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Pioneers, Leaders, and Trailblazers: The Stories of Prominent Women in African History

African history has been shaped by numerous women who have made significant contributions in various fields. Despite facing numerous challenges and barriers, these women have emerged as leaders, pioneers, and trailblazers, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of women.

Yoruba Traditions and Religions in South America

The Yoruba people are an ethnic group that originated in West Africa, specifically in present-day Nigeria and Benin. However, their influence and traditions have spread far beyond their place of origin, including to South America. The Yoruba culture, and its associated religions, has played a significant role in shaping the societies and cultures of many South American countries, particularly Brazil, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Evolution of Currencies In West Africa

The evolution of currency in West Africa spans centuries and encompasses a wide range of cultures and civilizations. From bartering to cowrie shells, beads, metal objects, European currencies and now digital currencies like Bitcoin. The use of foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, remains widespread in West Africa, and digital currencies offer a number of advantages over traditional forms of currency, including lower transaction costs and increased security.

King Sunny Ade: Life, Legacy and the Evolution of Juju Music

Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye is a Nigerian juju singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who goes by the stage name King Sunny Adé. He is known as one of the first African Pop artists to become popular around the world, and he has been called one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Hairdressing and Hairstyles in Yorubaland: History, Nature, Dynamics and Significance

Hairdressing and hairstyles are strong features for identification and social status among the Yoruba.

Nigeria at 62: Reinventing Nigerian Music for Cultural, Social and National Change

African art became an instrument of aesthetics, an embellishment of worth and cultural glorification, as well as an exploration of anthropological details and the globalisation of African cosmology.

Mau Mau Uprising: Bloodshed for Kenyan Freedom

The Mau Mau Uprising is another African history relating to the national activist movement for freedom in Kenya. It was a bloody war of liberation that lasted from 1952 to 1963 and is said to be the foundation of Kenyan independence.

Maasai: Power in the Blood

The Maasai are an ethnic group who inhabit Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. A semi-nomadic group, they are one of the most popular locals in the world, not least because they dwell close to the African game parks but because of their peculiar dress, customs and food.

Kumbwada: Where Women Rule

Kumbwada is an ancient kingdom with a population of about 33,000 people which is located in Niger, a state in the Northern part of Nigeria

Traditional Marriage in Hausa Land

The marriage traditions of the Hausa ethnic group in Nigeria

Calling Time: Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa and The Need for Change

Meanwhile, traditional practices are considered detrimental after being subjected to and evaluated under objective lenses of biological, social, psychological and natural sciences and deemed not to meet the psycho-social needs of man nor are necessary for his development and physical well-being, and therefore negate scientific theory and best practices. Such traditions are known as Harmful Traditional Practices (HTP).

Born Different

The myths surrounding people with albinism are too numerous to mention and these have been deeply ingrained in the minds of those who believe it.

A Journey into African Myths: Our Thought Systems and Relevance to Science. (Literary Competition Winner 2021)

Although African myths may be mysterious and sometimes illogical, judging them from a typical western standpoint is not right. This is because some scientific information could be gotten from the explanatory stories, origin stories and didactic stories which constitute thesemyths. African myths embody the multifaceted African thought systems which are transmitted in ritual practice, with manifestations in the form of African spirituality.

Aba Women's War

Pioneered by women from the Owerri and Calabar provinces of south-eastern Nigeria, the “Women’s War” in Igbo history or the “Aba Women’s Riots of 1929” in British colonial historywas an immense rejoinder to the oppressive and repressive administration of the British colonial administrators in south-eastern Nigeria. This riot became one of the meanest challenge against British rule in the colony and an epochal case of feminist thought and tendencies as well as anti-colonial revolt.

Revisiting Fictions on Pre-literate Africa

The advent of the European world left Africa with little or no choice. It was indeed a brutal condition of either immediate adaptation or cultural annihilation. Therefore, the question that remained pertinent in the minds of early writers was the issue of African autonomy and cultural splendor.

Queen Amina

Queen Amina is a heroine known in and outside Africa. More than a myth, Queen Amina’s legend is a replica of history and it lays claims to historical places, faces and figures. Her story has at its core a moral and inspiring dimension and also imbues a sense of self-worth among the people. As such, retelling her story and preserving the legend does not only educate the African reader and give him confidence in his cultural heritage, but also enlightens the foreign reader about Africa, putting an end to years of cultural misrepresentation.

Praise Poems in Africa

Oral poetry in Africa has been an artistic compendium of the beliefs and culture of the African people. There are many forms of oral poetry in the African society such as the invocative poetry, didactic poetry, praise poetry, special occasion poetry, lyrics, funeral poetry, ritual poetry, satirical poetry and epic poetry.

Centering Africa: A Perspective on African Herbal Remedies

African societies had a thriving structure, culture, tradition, belief system as well as curative methods and measures which formed the thread that held and kept autochthons since time.

Taking You through The Ere

Aesthetic Dimensions and Significance of The Ere Festival.

How African Spirituality Became Tied to Satan

From white colonizers to contemporary pop culture

Kayanmata - Myth or Fact?

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 Iri-iji Festival

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.

The African Concept of Land

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.

African Festivals and Rituals

African Festivals are celebrations of Africa's vast wealth and culture. Ever experienced an African festival or ritual before. Listen to Sesi and Haleemah talk about different festivals

The Westernization of African Religions and vice versa

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

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

Cultural Preservation and How Far It Should Go

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

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