Kindness in welcoming strangers and guests is a recurrent theme in descriptions of Africans provided by early explorers and other travelers. Hospitality was – and to a great extent still is – highly regarded throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting deep cultural values concerning proper behavior and shared humanity. This understanding of hospitality was further elaborated upon in the Muslim regions of Sub-Saharan Africa within the framework of Islamic altruistic practices such as doing good deeds and giving alms.

A typical description is provided by Daniel Wilberforce, …