It could have been the 19th century novels written by H. Rider Haggard giving his British readers a never-seen-before, if not patently prejudiced, view into Africa, that ignited the West’s fascination with the Dark Continent.
Haggard’s novels of exotic African locations, mystery and adventure, reinforced the enduring stereotype of the African in the minds of the West: a thick-lipped bare-foot heathen, surrounded by pristine natural wonders, who needed to be helped down from the trees, clothed, taught a language and given a purpose.
