African Festivals and Rituals

Embark on a captivating journey without leaving your seat! Join us on a virtual tour that spans the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures of Africa and its diaspora. Get ready to be inspired by the shared heritage, history, and creativity that connect us all.

Explore the rich tapestry of African wisdom through timeless proverbs that resonate with life's lessons. In this enlightening journey, discover the cultural gems that offer profound insights and guidance. Join us as we delve into "The Wisdom of African Proverbs," celebrating the continent's enduring oral traditions. Unearth a world of knowledge and inspiration in each carefully crafted phrase.

Buckle up for a flavor-packed adventure as we embark on a tantalizing journey through the heart of Africa. In this episode, we will take you on a captivating voyage along the Spice Route of Africa, a path rich in history, culture, and, of course, the vibrant and diverse flavors that define the continent. You'd get to discover the indigenous spices and spice blends of many African countries. Enjoy!

The Igue festival is a centuries-old Thanksgiving festival celebrated by the people of the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria. The festival marks the end of the Benin year and the beginning of the new year, and is a time for the people to give thanks to God and their ancestors for the blessings of the past year. The festival is celebrated over a period of several days and features a variety of traditional ceremonies and performances. Other highlights of the festival include traditional dances, music, and masquerades. The festival is also a time for the people to come together and celebrate their culture and history. In this podcast episode, we will explore the history and significance of the Igue festival. 📣 Don't forget to share with your friends and your thoughts in the comments as well.

Holla Listeners, in this episode, we delve into a Marital Tradition evident in the south-south region of Nigeria, Delta State precisely. This tradition forbids a woman from cheating on her husband and it is practiced mainly by the Aniomas, Isokos, and Urhobos of Delta State. A woman married to a man from any of these places is forbidden to have sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband. Failure to adhere to this tradition results in severe consequences for the woman and her family as she will bring a curse upon her household. Hit play to listen now! Remember to share, comment and subscribe!

Holla friends! In today's episode, we'll delve into the heart of Botswana's traditional cuisines, we'll introduce you to some delicacies you probably haven't heard before. Join us as we uncover the rich cuisine of Botswana, one dish at a time. Ready your taste buds!! virtually though. Listen. Enjoy. Share. Comment.

Have you ever imagined how Africa was years before now? I have if you haven't, and I must say we were great!! We always have been. In this episode in collaboration with @africasuntoldstories, we will transport you to the heart of Africa's mesmerizing history, delving into the untold stories and forgotten marvels of Ancient African Cities, where vibrant cultures thrived and ingenious civilizations rose to greatness. Hit the play button to listen to explore the fascinating history and culture of legendary cities like Great Madzimbabwe, Timbuktu, Djenne-Djenno, Benin City, and more. Our guests, Seyram and Bryan are proud Africans, historians and podcasters, and they will guide us through this labyrinth of time. Enjoy!

Did you know that there’s a practice in Northern Nigeria when animals are linked/attached to humans spiritually? It is believed that this attachment is a payment/sign of being thankful to someone who has done something great for you and there’s literally no way to pay this person back monetarily. It is also believed that someone who is successfully attached will gain super-human abilities, enabling the person to live longer, stronger, or in some cases, faster, depending on the animal that person is attached to. Fascinating right? Hit play to listen! Remember to share, comment and subscribe!

Are you a foodie looking to explore new flavors, or simply curious about the rich cultural heritage of this fascinating country, Beninese cuisine is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the best of West African food. Beninese food and cuisines are deeply rooted in tradition and are often served during important celebrations and festivals, such as weddings and religious ceremonies as well just like every African country as you know. Our guest Ashake will be taking us on this interesting ride. Listen. Enjoy. Share.

Yoruba. Èdè Yorùbá; is a language spoken in West Africa, primarily in Southwestern and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the ethnic Yoruba people. As a pluricentric language, it is primarily spoken in a dialectal area spanning Nigeria and Benin with smaller migrated communities in Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. Yoruba vocabulary is also used in the Afro-Brazilian religion known as Candomblé, in the Caribbean religion of Santería in the form of the liturgical Lucumí language, and in various Afro-American religions of North America. Join us as we explore the Yoruba, tracing its origins and unraveling the linguistic influences that have shaped its uniqueness.

The Mythology of Twinhood in Yorubaland, Nigeria, is an important aspect of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba believe in the concept of twinning and the special significance of twins in their culture, which is expressed in their art, songs, and religious beliefs. This mythology holds that twins are believed to be gifted with special powers and a unique connection to the divine, and they are often seen as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Hit the play button to listen, and do not forget to comment and share with friends.

From the bustling streets of Lagos to the markets of Abuja, Nigerian street food offers a delicious and diverse culinary experience that is steeped in culture and tradition. In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into the bold and spicy flavors of Nigerian Street Food and discover some of its most iconic ones, such as Akara, suya, and much more. So sit back, grab a snack, and get ready to satisfy your appetite for adventure on this journey through Nigerian street food. Listen. Enjoy. Share.

The Thrift (Ajo) System of Savings, also known as "Ajo" in Nigeria, is a traditional savings system that has been used by communities and families for generations. The system is based on the principle of regular, small contributions made by members into a collective pool, which is then used for investments or loans to members. The Ajo system operates on the principles of mutual support, trust, and cooperation, and it provides a way for people to save and access credit without relying on formal banking institutions. Listen to this episode as we share our views on this.

Africa has a rich history of superstitions and myths that vary from region to region. One popular belief is that certain animals, like snakes, crocodiles, and owls, have mystical powers and are connected to the spiritual. Additionally, there are many taboos surrounding the behavior and reaction of an average person in certain scenarios or places in African culture and tradition. Superstitions and myths continue to be an integral part of African societies. It is safe to say that it’s a part of us. Listen. Enjoy. Share. Comment

Yes! just recently UNESCO has officially settled the Jollof Rice Debate and officially recognizes Senegal as the birthplace of this West African Dish. The truth is we (Africans) always knew it was theirs first. But! that doesn’t mean it’s the tastiest. Hence the war is not over. In this episode, Jen, Pamela, and Adwao share their personal views on Jollof rice in their part of Africa while we discuss the differences and similarities between them all. Enjoy!

Did you know that “Kayanmata” originated from the Northern part of Nigeria? Kayanmata is a traditional cultural practice found among the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria. Despite criticism from some modernizing groups, the practice of Kayanmata continues to be an important aspect of Hausa culture, reflecting their deep-seated beliefs about femininity, sexuality, and beauty. Hit the play button to listen as Mojisola gives us more insight.

The goddess Nana Buluku is an important figure in West African mythology, particularly in the spiritual beliefs of the Fon people of Benin and the Yoruba people of Nigeria. This ancient myth has been passed down from generation to generation, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Fon people shaping their beliefs and traditions. Interesting right? Listen to this episode as Florent takes us on this ride.

If you ask me I would say Jollof is sweet, and Egusi and pounded yam is probably the holy grail of Nigerian food. But that’s me and I’m Nigerian. Why don’t we hear Aikido's perspective on Nigerian food? You can call this the Nigerian Food Review. Listen, share and comment.

Yam festivals are unique to many African tribes, and each tribe has its distinct uniqueness. In this episode, Anita shares more insight and her experiences having witnessed the Iri-iji festival of Mbaise, Imo state. Hit play to listen.

Goddesses are known to be beautiful and powerful, is the Goddesses Anansa going to be any different? Listen now as Maryann shares more insight on the Calabar Goddess, Anansa.

Lavigne takes us on a cruise to Kenya, sharing all there is to know about Kenyan food. This episode will most likely get you hungry, better grab a pack of popcorn or better groundnut as you listen

Bayajidda is the mythological hero in the tale of the Hausa Kingdoms’ origin. The story has multiple versions, but that said, is Bayajida a myth or a legend? On this episode our guest; Shamsudeen gives us an interesting breakdown sharing the story of Bayajida.

What is land? Yes, simple question but very rarely asked and thought of, in most cases when we hear land all we see or can relate it to is wealth, money, and status. Well, you are not completely wrong, but then, the concept of land in itself is worth learning about. How land was seen in the precolonial times, what it meant and how that has affected its conceptualization in our present time. Imisi is not really a guest but then, this is going to be enlightening.

In this episode, Sesi and Haleemah speak to Mamokone about South African food.

For as long as I can remember, horror myths have always been a common thing in Nigerian boarding schools. No one can tell the originator of these myths but they may have started as rumors and over the years or maybe they are real myths. These myths have been told in different versions and it seems like every boarding school has a spectacular narration of each one of them. Listen to this interesting episode as our guests; Renny and Muminah share their experiences in boarding schools.

There is a major difference that lies between what Hoodoo defines, and what Voodoo defines. Voodoo is the religion, or belief system, Hoodoo, on the other hand, is the magic that has derived from the teachings of Voodoo, which was originally a part of Voodoo.

From Ewa Agoyin to Oloyin, to Moi Moi, Akara, Gbegiri and more. Take a look at why the Yoruba people explore different varieties of delicacies that can be gotten from Beans

Kintu is a mythological figure who appears in a creation myth of the Baganda people of Buganda, Uganda. According to this legend, Kintu was the first person on earth and the first man to wander the plains of Uganda alone.

Igbo cuisine is the various foods of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. There are many dishes that are common to the Igbos in particular. The core of Igbo food is its soups. Listen to our latest podcast and get ready to practice some of the tips we shared.

Once again, Sesi and Haleemah talk Africa. Today we take a look at the westernization of African Regions.

Anansi the trickster is a West African God. He often takes the shape of a spider and is considered to be the god of all knowledge of stories.

Listen to Sesi and Haleemah express their love and dislike for certain Nigerian foods while appreciating every effort used in bringing our delicacies to existence. What are your favourite meals? When was the first time you encountered them and how was the experience Why do some of your friends like certain dishes you dislike?

Listen to Sesi and Haleemah discuss the extent to which culture should be preserved.

In this episode, Sesi, Haleemah and Imisi discuss African folktales and folklore, their similarities and differences and adaptations in popular culture.

In this episode, Sesi and Haleemah speak to Yvette about Kenyan food and it's relationship with the African diaspora.

In this episode, Haleemah and Sesi talk about Yoruba historical figure, Queen Moremi and her impact.

In this episode, we speak to Fatima about jinns in Northern Nigeria.