Abstract
Identity in football takes a variety of forms, ranging from fan, team, organization, community, nation, to a transnational one. Hundley and Billings argue that identity involves humans seeking membership in groups and then acting in support of their group against others perceived as members of out groups. They further point out that ‘identity is an extensive negotiation that is always changing, always being interpreted and reinterpreted, and always contested by various entities’ (2010: 5). In essence, identity is never stable even though studies of the concept presume its stability across time. Hundley and Billings were referring to media interpretation of identity, but researcher or participant interpretation of identity is not simple, it is just as complex and is always in flux. Each shape of identity is critical to understanding football, its essence, and its popularity. Of course, this book attempts to cover as many of those as possible. However, it is important in this introductory chapter that we clearly understand what we mean by identity, using several theories relevant to African football. Subsequently, we discuss critical shifts in football identity on the continent and preview the book’s chapters.
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© 2014 Chuka Onwumechili and Gerard Akindes
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Onwumechili, C., Akindes, G. (2014). Africa, Fandom, and Shifting Identities: An Introduction to Football and Identity . In: Onwumechili, C., Akindes, G. (eds) Identity and Nation in African Football. Global Culture and Sport . Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137355812_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137355812_1
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