First Principles Vodún or vodúnsínsen is an African traditional religion practiced by the Aja, Ewe, and Fon peoples of Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria. Vodún teaches the existence of a supreme creator divinity (Mawu), under whom are lesser spirits called vodúns. Many of these deities are associated with specific areas. In an explanation I read […]
The Zulu Kingdom of the 19th century was a monarchy along the Indian Ocean, stretching from the Tugela River in the south to the Pongola River in the north, with an estimated population of 250,000 over 30,000 square kilometers (11,500 square miles). Cattle served as the main currency. Unique cultural practices included Nguni stick fighting,
Origins Of The Zulu Kingdom Read More »
Welcome to the world of Bantu-speaking Africans—over 400 unique ethnic groups, speaking a stunning array of languages and living across Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. To call the Bantu a “tribe” would be like calling all of Europe “one neighborhood.” The Bantu are bound not by a single identity but by a vast linguistic and
Who are the Bantu Africans? Read More »
In a dimly lit meeting room at Heliopolis HQ, the divine deities of Egypt’s pantheon gathered, some looking confident, others fidgeting nervously. The Old Kingdom’s sacred hierarchy had served its purpose, but it was time to adapt. As the gods took their seats, Atum, the self-created, assumed his role as the chief line manager of
Ennead HR Reorganization: Middle Kingdom Edition Read More »
The BBC article I am writing about illustrates the importance of self-study, fact-checking, responsible reporting (which I don’t think has happened in this case), and developing a well-read view of various issues. The headline “African kings opposed eradicating slavery” is a straw man argument. A straw man argument is a type of fallacy where someone
Rebuttal of BBC Headline “African kings opposed eradicating slavery” Read More »
These words landed Nnamdi Azikwe in jail for sedition in 1936: “Personally, I believe the European has a god in whom he believes and whom he is representing in his churches all over Africa. He believes in the god whose name is spelt Deceit. He believes in the god whose law is “Ye strong, you
African figures: Nnamdi Azikwe Read More »
Many people have tried to provide an answer to basic questions about the origin of the Hebrews, Biblical Israelites, Judeans and Jews. People have approached the question from many disciplines. (See the last paragraph for an explanation of the difference between the 4 phrases 🤲🏾) In general, what we have found is that by applying
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 »
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 »
A to Z of Southern Africans ethnicities – Tsonga, Zulu, Pedi, Sotho, Bemba, Chewa
A to Z of Ethnic Groups of Southern Africa Read More »
European castles were influenced by ancient fortifications from Egypt and North Africa, such as the Aniba fortress. These early designs inspired later Roman and medieval European castle architecture.
The African and Southwest Asian Origin of Castles 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 »
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 »
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 »
There are mermaids or mermaid-like beings in various African mythologies and folklore. For instance, in a sample of 25 African languages, a mermaid would be called: • Achai Wiir in Dinka 🇸🇸 • Arusa el bahari in simple Arabic Juba 🇸🇸 • Binuwe (Benue) in Gbata tribe of Nigeria meaning “mother of water” • Ingwenyama
What is a “mermaid” in various African languages? Read More »
The non-click language families include 10 language families: 1. Indo-European: This family includes numerous languages spoken in Europe, South Asia, and other regions. Examples include English, Spanish, Hindi, Russian, and German. 2. Sino-Tibetan: This family includes languages spoken primarily in East Asia, particularly China and its neighboring countries. Examples include Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, and Burmese.
Politics of Non-click languages: come on a journey into the undiscovered past 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 »
Once upon a time, in the village of Dandaji, Niger, a mosque was built as a place of worship. Over time the mosque became derelict but the village realised that site of the mosque contained enough space to create a library and a community centre to support the new local needs of students and the
James Pinson Labulo Davies (1828 – 1906). Davies was a businessman, farmer, merchant-sailor, naval officer, industrialist, statesman, philanthropist, and the husband of Sara Forbes Bonetta (Princess Aina). Davies was a lieutenant on HMS Bloodhound , the vessel which capture Lagos in 1841 ousting the Oba Kosoko, with the objective of ending the slave trade. Davies is credited
James Pinson Labulo Davies (1828 – 1906) Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
If you’re looking for your next travel destination, make sure not to be deceived by the media’s fake propaganda. They usually display the African continent as a risky destination that is not safe, or even not worth the visit. This is far from the truth. Africa is home to some of the safest
10 Safest countries in Africa Read More »
A nation is a body of people with shared descent, language, history and culture. By that definition Nigeria is country of 372 nations.
“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 »
