I was just wondering if any of our afro-american hunters have hunted africa, and if they did, was there any affinity or special connection between themselves and the native staff. I wonder how the native staff feels towards the black client....is he just a "black white man", or is there some sort of brotherhood.
As a side note, how does the staff act or behave around clients...are they shy,funny, eager to teach you a skill that you show an interest in? I really want to fully enjoy the experience. Wolf

I have never seen a black american hunter before. Having grown up in the south near many blacks. I can tell you that there is a bit of prejudice and different attitude toward non native american blacks. However I am not familiar with the way the typical african looks at an american black

Wolfgar

I was told a story by a PH who had a black American basketballer hunt with him.

The black staff in Zim didn't think of him as the 'client' ad thought he should be treated less than usual until the PH told them to get themselves into shape. I guess they were used to all clients being white (ish).

This doesn't mean of course that this would be case everywhere.

Regarding communications with the staff. I always like to chat to the trackers or other staff if there are opportunities but there is often a language barrier. A lot of the trackers and staff do not speak English or well enough. Or may lack confidence to do so. It may also be that they are instructed not to associate with clients.

I sat with a tracker named George near the eland which I had shot while the others walked back the seven kilometres to the vehicle. We had a limited chat (language barrier) and I learned he was a Christian, had served in the militia under the General (who was the PH's father), and various other things. The PH did not even know any of this!

Go for it. It all adds to the experience and what you learn.


***

Not connected with hunting safaris but I have had the most interaction with the locals outside the camps. eg walking along roads (ie just like the locals). One example was when I missed the hotel resort bus and walked into Mombasa from the Southern beaches instead. Sometimes people will approach you and have a chat. Of course be aware about giving away too much personal information as not everyone is honest.

Nitro,



I heard a similar story (the staff fully expected the black client to be staying with them rather than in the lodge). What I find interesting is that the story was told to me as if it was a joke about "these stupid caffers" and how they don't really understand the world. My impression was that it wasn't a matter of them lacking respect for the client but a matter of them expecting some sort of consistency in the way local whites apply their notions of a racial hierarchy. It was amusing to see the ignorance fostered by generations of racism in the region actually come back and bite them in the ass but also sad to see that some blacks in southern Africa are so resigned to their position that ANY black they meet is just understood or expected to exist as they do.



JMHO,



JohnTheGreek

The client is KING regardless of race colour or creed .... WE have moved on from the days gone by ... The black staff no doubt would have a mild interest in a black hunter whom talked different to them but at the end of the day the staff white and black whom work for the outfitter need to be professional enough not to let a clients perceived or real differences effect their job ...

I think there are a couple of black guys from the USA whom post on this forum, I sure hope they can add some futher insight into the question .. I think one of the more well known or famous black guys hunting is Karl Malone a big SCI supporter and general good guy ...


Peter

From what I heard from an American Negro who hunted in Africa.(I think Zimbabwe but could have been Tanzania),the locals dint realy relate to him at all and treated him as a white man. I work with the same man in Papua New Guinea and asked him about how the New Guineans treat him as he was the first Black expat they have ever seen. He said the New Guineans were same as the Africans ,they were freindly enough to him ,but still considered him to be a dark skinned white man ,and didnt go out of there way to talk to or sit with him.

We had a father and son last year hunt with us. He was a doctor and his son had just graduated high school. The father was an old hand at hunting, and had hunted Africa several times before and had no illusions. The son, 18 and full of himself, thought he was going to get in touch with his heratige. He got a bit of culture shock when he tried to relate to our Tswana staff and was fairly ignored for his effort. I have catered to several African-American hunters in the past and I always explain it like this to them...Africa is very tribal. Tswana and Zulu don't get along well and they live in the same places. You cannot expect them to get along with you well, since you are from some American tribe (in their eyes) that they have never even heard of. It also takes a good deal of convincing that the clients are "boss" in some cases, especially if the client is darker skinned. Most of the time they (the client) are simply ignored or treated like an outsider. If I don't tell my staff that there is a "black white man" coming, the staff gives me many problems. I have personally never met anyone as racist as a black African tribesman, and I live in the Southern United States!

Wolf, I really think that you should book a safari and enjoy Africa for all it's worth. There are indeed African-American clients who hunt Africa. The professionalism and hospitality of any good African hunting staff, from the professional hunters to the safari crew and camp staff, is uniformly superb, and I'm certain that you'll simply be treated as an American client.

AD

The black American was Karl Malone, a basket ball player! The staff set up a clammer with the PH, stateing that they thought Karl should bunk in with the black staff, and take his meals with them as well. The thing was sorted out by the PH, and the hunt went well after.

Black Africans have a definent pecking order amoung the tribes, and if a person from what is considered a lower ranking tribe is given a prestiegeous job, some others will refuse to work with them. The water boy in a camp is at the bottom, while the Tea boy is very high ranking, and a TRACKER is top dog in the field, just below the PH, and you can see this pecking order if you pay attention to the way the staff associeates with each other.

An American client hunter will have no problem as long as he tells the people, he is booking with, that he is BLACK, when booking, especially if booking dirrectly, by computer, or snail mail! This gives the PH time before his arrival to get everyone set up for the first meeting. This alone could stave off any problems one might encounter with this sittuation! Just be courteous, as you would with anyone you do not know, and let them find thier way! Injoy your safari, and don't worry about it!

My PH with HHK in Zimbabwe, Howard Hunter, has a black hunter from Birmingham, Alabama that hunts with him every year. He hunts almost exclusively with a bow and Howard marvels at the 90 pound pull the guy uses. He and Howard have become great friends and Howard stays with him for a couple of days when he visits the US for the SCI conventions.

Since Howard has had a experience in this area, you might want to e-mail him at hunter@zol.co.zw. Not sure how quickly he'll be able to get back with you now that they are busy hunting, but I'm sure you'll enjoy corresponding with him when you can.

There is no doubt that places like the northwest, or other areas that are overwhelmingly white, do have a different set of race relations and perspectives than areas of the US and the rest of the world, including southern Africa, that have a dramatically different racial balance. In areas that have a balance of nearer 50-50, or that are majority black, we do tend to find racial and social issues that are different than what you'll find in the NW US.

Don't know if you've seen it in hunting magazines, but Marc Watts, former CNN news correspondent, has a series of "Perfectly Shot" game videos. He is black and two of the videos are done on safari in Africa. I may buy one or two of these myself before too long. Has anyone seen these, and if so, are they any good?

http://www.sabletrailproductions.com/

I have hunted African Americans with Pierre van Tonder and they all loved every minute of their safaris, but who wouldn't with Pierre, he is just a very personable person and has a way of making folks think they are his best friend and in fact they are, his staff is happy and never complain and are totally loyal, except the game scout who is constantly wanting a bribe and rattles on like a Magpie 24 hours a day ...Pierre hunts clients from all walks and races, even Walter, so what more can I say....