Written History

African Rulers in Indian History: Janjira, Maharashtra, India (1622-Present)

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 »

Memnon: the African warrior who made Achilles bleed; what the film Troy left out

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 »

Queen Hatshepsut: African Proof that a Woman Can Rule the Most Powerful Nation on Earth, Competently

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

Queen Hatshepsut: African Proof that a Woman Can Rule the Most Powerful Nation on Earth, Competently Read More »

Kingdom of Numidia (202BC – 46BC)

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 »

African Genes in Scottish DNA Study

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 »

earth

Eratosthenes: African and First Man To Measure The Circumference of Earth

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 »

Esteban: the African guide in 1539 AD of Spanish explorers entering North America (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Mexico)

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

Esteban: the African guide in 1539 AD of Spanish explorers entering North America (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Mexico) Read More »

Phillis Wheatley: at 20 years old, became the first African American published author in 1773 AD

  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

Phillis Wheatley: at 20 years old, became the first African American published author in 1773 AD Read More »

Jacques Francis: From A Skilled Guinean Diver To The First African Witness In an English Court

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

Jacques Francis: From A Skilled Guinean Diver To The First African Witness In an English Court Read More »

Construction Of Kahun: A look at a planned city in 1895 BC Africa

As of 2018, by some, the continent of Africa is seen as lagging behind, trying to catch up and full of poor countries. In 1895 BC, this wasn’t the case. In 1,895 BC, towns and cities could be built up at will and infrastructural projects fully funded. The city of Kahun (a town by modern-day standards) was built overnight and in a planned format 4,000 years ago. It even had a vet. What did it look like?

Construction Of Kahun: A look at a planned city in 1895 BC Africa Read More »

Sultanate of Mogadishu (10th -16th century): spotlight on Middle Ages African global trade hub

When his nephew Emperor of the Ming dynasty Zhu Yunwen started eliminating rivals and demoting his uncles, Zhu Di, was “forced”, provided wonderful pretext, to rebel and depose his nephew and become the emperor himself. To add legitimacy to his rule, he did something very unusual and had one his best fleet admirals sail to the East Coast of Africa to get Giraffes. These were labelled the first re-appearance of one of the 4 benevolent animals in Chinese mythology, the Qilin. Where did they go to? What was the role of the Sultanate of Mogadishu, present-day Somalia, in the medieval world?

Sultanate of Mogadishu (10th -16th century): spotlight on Middle Ages African global trade hub Read More »

Modern management practices developed before the US civil war

In Angry Birds, you can use in-app purchases to improve your experience. A “King Sling” upgrades your slingshot for “maximum power and velocity”. A “Birdquake” will bring the pigs’ defenses “crashing to the ground” When a gamer buys power ups, how does Rovio Entertainment (the publisher of Angry Birds) account for items purchased not yet used? The intensification of slavery in North America posed similar questions to financial managers.

Modern management practices developed before the US civil war Read More »

Role of Oral Tradition in Africa: Survival & Knowledge Transfer

Strengths of oral tradition The received value system from European historians is that written history is superior and more civilised than unwritten oral history. To make true, non-Christian symbols & writings, non-Islamic symbols & writings or non-white symbols & writings were destroyed at various points: for instance the ancient Palace of the Asantehene in Ghana

Role of Oral Tradition in Africa: Survival & Knowledge Transfer Read More »

Federation of Kwararafa (13th – 18th Century)

Africa is full of surprises. Most people visit Africa for safari parks and taking pictures of lovely animals from Range Rovers. But what if you could take a trip into the mind like inception – a journey through time and space. What if you could journey into your imagination and visit a sophisticated African state with no king, no concerns of external threats, a self-sufficient domestic economy, no economy dependent on slavery? Such a state existed.

Federation of Kwararafa (13th – 18th Century) Read More »