African societies have rich histories, cultural heritages, knowledge
systems, philosophies, and institutions that they have shaped and
reshaped through history. However, the continent has been repeatedly
portrayed negatively as plagued by multitudinous troubles: famine,
conflict, coup, massacres, corruption, disease, illiteracy, refugees,
failed state, etc. Even worse, Africans are often viewed as incapable of
addressing their problems on their own. Based on such erroneous
perspectives and paternalism, exogenous solutions are prescribed, out of
context, for African problems. This book sheds light on the positive
aspects of African reality under the key concept of 'African
potentials'. It is the product of sustained consultation over a
five-year period between seasoned African and Japanese anthropologists,
sociologists and scholars in other areas of African studies.