine survival opportunities, particularly from Mother Earth. However, opportunistic tendencies also emerged, pitting them against genuine ways of survival. Unscrupulous businesspeople, both male and female, devised ways of making the most out of the tragic situation, among them herbalists who took advantage of the earth’s pharmacy of natural herbs and fleecing mainly women who are the most caregivers in Zimbabwe. This opportunistic behaviour included the overpricing of essential commodities as well as the much sought-after indigenous herbal medicines. Unfortunately, such opportunistic behaviours cut across the gender divide, intersecting all sectors of society, including the church and other forms of religious worship. This article examines the different opportunities and opportunism Zimbabwe’s herbal religious entrepreneurs, both men and women practiced in view of investigating how Zimbabwean culture was affected by such behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is largely qualitative and utilises a sample of purposively selected entrepreneurs, both men and women, in African Indigenous religion in Harare’s oldest high-density suburb of Mbare. The location was conveniently selected because it is Zimbabwe's most populous bus terminal. It is also the busiest in terms of numerous indigenous religious entrepreneurs who sell their herbal medicines at Mbare Musika. It is hoped that the opportunities and opportunism brought on by COVID-19 will be put under the spotlight to show how they both benefited and harmed Zimbabwean society. The study is informed by Ubuntu/Unhu philosophy, which implies being properly socialised in indigenous African culture that frowns on opportunism. The paper recommends that opportunism during pandemics exacerbates the challenges and difficulties faced by communities and proposes some mitigatory strategies that can be adopted to eliminate this culture and uphold the Zimbabwean culture of Ubuntu.

Representation of Western and African Cultures: A Contextual Study of Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood

Buchi Emecheta, an author originally from Nigeria, stands out as one of the most prominent female writers to have emerged from postcolonial Africa. Her work is renowned for its compelling depictions of women’s oppression and the conflicts arising from differing cultural values in contemporary Africa. Her well-known novel, such as The Joys of Motherhood, throws light on the injustice of traditional African social customs that oppress women, relegating them to a life of childbearing, servitude, and victimization. Emecheta is frequently acknowledged as a feminist author who highlights the significance of education and self-determination for young women confronting sexual discrimination and unsatisfactory marriages in their pursuit of individuality and independence. While she critiques the patriarchal tribal culture, her works also convey a profound appreciation for African heritage and folklore, illustrating the conflicting allegiances of Africans caught between tradition and modernity. Emecheta’s realistic characters, engaging prose style, and sociological insights have garnered her considerable acclaim, as she offers an authentic female perspective within contemporary African literature. As a prominent female voice in this literary landscape, Emecheta has achieved international recognition for her powerful depiction of the female experience in African society, particularly in her homeland of Nigeria. The paper is an attempt to critically analyse the both western and native culture as represented by Buchi Emecheta in her novel The Joys of Motherhood.

Àjẹ́kùnrin: witchcraft, gender politics, and gender nonconformity in Yoruba spirituality

ABSTRACT This study explores Àjẹ́kùnrin, a Nigerian film directed by Sharafadeen Olabode that explores the intersection of Yoruba spirituality, witchcraft, and gender politics in an intriguing plot. By focusing on the concept of àjẹ́ (Yoruba witchcraft), the film provides a nuanced portrayal of gender that transcends physical or societal constructs, instead presenting gender as shaped by spiritual forces. This research investigates how the film positions witchcraft as a space for negotiating gender nonconformity and power dynamics, presenting witchcraft as a site where women’s agency is not only affirmed but also continually contested. Through the narrative, Àjẹ́kùnrin challenges traditional Western gender frameworks by illustrating that gender identity is not dictated by biology or external roles but is influenced by spiritual and metaphysical forces. Drawing from African epistemologies, the study lends its voice to the critiques of the dominance of Western knowledge systems and the erasure of Indigenous knowledge, and contributes to the decolonisation of gender studies. This work also adds to the growing discourse on the fluidity of gender in African cultures and underlines the importance of embracing Indigenous frameworks in global gender studies.

Afropolitanizing the local: how cultural imperialism is rewriting the narratives of African entertainment industries

ABSTRACT In the last few years, Africa has emerged as a resurging force in global pop culture with artists from the continent and the diaspora working to bring African entertainment media to the rest of the world. While the rest of the world is now catching on, Africa and much of her diaspora were already plugged in to music, fashion, food, film and other cultural products and trends from the continent. Despite this growth in the globalizing force of African pop culture, there is not much research on what this means for Africa’s culture industries in the domestic and global front. Using postcolonial theory, I present analyses on the attention that Ghanaian and Nigerian entertainment media are getting globally. I argue that although African pop culture and entertainment media is being globalized rapidly than ever before, it is imperative to pay attention to the way that this trend is coloured by the Western Gaze, cultural imperialism, afropolitan logics and the displacement of African continental consumers and audiences of these culture industries. I draw attention to the broad trends in these influences while using specific examples to illustrate how this trend is unfolding.

O terreiro como território sociopolítico e de acolhimento: patrimônio imaterial e material civilizatório da memória ancestral

As reflexões que se seguem têm por objetivo traçar considerações acerca dos terreiros de cultura e religiosidade de matrizes africanas como espaço sociopolítico e de reconstrução/renascimento ontológico. Parte-se da cosmopercepção africana iorubá, de que esse território se configura como um dos muitos espaços de resistência e também de real preservação da memória e dos saberes ancestrais. Interessa-nos apresentar de maneira sucinta, a concepção do terreiro como um lugar de reafirmação identitária, da busca pela cura, mas também onde se pode realizar o exercício da liberdade e da diversidade. O fio condutor para a construção dessa análise seguiu a perspectiva da interlocução entre categorias que neste ensaio assumem determinações centrais, nos permitindo abranger o tema proposto, racismo cultural religioso, a partir da concepção de Estado, patrimônio, memória ancestral africana e terreiro. Aintersecção entre as categorias citadas se justifica, uma vez que elas apresentam a capilaridade necessária para a compreensão das condições históricas, culturais, sociais e econômicas que permeiam a sociedade. Compreendemos o terreiro como lugar contraditório, mas também como espaço de organização, transformação e de resistência ao racismo cultural religioso, objetivando a efetivação de direitos e pelo bem-viver. Palavras-chave: Patrimônio. Memória ancestral africana e terreiro. Racismo cultural religioso. Emancipação humana. Abstract The following reflections aim to outline considerations about African culture and religiosity terreiros as a socio-political space and a space for ontological reconstruction/rebirth. We start from the Yoruba African cosmoperception that this territory is one of the many spaces of resistance, and also of real preservation of ancestral memory and knowledge. We are interested in briefly presenting the concept of the terreiro as a place for reaffirming identity, of the search for “healing,” but also where freedom and diversity can beexercised. The guiding principle for the construction of this analysis followed the perspective of a dialogue between categories that in this essay assume central determinations, allowing us to cover the proposed theme, religious cultural racism, from the conception of State, heritage, African ancestral memory and terreiro. The intersection between the aforementioned categories is justified since they have the necessary capillarity to understand the historical, cultural, social, and economic conditions that permeate society. We understand the terreiro as a contradictory place, but also as a space for organization, transformation, and resistance to religious cultural racism, with the aim of making rights effective and for good living. Keywords: Heritage. African ancestral memory and terreiro. Religious cultural racism. Human emancipation.

‘Négritude’ as a critique of civilisation in prose fiction and cultural theory of German and French avant-gardes

This article is dedicated to the question of how ‘blackness’ was brought up in literary and theoretical texts of the avant-gardes, not only in France but also in Germany, for although Germany lost its colonies after the First World War, it was still characterised by its colonial past as well as by the newer African American entertainment culture. This complex situation was the subject of cultural criticism from various sides and prose fiction also became part of this discourse on blackness, with German and French authors corresponding closely with each other in this respect. When a specifically ‘black’ theory and practice of culture emerged in France a good 10 years later with the ‘Négritude’-movement and ‘Présence africaine’, it tied in with the already existing ‘white’ discourse on blackness – albeit in very different ways: while Césaire derives identity politics from a history of violence from the outset, Senghor mobilises primarily anthropological arguments to the end.

Staging cultural encounters: intercultural theatre and China – Africa relations in Share the Same Joy and Happiness

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examined the 2018 CCTV Spring Festival Gala performance, Share the Same Joy and Happiness, directed by Yang Dongsheng, through the frameworks of Afro-pessimism theory, Intercultural theatre theory, Communication Accommodation Theory, and Castillo’s concept of ‘multiple triangulations.’ The paper argues that the performance exemplifies recurring patterns of racial insensitivity in Sino–African cultural exchanges, shaped by historical erasure and power imbalances. It demonstrates how China’s cultural and geopolitical dominance is reinforced through the portrayal of Kenyan characters adopting Chinese language and customs, while African culture is stereotypically depicted through exaggerated costumes, blackface, and traditional dances that emphasize their ‘otherness.’ The Chinese characters’ strict adherence to cultural norms reflects a refusal to adapt to African practices, further underscoring a geopolitical power disparity. The study highlights how these representations reflect broader global power asymmetries and a lack of transcultural sensitivity. By applying Afro-pessimism and Intercultural theatre theories, the paper argues that the performance not only perpetuates these imbalances but also calls for a re-evaluation of cultural exchanges that challenge racial hierarchies and promote more equitable, transcultural dialogue.