Discover the latest stories and insights from african history across Africa
Beyond the Benue Valley: The Timeless Mystique and Pride of the Idoma In the lush heart of central Nigeria lives a community whose identity is worn like a badge of honour, woven in fiery red, grounded in deep black, and guarded by an unspoken reverence for their ancestors in Africa.
Cultural beliefs often survive through simple, everyday conversations. A child hears a warning from an older relative, remembers it and may eventually repeat it to someone else. Over time, the words become familiar, even when their original meaning is no longer clear. People may continue such practices because they believe in them, respect their elders or simply feel comfortable following familiar household traditions.
Thirty-nine years ago today, on 15 October 1987, Burkina Faso’s young president, Thomas Sankara, was shot dead during a coup in Ouagadougou. He was 37, and twelve of his comrades died with him. Today the country is led by another young army captain who often invokes his name: Ibrahim Traoré. The question many Africans now ask is whether Traoré is carrying Sankara’s torch or borrowing his image.
Hidden in the rolling hills of Kajuru, Kaduna State, Kajuru Castle stands as one of Nigeria’s most striking architectural wonders. Built in 1978 by German expatriate Burg Wolfgang Steiner, the private castle blends medieval European design with African landscapes. Featuring stone towers, knight styled rooms, a valley facing pool, and breathtaking hilltop views, the castle offers a rare escape into history, creativity, and serenity. More than a destination, it is a dream turned into a timeless landmark.
A 93-year-old Ghanaian cameraman spent decades filming the birth of African independence, then watched more than 1,300 reels of that history disappear into hiding in London. Now, with his eyesight failing, he's racing to bring it home. iShowSpeed and Barack and Michelle Obama are backing the effort to make sure he gets there in time. "The Eyes of Ghana" hits theaters for one night only on October 28.
The Hamar people live in the Omo Valley area of southwestern Ethiopia. They are known for their cultural traditions, decorations, and ceremonies that bring families and communities together. One of these traditions is called Ukuli Bula, a bull-jumping ceremony that shows an important stage in a young man's life and shows how connected he is to his culture.
Did you know Yoruba is spoken outside Nigeria? Discover the countries where Yoruba-speaking communities live, from Benin and Togo to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone. Learn about the language’s presence in these countries, the history of the Aku community in Sierra Leone, and how Yoruba words and traditions travelled to Brazil and Cuba. Discover how migration, trade and historical events helped spread the Yoruba language beyond Nigeria into other parts of the world.
Ethiopian distance runner, Yomif Kejelcha has broken the men’s half marathon world record after an impressive performance in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 56 minutes and 51 seconds, Kejelcha completed the race, revealed his competence, and set a new world record. His time was 29 seconds faster than the previous record of 57:20.
Discover how two Kenyan teenagers created HewaSafi, a low-cost vehicle exhaust filter made from farm waste like maize cobs and coconut shells, how this African innovation reduces PM2.5 air pollution, improves air quality, and shows how young Africans are developing practical solutions to environmental challenges. Africans are innovative and this is proof.
Kenya is a country located in the Eastern part of Africa, and it is known for her diverse landscape, wildlife and rich cultures. For many people, when you mention Kenya, the first thing that comes to mind is golden plains, tall giraffes, big elephants, and lions staying under the African sun.
The Itsekiri people of Nigeria are celebrated for a culture that radiates royalty, beauty, and pride. From the vibrant coral beads that symbolize honour and heritage to the graceful George wrappers, richly embroidered attire, and the enduring legacy of the Warri Kingdom, every aspect of Itsekiri life tells a story worth preserving. But beyond the stunning fashion lies a people deeply rooted in history, community, resilience, and tradition proving that culture is not just remembered, but lived and celebrated every day.
As of this morning, South Africa is living through a date that anti-immigrant groups have spent months turning into a deadline. A coalition led by the movement March and March — founded by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma — declared that undocumented foreign nationals had until midnight on June 29 to leave the country, or face consequences nobody in government ever sanctioned, but plenty of people on the ground appeared prepared to enforce themselves.
Nigeria's entertainment industry is going through a quiet handover. The legends who built the foundation are stepping back, and a new set of creators is stepping into the light. That shift has taught us something worth sitting with, and it leaves us asking what comes next. The truth is simpler than most people expect: what's coming is creativity, and it is already here.
Aksum was a powerful ancient kingdom in East Africa (now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea) that existed from around the 1st to 10th century. It was a big trade hub connecting the Mediterranean, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean. They left behind impressive buildings, introduced Christianity, and created a unique writing system still used in Ethiopia.
This is the story of Mansa Musa, the king of Mali in the 14th century, is often said to be the richest person ever, with a fortune worth around $400 billion today. He got rich from controlling West Africa's gold and salt trade, making Mali a major economic center back then.