Noah Ochieng' Otiende, Ts.Dr. Vimala Perumal, Dr. Roopesh Sitheran
Description of Invention
A key challenge within Afrofuturism is its limited connection to the African continent. It focuses on global black culture, in particular African American ties to science, fiction and fantasy. Despite attempts in Afrofuturistic films to represent African cultures and values, they tend to lack diversity oversimplifying core elements like music, ignoring the varied culture within Africa. This is particularly evident when we look into the representation of African music in Western cinema. It's not uncommon to find a Westernized interpretation of African music, one that, while entertaining, fails to convey the rich cultural diversity and complexity that is the true essence of African musical heritage. This kind of misrepresentation can have far-reaching implications. It not only dilutes the richness of African music but also reinforces stereotypes about Africa and its cultures. It's a subtle form of cultural imperialism, where the dominant culture imposes its interpretation of another culture, thereby distorting and oversimplifying it.