African time

Traditional and modern notions of time in Africa

“African time is the perceived cultural tendency […] toward a more relaxed attitude to time.” (Wikipedia)

“African time (noun). Unpunctuality.” (Collins Dictionary)

“African Time is when one says they will arrive at a certain time, but arrive much later.” (Urban Dictionary)

Introduction

A week ago or so, a video went viral on Twitter/X. A young African woman in the video asserts that, “for many African societies, the concept of the future doesn’t exist.” This is a strange claim to the Western ear, and the video’s virality is unsurprising.

This was not her own theory; she was referencing the work of an influential African philosopher and writer. African societies have traditionally conceptualized time very differently from the West. To this day, African attitudes towards time can be a bit of a culture shock for Western visitors. This phenomenon is sometimes called African time.

When used today, African time refers to a more loose and relaxed attitude towards time, or is even sometimes used synonymously with ‘unpunctuality.’

The following anecdote illustrates how ‘African time’ can manifest in practice (Onyeocha, 2010):

There was once a gathering of all the Rectors of Polytechnics in Nigeria and the Governor was scheduled to come and address them at 10 o’clock before their two-day business meeting which was slated to commence at 11 o’clock. Invitations were sent out and invitees were directed to be seated by 9.30 before the governor’s arrival at 10 o’clock. Everyone complied. At ten, there was no governor. Then ten-thirty, eleven, eleven thirty, twelve, twelve-thirty there was no governor and no message. Everyone began to murmur ‘African Time’! ‘African Time!’ Then half an hour later, the sirens were heard and in scampered a handful of security operatives officiously brandishing antiquated walkie-talkies. The long-awaited governor trotted in wearing a stern, no-nonsense look. That was ‘African Time’—perhaps at its worst.

This piece will explore this phenomenon. Did traditional African societies really have no concept of the future? I will consider the source cited in the viral video together with observations from early explorers. Then I will look at ‘African time’ in the modern context, which has given rise to self-commentary and self-criticism within Africa.