In Africa like any other part of the world, greeting is an important ritual that must be observed by the young and old alike. It is a sign of respect, civility and even love. It could also be one of the ways to improve a person’s mood and disposition just by asking how they are and how their day has been.
In many parts of Africa, greeting takes many faces depending on the community. In some, it is not just enough to say hello, there should be a handshake or even a hug. In others, the person who should initiate the greeting must have a certain status in the society.
Scroll through to learn how different African communities greet each other.
