Basic African Etiquette for DNA Tested African Descendants

By Naja  Chinyere Eri Njoku Ugezu

Basic African Etiquette for African Descendants that are new to the culture.

Although it differs in each ethnic group, there are a few common threads to African Etiquette.

1. Impressions ~ 1st impressions are lasting ones. Be respectful at all times.

2. Filial Piety ~ Show respect to the elders, ancestors, seniors (anyone older than you).

3. Words ~ Knowing when to speak and what words are allowed and what is offensive.  An example is,  to many African Ethic groups, the word "tribe" is offensive.  Find out if this is proper to use with your group.

4. Audience ~ Africa has many age mate systems. Know which one you belong to and remain in it until you are elevated by an elder. The boy scouts were founded on the African age mate system.

5. Being Humble ~ LEARN your place in the African society and take pride in it.

6. Fitting in ~ There are SOME allowances for those of us that are learning these things but it cannot be a permanent status. KNOW and GROW. Believe that an elder will make the appropriate corrections.

7. Ideologies ~ Humble yourself and do not force your ideology. It can cause the elders to ban you or chastise you in a way you have NEVER seen in your life. Allow the process to take its course and learn from the matured ones from our homeland and the ones that have literally sat at the feet of the African Elders.

8. Customs and Courtesies ~ Study the customs and courtesies for YOUR ethnic groups and abide by them. Learn if you should bow, make eye contact, hand shake or not. Someone will teach you well well O.

9. Questioning ~ Ask questions at the proper time and in the proper venue. LEARN the correct venues.

10. Remember ~ We were taken away from our homes, we cannot DEMAND anything from those that had nothing to do with it. Instead, we MUST COEXIST, find a common ground and work with the resources we have. Being hasty and disrespectful, even if it is unintentional can cause damage. Approach your reconciliation with a humbled heart and RESPECT for the traditions of your ethnic group. If you internally wish to change a negative tradition, remember, you cannot do it from the outside. 

11.  ALWAYS REQUEST PERMISSION TO SHARE THE DETAILS PROVIDED.

** WORDS OF WISDOM ~ THIS RECONNECTION IS YOURS BUT YOU ARE GOING INTO SOMEONE'S HOME AND HEARTS, DO NOT BE LIKE THE FEW THAT WE KNOW OF THAT TRIED TO FORCE THEMSELVES IN AFTER DNA TESTING AND WERE SHUNNED. IT WAS THE FAULT OF THOSE THAT DISRESPECTED THE ELDERS AND THE TRADITIONS***

Learn some useful tools for your first meeting with your ethnic group here: https://goo.gl/Trl3Gc