Here is a breakdown of who is responsible for preserving these stories:

1. Family and Elders

Elders in our families are considered living libraries and keepers of memory. They are essential for transmitting history, genealogies (lines of descent traced to a common ancestor), and moral lessons.

Women are often described as the backbone of cultural preservation, passing down language, rituals, and stories through matriarchal lines.

Parents and grandparents carry the responsibility of sharing stories of triumph, struggle, and tradition at home, helping instill a sense of belonging in the young.

2. Community Custodians

Griots (Jeli/Guewel), more prominent in West Africa, are professional oral historians, musicians, and performers who memorize and recite genealogies and epics (long poems derived from oral tradition that narrate the deeds of legendary figures).

In Mzansi (South Africa), traditional leaders and sangomas use storytelling in spiritual and communal rituals to maintain cultural continuity, especially in relation to ancestral veneration.

Community storytellers gather people, often around a fire or during events, to reinforce social values and teach moral lessons.

3. Modern Bearers of Tradition

Artists and cultural workers, including poets, authors, musicians (e.g., praise poets), and performers, keep traditions alive by adapting stories for new generations.

Educators and librarians play a key role through schools and community programs that promote indigenous knowledge and literacy.

Digital storytellers are a new generation of “digital griots” who use technology, podcasts, and social media to document and share stories, ensuring that African history is preserved.

The risks of cultural misrepresentation of African stories in game development

Misrepresentation often leads to African characters being portrayed as stereotypes, such as savages, victims, or sidekicks in Western-focused narratives. These portrayals are not harmless; they repeat colonial ideas that depict Africa as a place needing rescue by outsiders. This strips away the true depth, diversity, and strength of African people and cultures. 

In games, this is evident in how African settings and characters are designed. Africa is often portrayed as dangerous or underdeveloped, and ;kits characters are rarely given meaningful roles or narratives. This shapes how players around the world perceive the continent.

To change this, African stories need to be told by African creators. When developers, writers, and communities lead storytelling, it results in more authentic, diverse, and powerful narratives that go beyond stereotypes.