African studies centers overseas as promoters of African culture

Abstract

Established in the world’s best citadel of learning and centers of excellence, African studies centers abroad are like essential commodities in the world market. From the literature survey, the program of these centers are anchored on the promotion of the African culture through the studies of African Anthropology, Archaeology, Folklore and other cognate subject areas such as History and Sociology. The analysis contained in this report was subdivided into nine different themes, which highlight the content of the program of activities of these centers. The analyses were deducted from existential theory, which explains that the cultural legacy of a people is an extension of the personality of the race or ethnic group involved. It was found that the African studies centers abroad represented the outlets for the promotion of African culture, although most of the staff personnel in those centers are dominated by persons other than those of African descent.

Key Words: African studies centers overseas, cultural propagation, cultural preservation.