History of African Culture

Between Alpha and Omega: Being Happy in the "BY" A, B , C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y , Z Between Alpha (birth) and Omega (death) lies the most significant part of our existence—the "BY." This term symbolizes the space between the beginning and the end of our lives. It is the time we live, the decisions we make, and the actions we take day-by-day. The "BY" represents the totality of our daily life, where our choices shape our path, where we learn from the past, and create our future. This is where we find our purpose, face challenges, build relationships, and build a legacy. In essence, the "BY" is the living part of life—our journey through the mundane and the extraordinary, where we navigate the space between who we were born as (Alpha) and who we will become (Omega). The "BY" is the space between the fixed points of birth (alpha) and death (omega), where we discover our energy and freedom to sha...

Bush Schools in Africa, think Little House on the Prairie Bush schools in Africa are simple and community-driven like the Little House on the Prairie version of education. Kids of all ages learn together in one space, sometimes in open spaces or small makeshift buildings, focusing on practical skills, simple math, writing, and reading assignments, just like pioneer children on the frontier. Bush Schools are the Same as Trade Schools  Bush schools effectively implement project-based learning by centering education around practical skills and community needs. Students actively participate in projects like building wells, constructing school gardens, and repairing infrastructure, integrating learning with real-world problem-solving.  Furthermore, they engage in agricultural activities such as farming and animal husbandry, developing skills in planting, harvesting, and animal care through hands-on experience. Additionally, students learn traditional crafts like weaving, pottery, a...

What Is the 2045 Board Game, and Why Should You Play? Imagine a future where your choices determine the destiny of a continent. Where ancient traditions intertwine with cutting-edge technology, and global challenges find local solutions. This is the world of the 2045 Game, an interactive experience that explores Africa's potential. Designed to spark discussion and raise awareness about complex political situations, the 2045 game offers a unique and engaging way to envision a future in Africa through role-playing. While sharing similarities with Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) in its role-playing mechanics, 2045 emphasizes a more humanistic approach. Future of Africa through the 2045 board game The Big Idea Behind the 2045 Board Game In 2045, players face the difficult decisions of wartime. The 2045 Game envisions a futuristic Africa that leads the world in innovation, culture, and sustainability. Set in the year 2045, the game brings players into a high-stakes environment where t...

Overlapping British Rule in America and Africa America and Africa share a historical connection through their past ties to the British Empire. Before gaining independence, the American colonies were under British rule, which shaped their governance and economic systems. Similarly, parts of Africa, particularly along the West African coast, including the Gold Coast and the Slave Coast, suffered under British colonial administration and exploitation. This shared history reflects a complex legacy of British oversight, the transatlantic slave trade, and the role Africa played in making the American colonies profitable. British Colonial Administration: Africa and the Americas There was a period when parts of Africa and the American colonies, now the United States, were under British colonial administration. From the 1650s to 1776, parts of the Americas and coastal regions of West Africa were both under British authority and connected through the transatlantic trade . The Thirteen Colonies...

Ujamaa Plan Called For Unity But It Was Racist Policy  Ujamaa was a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed policy. While Ujamaa was driven by a vision of equality and unity, its disregard for the rural tribal family led to widespread suffering.  Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere Ujamaa policy clashed with the harsh realities of translating ideological visions into practical policies. Under this policy, unity actually became assimilation. Women working in colonial Africa, 1949 Ujamaa Was Colonial Policy  While studying at Makerere College in Kampala, Uganda, Nyerere observed that higher education under British colonial rule served a specific purpose.  It trained Africans to become government workers who carried out policies designed by the colonial powers. Nyerere himself received western colonial type of education.  However, he understood that colonialism was the main obstacle preventing Africa from governing itself. Therefore, his strong belief in a unit...

Colonial Sense of Dominance Renamed Africa Indigenous names for African lands were replaced by those chosen by outsiders due to colonialism. This shift impacted the connection Africans had to their own history and culture. Who Named Africa Imagine a group of incredibly skilled sailors and traders who lived thousands of years ago in what is now Lebanon (a country in the Middle East). These people were called the Phoenicians . They were famous for their seafaring abilities and established trade routes all across the Mediterranean Sea.  Think of them as the great explorers and merchants of their time. They built strong ships and sailed to distant lands, establishing trading posts and colonies. One of their most important colonies was a city they founded in North Africa, now Tunisia.  They called this city Carthage. Carthage grew into a powerful city-state, almost like its own independent country, but it was still connected to its Phoenician roots. The people of Carthage spo...

Canadian Preservation of African Culinary Heritage Africans in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia means “New Scotland,” and it is known as an area where many Europeans settled. Because of this, some people think it is primarily white. However, this view overlooks the critical history of African communities in Nova Scotia. These communities have made significant contributions and have had a lasting influence in the province. The flavors of African Nova Scotian cuisine trace back to the 18th-century journeys of Black Loyalists and Jamaican Maroons. These groups carried their African and Caribbean culinary traditions, blending bold spices, smoked techniques, and earthy ingredients to create delicious historical dishes for the community. Their influence is a vital seasoning in Nova Scotia’s rich food history, shaping a legacy that still simmers in Nova Scotian kitchens today. The Black community in Nova Scotia, especially in Preston (a portion of old Africville), has a history that connects to people...

Mathieu Da Costa: Canada’s First Recorded Black Person Mathieu Da Costa holds a unique place in Canadian history as the first recorded Black person to set foot in what is now Canada. Mathieu Da Costa's linguistic abilities mediated fur trade prices and trading routes between Europeans and Africans using intellect, tact and cunning. A Linguistic Bridge Across Cultures Da Costa’s carefully honed multilingual skills included European languages such as French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages. These abilities made him an invaluable asset to explorers and merchants conducting trade and diplomacy across continents.  His fluency allowed him to have the freedom to travel, forge relationships and communicate effectively across cultural divides, ensuring the success of expeditions led by figures like Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. Mathieu Da Costa worked with prominent figures of early Canadian exploration, including Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieu...

Between Worlds The Boy Who Heard Whispers is an African Folktale about the harmony of the mind, as seen through the lens of a different thinker. Folktale Affirmation: "My unique mind is a gift, a different way of seeing and interacting with the world." Neuroharmony the Spirit Healer of Kilimanjaro: The Boy Who Heard Whispers African Folktale As the ancestors tell the story unfolding in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro, a boy named Imani is born. Imani was different. Imani didn't laugh at the same jokes as other children, nor did he play their games.  He preferred the company of smooth stones and the rustling leaves of the acacia trees. He would often hum to himself, a low, constant melody, and sometimes flap his hands when excited.  Sadly the other children found him strange. His loving family was perplexed; they had never seen such behavior. But Imani held a secret. When he whispered a departed loved one's name near the whispering rocks on the mountainside, a soft ...