Journey through the rich and diverse story of Africa—home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, powerful kingdoms, remarkable leaders, and enduring cultural traditions. This category explores the people, events, empires, and movements that have shaped the African continent from ancient times to the modern era.
The Seychelles Exile When King Prempeh I of the Asante Kingdom was captured by British forces in 1896, he was not executed. He was not imprisoned in a dungeon. Instead, he was sent to a remote island in the Indian Ocean — so far from home that escape was impossible, yet so comfortable that he…
When we think of great cavalry forces in history, we often imagine the Mongols of Genghis Khan or the knights of medieval Europe. But in West Africa, the Oyo Empire built a cavalry force that was the terror of the region—an army of horsemen whose speed, skill, and spectacle made them legendary . Rise of the…
In the dense forests of 17th-century West Africa, a remarkable military force emerged that would capture the imagination of the world. They were the Dahomey Amazons—the only all-female military regiment in modern history . Known to themselves as the Mino (“Our Mothers”) or Ahosi (“King’s wives”), these warriors defied convention, shattered expectations, and became one of the most feared fighting…
When we think of ancient African civilizations, our minds often turn to the great empires of West Africa—Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. But on the opposite side of the continent, a different kind of civilization flourished: a network of independent city-states that stretched over 1,800 miles of coastline, from Mogadishu in the north to Kilwa in…
Myths Behind The Lost City of Stone Perched on the high plateau of southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, lies the greatest ancient city in sub-Saharan Africa—a place where massive stone walls rise from the earth without mortar, where a civilization built an empire on gold and cattle, and where the echoes of…
The Warrior Queen Who Defied Portuguese Colonialism When we think of resistance against colonialism in Africa, names like Shaka Zulu and Menelik II often come to mind. But nearly two centuries before the Scramble for Africa, a woman in what is now Angola led a thirty-year war against Portuguese expansion, outmaneuvered European powers, and became…
When people hear the name “Ghana” today, they think of the vibrant West African nation known for its rich culture, gold, and cocoa. But the modern Republic of Ghana is not the original Ghana. In fact, the ancient empire that gave the country its name was located over 800 kilometres away, in what is now…
Did you that on March 1, 1896, a remarkable event unfolded in the hills of northern Ethiopia? An African army, led by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, delivered a crushing defeat to an invading Italian force at the Battle of Adwa. At a time when the “Scramble for Africa” had carved up almost…
When people think of ancient African empires, they often think of Egypt. But in West Africa, the Empire of Mali was one of the most powerful and wealthy civilizations in world history. At its peak in the 14th century, it controlled vast gold and salt trade routes, was home to legendary cities like Timbuktu, and…
On this day in 1989, Albertina “Ma” Sisulu stood before a crowd in London and delivered a speech that would resonate across the anti-apartheid movement. She was there to protest against British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s imminent meeting with South African President F.W. de Klerk. Sisulu, a leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and…
