See more Africa custom
Because of the different of national, ethnic and geographical, each country in African has different customs and culture. Not only in clothing, diet, and hobby but also in moral, traditional rituals and weddings, African people have unique fashion.
Meeting
Shaking hands, hugging is the universal etiquette.
African people think highly of the etiquette. Shaking hands, hugging etc. are very common courtesy in public. But different place has different way of expression. For example, some tribes in West Africa, people slap each other's chest with the palm for saying hello. While people in some tribes of Central Africa meet each other with a bow first and then applause and bless each other by words. People in Africa always greet each other and wish good health and work to each other by their first met and then talk about the business. If you are familiar with each other, such pleasantries content will be more important, otherwise it will be consider as impolite performance. In Africa, shaking hands is an important lesson to learn. When meeting a respectable person, you should hold his right wrist with your left hand and then hold with your right hand together. When meeting a person with very close relationship, you should hold his palm first and then his thumb and finally clasp his hand.
Egypt: often called each other "Avanti".
In Egypt, people used to shake hands or hug in the public occasions when they meet each other. People pay great attention to calling the name and the way they kiss. When greeting, people call each other "Avanti" which means "sir" in Arabic. When Egyptians meet each other in the road, generally the younger should greet to the elder first and the walker should first to the rider while the single should first to the others.
Nigeria: flick each other's palm with the thumb.
Before Nigerians salute, they used to flick other's palm with their thumb and then shake hands. But this action will be ignored during the business activity and shake hands directly. During the conversation, Nigerians never stare at each other and the opposite is taboo or it will be considered as impolite.
Algeria: the harder the handshake, the more the respect
Algerians shake hands with each other in social occasion and they think that the harder the handshake, the more they respect. In addition, there are embrace and touch face to face for ritual.
Ghana: Shaking hands from right to left.
Ghanaian greets to each other and say goodbye to each other by handshake. When they shake hands with people staying in line, they used to shake hands from right to left no matter their age and status. And you need to pay attention that never do any gesture with your left hand.
Morocco: Do not praise people's items.
Moroccans embrace each other or shake hands when they meet and farewell. Women in Morocco used to bend their knees to the customers. It is better not to praise others items otherwise, he has to give it to you as a gift according to the social convention.
Tunisia: Put your right hand on your chest after the handshake.
Tunisian shakes hand to the guests when they meet. And after that, he needs to put his right hand on his chest to show his sincerity to the guest. The upper class in Tunisia embraces each other when they meet during social occasions and express their friendliness by the wishes.
Ethiopia: handshake till the greeting complete
When meet with the friends, the Ethiopians used to take off their hat and bow. When meet with the peer, they greet each other and shake their hands until the greeting is finished then the hands can be released.
Diet
During the meeting, pay attention to the age hierarchy.
In Africa, people in many places eat hand pilaf. If you dine with your African friends, you should pay attentions that never sprinkle the food on the ground because it is taboo of most African. Besides, stay in your seat if the elders do not leave. And the children are required to salute to their parents while the guests should leave together with the owner after they finish the dinner.
Taboo
Egypt: never talk about business after sunset.
Egyptians have a unique lifestyle. They often share dinner together with the family after sunset. During this time, it is rude to invite other for business talk reluctantly.
Egyptians don't like the number "13". Egyptians don't like talking when they are having meal because they think it is a waste of food and is disrespectful of Allah. Black and blue is a taboo of them as which they consider is unlucky. Women in Egypt don't like to be praised as slim because they think buxom body is beautiful.
Nigeria: Do not point to others with your index finger.
In Nigeria, you also need to pay attention to the sign language of the local people especially some taboo sign. For example, pointing to others with the index finger and being pointed by the index finger is forbidden because it is considered as a provocation. It will be more serious if someone open his own fingers pointing to you, it is equivalent to abuse the ancient family.
Algeria: do not pass something by left hand
Algerians don't pass things by their left hands because they think that the left is cheap and dirty. Besides, they don't like talking about the problems of politic and industry.