African History

By Colette Coleman Following Nat Turner's rebellion of 1831, legislation to limit black people's access to education intensified. But enslaved people found ways to learn. On August 21, 1831, enslaved Virginian Nat Turner led a bloody revolt, which changed the course of American history. The uprising in Southampton County led to the killing of an estimated 55 white people, resulting in execution of...

By Miracle Nwankwo Once upon a time in Africa, great heroes and heroines walked the earth. But today they are no more, and all we have left of them are stories, quotes, legacies, documentaries, statues, memories etc. Speaking of memories, this week on African History, we bring you one of Ghana’s treasured memories, the story of queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa of...

By National Museums of Kenya Mohammed Abdulla Hassan was born in the 1870s in Kob Fardod near Kirrit, in what later became Somaliland. Abdulla was the eldest son of Sheikh Abdille, who was part of the Ogaden Bah Gari sub-clan of the Darod major Clan. His mother, Timiro Sade, was from the Dhulbahante clan. The young Abdulla He grew up among the...

By Miracle Nwankwo This week on African History, it is our pleasure to share with you the story of a princess who was buried alive, alongside nine other virgins in exchange for victory. A long time ago in the ancient Igala Kingdom, the king, late Oma Idoko, (Attah of Igala Kingdom) had a girl-child called Inikpi who was the only daughter...

By Miracle Nwankwo Have you heard about Mansa Musa? I bet you have, but if you haven’t let me take you through a journey on a short story about the richest African emperor that once lived. His name is Mansa Musa, from Mali, which is today described as a landlocked country in Western Africa that shares boundaries with Niger on the...

Miracle Nwankwo In the nineteenth century, the Swazis fled their indigenous home to settle in the Pongola valley in KwaZulu Natal due to territorial unrest. However, they were soon forced out by the Ndwandwe attack, and they moved to the Ezulwini Valley, which is known as Swaziland today. At the time, the people were ruled by Sobhuza I of the Dlamini,...

By Julie A. Dyer What a flick! Watching it, you get lost in time. I travelled through with Mr Prime Minister. I met all those fabulous, adoring people. I shook hands with those beautiful faces, and had a splendid time. I enjoyed the red carpet reception and the sounding drums rolled out in our honour.  I indulged in every moment of the...