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“Dode Akaabi, the first female king of the Gas who trained Ashanti Warrior, Yaa Asantewaa”
I am the great grand daughter of this great woman but I write this purposely to preserve history devoid of any emotional sentiments and personal association with the character.Dode Akaabi, the grand daughter of...
History
George Stinney Jr,. the youngest person in U.S. history to face capital punishment in 10 minutes at age 14
In 1944, during the Jim Crow era in the Deep South, George Stinney Jr., a 14-year-old African-American boy, became the youngest person in the United States to be executed in the electric chair.Stinney...
History
Exploring the rich history of Ghana
Ghana, located on the west coast of Africa, has a fascinating and rich history that spans centuries. From ancient civilizations to colonial rule and independence, the country's past is filled with significant events, powerful...
History
10 facts about the Sagrenti War of 1874
Did you know that the Sagrenti War of 1874 had a significant impact on the history of West Africa? This lesser-known conflict between the Ashanti Empire and the British forces holds several fascinating facts...
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The Ashanti prince who, in the 1850s, became world’s first African American engineer
Born on April 24, 1827, Ghana’s Kwasi Boakye is the world’s first black mining engineer. The African-Dutch mining engineer was a prince of the Ashanti Empire and the eldest son of Kwaku Dua II,...
History
Why Dr Kwame Nkrumah changed his name from “Francis Nwia Kofi Ngolomah”
This is what Nkrumah wrote about his own biography;"The only certain facts of my birth appear to be that I was born in the village of Nkroful in Nzima around mid-day on a Saturday...
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How a young and charming Egyptian woman captured the heart of Kwame Nkrumah, becoming his wife
The story of Fathia Halim Ritzk, who would become the wife of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, is a tale of cultural diversity, political intrigue, and personal courage.Born into a middle-class Egyptian family in...
History
Meet the oppressed African woman who had the greatest buttocks in history
Her story has been recounted numerous times over many years, that of an African woman who endured suffering and exploitation due to a condition she had, known as steatopygia.Sarah Baartman, originally named Saartje, possessed...
History
Meet Nathaniel Alexander inventor of folding chairs
Nathaniel Alexander's innovative genius revolutionized the idea of seating with his legendary invention, the folding chair. This piece explores his life journey and the significant influence of his portable seating solution on contemporary comfort...
History
How Wole Soyinka escaped death and defied tyranny in Nigeria’s darkest hour
Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian writer, poet, dramatist, and literary critic who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential African writers of the...
History
The mysterious river of immortal catfish in Nigeria
Imagine a river that is home to a colony of catfish that can never die. Sounds unbelievable, right?But that's exactly what you'll find in a small town in Nigeria, where a sacred river...
History
Mansa Musa I: Richest & most influential African King in History –
Mansa Musa I, also known as Musa Keita I, was the tenth emperor of the Mali Empire, which was among the most prominent empires in West Africa. He is widely regarded as the richest...
History
The mystery of Igbo Ora: How a Nigerian town became the ‘Twin capital of the world’
Imagine a town where almost every household has at least one set of twins. Where the sight of two identical faces is so common that no one bats an eye. Where the local greeting...
History
Meet Otumfuo’s rep at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953
The bond between the Ashanti and British kingdoms dates centuries back and has in recent years been butressed by visits by monarchs on both sides.The most recent visit is of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu...
History
Bob Junior lion killed by rivals after 10yrs dominance
A lion in Tanzania known as the Serengeti's King has been murdered by competitors after almost 10 years of dominance.Tour operators and visitors to the national park have paid tribute to the “legendary” Bob...
History
Story of the Yoruba metal Art of the mediaeval age – A world class civilization
Iron smelting and forging techniques may have been used in West Africa as early as the sixth century BC among the Nok people of Nigeria, according to well-established evidence on Yoruba metal art. Between...
History
Does the name ‘Busia’ truly mean ‘Best University Scholar in Africa’?
The surname of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, who served as prime minister of Ghana from 1969 to 1972, has been scrutinized due to its true meaning or nomenclature, according to tales and occasionally what...
History
Five interesting facts about African Jees you need to know
Jews lived on the Arabian Peninsula, which is located northeast of Africa on the Arabian Plate and contains nations like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before Christianity and Islam...
History
Did you know corsets are used in Dinka culture to determine the age and wealth of men?
The Dinka people of South Sudan have been pastoralists for millennia; as such, many of their assets are practical valuables they can bring with them whenever they take care of their animals rather than...
History
The ‘hated’ Asante traitor Kwame Tua who kidnapped an Asantehene’s wife
Kwame Tua was despised in the Ashanti community, despite the fact that the story is obscured by numerous narrations from various narrators.Kwame Tua was a favorite of the British because he always provided them...
History
Nigeria’s Northern Knot of Dutse Palace, a representation of African culture and unification
The Dutse Palace art is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Northern Nigeria. Its intricate designs and motifs are not only aesthetic but hold great significance to the people of the region....
History
Meet the barefoot nun who turned to be Ethiopia’s ‘piano queen’
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, the composer and piano-playing nun who died this week at the age of 99, had an extraordinary life, which included being a trailblazer for women's equality and walking barefoot for a...
History
How body Markings and Tattoos emerged in Africa
More than merely skin deep, tattoos In Africa and body marks are visible. But, when we imagine tattoos, we typically see them on people with white complexion or caramel (African American) skin.We have recently...
History
How Gold Coast was named after the Ghana Empire
Did you know that the name Ghana, which we proudly bear today, has a rich and fascinating history? Before we became Ghana, our beloved country was known as Gold Coast. But have you ever wondered...
History
Meet Dr Quartey-Papafio, Ghana’s very first doctor and physician
Ghana's first doctor and physician, Dr Quartey-Papafio, was discovered when the West African country was referred to as Gold Coast.He was born in June 1859 to Momo Omedru, a businesswoman, and Chief Quartey-Papafio.Emmanuel and...
History
Queen Abla Pokou: The Akan Princess who founded a tribe in Ivory Coast
Did you know Baoule people from Ivory Coast are a subset of the Akan tribe?And oh, present Ivory Coast was founded by a great woman….Queen Abla Pokou born between 1700 and 1720 on Tuesday,...
History
The Ewe people are of Hebrew origin – the traditional leader provides interesting information
It is emerging that the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo and Benin among others are of Hebrew origin before migrating through various parts of the world and then settling at their present locations.This was disclosed...
History
Story of the Yoruba metal art of the mediaeval age – A world class civilization
Yoruba Metal Art: There is well-documented evidence that iron smelting and forging technologies may have existed in West Africa as early as the 6th century BC among the Nok people of Nigeria. Iron technology...
History
When Ghana, Guinea, and Mali signed to become one nation
Although the idea of a United States of Africa has been present in African intellectual history for almost a century, it was Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, who launched an aggressive drive to realize...
History
Gordon of Khartoum’s story retold from Sudanese view
Award-winning Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela has retold the story of a British army general killed by the troops of the Mahdi - a religious leader in Sudan in the late 19th Century - in...
History
Meet Felicia Abban, Kwame Nkrumah’s official photographer who was an apprentice
Born in 1935 to parents who lived in the Western Region, Felicia Abban grew up knowing the then budding trade of photography because that was her father's trade.When she opted to understudy her father,...
History
What Nkrumah said about being ousted in 1966 by Kotoka
In 1966, Colonel Emmanuel Kwesi Kotoka and Major Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa staged a coup d'état against Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah.Nkrumah was out of the country during the ousting. As Ghana celebrates its 66th...
History
Five fascinating facts you need to know about African Jews
Before Christianity and Islam spread, a lot of the Arabian peninsula, which is northeast of Africa and is on the Arabian Plate and has countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab...
History
Meet Willy T. Ribbs, first African American to drive Formula 1 car in 1986
The knew formula one racing was strictly segregated, but that did not stop Willy T. Ribbs from nursing his dream to race on that track one day. Though he did not have the opportunity...
History
Five fascinating facts you need to know about African Jews
Before Christianity and Islam spread, a lot of the Arabian peninsula, which is northeast of Africa and is on the Arabian Plate and has countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab...
History
These native Africans were the original inhabitants of the Philippines
The Aeta, Agta, or Ayta people are what’s known to be the original Black race who inhabited the remote and mountainous regions of Luzon, the Philippines before the Austronesian migrations of the Malays and Asian group.While history buffs...
History
Celebrating Prince Mbarga for creating “Sweet Mother” song
When I dey hungry my mother go run up and down / she dey find me something when I go chop oh! / Sweet Mother a-aah / Sweet Mother oh-e-oh!”The above is an excerpt...
History
Akpema, the initiation rites in Togo that prepare a girl from the age of 1 to womanhood
Akpema is the rite of passage for young maidens in the West African nation of Togo. It is held shortly after the initiation ceremony for boys which is known as Evala wrestling. Akpema is often...
History
Electrically charged stones that can power generators discovered in DR Congo
It has been reported that electrically charged stones that can power generators have been discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo.According to courses, these stones could serve as a primary source of electricity to...
History
How Alvin Boutte founded America’s largest Black-owned bank and helped MLK, Mandela
Alvin J. Boutte Sr. became the owner of one of the biggest Black-owned banks in the United States. Prior to his death, he was the co-founder and CEO of Independence Bank.He developed a knack for entrepreneurship...
History
Meet the American who invented Band-Aids
There is genius in simplicity, which makes the Band-Aid one of the most brilliant inventions in human history. A little adhesive tape, some cotton — and voila! The world is suddenly better. Band-Aids are so...
History
Government and IMF to announce staff-level agreement today
Today, December 13, the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will reveal a staff-level agreement.In a post from the Ministry of Finance on Twitter, a joint news conference will be conducted at 10...
History
All to know about sacred Antogo fishing ritual of Mali
Rituals are characteristic of most cultures. They are passed down from generation to generation. Different actions explain why some rituals are sacred while others may not. Traditional Africans used varied rituals to keep things...
History
How the Dibaba sisters from Ethiopia became the fastest family on earth
Ethiopian distance runner Tirunesh Dibaba made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she became the first woman to win gold in both the 5,000-metre and 10,000-metre races. She defended her gold medal title...
History
All about African greeting positions and how they are used
“What’s for breakfast this morning, I just woke up and I’m hungry.” One may get away with this statement early in the morning after waking up from bed in just about any home, but...
History
A museum 2,300 years in the making
When the International African American Museum opens in January in Charleston, South Carolina, it will tell the story of slavery in the US – going all the way back to 300 BCE.Michael Boulware Moore...
History
Nigeria’s Ancient City, Sungbo’s Eredo, was bigger than Rome and Cairo when built
If the discussion is limited to Nigeria’s version of the world’s wonders, it would be unfair to leave out the ancient city of Sungbo’s Eredo.Sungbo’s Eredo is said to be Africa’s largest single pre-colonial...
History
Mali in West Africa was the richest Empire on Earth in the 14th century
Some of the richest men in the world today are tech billionaires and business leaders from the West and China. However, the title of “richest man who ever lived” goes to a little-known ancient...
History
Ancient South Africans used fire to roast meat a million years ago
It is still one of the facts supporting the claim that early humans in Africa two million years ago used fire. Despite being an unintentional discovery, archaeologists say the Wonderwerk Cave has revealed new...
History
Meroe in Sudan was the Capital of the Great Kushite Empire
Archaeological discoveries and historical documents indicate that the ancient city of Meroe served as the capital of the kingdom of Kush, which is now located in Sudan.Kush was a northern African kingdom whose influence...
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