Lies Europeans told themselves: • 👑 – The master race theory – “Some” Europeans • 📚 – Africans had no history before colonization – Hegel • 🧬 – Polygenic theory of separate human origins – Georges Cuvier • 🧠 – Phrenology proves racial superiority – Franz Joseph Gall • ⚖️ – Slavery was a moral […]
Eritrea has been inhabited for at least 125,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world. Archaeological evidence shows that early Homo sapiens lived in the area, and it played a crucial role in the early migrations of humans out of Africa. The Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which connects Eritrea to the
Eritrea: A Key Region in Ancient Human History and African Civilizations Read More »
Africa has long been misrepresented, with many enduring stereotypes painting it as a land without history, civilizations, or complex trade networks. However, this list of East Africa’s precolonial societies debunks three common myths: 1. “Africa had no centralized political systems” – The list highlights powerful kingdoms like Aksum, Buganda, Ta-Neterju (“Punt” known to ancient Egypt
Overview of 75 East African civilisations Read More »
Clothing likely originated around 170,000 years ago, driven by environmental adaptation, protection, social dynamics, and technological advancements.
The origin of clothes making Read More »
First of all, congrats on your dazzling claim that “Humans have been around for 3,000 years and invented a stick.” Truly groundbreaking stuff. I mean, who needs 300,000 years of human history when you can just fast-forward through all that pesky evolution and skip right to the part where we invent the stick. Not the
Dear Hans Bangerter, Read More »
Non-African doesn’t mean non-Black; Black doesn’t mean African; Yet all Humans descend from Africans
Northern Nigeria is a very diverse part of Nigeria. Often people who haven’t done any research on Nigeria think that inhabitants of Northern Nigeria are one of two ethnicities: Hausa or Fulani. In reality there are about more than 95 ethnicities in total. If Northern Nigeria were a country, it would be the sixth largest
The 95 Ethnicities of Northern Nigeria Read More »
Every now and then, we get either a genuine question or a loaded question. A loaded question is a sarcastic question in which the person asking the question is trying to prove a point, or embarrass the group of people or the person that is receiving the question. This question is posed in many ways:
I was asked: “What did Africa contribute to humanity?” Read More »
Myth: Global slavery is a product of capitalism.Fact: Global slavery is older than the first human records; the laws of Hammurabi contain references to slave from 3,800 years ago (1755-1750 BCE to be exact). Myth: Slavery is a product of Western Civilization.Fact: Slavery is virtually a universal institution. The Shang dynasty which ruled China 🇨🇳
Myths and Misconceptions about the Slave Trade and Slavery Read More »
Slavery in the Americas and Caribbean marked a dark chapter in human history, characterized by the brutal subjugation and exploitation of millions of African individuals. Enslaved people endured unimaginable suffering under the control of slaveholders who employed various methods to maintain dominance and maximize profit. This essay delves into the forms of control and punishment
Forms of Control and Punishment Employed by Slave Holders in the Americas and Caribbean Read More »
Several events often cited as the first in the world, based on popular historical narratives or traditional beliefs, are later than the first occurrences indicated in academic research. This discrepancy often arises due to advancements in archaeology, improved dating techniques, and a more comprehensive understanding of ancient civilizations. Tv producers and writers are sometimes 5-10
List of out-of-date facts Read More »
Current North African skin tones are the result of various factors: geography, sexual selection, melanin production, multiple genes, polygenic inheritance, adaptation, human migrations, genetic continuity, shared ancestry, and genetic overlap. Today, I will explain all these factors. Surprisingly, skin tones don’t depend solely on Y-dna, Mt-dna and autosomal dna genes. Also, the changes in North
This is Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The Real Dr Martin Luther King Jr. being beaten up by a mob. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. faced various forms of violence and adversity throughout the civil rights struggle (physical attacks, threats, and harassment): We very often only see his “I have a dream speech” but don’t
The real Dr Martin Luther King Jr. suffered physical attacks Read More »
The Ndebele people: An introduction to various aspects of Ndebele culture, including their origins, political and social organization, clothing and adornments, architecture and arts, initiation practices, courtship and marriage customs, and Ndebele beliefs. The Ndebele people identify as one of the Nguni tribes and make up a significant portion of the country’s Black population. The
The Ndebele People: their origins, social structure, architecture and beliefs Read More »
Learning history offers numerous benefits that can enhance our understanding of the world and ourselves. What are those benefits of studying history? 1. Knowledge of the past: History provides us with an understanding of past events, civilizations, and cultures, enabling us to learn from their successes and failures. 2. Insights into human nature: By studying
Why study history? Read More »
In the vast realm of culinary delights, the humble tomato stands as a vibrant symbol of flavor and versatility. Native to the Americas, this plump and juicy fruit has transcended borders, captivating taste buds across the globe. From its ancient beginnings to its widespread cultivation, the tomato has left an indelible mark on the world’s
Tomatoes: A Culinary Journey from Continent to Plate Read More »
In a recent experiment aimed at dispelling the misconception of Africa as a monolithic entity, I discovered that justice, morality, and character hold significant importance across various African traditional ethical systems, regardless of one’s religious affiliation. The experiment sought to shed light on the rich tapestry of ethical codes present in Africa. Before colonization, many
Exploring African Ethical Systems: Common Values Across Diverse Cultures Read More »
Not many people know that the Nok civilisation were //semi-literate//. Academics have never bothered to decode the meaning of Nok writings. The Nok civilization is known for its distinctive terracotta sculptures, which are considered to be some of the earliest sculptures made by any civilization in Africa. These sculptures have been found in a number
Literacy in precolonial Africa – the Nok civilisation Read More »
The Kuba kingdom of modern Democratic Republic of Congo was one of 22 literate societies that inhabited Africa during the last 5000 years. The Kuba kingdom existed from 1625 to 1884. The Kingdom of Kuba has evidence of human habitation before 1000 AD, including Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts (source: “Art of the Lega,” by Elisabeth
Using any available books or studies already published, I estimated the numerical estimates (with sources) for European people enslaved or used as forced labour during these periods of oppression, conflict or global changes. Between 10.2 million and 14.8 million Europeans have been enslaved or used as forced labour since 300 Bc. I don’t know every
Enslavement of Europeans Read More »
Apartheid is a mind-set that took 300 years to put in place in South Africa, which relied on racist attitudes of successive white-settlers who accumulated power over time. The major social-engineers of apartheid included prime minister Daniel Malan (the 4th prime minister of the Union of South Africa), prime minister Johannes Strijdom, and prime minister
Egypt from 306 BC to Today Part I The impact of the Greeks Scholars in the ancient library of Alexandria Egypt was conquered by the Greeks in 332 BC, bringing an end to the Late Period of Ancient Egyptian civilization. The Greeks founded their own dynasty, the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which reigned for nearly 300 years
Egypt: the 2,000 year wait to return to indigenous rule (332 BCE to 1953) Read More »
His works were entertaining and clear. The plots in his plays were absorbing. Monasteries and convents used his works to learn Latin during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. By copying his works, scribes in later generations were taught to write in Latin. 650 manuscripts created after 800 AD contained parts or all of his
Terence the African playwright Read More »
Philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952) once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it..”
How to teach children history Read More »
The Good Ol’ Days During the Colonization of Africa As we look back to see how we got here, it becomes obvious that a few Africans were not taught what the colonization of Africa was like and why almost all African territories were handed back self-rule. To solve problems like poverty, misrule, dictatorships, corruption and
The Colonization of Africa and why it came to an end Read More »
In the 1700’s, science in the western world exploded at a frantic space. There were huge advancements in science, and many new technologies were discovered. However, in work published by Sam Kean in Science magazine, we find out that a lot of these advancements were achieved in part due to slaves. We discover that scientists
Scientists who benefitted from the slave trade and uncredited contributions of slaves Read More »
“Segregation now,
Segregation tomorrow,
Segregation forever”
George Wallace, former Alabama Governor, 1963
United States racial wealth gap since emancipation Read More »
Why study African History? Why is it important to learn about Africa’s history? Why is it important to teach history? Why Africa is important to the world? African History important is to the world and also important to Africa. Some people don’t know that modern humans emerged from Africa. They don’t know that 15 African
Why Study African History Read More »
There are a lot of misconceptions about what happened during the Trans-Sahara slave trade and the Atlantic slave trade in black Africans, including how it began. Many people believe the slave trade in Africans began in 1619. In truth, we know that slavery itself began much earlier. Refer to the laws of Hammurabi as one
The Slave Trade in Black Africans Read More »
The Barghawata Confederacy were a small group of Berber Muslim tribes that banded into a confederacy for safety against their more ambitious neighbours. Their kingdom was based on the Atlantic coast of present-day Morocco. At first, they allied with the Masmuda confederacy, who were the owners of Morocco in the 8th century AD. Then in
The Barghawata Confederacy Read More »
Many countries from Europe, Asia Minor and America were involved in the slave trade, transporting Africans against their will from Africa to their own countries or colonies to profit from their re-sale or value in use. In the following table, the estimates of the numbers of people transported, the flags of the carriers and their
10 Non-African Nations involved in the slave trade Read More »
ThinkAfrica explainer African Nations Involved in the Slave Trade The slave trade was the horrific trafficking of Africans as enslaved persons to the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. It was a catastrophe of violence, extraction, and human degradation—driven above all by external demand and imperial systems, but also, tragically, involving some African states and
10 African nations involved in the slave trade Read More »
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not … They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.” Donald Trump Oh, the irony! Role of convict labour and penal military units in Europe’s civilizing mission (15th-20th Century) History is often told today in terms of the civilizing influence of Europe on regions they subjugated. Countries that did not live
Role of convicts in Colonization Read More »
In popular culture there is a common perception that Africa has always been on the periphery of world advancements, that Africa did not contribute anything. The stereotype is that in the past Africa offered the world slaves – through the Atlantic slave trade – while today it offers the world child labour, horrifying news headline,
Iron technology started in Africa Read More »
If you think that slavery has been eradicated, think again. Modern-day slavery takes place in the form of human trafficking which involves forcing, pressuring or defrauding victims into labor or sexual exploitation.
How human trafficking affects Africa today Read More »
Were the Ancient Egyptians black? And… Were the Ancient Egyptians African? These are controversial questions. To answer the questions, we need to agree certain things first. We even need to agree “Who are Africans?” for instance, as odd as that may seem? In modern logic, Africans tend to be those who are either first,
Were the Ancient Egyptians black? Read More »
The Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the Trans-Sahara slave trade were the horrific human trafficking of Africans as slaves by slave traders to Europe, America, North Africa and the Middle East. Despite the prices that could be earned, there were many African nations which did not take part in the slave trade and resisted these abhorrent
10 nations that didn’t take part in the slave trade Read More »
The number of tribes in Africa exceed 3,000. To understand the various cultures of Africa it’s easy to focus on the largest tribes and overlook the smallest tribes in Africa. There are many tribes in Africa that are very small, but no less diverse in their culture than the larger ones. Here are 10 of
10 smallest tribes in Africa Read More »
The Almoravid dynasty was a Berber Muslim dynasty, based around central Morocco. While it came from humble beginnings, established in the 11th century, eventually this empire would come to control large swaths of the western Maghreb (Northern Africa) and Al-Andalus (Southern Spain and Portugal). It was founded by Abdallah ibn Yasin, a charismatic leader, who
The Almoravid Dynasty Read More »
