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Hidden Contributions of Enslaved Persons to Industrialisation, Science and Medicine

The trans-Atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery in North, Central, and South America subjected enslaved Africans to horrendous experiences and unspeakable suffering. These individuals were forcibly uprooted from their homes, torn apart from their families, and subjected to brutal conditions that dehumanized them. The harrowing journey across the Atlantic, known as the Middle […]

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DeepSeek and the $1 Trillion Shake-Up: A Wake-Up Call for Africa’s Future

Africa sits on a mountain of wealth—gold 🏆, diamonds 💎, oil ⛽, and every mineral the modern world craves. But, time and time again, history has shown that the nations richest in natural resources are often not the wealthiest in GDP, innovation, or technological breakthroughs. Enter DeepSeek—an AI-driven company that, with just $6 million, managed

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What is knowledge and what are its origins?

ThinkAfrica explainer Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, Sapience, Creativity, and Innovation Knowledge refers to the accumulation of facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education. Understanding is the ability to comprehend and make sense of this knowledge, seeing connections and meaning. Wisdom goes further, involving the judicious application of knowledge and experience to make sound decisions,

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A West African Explanation of Vodún, also known as Voodoo—debunking myths and explaining its proper historical context

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

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Origins Of The Zulu Kingdom

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,

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Who are the Bantu Africans?

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

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Rebuttal of BBC Headline “African kings opposed eradicating slavery”

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

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African figures: Nnamdi Azikwe

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

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A Complex and Realistic Explanation of the Origins of the Hebrews, Israelites, Judeans, and Jews—Contextualising Africa’s Role

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

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Eurocentrics: List of discredited lies formally published and included in learning materials

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

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Overview of 75 East African civilisations

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

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Dear Hans Bangerter,

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

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List of out-of-date facts

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

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The Ndebele People: their origins, social structure, architecture and beliefs

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

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Why study history?

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

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Politics of Non-click languages: come on a journey into the undiscovered past

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.

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Exploring African Ethical Systems: Common Values Across Diverse Cultures

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

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Terence the African playwright

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

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Scientists - Isaac Newton - thinkafrica.net

Scientists who benefitted from the slave trade and uncredited contributions of slaves

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

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