History Main / DarkestAfrica

[[{{Bulungi}} Modern incarnations of this trope]] portray Africa as a land of poverty, famine, wars, [[TheDictatorship dictators]], genocides, disease, [[RuthlessModernPirates pirates]], and militant rebels/terrorists. It may be noted that in many modern stories, quite a bit of finagling or {{handwav|e}}ing is required to get the "traditional" level of isolation, bringing many elements into DiscreditedTrope territory. On the other hand, the old stories resonate strongly, and traditional ways of life still hold sway, enough that subversions are frequently effective; the hero can still be surprised when they ask where the nearest telephone is and the village chief pulls out his iPhone. While most African countries became free of European colonialism in the 1950s and 1960s (with a few stragglers in the 1970s), [[TwoDecadesBehind it took many outsiders a long time to start thinking of them as modern societies roughly on par with those in the Americas and Eurasia]], with only UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica (with its sizeable minority of white settlers who [[UsefulNotes/TheApartheidEra used to run things]]) being considered equal to them for the longest time. In older stories, the MightyWhitey and HollywoodNatives abound, along with MisplacedWildlife.

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the [[CrossingTheDesert immense desert wasteland]], the wildlife-filled veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Middle Africa, some parts of East Africa, Madagascar and the mascarene islands). The land is populated by [[HollywoodNatives mysterious primitive tribal groups]] who are often [[TheNativesAreRestless trying to kill the protagonist]] and maybe also [[CannibalTribe practice cannibalism]], but they may also be depicted as [[NobleSavage Noble Savages]]. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the [[CrossingTheDesert immense desert wasteland]], the wildlife-filled veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Middle Africa, some parts of East Africa, Madagascar and the mascarene islands). The history includes the ancient sophistication of the Egyptians, rich ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali, and mysterious tribal groups -- as well as the more recent European colonies and [[TheDictatorship dictator-led]], cronyism-filled [[MilitaryCoup military juntas]]. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

It may be noted that in many modern stories, quite a bit of finagling or {{handwav|e}}ing is required to get the "traditional" level of isolation, bringing it into DiscreditedTrope territory. On the other hand, the old stories resonate strongly, and traditional ways of life still hold sway, enough that subversions are frequently effective; the hero can still be surprised when they ask where the nearest telephone is and the village chief pulls out his iPhone. While most African countries became free of European colonialism in the 1950s and 1960s (with a few stragglers in the 1970s), [[TwoDecadesBehind it took many outsiders a long time to start thinking of them as modern societies roughly on par with those in the Americas and Eurasia]], with only UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica (with its sizeable minority of white settlers who [[UsefulNotes/TheApartheidEra used to run things]]) being considered equal to them for the longest time. In older stories, the MightyWhitey and HollywoodNatives abound, along with MisplacedWildlife.


In the [[{{Bulungi}} modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, dictators, genocides, disease, [[RuthlessModernPirates pirates]], and militant rebels/terrorists.

See also [[UsefulNotes/{{Africa}} Useful Notes: Africa]] as well as JungleDrums and TheNativesAreRestless, as well as the Southeast Asian sister trope HolidayInCambodia. See {{Afrofuturism}} for works which subvert or deconstruct it. Often linked to DevelopingNationsLackCities.

In the [[{{Bulungi}} modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, genocides, disease, dictators, [[RuthlessModernPirates pirates]], and militant rebels/terrorists.

In the [[{{Bulungi}} modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, genocides, disease, dictators, warlords, [[RuthlessModernPirates pirates]], and militant rebels.

In the [[{{Bulungi}} modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, genocides, disease, dictators, warlords, [[ModernRuthlessPirate pirates]], and militant rebels.

In the [[{{Bulungi}} modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, genocides, warlords, and dictators.

It may be noted that in many modern stories, quite a bit of finagling or {{handwav|e}}ing is required to get the "traditional" level of isolation, bringing it into DiscreditedTrope territory. On the other hand, the old stories resonate strongly, and traditional ways of life still hold sway, enough that subversions are frequently effective; the hero can still be surprised when they ask where the nearest telephone is and the village chief pulls out his iPhone. While most African countries became free of European colonialism in the 1950s and 1960s (with a few stragglers in the 1970s), [[TwoDecadesBehind it took many outsiders a long time to start thinking of them as modern societies roughly on par with those in the Americas and Eurasia]], with only UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica (with its sizeable minority of white settlers who [[UsefulNotes/TheApartheidEra used to run things]]) being considered equal to them for the longest time.

In older stories, the MightyWhitey and HollywoodNatives abound, along with MisplacedWildlife.

In the [[Bulungi modern version of this trope]], Africa is portrayed as a land of poverty, famine, wars, genocides, warlords, and dictators.

See also [[UsefulNotes/{{Africa}} Useful Notes: Africa]] as well as JungleDrums and TheNativesAreRestless, as well as the Southeast Asian sister trope HolidayInCambodia. See {{Bulungi}} for a modern take on this trope, and {{Afrofuturism}} for works which subvert or deconstruct it. Often linked to DevelopingNationsLackCities.

[[folder: Theme Park Rides]]

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the [[CrossingTheDesert immense desert wasteland]], the wildlife-filled veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Middle Africa, some parts of East Africa, Madagascar and the mascarwne islands). The history includes the ancient sophistication of the Egyptians, rich ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali, and mysterious tribal groups -- as well as the more recent European colonies and [[TheDictatorship dictator-led]], cronyism-filled [[MilitaryCoup military juntas]]. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the [[CrossingTheDesert immense desert wasteland]], the wildlife-filled veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Central Africa). The history includes the ancient sophistication of the Egyptians, rich ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali, and mysterious tribal groups -- as well as the more recent European colonies and [[TheDictatorship dictator-led]], cronyism-filled [[MilitaryCoup military juntas]]. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

* ''Ride/EuropaPark'' (Germany) has its own equivalent of ''Jungle Cruise''.

* ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' has Deep Darkness, a place mostly composed of jungles and swamps; the jungle is so dense that it's impossible to see through it, unless you have the Hawk Eye (Retrieved from the pyramid in Scaraba), which allow you to "Pierce the darkness".

See also AncientAfrica and [[UsefulNotes/{{Africa}} Useful Notes: Africa]] as well as JungleDrums and TheNativesAreRestless, as well as the Southeast Asian sister trope HolidayInCambodia. See {{Bulungi}} for a modern take on this trope, and {{Afrofuturism}} for works which subvert or deconstruct it. Often linked to DevelopingNationsLackCities.

[[folder:Film]]

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the [[CrossingTheDesert immense desert wasteland]], the wildlife-filled veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Central Africa). The history includes the ancient sophistication of the Egyptians, rich ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali, and mysterious tribal groups -- as well as the more recent European colonies and [[TheDictator dictator-led]] [[MilitaryCoup military juntas]]. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

A great favourite of stories involving the Colonial period of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Africa has lent itself well to many narratives. Its breadth of landscape includes the immense sandy wasteland, the grassy veldts and savannahs, and ''especially'' the [[HungryJungle thick, treacherous jungle]] (which is, in reality, nowhere near as widespread as non-Africans often picture it, being mostly located within Central Africa). The history includes the ancient sophistication of the Egyptians, rich ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali, and mysterious tribal groups -- as well as the more recent European colonies and military juntas. And always, there is the wildlife, some of which may be {{misplaced|Wildlife}}, and an abundance of plants, both [[TemptingApple deadly]] [[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables and delicious]].

It may be noted that in many modern stories, quite a bit of finagling or {{handwav|e}}ing is required to get the "traditional" level of isolation, bringing it into DiscreditedTrope territory. On the other hand, the old stories resonate strongly, and traditional ways of life still hold sway, enough that subversions are frequently effective; the hero can still be surprised when they ask where the nearest telephone is and the village chief pulls out his Android. While most African countries became free of European colonialism in the 1950s and 1960s (with a few stragglers in the 1970s), [[TwoDecadesBehind it took many outsiders a long time to start thinking of them as modern societies roughly on par with those in the Americas and Eurasia]], with only UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica (with its sizeable minority of white settlers who [[UsefulNotes/TheApartheidEra used to run things]]) being considered equal to them for the longest time.

* The Creator/MichaelCrichton book and movie ''Literature/{{Congo}}'' has the (fictional) ruined city of Zinj populated by evil gorillas.

* Gregory [=McDonald=]'s ''Fletch Too'' is set in Africa, discussing some of the issues, including slavery, being modern-or not, archeology, witch doctors, and law.

* Israeli brief comedy series ''Lost in Africa'' features an Israeli fashion modeling company flying to the fictional country Abuna Kilosa, which borders on Chad and Sudan ([[ShownTheirWork most likely where RL Central African Republic is]]), for a photo shoot with a Swedish model and an English photographer. The show averts, plays with, and [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructs]] the trope.

It may be noted that in many modern stories, quite a bit of finagling or {{handwav|e}}ing is required to get the "traditional" level of isolation, bringing it into DiscreditedTrope territory. On the other hand, the old stories resonate strongly, and traditional ways of life still hold sway, enough that subversions are frequently effective; the hero can still be surprised when they ask where the nearest telephone is and the village chief pulls out his Android. While most African countries became free of European colonialism in the 1950s and 1960s (with a few stragglers in the 1970s), [[TwoDecadesBehind it took many outsiders a long time to start thinking of them as modern societies roughly on par with those in the Americas and Eurasia]], with only UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica (with its sizeable white population that [[UsefulNotes/TheApartheidEra used to run things]]) being considered equal to them for the longest time.

*** When one of the Israelis asks for a doctor to see him at his hotel room and asks him to give him a treatment ‘for tourists’, the doctor does some silly ceremony to please said tourists for an absurd amount of money (hillariously threatening to put a curse on him if he isn’t paid);

* Pretty much every book by Creator/WilburSmith ever. There is usually a MightyWhitey protagonist involved, with plenty of [[MagicalNegro native advisors]] and [[TokenBlackFriend companions]] to round out the cast..

* Kokoland in the ''Franchise/DocSavage'' novel ''Land of Long Juju''. Only the tribe of the royal family, who are descended from a LostRomanLegion, are portrayed as civilised. All of the other tribes are superstitious and bloodthirsty savages, who are easy prey from the white villains.