Why I love Africa

BBC listeners and readers share their personal experiences of the African continent.

Here are the latest contributions celebrating Africa's brothers and sisters, malaikas, head wraps and moonlight.

Jonathan Tommy, Sierra Leone

Why do I love Africa? Because we are all related.

All Africans are brothers and sisters says Jonathan Tommy

Biologically, where ever you are from in Africa, we are related.

In Africa if you are from the same house - you are related, from the same village - you are related; from the same country - you are related.

Even from the same regional grouping like west, east, north and southern Africa - we are related as long as you are an African we are all related.

We refer to each other as brother and sister in Africa.

We do not have cousin or nieces - all we have are brothers and sisters.

That is why I love Africa - so let us stop killing one another

Lindi Zvimba

I love Africa.

I do not find it necessary to say more than this. The statement is surely very clear.

I met a tourist trying to take a photograph of the full moon. I was amused, for this is what we take for granted Ronald Kasyaba

Sadly, the 'I love Africa' competition has not increased my love but rather filled me with dismay and exasperation, as if it is being used as a defensive shield: "I love Africa and I dare you to say a single thing against it, you Traitor!"

It is because I love Africa in a deep and manifold sense that I feel I can also criticise the continent when it is necessary (as it often is) to do so.

That we are a land of extraordinary beauty and warm, creative, generous people, does not mean that we are not a continent riven by war.

There would be no war unless people were willing to kill each other - and selfish, cruel, autocratic governments which have failed their peoples over and over again.

I hope the BBC will not run another such sentimental and silly competition for a whole year ever again.

Would it not have been preferable to ask how it might be made a better place for us all to live in?

Tongogara Mavesera, Zimbabwe

It shows in their voices. You see it in their eyes.

With the head tie, the African woman portrays her culture with dignity and integrity Sarah Rebecca Fallah

With a balanced relaxation of a cat, they walk.

With a clay pot full of water they trail African paths.

They are as beautiful as Transvaal's spring flowers and as calm as the river Sabi.

Some are as busty as a pumpkin, others as thin as Limpopo reeds.

I love Africa for its maidens, its queens, its malaikas.

Sarah Rebecca Fallah, Sierra Leone

I love Africa because of the way we women tie our head wraps.

Head ties always perfectly match with the general outfit, says Sarah

I mean, it is just so beautiful to look at the different shapes and colours of head ties that adorn the heads of our proud African women.

Our African brothers and husbands can testify to this.

These head ties always perfectly match with the general outfit making the African woman outstanding in any gathering.

With the head tie, the African woman portrays her culture with dignity and integrity.

Ronald Kasyaba, Uganda

For a while, I have been trying to figure out why I really love Africa.

Days ago, I ran out of kerosene in my stove.

Under bright, clear moonlight, I had to walk to the next station to buy some kerosene.

It was a cool evening and I enjoyed the walk.

Then, I met a tourist, a white lady, trying to take a photograph of the full moon!

I was amused, for this is what we take for granted.

And I said to myself: "Africa is good! I do love Africa!"

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