Introduction

Culture can be understood as the set of spiritual and material values which characterize a society or a social group. This being said, each society is particular in its culture. Unfortunately, it is clear that African culture has been, and still is, put to the test by other cultures. Indeed, this culture has long been tested by colonization through civilising ideology and Islam. The growing influence of American culture is not left behind in the upheaval of African cultural values.

African culture was put to the test by colonization

The African continent has always been the subject of speculation and imagery driven by colonization. Indeed, Africa was presented as a world of mysteries and shocking cultural traits like bloody customs and human sacrifice. This is to say that the colonists painted the devil on the wall (seeing only the negative side of a situation). The civilizing ideology even denied the existence of cultures in Africa and established a hierarchy of values in which those of Africa occupy the bottom of the scale. This is how colonization led to the annihilation of African cultural values, notably traditions, lifestyles, value systems and beliefs. Nowadays, we are witnessing a loss of African values in favour of European ones. African culture is unfortunately relegated to second place in current African societies.

The impact of Islam on African spirituality

Islam also played a considerable role in the upheaval of African cultural values. Indeed, Islam has called into question one of the fundamental values of African culture, in this case, spiritual value. Islamic conceptions undermine African ones, hence a difficult coexistence. African spirituality is today abandoned by a very large number of Africans in favour of the Muslim religion.

The influence of American culture on African culture

American culture is expanding around the world. It is a culture conveyed in particular through cinema, music and language. It influences that of other companies. African culture is not on the fringes of this upheaval. The African way of life suffers because young Africans now identify more with American culture than with their own. This is how they adopt controversial attitudes. This ranges from clothing style to moral values which are out of step with the African context.

Conclusion

The myth of the West, of its technological power and its economic model, knowingly conveyed by education, which was a tool of assimilation, has served to distort African culture. Islam and American culture remain no less involved. The main consequence of this situation is the acculturation of Africans. The identity of the African is in eternal perdition. African people would benefit from recharging their batteries to preserve the cultural values their ancestors bequeathed to them and ensure their sustainability.