Since arriving in Fort Morgan, Colorado, I have heard a lot of people mention Africa in conversation rather than name a specific country. “So and so is visiting family in Africa.” “I want to check on the immigration paperwork for my children in Africa.” “When I was in Africa, I…” Why are people with strong ties to Africa not referring to a specific country? I lived in Tanzania for four years. I don’t think I’ve ever said I lived in Africa; I’ve always tried to at least specify East Africa, if not the specific country.
The incidence of people referring to Africa as if it is a country has been one of my long-standing pet peeves. Africa is a huge place with many different people groups, cultures, and landscapes. It encompasses 54 different countries. Nigeria is very different than Morocco, which is 4500 miles from Mozambique. South Africa is a country. Africa is a continent.
Talking with Shanna, my IAFR team leader, about this perceived misuse of “Africa” by people who themselves are originally from Africa, I started to piece together in my mind why Africa is the place so commonly referred to. People who have been displaced from their country of origin have oftentimes resided in multiple countries. They have been forced to travel to a variety of places. Their family might still be scattered across multiple African countries. If they are fortunate enough to visit family in “Africa,” there is a good chance it won’t be in their country of origin, but rather in some other country where family members have ended up. It is easier to just say Africa than to start listing countries – Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, DRC, Tanzania.
Please forgive me for my pet peeve. I, too, hope to visit Africa again someday and pray that estranged family members in Africa will soon be together with their loved ones.
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