HOSPITALITY IN AFRICA
African hospitality can be defined as that extension of generosity, given freely
without strings attached. It is an unconditional readiness to share (give and take). It is, thus,
the willingness to give, to help, to assist, to love and to carry one another’s
burden without necessarily profit or reward as the driving force. African hospitality is a
vital aspect of existence in Africa in general, it is one of the few facets of Ancient
African culture that is still intact and strongly practised today by most Africans
in spite of the forces of recent external influence or even internal pressure. Despite the destabilization of traditional life by colonialism, foreign world
views, technology and modern living, African hospitality has held rather well
to the extent that it could be described as a way of being of an African.
Each member of the same family group is bound to offer food and shelter to any member of his or her group who needs it. However, it is also an African custom to offer hospitality even to strangers. Hospitality is perceived and practised by Africans as open-handed, instinctive and the most natural thing in the world. By saying that hospitality as practised by Africans is ‘instinctive and the most natural thing' in the world, I am alluding to the fact that African hospitality is different from other versions that are practised in many other parts of the world.
The significance of my article is that hospitality is inherent in being African. We should have hospitality facilities e.g. hotels, lodges, resorts and many others practising real hospitality. Giving your all, willingness, kindness, courtesy and all those good virtues is paramount in order to have unmatched hospitality levels in the world. Archbishop Tutu’s words that Africans believe in something that is difficult to render, we call it ubuntu, botho. It means the essence of being human. You know when it is there and when it is absent. It speaks about humaneness, gentleness, and hospitality, putting yourself on behalf of others, being vulnerable.
It embraces compassion and toughness. It recognizes that my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. It is therefore of vital importance to revisit our history through focusing on ancient African hospitality as we examine its compatibility to the ever changing hospitality industry in modern day Africa. We co-exist together, say no to racism and maintain peace. By so doing, we will offer world-class, unmatched and exquisite hospitality and service.
Each member of the same family group is bound to offer food and shelter to any member of his or her group who needs it. However, it is also an African custom to offer hospitality even to strangers. Hospitality is perceived and practised by Africans as open-handed, instinctive and the most natural thing in the world. By saying that hospitality as practised by Africans is ‘instinctive and the most natural thing' in the world, I am alluding to the fact that African hospitality is different from other versions that are practised in many other parts of the world.
The significance of my article is that hospitality is inherent in being African. We should have hospitality facilities e.g. hotels, lodges, resorts and many others practising real hospitality. Giving your all, willingness, kindness, courtesy and all those good virtues is paramount in order to have unmatched hospitality levels in the world. Archbishop Tutu’s words that Africans believe in something that is difficult to render, we call it ubuntu, botho. It means the essence of being human. You know when it is there and when it is absent. It speaks about humaneness, gentleness, and hospitality, putting yourself on behalf of others, being vulnerable.
It embraces compassion and toughness. It recognizes that my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. It is therefore of vital importance to revisit our history through focusing on ancient African hospitality as we examine its compatibility to the ever changing hospitality industry in modern day Africa. We co-exist together, say no to racism and maintain peace. By so doing, we will offer world-class, unmatched and exquisite hospitality and service.
Comments
Post a Comment