THE BATTLE OF NSAMANKOW

Battle of Nsamankow - the battle where the head of the British Governor was severed by the Asantes and the skull used as drinking cup.

Of the most powerful tribes and cultures, the Asante Empire becomes arguably the most powerful military power in all of Africa’s history.

During the 18th century, the Asante became the ascendant nation in the region of the modern day Ghana and extending west into present day Ivory Coast. Access to the coast and control of coastal trade was a source of continued conflict with the Fanti city states along the coast. Eventually the Ashantes became so powerful that they raided coastal towns and forts. At this point, the British needed to either protect the Fanti tribes with whom they traded from being massacred and enslaved by the Ashante, or leave them to their fate.

In 1824, the British, led by Charles McCarthy, were squaring up for a dreadful conflict with the Ashante. McCarthy, with some arrogance or bad military intelligence, led his army of barely 600 men against perhaps 10,000 Ashanti warriors and their king, Osei Tutu Kwadwo.

So confident was the king of the Ashantes that he prophesized that soon he would defeat the British and that McCarthy's jawbones would be used as drumsticks and his skull as a loving cup. As the Ashante advanced, Sir Charles ordered his band to strike up with God Save the Queen.

The closer the Ashante got, the quicker McCarthy's Fantis deserted him. When the British guns were silent the Ashante held back thinking the silence was a British ploy. But then it dawned. The British had run out of musket balls and powder. As one of the few survivors reported "our gallant little force still defended themselves with their bayonets until they were completely over-powered by the myriads who instantly beheaded nearly every one of those who unfortunately fell into their remorseless hands". McCarthy was killed on January 21, 1824 at what came to be known as the Battle of Nsamankow, near present day Bonsaso. The Ashante’s famously used the governor's skull and those of others as drinking cups, which did not endear them to the British.

It was not until 1831 that a treaty was signed to define the boundaries of the Ashante kingdom and the authority of the British territorial claim in the Gold Coast.

THE DOGON PEOPLE

The DOGON people of West Africa were among the tribal groups that moved away from the Nile valley to settle in the mountainous areas of west Africa, over 3000 years ago. This had uttered the ancient way of life of the tribal nationality which is now part of Mali 🇲🇱 

The initial settlements of the Dogan people was around the Bandiagara region. The Dogon people had in ancient times, excelled in many artistic cultures(like the Igbo Ukwu civilization), including architecture, mining, ancient science, especially astrology and medicine.

According to the encyclopedia Britannica, " the earliest known textiles in sub-saharan Africa are the baste fibre fragments of/[from] Igbo Ukwu (9th century AD), and clothes found in Tellem caves of the Bandiagara region of Mali(11th century or earlier).

'None of these artistic manifestations appear as a beginning of any kind; each appears as fully developed in style.'

The Dogon had moved away from the Nile civilization, wandering around the desert to settle in the Soudan(west Africa) , starting from 3100 BCE. This was as a result of the onslaughts of nomadic groups from western Asia, who had began to take over the coastal areas of north Africa from the Nile delta, moving westward, towards leptis magna, in what is today Libya and then Algeria.

It was around this time that the vast sea which was about the size of France, around where we have the Sahara today, eventually dried up, giving rise to unrest and wandering groups, that moved restlessly, not building settled societies in stone as they used to, but constructing makeshift shelters that over time became a part of the traditional architecture of some groups; a situation that was to remain a part of those who survived, into the early medieval era and at the time western Europe arrived Africa in search of proceeds to develop Western Europe, out of the remaining dire effects of the 'dark ages'; a period when, after the fall of Rome, Europe degenerated back to primitive life (c. 565-1095).

According to Historian, Chancellor Williams (in 'The destruction of black civilization', which is a book all Africans need to read), "these tremendous victories of the white men were not achieved by conquest. It was achieved by default, on the side of a race, too preoccupied with the immediate present and less with its future."

This situation has not changed very much with most of the tribal groups around Africa, that were dispersed from the Nile valley.

𝗔𝗝𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗜 𝗞𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘

Kayode Olasehinde, known as "Ajirebi", the semi-literate old man to the Nollywood Yoruba Movie lovers and as "James", the crafty, yet notorious and funny old man in Papa Ajasco and Family.

He is a Native of Kwara State, Nigeria and was born 15th of May 1957 in Lagos. He attended St. Patrick Primary School and Evangelical Church of West Africa, Sudan Interior Mission School, Patako in kwara State for His Primary Education and attended Oke-Ede Grammar School for his Secondary Education. Opting out from School due to the inability of his Parent to further sponsor his Education.

He served as an homeboy to so many families. Kayode Olseinde joined Olanrewaju Ali Theatre Group in 1978 and was discovered at the Nigeria Television Authority, (NTA 10) in a first play titled "Mo ti K'owo Soke" (my hands are raised) where He came about the name "Ajirebi".

As a movie legend, he is known for his elderly acts which he comically combines to give a professional and entertaining touch to his audience. He is sure one of the actors that made growing up memorable.

Married to a trusting and understanding woman, He is blessed with three children.

AFRICA

French speaking African countries still don’t print their currency, their currency is printed and controlled by the French bank. The first president of Togo, Sylvannus Olympio tried to change it, was killed right in front of USA embassy in 1963.

Most Religious African Countries And Their Global Rankings

01 Ethiopia🇪🇹 99% people are religious 

(1 globally)

02 Malawi🇲🇼 99% (2 globally)

03 Niger🇳🇪 99% (3 globally)

04 Burundi🇧🇮 98% (6 globally)

05 Djibouti🇩🇯 98% (7 globally)

06 Mauritania🇲🇻 98% (8 globally)

07 Somalia🇸🇴 98% (9 globally)

08 Comoros🇰🇲 97% (11 globally)

09 Egypt🇪🇬 97% (12 globally)

10 guinea🇬🇳 97% (13 globally)

11 Cameroon🇨🇲 96% (17 globally)

12 Senegal🇸🇳 96% (19 globally)

13 Chad🇹🇩 95% (20 globally)

14 Ghana🇬🇭 95% (21 globally)

15 Mali🇲🇱 95% (22 globally)

16 Republic Of Congo🇨🇬 95% (24 globally)

17 Rwanda🇷🇼 95% (25 globally)

18 Zambia🇿🇲 95% (26 globally).

Source: The Telegraph

AFRICA

EUROPEANS TAUGHT FOR CENTURIES that Africa had no written history, literature or philosophy (claiming Egypt was older than African). When roughly 1 MILLION manuscripts were found in Timbuktu/Mali covering, according to Reuters "all the fields of human knowledge: law, the sciences, medicine," IT DID NOT MAKE MAINSTREAM NEWS as did the lies taught by Europeans concerning Africa.

MALCOLM X

“Our history and our culture were completely destroyed when we were forcibly brought to America in chains. And now it is important for us to know that our history did not begin with slavery. We came from Africa, a great continent, wherein live a proud and varied people, a land which is the new world and was the cradle of civilization.” Malcolm X

GADDAFFI'S LAST FORMAL SPEECH

THIS IS VERY MOVING:

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful...

For 40 years, or was it longer, I can't remember, I did all I could to give people houses, hospitals, schools, and when they were hungry, I gave them food. I even made Benghazi into farmland from the desert, I stood up to attacks from that cowboy Ronald Reagan, when he killed my adopted orphaned daughter, he was trying to kill me, instead he killed that poor innocent child. Then I helped my brothers and sisters from Africa with money for the African Union.

I did all I could to help people Understand the concept of real democracy, where people's committees ran our country. But that was never enough, as some told me, even people who had 10 room homes, new suits and furniture, were never satisfied, as selfish as they were they wanted more. They told Americans and other visitors, that they needed "democracy" and "freedom" never realizing it was a cut throat system, where the biggest dog eats the rest, but they were enchanted with those words, never realizing that in America, there was no free medicine, no free hospitals, no free housing, no free education and no free food, except when people had to beg or go to long lines to get soup.

No, no matter what I did, it was never enough for some, but for others, they knew I was the son of Gamal Abdel Nasser, the only true Arab and Muslim leader we've had since Salah-al-Deen, when he claimed the Suez Canal for his people, as I claimed Libya, for my people, it was his footsteps I tried to follow, to keep my people free from colonial domination - from thieves who would steal from us.

Now, I am under attack by the biggest force in military history, my little African son, Obama wants to kill me, to take away the freedom of our country, to take away our free housing, our free medicine, our free education, our free food, and replace it with American style thievery, called "capitalism" ,but all of us in the Third World know what that means, it means corporations run the countries, run the world, and the people suffer.

So, there is no alternative for me, I must make my stand, and if Allah wishes, I shall die by following His path, the path that has made our country rich with farmland, with food and health, and even allowed us to help our African and Arab brothers and sisters.

I do not wish to die, but if it comes to that, to save this land, my people, all the thousands who are all my children, then so be it.

Let this testament be my voice to the world, that I stood up to crusader attacks of NATO, stood up to cruelty, stoop up to betrayal, stood up to the West and its colonialist ambitions, and that I stood with my African brothers, my true Arab and Muslim brothers, as a beacon of light.

When others were building castles, I lived in a modest house, and in a tent. I never forgot my youth in Sirte, I did not spend our national treasury foolishly, and like Salah-al-Deen, our great Muslim leader, who rescued Jerusalem for Islam, I took little for myself...

In the West, some have called me "mad", "crazy", but they know the truth yet continue to lie, they know that our land is independent and free, not in the colonial grip, that my vision, my path, is, and has been clear and for my people and that I will fight to my last breath to keep us free, may Allah almighty help us to remain faithful and free.

-- Mu'ummar Qaddafi.

[Source] -- english.pravda.ru/opinion/column…

Does Criticism Sometimes Hide Envy?

Those who criticise others do not always have noble intentions. Some do it out of envy or to pull others down from above.

We all know that hard work and dedication lead to success. When we succeed, we think everyone will be happy like us. But as soon as you become successful, some become jealous and may try to break your confidence.

If you come across such people, don't let them doubt you. No matter what part of your journey you are, have faith in yourself that you can make it to the top and trust in the higher power that you won’t fall.

Dr. Gautam

HISTORY

Before he became a soldier, Asoro was a sword bearer to Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (who reigned between 1888 and 1897). He was a symbol of strength, courage, and patriotism; qualities that earned him the coveted titled of a General in the Benin Army.

General Asoro is one remarkable historical figure Benin Kingdom will not forget in a hurry. He was one of the most outstanding warriors who fought gallantly during the Benin-British war. He led other warriors in resisting the entry of British invaders in 1897 into Benin City.

"Almost single-handedly, Asoro held the invader at bay for 5 days, defying blazing guns and ploughing maniacally into the enemies midst to deal out death and mutilation among them. Steeped to his back teeth in magic, Asoro would not fall to gun or sabre.

His deadly poisoned arrows and his huge broad-sword hit their marks with devastating accuracy all around. When he fought in the midst of any of the enemy groups,He never left until every man in it bit the dust. Then he moved on. There was only one condition he had to obey to in order to stay alive. It was that he should never looked back over his shoulder.

Asoro fought and fought and fought. Then suddenly he quiver of arrows that hung from his shoulder seemed to have been snatched away. He looked right and left but could not find it. The pressure was on him from all directions. Inadvertently, he looked back on his shoulder and saw Ofoe" which in benin means {the messenger of death}and after days of fight he was finally brought down in the exact location were his statue is located today in modern day benin, which led to the final invasion of the kings square. rumor has it that both ASORO and his counterpart EBE-IKHIMWIN were responsible for the death of more than five thousand British soldiers.

His statement "no other person dare pass this road except the Oba" (So kpon Oba) was later translated to "SAKPONBA", the name of a well-known road in Benin. To commemorate his contribution, his statue was erected at what is now Oba Ovonramwen Square, at the beginning of Sakponba Road, Benin City. According to tradition, that was the very spot Chief Asoro died.

HISTORY

Our ancestors had a profound way of dealing with P.T.S.D. It was believed that after a war when a man had returned from war, before he could be accepted back into society. He had to live with a shaman for 3 months to do some spiritual cleansing.

It was said that after war, the human spirit was off balance and required to undergo some ritual in order to restore it back in harmony with nature and the community. A horn was used to draw out stagnant and dsyfunctional blood to the surface.

This is one of the ritual that was performed on the worriors to cleanse them of any mental illness and trauma that they might experience later on in life after the war.

This process was carried out by Africans long ago before it was allegedly deemed a Chinese invention. It was called "African suction cup," by the colonizers. This is one of the many practices that have been lost due to African s.lavery and colonization.

FROM LUSH GREEN TO A DESERT

Up until about 5000 years ago, as research and archaeology has shown, the Sahara desert in Africa was 'a vast green land of Savannah belts, mahogany trees, acacias, lakes and wildlife.' - Cooper, 2013. 

These conclusions are based on recent scientific researches into the vast desert that occupies about 30 percent of Africa's land mass. The word Sahara was derived from Arabic language, meaning the 'sea of sand' and the African Sahel was known as the 'coast,' during the trans-saharan trade that facilitated the trade in African produce in the Mediterranean. 

Great empires had risen and fallen here in medieval times. Among these was, first, the Ghanah kingdom( from 8th century CE) which pioneered iron smelting after the decline of the previous kingdoms... a decline that archaeological research showed to have been caused by the expanding desert. The Second kingdom which rose to become one of Africa's largest empires was the Mali empire (from the 12th century CE). 

This empire was centred around two great cities of Nani and Timbuktu. Sankore university in Timbuktu was about the third ever university to exist in the world and the city was West Africa's centre of learning and gold merchants, where, according to Ibn Battuta, a 14th century Morocan writer and explorer, who travelled around Africa, Asia and Europa; 'books were more expensive than gold' in Timbuktu. Gold was in abundance in west Africa, but 'books and salt were scarce' and the people often sought after both. 

The Mali empire was described in the TARIKH AL FATASH (the chronicles of the seeker) written in the 14th century CE thus; "Mali encompasses a region of four hundred towns and its soil is extremely rich. Among the kingdoms of the world, only the land of Syria surpasses it. Its inhabitants are rich and live very well." -Al 'bambari.

The third empire to emerge here on the edges of  the desert, on the banks of the Niger river, before the Portuguese arrived in the 15th century, was the Songhai empire; the first King of which was Sunni Ali, whom the chronicles of Timbuktu described as "The Sunni Ali, the model of shameful conduct..." probably because of his ruthlessness and repressive rule. 

This was in medieval times. In Ancient times, the desert encroachments had sent the inhabitants of what became the Sahara desert to the South and to the North-east of Africa, where they would "build the foundation of the civilization of the Pharaohs...." Research showed that, "Seed of Crops found in tombs in Egypt are known to be indigenous to West Africa but not around the nile" -Dr Ivan Van Sertima.

WHY IJEBUS WERE NEVER CAPTURED AS SLAVES

It is on a historical domain that the Ijebus were never captured as slaves, and had never lost a war; except the war they lost to the British Army in 1892. (The great Imagbon or Yemoji war.)

At the time when inter-ethnic wars and slave trade induced conflicts were ravaging the entire nation, and by extension, the West African region, in the pre-colonial era; Ijebus had always remained untouchable, and the few times they had been attacked, their attackers had always met their Waterloo.

The following factors were responsible:

IJEBU BEING A SOVEREIGN NATION:

Ijebu had for about two millenniums of their coexistence in their present settlement, remained a sovereign nation without any allegiance to any other people or reliance on other nations for the survival of any form. Not even the old Oyo Empire, Benin Kingdom and the Dahomey Kingdom existed then. Abeokuta was founded just 200 years ago, Ibadan and many other adjoining cities were founded, afterwards, as a result of resettlement, after various inter-ethnic wars.

But the sovereignty was cut short in 1892 by the British invasion during the reign of Awujale Olasimbo Tunwase.

The Ijebus created their wealth and economy through various agrarian and animal cultivations. Intra-ethnic trade was highly encouraged while external trades were supervised directly by the Awujale.  They had their own money, the cowries, and later fabricated their own coins, called Pandoro which later became a legal tender across Africa and Europe.

THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN:

They created the fear of being supernaturally powerful and invincible amongst other ethnicities. This was made to manifest in their Oriki, hence: Onile ajoji kowo; ajoji t’oba wo ibe lowuro, a di ohun ebo lale. Meaning: Owners of the land where strangers dared not enter; strangers that enter it in the morning will become sacrificial souls in the night.

THE SUMGBO EREDO (RAMPART) FACTOR:

The entire Ijebu land’s Headquarters, Ijebu Ode and environs were encircled with a large and deep rampart, dug about 1,200 years ago. It was dug to prevent any external aggressions, with strategic positioning of garrison commands around the rampart. The rampart was recently acknowledged by the United Nation’s UNESCO as a world heritage site; being one of the largest human efforts on the planet. It has a total length of 160 kilometres.

A COMMON AND UNITED ARMY:

Apart from the guards stationed at the various garrison commands around the rampart, Ijebus had no regular Army, apart from the Olorogun and his assistants.  All able-bodied men, and sometimes, women usually form an Army anytime there was the need for one.  The Olorogun would quickly assemble them for training and instructions. This fact was replicated at the great Imagbon war when women with their babies, strapped to their backs, were seen defending their territory against the British Army. This is always replicated till today, anytime and anywhere they found themselves, regardless of the political divisions that have placed them in other states, mostly in Lagos State. Unity has always been one of their greatest assets.

INTELLIGENCE AND BRAVERY:

The Ijebus are usually very intelligent and brave people. They used these assets to plans and execute war strategies. They manufactured war gears themselves and used all their might to defend their heritage.

SUPERNATURAL POWERS:

They implore their supernatural knowledge, powers and skills to defend themselves. If you like, you may call it juju.

OWNER OF TRADE & EXPORT ZONE FACTOR:

In those days, one of the most important and largest markets and seaports in the West African region was the then great Ejinrin market and seaports. All the captured slaves from above the region would have to be sold and transported from the Ejinrin market and seaports which is located in Ijebu land. Any Ijebu extraction captured in foreign lands would only surrender to their captors, only for them to raise alarm when they brought them through Ijebu land for either sale or exportation, and Awujale would immediately order his or her shackles broken, and freed.

NON PARTICIPATION IN SLAVE-RAIDING VENTURES:

As at the time when other ethnicities were raiding smaller and vulnerable communities for slavery business, the Ijebus did not participate, therefore, nemesis or karma couldn’t be recorded against them.

Conclusively, the Ijebus are very industrious, self-reliant and a very relevant set of people, as far as the histories of Nigeria and Africa are concerned.

The Colonial Administrators of those days saw them as a very intelligent and well-organised set of people. They, therefore, carved a Province for them, Ijebu Province, with the capital in Ijebu Ode. In all, they carved 24 Provincial/Administrative Headquarters out of the then Northern and Southern Protectorates, during the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.

HISTORY

The Kingdom of Benin prospered in western Africa over 900 years ago [the 1200s to the 1800s C.E.]  and later became part of Nigeria. It was being invaded, destroyed, and contaminated by Europoids.

Ancient African Civilization (Sudan)

In the 9th century AD, housing complexes with glass windows, bath rooms and piped water was found mostly in Old Dongola, the capital of Makuria. Archaeologists found evidence of window glass at the Sudanese cities of Old Dongola & Hambukol. 

Sudan in the mediaeval period had churches, cathedrals, monasteries and castles. Their ruins still exist today. Houses discovered here differ in their hitherto unencountered spatial layout as well as functional programme with heating system and interiors decorated with murals.

BABALAWO

People underestimate the level of discipline and mental capacity it takes to be a Babalawo.

To be qualified, you need to commit 4,000 poems to memory, there is no single book that contains all the Odus, this is not inclusive of the Ebos and Etutus.

In addition to that, they have been able to pass down this corpus from generation to generation for over roughly 4,000 years.

A modern computer programmer do not memorise all the functions of a programming language, and there are just 68 of them in Python Programming Language.

The problem here is, we have been brains-washed, and we cannot see the diamond in the rough for what it is. You don’t have to follow Ifa, but give your ancestors some bloody credit.

Open your eyes and decolonise your mind!

Credit @damilare

Aláàfin Abíọ́dún (1770-1789)

Born in the times of turmoil

He made sure he cured the boil

Oyo, the lord of Dahomey, the fear of the Ashanthenes

About to implode, then came the father of Adéyẹmí....

Gaha, the terrible weed, shaking the the West African Rose to its roots....

Abiodun, the gardener, uprooted him and planted peace that soothes

Abiodun, whose son's suns can't be hidden

Àtìbà got crowned king,

'Ládìgbòlù got crowned king,

Adéyẹmí Ọláyíwọlá got crowned king....

Slavery couldn't wash away the lustre, the Atlantic couldn't fade off the glory, Candidão da Fonseca Galvão became king in Brazil

Olúyọ̀lé was one of the greatest in Ibadan history....

When I stopped seeing my king, I got overcome with grief and fear,

The one whose dealing with all was fair.

It will take an eternity to get a king like Abiodun....

A ruthless lion in times of war and scare

A fatherly dove while peace smiles on our markets and square

Abiodun...The sweet lord of Ọ̀yọ́,

Who was there for us in all life's sphere.

•Candidão da Fonseca Galvão became a military leader and revered nobleman with the titles "Dom Ọba II d'Africa" And "O príncipe do povo" [The People's Prince]

(In the picture is Alaafin 'Ladigbolu, son of Alaafin Abíọ́dún Adégoólú)

Written by Akinadé Ọ̀wọ́adé

THE GREAT ZIMBABWE

Great Zimbabwe is the oldest stone building on Earth. The hundreds of similar structures spread across Zimbabwe and northeast South Africa, were built by Black Africans 15,000 years before any stone building was erected in Europe.

When Europeans first saw these they made great efforts to claim they were built by Asiatics. This was the standard view until their unwarranted claim fell apart under inspection.

Upset that they had to reveal that these wonders were built by Africans, the Europeans tried to reduce the date of them and claim they were less than a thousand years old, though there is zero archaeological evidence to support such a recent date.

Stone ruins cannot be dated by the stone alone but require organic material within the stone to date them, such as mortar to bind the stones.

This is why Great Zimbabwe and the Great Pyramids cannot be dated using any archaeological method, they DO NOT use any mortar or organic material in their construction.

The patina that remains on the rock is unreliable because they could derive from recent fires which commonly occur in these areas during dry season.

The best way to date them is to realize that they were mostly built using astronomical alignments.

18,000 years old is actually a very modest date, for according to modern White archaeologists, such as Johane Heine and Tellinger, these southeast African stone castles were built over 100,000 years ago and are the oldest stone buildings on Earth.

PROFESSOR PETER FATOMILOLA

Peter Fatomilola was born on 16th January, 1946 at Ifisin, Ido-Osi, a city in Ekiti state, South-western Nigeria to the family of Late Chief Abraham Ojo and Mrs Elizabeth Fatomilola, being the only child of his mother, though his father had several other children. He had his primary education at The Apostolic Primary School, Iwaro-Oke; he went to the modern school at Ilesa and then Ife City Commercial College in 1968 for his secondary education.

Acting, for him, began when he was in primary school. He used to write short plays and direct his friends who were co-actors with him. When he was at the City College, he collaborated with his house master and established a drama group named Ife City Dramatic Society, and he was further sponsored by the schools principal, Adeyera, who donated a bus to the group. 

Peter Fatomilola and his group went about staging plays such as Oluwa LO Mejoo Da, Agbalowomerii: Baale Jontoro, etc. In the course of these tours, in 1970, Peter came in contact with late Professor Ola Rotimi during a festival at Oranmiyan Local Government where he had won the medal as best actor. Prof Ola Rotimi took interest in him, so Peter began to work with him. After his secondary education, Prof Ola Rotimi enrolled him in his own Theatre group  University of Ife Theatre. Peter Fatomilola worked there for ten years before Ola Rotimi left for Port Harcourt. Peter thereafter worked for Wole Soyinka until his retirement.

He is the son of a Chief Ifa Priest, which was believed to influence his herbalist roles in Nigerian Yoruba Film. Peter Fatomilola is a retired academic staff of Obafemi Awolowo University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1978. He was the first person to act the role of  Papa Ajasco, a lead role in a comedy opera produced by Wale Adenuga. He has featured in several notable Nigerian movies including Sango, an epic African movie scripted by Wale Ogunyemi and produced by Obafemi Lasode.

Peter Fatomilola is currently the Head of Ifa Priests in his town. Just recently, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title in Ile-Ife by the Ooni of Ife. Peter Fatomilola is a proud father of over two dozen children who he has successfully trained in their academic endeavours.

THE AFRICANS WHO CAME TO JAMAICA

The first black slaves brought to Jamaica did not come directly from Africa but were either Africans, or the descendants of Africans, who had been enslaved for a time in Spain after the fall of the Moors. In 1518 King Charles I of Spain (Ferdinand's successor) signed a four-year contract, allowing an annual supply of 4,000 African slaves to enter Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. After that, slaves were taken directly from Africa.

More than 1 million slaves are estimated to have been transported directly from Africa to Jamaica during the period of slavery; of these, 200,000 were re-exported to other places in the Americas.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Akan, Ga, and Adangbe from the northwestern coastal region known as the Gold Coast (Ghana) dominated the slave trade to the island. They frequently rebelled and joined the Maroons who had escaped the plantations and lived in mountains. As result of this, the plantation owners decided to enforce other groups from West Africa in an attempt to diffuse the Akans.

After 1776, slaves were “imported” from other parts of Africa- Ga and Adangbe people from Toga, Yorubas and Igbos from the Bight of Biafra (Nigeria) and Kongos from Central Africa and they outnumbered the slaves from the Gold Coast. The demand for slaves required about 10,000 to be imported annually.

In the British mind, slaves were no more than property and merchandise to be bought and sold. On this premise, the British enacted a whole system of slave laws aimed primarily at policing slaves. In general, the premise that slaves were no more than property allowed slave owners to treat them brutally. The severity of this brutality varied. Slaves on large sugar estates generally suffered the harshest punishments, while those on smaller estates and in towns received somewhat better treatment.

Since their arrival on the island, blacks had resisted their enslavement. They engaged in what is referred to as atomized forms of resistance, such as foot dragging (work slowdowns, or 'go-slows'), destruction of property, theft, absenteeism from work, and the covert murder of the slave masters.. But resistance also took the forms of large-scale rebellions and establishment of maroon communities.

By December 1833 there was a Bill for the abolition of slavery, and it became effective on August 1, 1834. At that time all slaves became apprentices. They remained working for the same slave masters. The system was a failure, and that too was abolished. Slaves received their unrestricted freedom on August 1, 1838.

When Britain abolished the institution of slavery in 1834, Jamaica had a population of more than 311,000 slaves and only about 16,700 whites. Unlike other groups of people who came to Jamaica, including the Jews, Indians, Lebanese / Syrians and Chinese, they had no assets, no property or businesses and most of all, no land.

NATIONAL TROUPE OF NIGERIA

The 2023 train of the National Troupe of Nigeria’s Town and Gown landed in the cold city of Jos on Tuesday 25th April 2023 where students from St. John’s College performed a play to the audience of students, teachers, and special guests. Command Secondary School was the next stop on Wednesday 26th April while the train eventually took a rest today (28th April 2023) after landing at St. Louis College Jos, being the last venue for this round of events.

National Troupe of Nigeria’s Town and Gown was conceptualized to deepen the relationship between universities theatre arts departments and the local communities. The term "gown" represents the academic communities, while "town" represents the local communities. Town and Gown grants opportunities of exposures and relationality to theatre arts students while helping them imbibe social communality at the same time.

This edition of the NTN Town and Gown was a partnership with the department of Theatre and Film Arts of the prestigious University of Jos (UNIJOS) and particularly with 200 level students who have carried out the project in partial fulfillment of their Theatre in Education Course. These students have engaged the three select schools and worked tirelessly with them to create individual plays to educate the audience on various topics which resonates with education, cultural and social values.

When theatre is integrated into the community and involves local people, it can become a powerful tool for building relationships and addressing local issues. By involving local people in the creation and production of theatre, the community can take ownership of the art form and use it as a means of expressing their own concerns and issues.

It was a tripodal and wider working relationship – NTN on one leg, UNIJOS and the secondary schools on other legs. "Town and Gown" is an important relationship which requires ongoing communication and collaboration to ensure a positive and productive partnership between universities and local communities.

HISTORY

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, King Leopold II of Belgium ruled over the Congo Free State as his personal colony. Under his exploitative regime, the Congolese people suffered immensely. King Leopold's primary motive was to extract as much wealth as possible from the Congo.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗕𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗚𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗢𝗞𝗘 - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀?

Ìgbàrà Òkè is an Ekiti dialect speaking town in Ondo state. Sometime in 1959, a man was clearing a piece of land for construction when he stumbled on a collection of rocks on a patch. On a closer look, he noticed that one in particular bore strange marks and carvings on its surface. Astounded by what he had just discovered, he rushed to inform the then Oba, who also promptly notified authorities at the Ife National Museum and the Ooni of Ife.

By March 1963 the federal government, through the Federal Antiquities Department, declared the site a national monument. It has since been known and referred to as Igbara-Oke Petroglyphs.

In simple terms, petroglyphs are ancients markings or drawings on a rock surface or in caves and they are found around the world. As at the time of writing, information reaching us is that the site has been grossly neglected and is even overgrown with bush.

Note that the Igbara Oke petroglyphs and the 'Iho Eleeru' fossil site, location of oldest human fossil record in Western Africa are not very far off from each other. In fact, both are sites in the same local government area, Ifedore.

What could the markings and depictions on these rocks mean? Were our ancestors trying to immortalize an idea, event or information in stone? What information do the pictograms carry? There are a thousand and one questions that could be asked about the occurrence of these etchings in stone.

Credit: Yoruba Intelligence Network

Battle between the knights of Bornu and the Bulala, Kanem, Chad

Under Mai Idris Katakarmabe (r. 1507–1529) of the Sefuwa or Sayfawa Dynasty, the forces of Bornu reconquered their ancestral homeland of Kanem from the Bulala (or Bilala), defeating the Bulala King Dunama ibn Salma at the battle of Garni Kiyala, and entering the abandoned capital of Njimi 122 years after first being expelled from it. The Bornu conquest was further consolidated at the battle of Jugulgul.

“Fierce horsemen of Bornu. Arrayed in armor like medieval European knights, the cavalrymen of Bornu terrorized the central Sudan for more than 200 years, attacking in close formation to the shrill sound of long war trumpets. As early as the 16th century, Europeans had heard about Bornu’s yearly marches against weaker neighbors such as the Bulala (below). When British explorers finally entered the kingdom in 1823, they expected to disprove these myths. To their surprise, they discovered that the Negro knights, according to the British report, “were habited in coats of mail composed of iron chain, which covered them from the throat to the knees,” and their richly caparisoned horses moved “with great precision and expertness” through intricate maneuvers. Even the greeting given to the British combined a strange kind of knightly courtesy with defiant pride. 

The horsemen rushed at the Europeans again and again in a series of mock charges, shouting “Welcome!” -a gesture, wrote the explorers, which gave “the compliment… very much the appearance of a declaration of contempt for [our] weakness.”

- "African Kingdoms" by Basil Davidson

HISTORY

Trade with the Near East and Europe led to strong mercantile empires growing such as the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum. Various states and polities also developed in West Africa including Ife, the Kingdom of Benin, Igbo Ukwu, Djenné-Djenno, Ghana Empire, Bono State and the Ashanti Empire. 

Bantu peoples in southern Africa built the impressive site of Great Zimbabwe between the 10th and 15th centuries CE. The north of the continent had close cultural and economic ties with the Classical and medieval Mediterranean. Cattle herding became important in the Horn of Africa and huge earthwork enclosures were built to corral the animals. 

The people of Christian Ethiopia produced impressive rock-cut monolithic churches such as that of St George at Lalibela during the 13th century and the first Portuguese forts appeared soon after this, penetrating as far south as Zambia.

TRUE ORIGIN OF YORUBA PEOPLE

Did Yorubas originate from Ancient Egypt?

According to Samuel Johnson's book "The History of the Yorubas from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate" published in 1921, there is strong evidence to suggest that the Yorubas originated from the East. Their habits, manners, customs, and other cultural aspects all support this theory.

Furthermore, Johnson ;a renowned historian argues that the Yorubas emigrated from Upper Egypt to Ife, which is supported by the existence of sculptures known as the "Ife Marbles." These sculptures, attributed to the early ancestors of the Yoruba people, exhibit Egyptian characteristics and can still be observed in Ife.

In addition to cultural and archaeological evidence, linguistic similarities between the Yoruba and ancient Egyptian languages also provide support for a connection between the two peoples. According to Ferdinand de Saussure, linguistic evidence is a reliable indicator of cultural contact between different groups. The Yoruboid (Yoruba) people, as claimed by Saussure in his book "The General History of Africa" (1972), were one of the largest inhabitants of Egypt. By examining the ancient Egyptian language and comparing it to Yoruba, more than 500 vocabularies can be deduced, excluding Greco-Roman and Arab influences.

Over 1,000 ancient Egyptian words are found in Igbo language and are still in use today. Ancient Igbo people are the ancestors of ancient Egyptians.

Here are a few examples of linguistic similarities between ancient Egyptian words and their corresponding Yoruba counterparts:

Wu (Rise) - Wu (Rise)

Ere (Python) - Ere (Python)

Horise (a great god) - Orise (a great god)

Ged (to chant) - Igede/Ogede (chant)

Sueq (a fool) - Suegbe (a fool)

Ta (sell) - Ta (sell or offer)

Enru (fear) - Eru (fear)

Kun or gun (brave) - Ekun (brave)

Ma or mi (to breathe) - Mi (to breathe)...

Khu (to kill) - Ku (die)

Hika (evil) - Ika (evil)

Edjo (cobra) - Ejo (snakes)

Horiwo (head) - Oriwo (head)

AK (male) - Ako (male)

Mu (water) - Mu (drink water)

Do (river) - Odo (river)

Aru (mouth) - Arun (mouth) (Ilaje dialect)

Ash (invocation) - Ase (invocation)

Po (many) - Po (many/cheap)

Budo (dwelling place) - Bu do (dwelling place)

These linguistic resemblances further support the notion that Yoruba words bear similarities to ancient Egyptian words and provide further support for the historical and cultural connections between the Yoruba people and ancient Egypt.

 Scholars have also noted that certain Yoruba subgroups from the eastern region, such as the Itsekiri, Ilaje, Ijebu, and Onoara, exhibit a closer linguistic connection to Egypt than the groups from Oyo or Ife. These eastern blocs can be seen as phonetic variations of the more fluid Yoruba language spoken in Oyo.

For instance, Bolaji Idowu suggests that the word "Oritese" originated from the Itsekiri-Owo axis within the eastern Yoruba kingdom. This word "Oritese" closely resembles the Egyptian term "Horise," both of which referred to significant water deities before evolving into celestial or heavenly divinities. Furthermore, both words share the same etymological origins, as "Hori" or "Ori" means "head" in both Yoruba and Egyptian cultures.

The abundance of these linguistic similarities cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence, indicating a historical connection between the Yoruba and Egyptians.

Exploring Artistic Legacies: A Comparative Study of Yoruba and Ancient Egyptian Creativity

The Yoruba people are renowned for their rich artistic heritage, which encompasses various forms of visual and performing arts. Their artistic creativity is deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual beliefs, serving as a means of expression, communication, and preservation of their history and traditions. When comparing the artistic standards of the Yoruba with ancient Egypt, both civilizations demonstrate remarkable achievements in the field of art.

One notable aspect of Yoruba artistic creativity is their mastery of sculpting and carving. The Yoruba are renowned for their intricate woodcarvings, stone sculptures, and bronze castings. These artworks often depict human figures, deities, and mythical creatures, displaying a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Yoruba sculptures are characterized by their realistic and expressive features, capturing the essence of the subject matter.

Similarly, ancient Egypt holds a significant place in the history of art, particularly for its monumental sculptures and elaborate tomb paintings. Egyptian art emphasized formalism and idealized representations, often portraying pharaohs, gods, and goddesses. The sculptures, such as the iconic Great Sphinx and colossal statues of pharaohs, exemplify the Egyptians' skill in stone carving and their ability to create grand and awe-inspiring artworks.

In terms of artistic standards, both the Yoruba and ancient Egyptians demonstrate a high level of technical expertise and a sophisticated understanding of aesthetics. Both civilizations valued the representation of the human form, striving for accuracy and symbolism in their artistic creations. Moreover, both cultures employed art as a means of expressing religious beliefs, with sculptures and paintings serving as conduits for spiritual worship and storytelling.

While there are similarities in artistic standards, it is important to note some distinctive characteristics of Yoruba art. The Yoruba place great importance on the spiritual and ritual significance of their artworks. Sculptures and masks are often used in religious ceremonies and festivals to connect with deities and ancestors. Additionally, Yoruba art is renowned for its use of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolism, which reflect the cosmology and mythology of the Yoruba worldview.

On the other hand, ancient Egyptian art, while also imbued with religious symbolism, was more focused on permanence and the afterlife. Egyptian tomb paintings, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and elaborate burial rituals served to ensure the deceased's journey to the afterlife and eternal preservation.

Indeed, the artistic creativity of the Yoruba people is notable for its diverse forms, technical mastery, and spiritual significance. When compared to the artistic standards of ancient Egypt, both civilizations display exceptional achievements in art, particularly in sculpture and representation of the human form. While sharing similarities in technical skill and religious symbolism, the Yoruba art stands out with its emphasis on vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and cultural significance. The artistic heritage of both the Yoruba and ancient Egyptians continues to captivate and inspire people around the world, showcasing the enduring power of human creativity.

By BLACK TRUTH

THE DAHOMEY AMAZONS

The Dahomey Amazons or Mino were a Fon of all Female Army Regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey in present Day BENIN 🇧🇯 !!!

The Mino were established in the 17th Century by King Houegbadja and Lasted until the 19th Century!!!

Dahomey Amazons are the only all female Front Line Combat Arms Military unit in modern History!!

They were formed in the 1600's and were called 'Mino"meaning our MUMS.

The Word Mino Sounds a Lil Bit Like a (LUO) such that in Luo They say 'minewa' For our MUMS.

Despite Having Ended in the 1900's,They Are believed to have inspired the Dora milaje unit of the (Black Panther Movie and also the Woman King).