The major aim of this book is to present the relevance of culture to Africans in the modern era. The definition and meaning of culture are broad: values, beliefs, texts about the beliefs and ideas, multiple daily practices, aesthetic forms, systems of communications (e.g., languages), institutions of society, a variety of experiences that capture Africans’ way of life, a metaphor to express political ideas, and the basis of an ideology to bring about both political and economic changes. Even nature does not escape inclusion in the definition of culture, disregarded, as some analysts do, as being in opposition to culture. To many Africans, nature is understood in part as a religious agency—to talk about nature is to talk about culture. The complexity of past traditions is inscribed into the notion of contemporary modernity.

The cathects of meaning and relevance associated with culture are multidimensional and eclectic, such that to many Africans, culture is really the single word that explains and justifies most things, from the organization of private domains to complicated political institutions. It is treated as a package of social heritage, with all the knowledge and skills vital to survival and reproduction. This book reflects this eclecticism. It reflects changes as well: culture evolves, adapting itself to new circumstances and environments. New ideas come from the outside, to replace older ideas or to be blended with existing ones. Culture and society can be fluid, reflecting an ongoing adaptation. Society and its culture can regress or progress.

Culture is a dynamic process, and Africans have had to deal with the multiple changes and their outcomes. The book reflects the tension between old and new cultures. Islam, Christianity, colonization, Westernization, industrialization, and modernization are common themes in the analysis of contemporary African cultures. Rapid changes have followed the introduction of Islam, Christianity and others mentioned in the preceding list. Ideas and beliefs have been reshaped, and material culture has seen significant changes in the use of imported items. Western-oriented schools have become the source to socialize youth, and new occupations create new gender roles.