African Friends and Money Matters: Observations from Africa

by David E. Maranz

African Friends and Money Matters grew out of frustrations that Westerners experience when they travel and work in Africa. Africans have just as many frustrations relating to the Westerners in their midst. Each uses and manages money and other resources in very different ways, and these differences create many misunderstandings and frictions. The author deals with everyday life in Africa. He first introduces the very different goals of African and Western economic systems and then presents ninety observations of African behaviors related to money matters. Explanatory comments are given that show how each one works out in real life. He illustrates his and others' experiences with anecdotes from across the continent. Drawings by two African artists add further clarity to the text as they capture Africans and Westerners in authentic situations. The result is that the reader is able to make sense of customs that at first seem incomprehensible. This book will be of interest to Westerners living, working, or traveling in sub-Saharan Africa: business, government, diplomatic, and NGO personnel, religious workers, journalists, development sociologists, and tourists. The audience also includes professors and students in African studies. Africans will also be interested for what it reveals about Western culture and many of the significant ways Westerners react to Africa. David Maranz, Ph.D., has lived and worked with SIL International in Cameroon, Senegal, and several other countries in Africa since 1975. He has worked in community development, anthropology, administration, and as an international anthropology consultant. He has a Ph.D. in International Development. His earlier book, Peace is everything, examines the worldview and religious context of the people in the Senegambia region of West Africa.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Cultural, Sociology, Economics, Travel, Race

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

David Maranz, Ph.D., has lived and worked with SIL International in Cameroon, Senegal, and several other countries in Africa since 1975. He has worked in community development, anthropology, administration, and as an international anthropology consultant. He has a Ph.D. in International Development. His earlier book, Peace is everything, examines the worldview and religious context of the people in the Senegambia region of West Africa.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful analysis of the significant cultural differences between Westerners and Africans in the realm of financial matters and friendship.

After having served for two years as a missionary in northern Kenya, a friend of mine suggested this book to me. As I read it, the lights went on...I finally began putting the missing pieces together! I began to understand at a much deeper level why I was experiencing so much frustration with Africans and their insistence on constantly bringing financial matters into our friendships (something that was very foreign to me as a Westerner).

I have now spent over 10 years working with Africans, and am able to accept and understand the African perspective. And while I continue to struggle at times knowing the best way to handle certain situations, I have found that there is tremendous value in understanding how Africans view the tightly interwoven aspects of daily life that are friendship and money matters.

As Maranz points out, the Western social system of friendship and finances is quite different from the (generalized) African perspective, and mixing the two systems rarely works with success. Though this has often been tried (by me on many occasions), the results are typically frustration, misunderstanding, and strained (if not entirely broken) relationships.

Africa's system works for Africa, and the system of the modern Western world works within its own context, largely because the goals of life are very different in each context. Maranz explains that Africans, in general, are primarily concerned with the proper distribution of economic resources, believing that it is crucial for every individual to have at least their minimum needs met. At the deepest level of concern to the African is the welfare of family and kin. Thus, solidarity within the community, and the sharing of resources, is highly valued. Westerners, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with the accumulation of capital and wealth, brought on by a much more individualistic perspective of life.

It is easy to see how two completely different social structures, built upon seemingly opposing cultural value sets, would yield such contrasting social norms. One system is serving a society that is deeply concerned with individualistic pursuits, while the other system is serving a society much more concerned with community. Therefore, mixing the two systems is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

How then do Westerners and Africans work together? Is there a way for those who have very different perspectives to live and work in harmony?

Maranz suggests that if there is to be a successful way forward it will begin with Westerners understanding Africans, and Africans understanding Westerners. No doubt, at least having an understanding of another perspective on life is generally the way to begin in the pursuit to work in harmony.

However, I would suggest, and Maranz I believe agrees, that beyond mutual understanding lies the idea of trust. It is one thing to understand the perspective of another, it is another thing to trust another perspective as valid, and possibly even a better perspective at times. This has definitely been the most difficult lesson for me to learn in my relationships with Africans: to trust their judgment over mine when we are dealing with issues that lie within their social context. They are the experts, not me.

I am deeply indebted to Maranz for his work. This is absolutely a "must-read" for Africans and Westerners alike wishing to work in harmony with one another.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The writing is a bit dense and repetitive(especially towards the end), but this book changed the way I think about Westerner vs. non-westerner mentality. Very practical and useful. I read this while in Africa, and I saw firsthand many of these principles. I benefited from this greatly!

[Joel Arnold · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful to read if you've never experienced an African context or some other undeveloped society. in that case, the book will introduce you to challenges and situations you may have never imagined.

On the other hand, not terribly helpful in offering evaluations or solutions for how Westenrs should relate. Maranz works hard to be fair and understanding of differences, but in the process he left me wondering how many issues are just due to human nature. For instance, he suggests that within African society people just don't repay loans, even if they promised to. The reality is that this kind of behavior isn't part of a substitute system that works; it's just broken. A society can't go forward operating that way.

So to summarize, this book is better as an introduction to what goes on; not very helpful on suggesting how to respond.

[Nathan Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I finish a book and I think "that was nice." Other times I finish a book knowing it may have been one of the most important books I've read in a long time, and such was the case here.

I have not only spent a significant amount of time living in Africa, but am married to someone who grew up there as an expatriate missionary, so most of Maranz's observations are highly relatable. At times during the months that I lived in Africa, it seemed that scarcely a day went by in which I would not hear an African talking about money, whether asking for financial help, bargaining a price, etc. To the average Westerner it quickly becomes a painful part of life in Africa; at best it's a nuisance, at worst it could make you want to pack up and go home.

But the value of the work represented in this book is not just to prepare a traveler for what he should expect to encounter in Africa, but to help Westerners comprehend what is going on in the cultural context that is behind the things that we see as unexplainable behavior. In short, Maranz goes deeper than the "what" of cultural behavior, diving into the "why" behind it all. And the more you understand why things are the way they are, the more you will be able to sympathize, the more you can understand how the people view you, and the better you can learn to interact with the culture in a proper way. All of these are extremely important for anyone who wants to do meaningful work in an African context.
Some may complain that Maranz doesn't offer a whole lot of solutions to the problems, but that's not the point. The point is to understand people so that we can relate to them. To Westerners used to thinking the way Africans handle money is just wrong because our way is obviously superior, this book gives a pretty good case that maybe a whole lot of it is just...well...different.

While I expect that more years of experience will continue to develop it, I believe my understanding of the cultural reasons behind so many seemingly bizarre, offensive, and frustrating financial experiences brought about by trying to bridge the deep chasm between Western and African cultures has been greatly deepened by this book, and so I am very thankful for it.

I especially appreciated Maranz's concluding observation: "People of all cultures act logically..."
"Both Western and African readers may find some of the experiences and observations that have been described to be illogical, strange, and incomprehensible. This observation points out that all people are logical and act in accord with their society's rules. The outsider finds it strange or misunderstands only because he or she doesn't understand the people's logic.
"So if you see an otherwise normal person do something incomprehensible, take it as a sign of your lack of understanding, not of his strangeness, stupidity, or insanity. Assume that a friend, an employee, or even an unkown person, is acting logically according to the rules of his culture untilyou have very good reason to believe otherwise." [p. 195]

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone traveling to or living in Africa. It has so many helpful perspectives and insight into the “why” questions. When you enter a new culture, it’s easy to think that your systems and ways are right and anything foreign is wrong. I wish I had read it sooner. :)

[Emi True · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very resourceful book. I appreciate the way the author explains the generalized culture of Africa (knowing it may not apply in every context) for the Westerner. He explains differences in a non-demeaning way, pointing out specific things that a Western will struggle to understand or adapt to. This book is a lot of information, but worth the read if you’re wanting to have some context for African culture.

[Emily Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is completely accurate, and it makes me so mad I couldn't finish it. Blah

[Thomas Lueckel · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I came away from this book with some genuinely valuable new perspectives on behaviors that I’d previously found inexplicable or frustrating, I was just as often completely unable to relate the observations to the culture that I’m living in.

It suffers, obviously, from overgeneralizing common behaviors from some countries/ethnic groups to all Africans. The author’s experience is drawn primarily from the few African countries he’s spent a significant amount of time living and working in, particularly Senegal, with supplemental anecdotes from his friends and colleagues across the country. To me, this is just insufficient evidence from which to draw so many conclusions, fraught as they are with acknowledgements of exceptions. I don’t know why the scope of the book wasn’t limited to Senegal, or Kenya, or Malawi. I imagine the author thought the observations were generalizable enough to remain useful for Westerners (also a ridiculously broad categorization) living elsewhere in Africa, and I’m sure some of them are, but I feel that correctly characterizing only some of a culture to one with no experience of it is worse than simply leaving them in the dark. Even living in a Wolof community in Senegal, many of the observations didn’t ring true.

Some of the inaccuracies are simply due to the time that has passed since the book has been published. (Africans are less likely to spend time on their phones/social media? My village doesn’t have electricity yet and TikTok has still managed to take over).

I’m glad that I read it, but I’m also glad that I only did so after having spent a year living in Africa. I’m afraid that reading it before coming here, or too soon after arriving, would have me incorrectly pre-judging too many social situations where the book’s observations and advice don’t quite align with present reality/practices.

[Katie Robben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I consider this a must read for any Westerners serving/living in Africa for longer term. It’s an informative book about the author's observed cultural differences between the West and Africa.

At the very end, Maranz gives a few brief tips on how to respond to situations while in an African country. The tips seems like they should be common sense, like, “be respectful” and “be generous, but this does not mean you have to give to everyone who asks. Find out locally acceptable ways of refusing people.” Sadly, we Westerners are often set in our ways and worldview and consider anyone else’s to be wrong. This book can help us all breakthrough our norms and remember that we are guests in their country.

I believe a quick skim of this book is necessary before traveling to an African country. It’s important and respectful for anyone traveling to, at the very least, read about that country’s culture. But I think it would best be read after one has lived in the culture for a few months and can relate to the author’s observations because they’ve lived them.

Throughout the book Maranz includes observations from Africans about Westerners’ behaviors and responses to their culture. Instead of just referring to these, I wish he would’ve co-wrote the book with an African or several Africans. That way we could truly understand certain habits and how our African friends feel about them, and know how to best communicate and respond.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read for any ex-patriate living and working in Africa. Most of the author's anecdotes relate to life in Western Africa, and I am currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eastern Africa, so it almost goes without speaking that the customs and lifestyles vary, but most of his advice and observations were relevant to the cultural exchange that I participate in every day. His analysis described interactions that heretofore I tried my best to understand, but failed to grasp the underlying cultural narrative of why this or that person was behaving this or that way, especially in response to myself. My only caveat is that although I have an edition published in 2015, most of the statistics and references are from the 1980-1990's, which coincides with the time period the author spent in Africa, and is also when the book was first published. I'd like to see more recent data than that, since it's now 2017.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly an astounding book and should be required reading for anyone living in or traveling to Africa. It is a little boring at times as parts of it read like a textbook (it is a book in ethnography, after all!). The content, however, makes it worth trudging through! This book looks at the social and economic factors of African culture with principles that hold true through almost all (if not all) of African countries. It explains the reasons behind certain behavior that we find "odd' or "weird" or even "embarrassing" in Western cultures (such as asking friends or employers for loans, why many taxis are not registered with the government even though they are often penalized for it, and why duct tape or twine is a favorite repair tool).

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heading to Africa? Read this!

This author cleared up so much confusion upon my arrival in Africa. I read this book twice; once before arriving in Africa, coming from the United States, and once while in Africa. The first time, much of what the author had to say felt abstract. To a westerner, just very far fetched. The second time, actually being in Africa, and witnessing what the author described, made it one of the most useful books I’ve ever read.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in advancing my understanding of how African and western views of certain money matters vary and why. I thought it fell short, though, in that it never suggested biblical solutions. The truth is, sometimes westerners have it wrong, sometimes Africans have it wrong, and sometimes we all have it wrong. But what does the Bible teach about money matters?

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and accessible read on the cultural differences between Westerners and sub-Saharan Africans when it comes to money and friendship. The personal anecdotes of cultural misunderstanding and short sections written from an African perspective of the Westerner's action were particularly intriguing.

[Stan Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable resource for all those who visit Africa or live there. Very sympathetic to African culture and its economic system. Not intended to solve economic problems but help with understanding and relationships. Needs to be read more than once for foreign residents as time in the culture progresses.

[Christopher J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A frustrated but loving white northerner calls it like he sees it, through the distancing language of anthropology. Go read this book if you plan to live in Africa. The rules are different there, and this book will help you get your head around it. Recommended for anyone headed there from the US or similar place.

[Jeffrey Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of thought and perspective on differences between western and african customs. Nothing overly striking for me though. I thought it interesting to consider that perhaps for Africans part of the importance that they place on dressing up is to respect the other person more than thinking about their own importance.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

David doesn't claim to have a grasp on all the nuances of African or northern African culture, but the broad concepts and cultural ideas here are very helpful for Westerns to help set expectations and be more aware of their African and Middle Eastern neighbors.

[Jenna Strite · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very informative on the complicated subject of the differing views of money between Africans and Westerners. However, I thought it was written in a boring way, and really did not enjoy it.

[Emma Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful. Would you believe me if I told you my Africa friend asked to “borrow” money in the middle of reading this book. It’s been over a month and she hasn’t mentioned repaying me at all. It was the true test. Hahahahaha

[Karen Naim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting observations that helped me understand my surroundings. Also felt over generalized, as expexted when someone writes a book about all of Africa

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books I have read for living in East Africa.

[Lee Pomrenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a helpful starting point for me to understand the relationship with money of West African immigrant congregation members in a church I was called to serve as pastor.

[Mike Studdard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great recap of many African ways. However, it is more West and NW African based and very repetitive.

[Jonathan Ammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immensely helpful, though at times laborious, and of course imperfect.

[Wendy Brafman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely insightful study into how traditional communities manage their resources, including the cultural differences between private and communal property.

[Jana Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

If what he reports is at all true, I will be very thankful to have been informed of it beforehand.

[miji · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s quite a bit repetitive and a bit outdated. Lots of the content is not in fact able to be used as a generalization, but is more specific to the authors experience in one region of Africa.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for understating different cultures and their view & interaction with money.

[Elizabeth Cote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational book which helps me understand the African culture better. Well written and recommended. Thought it would be just educational but enjoyed reading it.