West Africa

==Culture==
Despite the wide variety of cultures in West Africa, from [[Nigeria]] through to [[Senegal]], there are general similarities in [[Boubou (clothing)|dress]], [[West African cuisine|cuisine]], [[Music of West Africa|music]] and culture that are not shared extensively with groups outside the geographic region. This long history of cultural exchange predates the colonization era of the region and can be approximately placed at the time of the [[Ghana Empire]] (proper: [[Wagadou]] Empire), [[Mali Empire]] or perhaps before these empires. West Africa varies a series of tribes and cultures that have combined a diverse regional subculture.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

===Art===
{{Main|African art#West Africa}}

===Traditional architecture===
{{See|Architecture of Africa#West Africa}}
[[File:Airport in Timbuktu.jpg|thumb|right|A street and airport in the famous town of [[Timbuktu]], [[Mali]], showing the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style of the West African interior]]

The main traditional styles of building (in conjunction with modern styles) are the distinct [[Sudano-Sahelian architecture|Sudano-Sahelian]] style in inland areas, and the coastal forest styles more reminiscent of other sub-Saharan areas. They differ greatly in construction due to the demands made by the variety of climates in the area, from tropical humid forests to arid grasslands and deserts. Despite the architectural differences, buildings perform similar functions, including the [[compound (enclosure)|compound]] structure central to West African family life or strict distinction between the private and public worlds needed to maintain taboos or social etiquette.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

===Clothing===
{{See|Folk costume#Western Africa}}
[[File:Philip Emeagwali in white "agbada.".jpg|thumb|left|[[Philip Emeagwali]] wearing the [[Boubou (clothing)|Boubou]] (or ''Agbada''), a traditional robe symbolic of West Africa]]
In contrast to other parts of the continent south of the [[Sahara Desert]], the concepts of [[hem]]ming and [[embroidered|embroidering]] clothing have been traditionally common to West Africa for centuries, demonstrated by the production of various [[breeches]], [[shirts]], [[tunic]]s and [[jackets]]. As a result, the peoples of the region's diverse nations wear a wide variety of clothing with underlying similarities. Typical pieces of west African formal attire include the knee-to-ankle-length, flowing [[Boubou (clothing)|Boubou]] robe, [[Dashiki]], and [[Senegalese]] [[Kaftan]] (also known as ''Agbada'' and ''Babariga''), which has its origins in the clothing of nobility of various West African empires in the 12th century. Traditional half-sleeved, hip-long, woven smocks or tunics (known as ''fugu'' in Gurunsi, ''riga'' in Hausa) – worn over a pair of baggy trousers—is another popular garment.<ref>Barbara K. Nordquist, Susan B. Aradeon, Howard University. School of Human Ecology, Museum of African Art (U.S.). ''Traditional African dress and textiles: an exhibition of the Susan B. Aradeon collection of West African dress at the Museum of African Art'' (1975), pp. 9–15.</ref> In the coastal regions stretching from southern Ivory Coast to Benin, a huge rectangular cloth is wrapped under one arm, draped over a shoulder, and held in one of the wearer's hands—coincidentally, reminiscent of [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]' [[toga]]s. The best-known of these toga-like garments is the [[Kente]] (made by the [[Akan people]] of [[Ghana]] and [[Ivory Coast]]), who wear them as a gesture of national pride.

===Cuisine===
{{Main|West African cuisine}}
{{See|History of West Africa#Cuisine|African cuisine#West Africa|List of African cuisines#West African cuisine}}
[[File:Jollof rice.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jollof rice]] or ''Benachin'', one of many Pan–West African dishes found only in West Africa]]

Scores of foreign visitors to West African nations (e.g., [[merchant|traders]], [[historians]], [[emigrant]]s, colonists, missionaries) have benefited from its citizens' generosity, and even left with a piece of its cultural heritage, via its foods. West African cuisines have had a significant influence on those of [[Western culture|Western civilization]] for centuries; several dishes of West African origin are currently enjoyed in the [[Caribbean]] (e.g., the [[West Indies]] and [[Haiti]]); Australia; the USA (particularly [[Louisiana]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina|North]] and [[South Carolina]]); Italy; and other countries. Although some of these recipes have been altered to suit the sensibilities of their adopters, they retain a distinct West African essence.<ref>Chidi Asika-Enahoro. ''A Slice of Africa: Exotic West African Cuisines'', Introduction. iUniverse, 2004. {{ISBN|0-595-30528-8}}.{{pn|date=January 2024}}</ref>

West Africans cuisines include fish (especially among the coastal areas), meat, vegetables, and fruits—most of which are grown by the nations' local farmers. In spite of the obvious differences among the various local cuisines in this multinational region, the foods display more similarities than differences. The small difference may be in the ingredients used. Most foods are cooked via boiling or frying. Commonly featured, starchy vegetables include [[Yam (vegetable)|yam]]s, [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain]]s, [[cassava]], and sweet potatoes.<ref>Pamela Goyan Kittler, Kathryn Sucher. ''Food and Culture'', p. 212. Cengage Learning, 2007. {{ISBN|0-495-11541-X}}.</ref> Rice is also a staple food, as is the [[Serer people]]'s [[sorghum]] [[couscous]] (called {{-"}}''Chereh''{{-"}} in [[Serer language|Serer]]) particularly in Senegal and [[the Gambia]].<ref>[[UNESCO]]. The Case for indigenous West African food culture, p. 4. BREDA series, Vol. 9 (1995), [http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0010/001055/105546E.pdf (UNESCO)].</ref> [[Jollof rice]]—originally from the [[Kingdom of Jolof]] (now part of modern-day Senegal) but has spread to the Wolofs of Gambia—is also enjoyed in many Western nations, as well;<ref>Alan Davidson, Tom Jaine. ''The Oxford Companion to Food'', p. 423. Oxford University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-19-280681-5}}.</ref> [[Maafe|Mafé]] (proper: {{-"}}''Tigh-dege-na{{-"}}'' or ''Domodah'') from [[Mali]] (via the [[Bambara people|Bambara]] and [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]])<ref>''Mafé'' or ''Maafe'' is a Wolof word for it, the proper name is ''"Domodah"'' among the [[Mandinka people]] of [[Senegal]] and [[Gambia]], who are the originators of this dish, or {{-"}}''Tigh-dege-na''{{-"}} among the [[Bambara people]] or Mandinka people of [[Mali]]. "Domodah" is also used by all [[Senegambians]] borrowed from the [[Mandinka language]].</ref>—a peanut-butter stew served with rice;<ref>James McCann. ''Stirring the Pot: A History of African Cuisine'', p. 132. Ohio University Press, 2009. {{ISBN|0-89680-272-8}}.</ref><ref>Emma Gregg, Richard Trillo. ''Rough Guide to The Gambia'', p. 39. Rough Guides, 2003. {{ISBN|1-84353-083-X}}.</ref> [[Akara]] (fried bean balls seasoned with spices served with sauce and bread) from Nigeria is a favorite breakfast for Gambians and Senegalese, as well as a favorite side snack or side dish in [[Brazil]] and the [[Caribbean]] just as it is in West Africa. It is said that its exact origin may be from [[Yorubaland]] in Nigeria.<ref>[[Carole Boyce Davies]] (ed.), ''Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences and Culture'', Volume 1, p. 72. ABC-CLIO, 2008. {{ISBN|1-85109-700-7}}.</ref><ref>Toyin Ayeni. ''I Am a Nigerian, Not a Terrorist'', p. 2. Dog Ear Publishing, 2010. {{ISBN|1-60844-735-9}}.</ref> [[Fufu]] (from the [[Twi language]], a dough served with a spicy stew or sauce for example [[okra]] stew etc.) from [[Ghana]] is enjoyed throughout the region and beyond even in [[Central Africa]] with their own versions of it.<ref>Dayle Hayes, Rachel Laudan. ''Food and Nutrition''. Dayle Hayes, Rachel Laudan, editorial advisers. Volume 7, p. 1097. Marshall Cavendish, 2008. {{ISBN|0-7614-7827-2}}.</ref> Dishes such as [[taguella]], [[eghajira]], etc. are popular among the [[Tuareg people]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Customs & Cuisine of Niger {{!}} Amman Imman {{!}} Dining for Women|url=https://diningforwomen.org/customsandcuisine/customs-cuisine-of-niger-amman-imman/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-29|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920183119/https://diningforwomen.org/customsandcuisine/customs-cuisine-of-niger-amman-imman/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Recreation and sports===
{{See also|West Africa cricket team}}
[[File:Supportairemimos.jpg|right|Supporters of [[ASEC Mimosas]]|thumb]]
The board game [[oware]] is quite popular in many parts of Southern Africa. The word ''"Oware"'' originates from the [[Akan people]] of Ghana. However, virtually all African peoples have a version of this board game.<ref>''West Africa'', issues 4106–4119, pp. 1487–8. Afrimedia International, (1996)</ref> The major [[multi-sport event]] of West Africa is the ECOWAS Games which commenced at the [[2012 ECOWAS Games]].

[[Association football|Football]] is also a pastime enjoyed by many, either spectating or playing. The major national teams of West Africa, the [[Ghana national football team]], the [[Ivory Coast national football team]], and the [[Nigeria national football team]] regularly win the [[Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/piersedwards/2010/11/why_does_the_west_dominate_afr.html "Why does the West dominate African football?"] BBC.</ref> Major [[football team]]s of West Africa are [[Asante Kotoko SC]] and [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC]] of the [[Ghana Premier League]], [[Enyimba International F.C.|Enyimba International]] of the [[Nigerian Premier League]] and [[ASEC Mimosas]] of the [[Ligue 1 (Ivory Coast)]]. The [[association football|football]] governing body of West Africa is the [[West African Football Union]] (WAFU) and the major tournament is the [[West African Club Championship]] and [[WAFU Nations Cup]], along with the annual individual award of [[West African Footballer of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7642679.stm|title=Wafu Cup to make a comeback |date=29 September 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="WAFU split-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2011/05/17/2490472/caf-have-split-the-west-african-football-union-into-two-separate- |title=Caf have split the West African Football Union into two separate zones |work=Goal.com |date=17 May 2011 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

===Music===
{{Main|Music of West Africa}}
{{See|Music of Africa#West, Central, Southeast and South Africa|Sub-Saharan African music traditions#West Africa}}
[[File:TalkingDrum.jpg|thumb|left|The [[talking drum]] is an instrument unique to West Africa.]]
[[Mbalax]], [[Highlife]], [[Fuji music|Fuji]], [[Afrobeat]], and [[Afrobeats]] are modern musical genres of West Africa and its diaspora.
Traditional [[folk music]] is also well-preserved. Some types of folk music are religious in nature such as the "Tassou" tradition used in [[Serer religion]].<ref>Ali Colleen Neff, ''Tassou: the Ancient Spoken Word of African Women''. 2010.</ref>

====Griot artists====
[[File:Bijoutier et joueurs de kora.jpg|thumb|Kora-playing [[griots]] in [[Senegal]], 1900. Both the [[Kora (instrument)|Kora]], a 21-stringed harp-lute, and the griot musical-caste are unique to West Africa.]]

[[Griot]] artists and praise-singing is an important musical tradition related to the oral history of West African culture. Traditionally, musical and oral history as conveyed over generations by griots are typical of West African culture in [[Mandé peoples|Mande]], [[Wolof people|Wolof]], [[Songhai people|Songhay]], [[Serer people|Serer]] and, to some extent, [[Fula people|Fula]] areas in the far west. A hereditary caste occupying the fringes of society, the griots were charged with memorizing the histories of local rulers and personages and the caste was further broken down into music-playing griots (similar to [[bard]]s) and non-music-playing griots. Like Praise-singers, the griot's main profession was musical acquisition and prowess, and patrons were the sole means of financial support. Modern griots enjoy higher status in the patronage of rich individuals in places such as [[Mali]], [[Senegal]], [[Mauritania]] and [[Guinea]], and to some extent make up the vast majority of musicians in these countries. Examples of modern popular griot artists include [[Youssou N'Dour]], [[Mamadou Diabate]], [[Sona Jobarteh|Sona Jobareteh]], and [[Toumani Diabate]].

In other areas of West Africa, primarily among the [[Hausa people|Hausa]], [[Mossi people|Mossi]], [[Dagomba people|Dagomba]] and [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] in the area encompassing [[Burkina Faso]], northern [[Ghana]], [[Nigeria]] and [[Niger]], the traditional profession of non-hereditary praise-singers, [[minstrels]], bards and poets play a vital role in extending the public show of power, lineage and prestige of traditional rulers through their exclusive patronage. Like the griot tradition, praise singers are charged with knowing the details of specific historical events and royal lineages, but more importantly need to be capable of poetic improvisation and creativity, with knowledge of traditional songs directed towards showing a patron's financial and political or religious power. Competition between Praise-singing ensembles and artistes are high, and artists responsible for any extraordinarily skilled prose, musical compositions, and panegyric songs are lavishly rewarded with money, clothing, provisions and other luxuries by patrons who are usually politicians, rulers, Islamic clerics and merchants; these successful praise-singers rise to national stardom. Examples include [[Mamman Shata]], [[Souley Konko]], [[Fati Niger]], [[Saadou Bori]] and [[Dan Maraya]]. In the case of Niger, numerous praise songs are composed and shown on television in praise of local rulers, Islamic clerics, and politicians.

===Theatre===
{{See|History of theatre#West African theatre}}

===Film industry===
{{See|Cinema of Africa#West Africa}}
[[Nollywood]] of Nigeria, is the main film industry of West Africa. The Nigerian cinema industry is the second largest film industry in terms of number of annual film productions, ahead of the [[Cinema of the United States|American film industry]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=30 September 2009 |url=https://www.un.org/apps//news/story.asp?NewsID=30707&Cr=nigeria&Cr1= |title=Nigeria surpasses Hollywood as world's second-largest film producer – UN |publisher=United Nations |date=5 May 2009}}</ref> [[Cinema of Senegal|Senegal]] and [[Cinema of Ghana|Ghana]] also have long traditions of producing films. The late [[Ousmane Sembène]], the Senegalese film director, producer and writer is from the region, as is the [[Ghanaian]] [[Shirley Frimpong-Manso]].