The Culture Swap
As a Nigerian-American, I’m really interested in delving deeper into how other nations have influenced the product design and trends that have emerged in Nigeria. After some research, I found that minimalist product design is on the rise, “inspired by both Japanese and Scandinavian designers.”
One product that has been heavily redesigned through the lens of this trend is kitchenware. Olubunmi Adeyemi’s AFROMINIMA is a lifestyle and homeware brand that he describes as combining traditional Nigerian elements with Japanese minimalist aesthetic and functional Scandinavian style. In an article entitled, “Afrominima is a Nigerian lifestyle brand inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics,” Olubunmi mentions this combination of elements as “moving us forward to the future through design.” As we continue to discuss cultural appropriation, I have found myself puzzled by that statement. Olubunmi’s remark essentially implies that incorporating Western elements into is enough to elevate Nigerian design and result in improvements. While this is not a new sentiment, it is disheartening to see it being said by a fellow Nigerian, especially since many African designs have actually influenced the West, as was seen in the article “Black People Invented Everything.”
Furthermore, it was interesting to hear minimalism being described as a concept from Japan and Scandinavia, when Nigerians have been designing minimalist products from the beginning of time.
I think a perfect item to explore this concept with is the mortar and pestle. Nigerians have been using this traditional item to prepare food for centuries, while Western nations have typically used devices considered as more “modern,” like blenders. Thus, mortars and pestles have oftentimes been labelled “backward” or even “ancient” by those in the West. However, the Japanese-style mortar and pestle, a suribachi, has been raved about by people worldwide as an amazing tool.
None of this is to say that Nigerians created mortars and pestles or the concept of minimalism — I haven’t found much research to make a case on either argument. The bottom line is, when comparing Western products to similar products in Nigeria, many people will unfortunately view the Western product as superior just based off of the fact that the West has crafted a reputation of being more “modern” and “cutting-edge.” As the world of design continues to change, I hope that more designers will begin to seriously consider Nigerian designers as people who can, and have, set design trends and have used design to make great change.
Moreover, I hope that our brilliance and contributions will finally get the credit and recognition they deserve.
