The Unique And Vibrant Culture Of British-Africans
British-African culture is a big part of many people’s lives, yet a lot of people don't know anything about it. This article is here to fix that!
Pic: Unsplash Creative Commons / Suad Kamardee
British-African culture is an interesting culture that affects and applies to many people in the UK.
What is it?
The 2011 census showed that 13% of the British population (992,000 people) identify as Black British. Being British-African means that you were born in Britain but are of African descent. Although very little of the British population is African, it is clear to see the effect of African culture in urban areas, especially in cities like London.
Why should you appreciate the culture of British-Africans
Africans coming to the UK brought their culture with them. In my opinion, being British-African means getting to experience the British lifestyle but also practising and celebrating your original culture.
This means along with eating occasional British cuisine and enjoying fast food, you get to taste traditional African dishes filled with completely different flavours. Along with this you may learn the languages of your home countries in addition to English and listen to African music. You may also celebrate differently to White-British people when it comes to weddings and holidays.
How can identifying as British-African be confusing?
Although you get to experience both cultures, sometimes it can feel like you aren’t fully part of either. Legally you may be British, but you never will be treated as British by some just because you don’t originate from Britain. You may also feel not fully African because you didn’t grow up in Africa and don’t have the same experiences or hardships people raised in Africa might have.
Why you should appreciate being both British and African
It is true that being British-African can make you feel like you are missing out at times. However, getting to have a unique culture, as well as getting the privileges of British life that your parents wanted you to have, outshines the negatives.
For example, in Britain, you may get educational opportunities and medical care that you may not have had otherwise. British-African people can enhance others’ understanding of other cultures.
Therefore, British-African culture is a benefit to not only an individual but everyone around them as well.