Greetings

I could not possibly provide a concise explanation of the racial divides in this country. At the beginning of our IPA Summit, one of the white South Africans attempted to provide an orientation. One of the ways that Africans express greetings is by using their hands. They will put their palm up similar to an American “hi”, but there are some variations. Two hands quickly raised are an expression of trust, symbolic of showing the person you are greeting that you are not hiding anything in your open hands. In the rural areas, Africans employ a gesture similar to what Americans use to shake hands. However, the second hand is placed under the elbow of the other as it is extended. This too symbolizes openness with nothing to hide.