Discover the latest stories and insights from culture 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.
Every year, on October 11, the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child. It is a day to remember girls, celebrate their potential and look at the challenges that prevent many of them from living the lives they deserve. This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”, reminds us of an issue that still affects many girls till today, especially in areas where early marriage is accepted as normal.
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.
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 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.
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 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
The Mambila Hills of Taraba State rise quietly above Nigeria’s lowlands, wrapped in mist and memory. Cool, ancient, and culturally grounded, the plateau blends history, spirituality, and endurance. It is a land shaped by altitude and ancestral wisdom, where traditions remain intact, life moves deliberately, and the earth feels closer to the heavens.
Agbokim Waterfalls, hidden in Cross River’s forests, is where the Kwa River splits into many voices and falls with ancestral force. Older than borders, it served as pause and passage for local communities. Here, water becomes memory—flowing proof that African history lives, breathes, and endures without walls and written silence.
The Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route is history carved in silence. Through sacred trials at Ibini Ukpabi, lives were condemned and quietly rerouted into bondage. Forest paths, stone steps, and dark tunnels still testify: belief once became law, and law became chains; memory stands, warning generations against power without truth.
The Kingdom of Kongo was one of the most powerful and well-organised states in Central Africa before European colonisation. Founded in the late 1300s, the kingdom grew through farming, regional trade, and a strong political system. Long before Europeans arrived, Kongo already had a capital city, provincial leaders, and laws. The kingdom began around 1390 when Lukeni lua Nimi united several nearby communities. These groups spoke the same language, Kikongo, and shared similar customs. This made it easier to form a single kingdom under one ruler.
African fashion is a dazzling celebration of the continent’s extraordinary diversity, resilience, and creative spirit. With about 54 countries and more than 3,000 ethnic groups, it draws from centuries of tradition while boldly embracing modernity. From the sun-drenched markets of Marrakech to the bustling streets of Lagos, African style tells stories of identity, community, history, and pride through colour, texture, and silhouette. Traditional African attire is deeply symbolic, often reflecting social status, marital availability, spirituality, or regional heritage.
Lagos is set to come alive once again as preparations intensify for the much-anticipated Eyo Festival, one of the state’s most iconic and culturally significant celebrations. The arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Tafawa Balewa Square, where he was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has further heightened public interest in the festival, which is being celebrated for the first time since 2017.
Ewa Agoyin is more than a beloved Nigerian street food—it is a cultural experience deeply rooted in the everyday life of the Yoruba people. This humble yet powerful dish brings together soft, slow-cooked beans (*ewa*) and a rich, smoky pepper sauce (*agoyin*) that tells a story of patience, tradition, and mastery of flavor.