Africa, the second largest continent of the Earth, covers about 22 percent of the land area of the world. After Asia, Africa is the second most populated continent of the Earth. African vegetation can be classified according to rainfall and climatic zones. Nigerian, Libya, Algeria, and Angola are the world’s leading producers of petroleum. Although […]
Africa’s vegetation Read More »
(Source: https://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/map-three/) Africa is the second largest Continent on earth and has a very diverse of ecosystem. About 22% of the African Continent is actually occupied by forests and woodlands, an estimated 650 million hectares of Africa’s land area according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (the FAO). This also plays
Sometimes the question is asked, “What did Africa ever invent?” We take a look at the earliest Sea-faring vessels.
Africa’s inventions: the Earliest Sea-Faring Vessels Read More »
The historical significance of African Rivers African rivers were extremely important in shaping the history of Africa in different areas. Take, for example, The Nile River which was very important in the settlement patterns in Egypt. The Soil around the Nile River was very fertile and brought about settlements around that area compared to the
Africa’s rivers and lakes Read More »
The princely state of Janjira fluttered its red flag with the crescent moon until India won independence in 1947 and merged all the princely states with the union by the following year. The state of Janjira is noted as being among the smallest of the princely States in Menon’s “The Story of Integration of Indian Princely States.” However, compared
African Rulers in Indian History: Janjira, Maharashtra, India (1622-Present) Read More »
What is a day? Many would think the answer is obvious. Many would say 24 hours. But the scientific truth is you have ask a particular question first, “On what planet?” You see: on Venus a day is 5,832 hours; a day on Mercury lasts 1,408 hours; on Mars a day is 25 hours; and
African exports: the origin of the 365-day calendar Read More »
The role Africans played in ancient mythologies has been largely downplayed or misrepresented by many historians and film makers. One such character is Memnon, king of ancient Aethiopia, a king from somewhere in Africa. Many of you might be surprised to know he featured prominently and contributed in no small measure to the legendary Trojan
Memnon: the African warrior who made Achilles bleed; what the film Troy left out Read More »
Africa and India have had a long history and relationship together in areas like trade, religion, music, arts, and architecture, dating far back as the 1st century, but their historical link is rarely discussed.
African Rulers in Indian History: Sachin, Gurjarat Read More »
Illustrated by Brian Delf Aniba was a very significant fortress in the twelfth dynasty. It was located in Nubia and was about 230Km south of Aswan. Though the place is today flooded by the Lake Nasser, it was deemed a very important town at that time. It was popularly called Miam and was located around
Aniba Fortress: A look at 1961-1917 BCE African Defenses and Engineering Read More »
There have been many misconceptions when it comes to the status of Africans who lived at much earlier times like the 13th to 18th century and even earlier in the 1st to 6th centuries, particularly Africans that happen to live overseas in what is today Europe and the USA. There is a wrong assumption that
Ivory Bangle Lady: The face of an African in York’s High Society (4th Century) Read More »
BEFORE THE FASIL GHEBBI Up until the 17th century, notably between the 13th and 17th century, Ethiopian emperors did not have any permanent location or structure within their territory in which they resided. They were always on the move with their royal camps referred to as “Katama[1]” Living off the proceeds of their subjects where
(Architecture Series) Fasil Ghebbi: the 20-palace complex of 17th Century Ethiopia Read More »
Many of us are engaged in different struggles: some to survive, some to find purpose, some to love and be loved, some to enjoy life, and some to become filthy rich, and work out what to do with that money later. Those who have charitable or political goals rely on donations and book sales to
Loan systems among the Precolonial Yoruba Read More »
All over the world, there are certain foods that not only serve for consumption and commercial purposes but also are part of the culture of a people. Yam is one of such crops in West Africa.
Food Series: Domestication of Yam in 5000 BC, West Africa Read More »
Granite statue of Queen Hatshepsut It is common knowledge that Pharaohs of ancient Egypt excelled in building incredible monuments and temples both for the gods they worshipped and for themselves as a display of power and to ensure that they would be remembered forever throughout the Egyptian Pharaonic Empire. Today, tourists from all parts of
On a hot summer day, you can’t do without a number of comfy cotton shirts. They get stronger when they are wet which makes them ideal in the summer since they need to be washed frequently. Even in winter, nothing keeps your feet and toes warm like a cozy cotton sock that traps in the
African Inventions: Domestication and Spinning of Cotton 5000 BC Read More »
What kingdoms existed in Africa before the Scramble for Africa of the late 19th century and its well known recent period of colonisation by Europe? We look at the Kingdom of Numidia (202 BC – 46BC). Numidia were crucial in the crushing defeat of Rome during the Battle of Cannae that wiped out the ruling class of Rome and their betrayal of Carthage to back Rome contributed to the downfall of the Carthaginian republic during the 3rd Punic War.
Kingdom of Numidia (202BC – 46BC) Read More »
Map of medieval Scotland The history that was taught at school says that Scots were originally Irish and Celtic people who migrated to Scotland and that Europe in general was the ancestral home of white people. Many people including Scots themselves have a long-held belief that the ethnic make-up of Scotland is strictly Scots, Irish,
African Genes in Scottish DNA Study Read More »
5th place: Mirian III of Iberia Mirian III was the 22nd monarch and a king of Iberia or Kartli (Georgia). He was born around c. 277 into the house of Mihran, which was one of the seven great houses of Iran. He reigned from 284 – 361 (77 years) taking over from Aspacures I of
Which monarch had the longest reign in world history? Read More »
Emperor Yekuno Amlak, throne name Tasfa Iyasus, r. 10 August 1270 – 19 June 1285. Artwork of Emperor Yekuno Amlak is an illustration of the king of Ethiopians kings who was a prince from the region of Bet Amhara province. Source: Mereja Forum Ethiopian News and Opinion. Emperor Yagbe’u Seyon, throne name Salomon, r. 18 June 1285
(Architecture Series) Solomonic Dynasty: Through Art and Architecture Read More »
THE START OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA Abu Yemata Guh is an ancient church located in Ethiopia, the only African country that was never colonised by the Europeans. The roots of the Ethiopian states date to as far back as the 10th century BC[1] with the rise of the D’mt Kingdom before the more popular Aksumite
(Architecture Series) Abu Yemata: The Church in the Sky Read More »
More than 2000 years ago, a time when not even a calculator existed, let alone other technical devices that facilitate the research process, Eratosthenes calculated the spherical size of the Earth. He calculated it with considerable accuracy, obviously without the use of modern equipment but only by comparing the position of the Sun’s rays in
Eratosthenes: African and First Man To Measure The Circumference of Earth Read More »
If you take a walk around Scotland observing its numerous monuments that include remains of forts, towers and roads, you will find that most –if not all- the surviving monuments are military in nature. This is because at some time, Scotland’s location was on the northwest frontier of the enormous Roman Empire. One of the
Africans on the Antonine Wall (2nd century AD) Read More »
Juan Valiente, was born in Northwest Africa, became a slave, was sold to Hernan Cortes’ cousin, was talented, became a Captain and Encomienda holder.
Juan Valiente: From Slave to Spanish Conquistador, Captain and Encomienda-holder Read More »
There is a painting from the 16th century that depicts Juan Garrido holding a pike and standing next to the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes. Many have mistaken Garrido in this painting as a slave along with other paintings from the same era. This is because in Portugal at this time, a time were almost all
Juan Garrido: African Spaniard & Conquistador of the New World Read More »
A.B.C. Merriman Labor (1877-1919), Lincoln’s Inn Barrister, Edwardian, an African living in 19th century London, wrote “Briton Through Negro Spectacles”.
ABC Merriman Labor: BARRISTER, AN AFRICAN IN IMPERIAL LONDON(1877-1919) Read More »
ORIGIN Queen Tin Hinan, also known as Queen of the Hoggar, is a legendary woman that lived in the 4th Century. The literal meaning of Tin Hinan is “she of the tents.” She is believed to be the ancestress of the Tuareg ethnicity of northern Africa; they call her “The mother of us all.” The
Queen Tin Hinan: Founder of the Tuaregs Read More »
Who invented steel? Around 2000 years ago, the Haya people of Africa, were the first to invent, make and use steel, with furnaces achieving up to 1500 C.
Who invented steel? AFRICA in the 5th Century BCE Read More »
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, born to an African mother and a French father in 1745, founded Chicago, known for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable: the founder of the Cosmopolitan City of Chicago Read More »
Acheulean stone tools emerged in Africa around 1.76mya, before spreading to Europe and Asia. These tools often look like oval or pear-shaped hand axes.
In the middle ages, a time where there was no “capital city” for the Scottish kingdom, the royal court served as such. Emerging in the tenth century, the Scottish Royal Court became the political, administrative, cultural and artistic center of the Kingdom of Scotland occupied by several consecutive kings. However, when James VI inherited the
Africans in the Scottish Royal Court 1473 Read More »
The smallest grain ever,- where almost a hundred of its seeds are equal to the size of one wheat kernel – contains such an enormous amount of nutrients that make it qualified to be labeled as “a nutrient-dense superfood”. That grain is none other than the amazing tef, a grain with roots dating back thousands
Food series: Story of Tef, A Tiny Ancient Grain with Massive Health Benefits Read More »
Esteban was also known as Estabanico, Estavanico, Esteban De Dorantes, Esteban the Moor, Mustapha Azemouri, Black Stephen and Stephen the Moor. These were the many names by which this man, an African, was known. His achievements in the 16th century largely remain undervalued due to his status as a slave. He was among the only
Maravi was a kingdom, situated in the present-day outskirts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, in the sixteenth century. The present-day name “Maláŵi” is said come from the Chichewa word “malaŵí”, which signifies “flames”. “Maravi”, thus, is a general name of the people groups of Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and the eastern Zimbabwe. What did their unspoilt
The Maravi Confederacy Read More »
The red sandstone Georgian Gothic styled Scone Palace in the city of Perth, Scotland was the crowning place of Scottish kings and it was the family home of the Earls of Mansfield. The Scone Palace is a treasury of several objects of art including porcelains, furniture and paintings. Among those historical paintings, you will find
Dido Elizabeth Belle: From a Slave’s Daughter to a Georgian Aristocrat Read More »
Phillis Wheatley[1] is one of the most iconic examples of growth over achievement and empowerment. Despite going through devastating situations and falling prey to the cruelties of her historical era, she had the opportunity to get an informal education, and go down as one of the West’s earliest female writers. To gain a sense
From the numerous stories told about the sixteenth-century monarchs that were delivered to us through novels, films, dramas and even sometimes through formal education, we have come to know every detail about their personal lives, from what they wore to what they ate. The Tudors (1485-1603) has gathered a cult that has seen no match
On the eastern bank of the Nile River, about 200 km north-east of Khartoum, Sudan, resides the archeological site that contains remnants of a once flourishing civilization that left behind remains of royal palaces, temples, residential areas, manufacturing areas and even impressive pyramid fields. This archeological site unravels the mysteries of the ancient city of
KINGDOM OF MEROE: Modern approach by “Ancient” AFRICANS Read More »
At the end of a wedding ceremony, after the bride and groom have been blessed, it is traditional in most cultures of the world to throw grains of rice over the heads of the newlyweds. But, have you ever wondered –of all the grains under the sun- why rice in particular? Rice symbolizes fertility, luck
Food series: Story of African rice, developed around 3,500BCE – 1,500BCE Read More »
The kingdom of Nri, in the Igbo language called Ọ̀ràézè Ǹrì is a medieval Igbo[1] kingdom that originated around AD900 and presently still in existence, although its influence and territory have significantly waned. It is among the oldest existing monarchy in Nigeria[2] and had its capital at Igbo-Ukwu. Nri is an ancient Igbo town in
The Nri Kingdom (900AD – Present): Rule by theocracy Read More »
Religion formed a vital part of the ancient Egyptian society and temples were thus, an important part in the daily life of Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians believed that the temples were homes of the gods and goddesses. Every temple was dedicated to a specific god or a goddess, and he or she
The role of temples in Ancient Egyptian cities Read More »
