Globalisation and the Decline of the African Value System
Unlike any other continent, Africa has diverse cultural beliefs, traditions, languages and social norms that have been preserved over time. Globalization, characterized by the increasing connections of economies, cultures, and societies, has profoundly impacted various regions worldwide. In Africa, this phenomenon has contributed to significant shifts in the traditional value systems that have long defined and sustained the continent's diverse cultures. This paper explores the decline of the African value system in the face of globalization, examining how external influences have eroded communal values, social norms, and indigenous practices that once held strong in African societies. On account of this, African identity dynamics, social ties, and heritage preservation have experienced cultural transformation and is observable in various aspects like loosening communal ties, modifying family structures, and decreasing the importance of traditional customs, dressing and languages. Through examining case studies across African countries, this paper offers insight into the relationship between globalisation and cultural degradation; furthermore, it has led to the alienation of African traditional values thus threatening the continent’s cultural future identity. It was then concluded that globalisation needs to strike a balance between embracing its benefits and protecting African values through cultural education and cultural practices.