Kimberly Khumalo 

47481137 

THE WORKS OF WAINAINA : HOW TO WRITE ABOUT AFRICA (2005)

The satirical analysis Was written in (2005) by Wainaina Binyavanga. It talks about how often western people write about Africa in a stereotypical way. It also talks about the way western people depict African people and only focusing on poverty and exoticism.

The aim of this article Is to challenge the stereotypical and negative depiction of Africa mostly in literature and media. 

Different ways in which Wainaina explained how the Westerners write about Africa include :

 

OTHERING 

in the article "how to write about Africa" Binyavanga Wainaina talks about how often western people involve in "othering" when depicting African

STEREOTYPES

In the first paragraph of "how to write about Africa" mentions words like "Congo", "Nile", "Timeless" primordial and tribal these words are stereotypic and create false ideas about African cultures and society.

EXOTICISATION 

Westerne writers exoticize African cuisine By highlighting that they eat worms, monkey brain and other bizarre food that, they also exoticize Africa by highlighting that the place is hot dusty and filled with darkness rather than it being a natural place. 

MISINFORMATION AND DISTORTION 

Westerners make it seem as if Africa is country rather than a continent and that it is a hot and dusty place  filled with hunger striken people. Wainaina says when you write about Africa make it seem like the only food they eat and enjoy is bizarre food like monkey brain and worms.

CONCLUSION 

This article highlights the challenging nature of western depiction of Africa, mostly in literature and media it, it shows how writers rely on stereotypes, generalization and exotisation. Western writers should rather talk about diversity in various tribes and ethnic groups.