Africa Laughs
Author: Richard Chowning
Africa Laughs
African humor can be viewed from many perspectives. It could be stories that tourists and foreign non-government agency workers tell about comical encounters with the people and animals of Africa. Along side that, there are the very malicious jokes that play on Africa's poverty or lack of Western education. But, those are all in domain of the outsider, the non-African, as she observes and interacts with Africans.
What about humor told or acted by those who's blood and experiences are African? Myweku's humor section is one of the largest collections of Africa oriented laughables on the Internet.
It could be said that one of highest forms of African jokes are the scams that Nigerian email entrepreneurs have played on Westerners for more than a decade now. Come on, cruel yea, thievery correct. But, you have to laugh that people actually respond and set themselves up for financial lose.
Western comedians make fun of politicians and the political process. Doing so in many African countries can set you up for all types of persecution, even death. But, when citizens are able to openly joke about their public administrations it is a sign of a strong democracy. This political humor is often told in the art form of cartoons. Hillary Ngweno's Joe was one of the first cartoon magizines in Africa dedicated to laughing at politicians and the political process.
African humor has come a long way from Joe. A modern example of political humor can be found in South Africa on the "Tonight with Trevor Noah," nightly television program. The show, though very much like the John Daily Show that airs each night in the United States. Noah's program is filled with African, political satire. The prime time, evening viewing of Noah's shows fits well with African culture. As Noah says, "Africans don't watch television at 10 PM. So, "Tonight" airs at 7 ." Prime time African comedy, I'll say African political humor has grown up.
All of Africa was on stage at the World Cup in 2010. It was held in South Africa but African culture from north to south and east to west was on display in the array of events featuring African artists and entrepreneurs. One of those events was From Africa with Laugh sponsored by the African Arts Institute (AFAI). The 21 day event featured African comedians from all over the continent preforming Baxter Theatre. Of, course football, the one played with your feet, was the brunt of much of the humor.
There are many Internet forums springing up that cover the wide range of humor in Africa. On some, like Myweku Forum, African share their jokes and humor very openly.
Laughter can be heard everywhere in Africa. However, that is not always a good sign. There is the case, recorded in Wikipedia, of the laughter epidemic in Kashasha, Tanzania in 1962. The epidemic of laughing took place at a boarding school run by a Christian mission. The girls in different locations at the school began laughing simultaneously. The uncontrollable laughter seized 95 of the 159 pupils. Some girls stopped their laughter after a few hours, other continued for as much as 16 days.
Every culture has their own way of expressing humor. Africa is not different in that respect. And, it seems, that contemporary African humor is evolving.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/humor-articles/africa-laughs-4994079.html
About the AuthorAfrican Forum http://www.myweku.com
Richard Chowning lived in Africa for 25 years (16 in Kenya and 9 in Benin). He continues to travel to Africa on business and pleasure. He manages and writes for a half dozen African oriented websites.
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