Culture

Discover the latest stories and insights from culture across Africa

23 Articles

Featured Stories

COCOA HOUSE: A Timeless Symbol of Nigeria’s Economic Vision in the Heart of Ibadan
Featured
February 25, 2026 • 153 views

COCOA HOUSE: A Timeless Symbol of Nigeria’s Economic Vision in the Heart of Ibadan

Rising above Dugbe in Ibadan, Cocoa House is West Africa’s first skyscraper, built in 1965 from cocoa revenue under Obafemi Awolowo’s leadership. Once the headquarters of the Western Nigeria Marketing Board, it symbolizes agricultural wealth, visionary governance, and regional pride. Cocoa House stands today as a bold reminder that Nigeria once built greatness from the soil.

By Ikeun Divine Michael Read More →
Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food
Featured
February 24, 2026 • 139 views

Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food

Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food made from ripe plantains seasoned with a bold blend of ginger, garlic, pepper, and sometimes cloves before being deep-fried. The name “kelewele” comes from the Hausa language, reflecting the cultural fusion within Ghanaian cuisine. It is loved for its perfect balance of sweetness from the ripe plantain and the heat from the spices. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, kelewele is often enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or paired with groundnuts for extra crunch. Beyond its taste, kelewele represents the vibrancy of Ghana’s street food culture simple ingredients transformed into something flavorful and memorable

Ofe Nsala: The Pure, Nourishing White Soup that Defines Igbo Hospitality
Featured
February 17, 2026 • 186 views

Ofe Nsala: The Pure, Nourishing White Soup that Defines Igbo Hospitality

🍲 Ofe Nsala (Igbo White Soup) Ofe Nsala is a traditional Igbo delicacy known for its simplicity, purity, and rich taste. Unlike many Nigerian soups that use palm oil, Ofe Nsala is prepared without it, giving it its signature light or “white” appearance. This soup is commonly made with fresh catfish, though goat meat or chicken can also be used. What makes it unique is the use of boiled yam as a natural thickener, which gives it a smooth and slightly creamy texture. It is flavored with local spices like uziza leaves, crayfish, pepper, and seasoning, creating a spicy and aromatic taste. Ofe Nsala is more than just food in Igbo culture. It is often prepared for special occasions, traditional gatherings, and to welcome important guests.

Latest Culture

Sort by:
COCOA HOUSE: A Timeless Symbol of Nigeria’s Economic Vision in the Heart of Ibadan
historical-sites
February 25, 2026 • 153 views

COCOA HOUSE: A Timeless Symbol of Nigeria’s Economic Vision in the Heart of Ibadan

Rising above Dugbe in Ibadan, Cocoa House is West Africa’s first skyscraper, built in 1965 from cocoa revenue under Obafemi Awolowo’s leadership. Once the headquarters of the Western Nigeria Marketing Board, it symbolizes agricultural wealth, visionary governance, and regional pride. Cocoa House stands today as a bold reminder that Nigeria once built greatness from the soil.

By Ikeun Divine Michael Read More →
Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food
culture
February 24, 2026 • 139 views

Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food

Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food made from ripe plantains seasoned with a bold blend of ginger, garlic, pepper, and sometimes cloves before being deep-fried. The name “kelewele” comes from the Hausa language, reflecting the cultural fusion within Ghanaian cuisine. It is loved for its perfect balance of sweetness from the ripe plantain and the heat from the spices. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, kelewele is often enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or paired with groundnuts for extra crunch. Beyond its taste, kelewele represents the vibrancy of Ghana’s street food culture simple ingredients transformed into something flavorful and memorable

Ofe Nsala: The Pure, Nourishing White Soup that Defines Igbo Hospitality
culture
February 17, 2026 • 186 views

Ofe Nsala: The Pure, Nourishing White Soup that Defines Igbo Hospitality

🍲 Ofe Nsala (Igbo White Soup) Ofe Nsala is a traditional Igbo delicacy known for its simplicity, purity, and rich taste. Unlike many Nigerian soups that use palm oil, Ofe Nsala is prepared without it, giving it its signature light or “white” appearance. This soup is commonly made with fresh catfish, though goat meat or chicken can also be used. What makes it unique is the use of boiled yam as a natural thickener, which gives it a smooth and slightly creamy texture. It is flavored with local spices like uziza leaves, crayfish, pepper, and seasoning, creating a spicy and aromatic taste. Ofe Nsala is more than just food in Igbo culture. It is often prepared for special occasions, traditional gatherings, and to welcome important guests.

FGM in Africa: A Grievous Crime Against Womanhood
culture
February 16, 2026 • 182 views

FGM in Africa: A Grievous Crime Against Womanhood

Although many African governments have criminalized FGM, enforcement remains uneven. In some areas, the practice continues quietly, protected by silence and tradition. This reality underscores a critical truth: laws alone are not enough without sustained community engagement and social change. The way forward in Africa lies in education, open dialogue, and empowerment. Communities must be equipped with accurate information about the medical and human consequences of FGM. Girls must be supported through education and economic opportunities, reducing their vulnerability to harmful practices. Traditional and religious leaders play a crucial role in challenging long-held misconceptions, while governments must strengthen enforcement and provide support systems for survivors. Ending FGM is not an attack on African culture; it is a defense of African girls and women. Every girl deserves to grow into womanhood whole, with her body and dignity intact.

By Victoria Abiodun Read More →
Nigeria Is Not A Disgraced Country But A Nation That Lack Strong Structure: John Fagbemi
economy
February 13, 2026 • 282 views

Nigeria Is Not A Disgraced Country But A Nation That Lack Strong Structure: John Fagbemi

It took roughly 150–200 years of institutional development, reforms, crises, and reconstruction for the United States to become what we now describe as a developed nation. That transformation did not happen by accident. It was the result of constitutional stability, industrial expansion, institutional reforms, economic discipline, and consistent national direction over generations. Development is not magic. It is structured persistence. When we speak about Nigeria, what we need is not slanderous words of condemnation. Calling Nigeria a “disgraced nation” does not build institutions. It does not reform systems. It does not strengthen governance. Nigeria is not disgraced. Nigeria is under-structured. There is a difference. A disgraced nation suggests permanent failure. An under-structured nation suggests unrealized potential.

The Impact of Kobafest in Kogi State: Celebrating Culture,
culture
February 12, 2026 • 393 views

The Impact of Kobafest in Kogi State: Celebrating Culture,

In recent years, Kobafest (Kogi Book and Art Festival) has emerged as one of Kogi State’s most promising cultural initiatives a festival that celebrates literature, arts, tradition, and creative expression. Organized by the Awareness Literary Society, Kobafest is more than just a cultural gathering: it has become a platform for empowerment, cultural pride, and socio-economic stimulation in the state.

HOUSE OF DEFIANCE: Mary Slessors Sacred Shelter in Calabar
historical-sites
February 4, 2026 • 304 views

HOUSE OF DEFIANCE: Mary Slessors Sacred Shelter in Calabar

Mary Slessor’s Sacred Shelter in Calabar is more than a building, it is a moral landmark. From its quiet rooms, a fearless woman challenged brutal customs, defended twins, and reshaped community life. The house endures as proof that courage can live humbly, and that compassion, once rooted, outlives its messenger.

By Ikeun Divine Michael Read More →
Osun Governor Demands Release of Withheld Local Government Funds
news
January 26, 2026 • 111 views

Osun Governor Demands Release of Withheld Local Government Funds

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Federal Government to release funds allegedly withheld from the state’s local government councils, warning that continued delays are affecting service delivery at the grassroots. Speaking on Monday, 26 January 2026, Governor Adeleke said more than ₦130 billion in statutory allocations due to the councils had not been released, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing local governments access to federal revenue.

By Azeema Aliu Read More →
Inside Nyama Choma: Why Kenyan Grilled Meat Is More Than Just Food
culture
January 20, 2026 • 110 views

Inside Nyama Choma: Why Kenyan Grilled Meat Is More Than Just Food

Here’s a little talk on Nyama Choma: Nyama Choma, which means “grilled meat” in Swahili, is one of Kenya’s most loved traditional dishes. It is more than just food, it is a social experience. The meat, usually goat or beef, is slowly roasted over an open fire with minimal seasoning, mainly salt, to allow the natural flavor to stand out. Nyama Choma is often enjoyed during gatherings, celebrations, or weekends with friends and family. It is commonly served with ugali and kachumbari, a fresh mix of tomatoes, onions, and peppers. In Kenyan culture, sharing Nyama Choma symbolizes togetherness, relaxation, and hospitality.

Assin Manso: The River That Carried Chains and Memories.
historical-sites
January 17, 2026 • 118 views

Assin Manso: The River That Carried Chains and Memories.

Assin Manso Slave River in Ghana marks a haunting chapter of the transatlantic slave trade. Once a collection point for enslaved Africans, the river bore witness to family separations and unimaginable suffering. Today, it serves as a place of remembrance, reflection, and spiritual connection, preserving the stories of resilience, ancestral prayers, and the enduring spirit of those who endured its waters.

By Ikeun Divine Michael Read More →
Banku And Tilapia Ghana’s Traditional Dish
culture
January 14, 2026 • 98 views

Banku And Tilapia Ghana’s Traditional Dish

Banku and Tilapia is one of Ghana’s most beloved traditional dishes, especially enjoyed by the Ewe and Fante people. Banku is made by fermenting a mixture of corn and cassava dough, then cooking it into a smooth, stretchy dough-like consistency. It's slightly sour in taste, which pairs perfectly with the spicy pepper sauce. It’s commonly served with grilled tilapia, seasoned and spiced to perfection, giving it a smoky, mouth-watering flavor. The dish is often accompanied by *shito* (a dark, spicy sauce made with peppers, fish, and oil) or fresh chopped pepper, tomato, and onion sauce.

The Brazilian Baracoon in Badagry: Seriki Williams Abass and Nigeria’s Slave Trade.
african-history
January 13, 2026 • 68 views

The Brazilian Baracoon in Badagry: Seriki Williams Abass and Nigeria’s Slave Trade.

The Brazilian Baracoon in Badagry is one of the most important surviving sites connected to the transatlantic slave trade in Nigeria. This painful history involves Seriki Williams Abass. Before he became powerful, Seriki Williams Abass was once powerless. He was not born rich or influential. His original name was Ifaremilekun Fagbemi, a Yoruba boy born in Joga-Orile, a town in Ilaro, Ogun State, what is now south-western Nigeria. As a youth, he was captured during wars between African communities. At the time, this was common, as stronger groups often sold captives to slave traders in exchange for goods and weapons