It's important to debunk the myths of Africa being this benighted continent civilized only when white people arrived. In fact Africans had been creators of culture for thousands of years before. These were very intelligent subtle and sophisticated people with organized societies and great art.
There is a certain kind of respect for authenticity today that there wasn't back in the days when they did 'Cleopatra ' where everything looked like a giant motel. People want to have it be authentic in the look and authentic in the way people behave.