Wednesday, 31 July 2024

African Kingdom whose currency was minted in gold and silver

Aksumite currency was coinage produced and used within the Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum) centered in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its mintages were issued and circulated from the reign of King Endubis around AD 270 until it began its decline in the first half of the 7th century. During the succeeding medieval period, Mogadishu currency, minted by the Sultanate of Mogadishu, was the most widely circulated currency in the Horn of Africa.

Aksum's currency served as a vessel of propaganda demonstrating the kingdom's wealth and promoting the national religion (first polytheistic and later Oriental Christianity). It also facilitated the Red Sea trade on which it thrived.

Though Aksumite coins are indigenous in design and creation, some outside influences encouraging the use of coins is undeniable. By the time coins were first minted in Aksum, there was widespread trade with Romans on the Red Sea; Kushana or Persian influence also cannot be ruled out. Roman, Himyarite, and Kushana coins have all been found in major Aksumite cities, however, only very small quantities have been attested and the circulation of foreign currency seems to have been limited.

Though South Arabian kingdoms had also minted coins, they had already gone out of use by the time of certain Aksumite involvement in South Arabia under GDRT, and only very rarely produced electrum or gold denominations (silver mainly in Saba' and Himyar, while bronze in Hadhramaut), making influence unlikely. The major impetus, however, was not emulation but economical; the Red Sea and its coasts had always been an international trade area and coins would greatly facilitate trade and wealth in the now "world power."

#Africa #Afrique #Black

African American Inventor: MARY KENNER (1912-2006)

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner is an inventor of numerous products we use today and has the most patents of any African American woman. Kenner was born on May 17, 1912, in Monroe, North Carolina. Her father was inventor Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, and her mother is unknown to the public records; she has one sibling, her sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith.

Kenner patented multiple inventions in her ’40s, however, she began inventing at age six when she attempted to invent a self-oiling door hinge. Invention ran in the family. Her maternal grandfather Robert Phromeberger’s most notable inventions were a tricolor light signal for trains and a stretcher with wheels for ambulances. In 1914, her father patented a clothes presser that could fit in a suitcase. In 1980, her sister invented “Family Treedition,” a family board game.

Mary Kenner had many ideas as a child, including a convertible roof that would go over the folding rumble seat of the car, a sponge tip at the end of an umbrella that would soak up rainwater, and a portable ashtray that would attach itself to a cigarette pack. When her family moved to Washington D.C. in 1924, she walked the halls of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to become familiar with the building and the patent process.

In 1931, Kenner graduated from Dunbar High School and started attending Howard University but dropped out after a year and a half for financial reasons. She then took multiple odd jobs, and in 1941, she became a federal employee, remaining there during the rest of the decade. In 1950, she became a professional florist and ran her flower shop into the 1970s while inventing things in her spare time.

Kenner’s first patent was in 1957 for the sanitary belt. While she originally invented the sanitary belt in the 1920s, she couldn’t afford a patent. Over time she improved her earlier version and other versions that were patented before hers. The sanitary belt aimed to prevent the leakage of menstrual blood on clothing, which was a common problem for women at the time.

The Sonn-Nap-Pack Company got word of this invention in 1957 and contacted her intending to market her invention, however when they discovered that she was Black, they declined. Beltless pads were invented in the 1970s and, as tampons became more popular, women stopped using sanitary belts.

In 1976 Kenner patented an attachment for a walker or wheelchair that included a hard-surfaced tray and a soft pocket for carrying items. She and her sister invented a toilet paper holder they patented in 1982. Her final patent, granted on September 29, 1987, was for a mounted back washer and massager.

Mary Davison Kenner married James “Jabbo” Kenner in 1951. He died in 1983. They were foster parents and adopted Woodrow, one of their five foster kids. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner died on January 13, 2006, in Washington D.C. at the age of 93.

Kenner didn’t receive any awards or formal recognition for her work. However, her inventions and contributions helped pave the way for subsequent innovations. Kenner still holds the record (five) for the greatest number of patents awarded a Black woman by the U.S. government.

Why the depreciation of Naira causes increasing goods prices

The depreciation of the Naira, Nigeria's currency, has multifaceted consequences. Imported goods become more expensive, leading to higher inflation and reduced purchasing power for consumers. Businesses reliant on imported materials face increased costs, potentially driving up prices or reducing profit margins. Foreign debt servicing becomes more burdensome, straining government finances. The depreciation may also deter foreign investment, as returns in local currency diminish. Conversely, exports might become more competitive globally, potentially boosting local industries. However, overall economic instability can result, impacting economic growth and exacerbating poverty and unemployment, thereby creating a complex cycle of economic challenges.

African American Inventor Benjamin Thornton 1935

The answering machine is arguably the greatest asset to modern communication of the last century. While the telephone was important, one would have to be near it in order to receive and send vital messages.

The answering machine changed all of that. With this incredible invention, you could receive communications regardless of whether you took the call first hand or not, and information could be distributed far more effectively. 

It is almost inconceivable to imagine a world without answering machines. We have all experienced the elation of good news, or the heartbreak of a breakup message. And all of this positivity comes down to the invention, an African American inventor who literally changed the way in which we communicate.

It was 1935, and the telephone had changed the way in which people communicated, did business, and thought about the world. There was one major shortcoming though – telephone owners would have to wait around for calls, and missed calls were permanently lost.

Benjamin Thornton recognized this problem, and patented a recording system that allowed people to leave the kind of messages that we all do to this very day. Thanks to the inclusion of a recording device, the caller could leave a message for the phone owner, who could then play the message back, return a call, or jot down the information. It was really a revolution. But Thornton wasn’t done yet.

The etiquette around leaving voice messages had not been developed, and novice phone owners often forgot to give complete messages in their haste and excitement.

For example, an urgent message could be left, but if the speaker did not include a time or date, the urgency would be lost, and the message would be rendered ineffective. To stop this from happening, Thornton included a clock mechanism that would alert people to the time that the missed call was made, and the message left.

The test of invention is in the ability to endure, and the contribution of Thornton is the epitome of this quality. This is a phenomenal concept that we would never survive without.

Thank you Benjamin Thornton!

HISTORY LESSON

Okada Air was Nigeria's first private airline. It was started in 1983 by Sir Gabriel Igbinedion and stopped operating in 1997. 

The airline's logo was the Queen Idia mask. Okada Air flew to 9 airports in Nigeria and was one of the biggest airlines in Africa. In 1992, it was allowed to fly internationally. At one point, it even used a big Boeing 747 plane for special flights around the world, including across the Pacific Ocean. 


Every year, it took people on pilgrimages to the Holy Lands. Although the airline grew, it eventually shut down in 1997.

Photo: MyAfrik

STORYTIME

An anthropologist showed a game to the children of an African tribe ...

He placed a basket of delicious fruits near a tree trunk and told them: The first child to reach the tree will get the basket including  the fruits. When he gave them the start signal, he was surprised that they were walking together, holding hands until they reached the tree and shared the fruit!

When he asked them why you did that when every one of you could get the basket only for him!

They answered with astonishment: Ubuntu

"That is, how can one of us be happy while the rest are miserable?"

Ubuntu in their civilization means: (I am because we are).

That tribe knows the secret of happiness that has been lost in all societies that consider themselves civilized societies ... !!

#Africa

TEACHING MOMENT: Colonial rule of European regions and time spent by European regions under foreign rule

If Africans and Europeans don’t look at world history with balance and perspective, it sometimes creates deeply held myths, misinformation, uneducated inferiority complexes and uneducated superior complexes. One myth is that African regions have been perpetually behind, and always colonised; while European countries always won every military campaign they undertook and were never colonised. Some Africans believe this, Some Europeans, some Indians, some Chinese and some Americans. It depends on how much facts each individual was exposed to and also what they choose to believe in the face of evidence.

Romans:

This is how long some European regions were a colony of Rome, listed in alphabetical order:

* Albania - approx. 450 years

* Austria - approx. 400 years

* Belgium - approx. 500 years

* Bosnia - approx. 400 years

* Bulgaria - approx. 400 years

* Croatia - approx. 400 years

* Czech Republic - N/A

* England - approx. 400 years

* Greece - approx. 600 years

* Hungary - approx. 400 years

* Macedonia - approx. 500 years

* Moldova - approx. 200 years

* Netherlands - approx. 400 years

* Portugal - approx. 600 years

* Romania - approx. 200 years

* Serbia - approx. 400 years

* Slovakia - approx. 400 years

* Slovenia - approx. 400 years

* Spain - approx. 600 years

* Sardinia - approx. 700 years

* Switzerland - approx. 500 years

* Turkey - over a thousand years

* Wales - approx. 400 years

Note: The durations mentioned here are approximate and may vary depending on specific historical events and transitions.

Byzantine empire:

Time as a territory of Byzantium or under influence from the Byzantine Empire, listed in alphabetical order:

* Albania - approx. 500 years

* Bosnia - under influence for 900 years

* Bulgaria - several centuries

* Croatia - alternated between periods of Byztantine influence, independence, and Hungarian influence for 900 years.

* Greece - approx. 1,000 years

* Macedonia - approx. 1,000 years

* Moldova - alternated between periods of Byztantine influence, independence, Mongol influence, and Hungarian influence for 900 years.

* Romania - several centuries

* Serbia - several centuries

* Sardinia - approx. 2 centuries

The durations mentioned here are approximate; it’s all just a rough guide. Some regions had direct Byzantine rule, others had varying degrees of influence, interaction, or conflicts with the Byzantine Empire.

Visigothic kingdom: Portugal and Spain were under the Visigoths.

* Portugal: Portugal, known as Lusitania during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of the Visigothic Kingdom before the Muslim conquest and later became an independent kingdom.

* Spain: Spain, known as Hispania during Byzantine times, had limited Byzantine influence in certain regions, particularly in the southeast. Byzantine presence in Spain was primarily through military expeditions and attempts to regain control from the Visigoths, but it did not establish long-term Byzantine rule in the region.

Anglo Saxons:

* England: England, known as Britannia during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and later the Kingdom of England.

* Wales: Wales, known as Britannia during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and later the Kingdom of Gwynedd.

Avar Khaganate:

Hungary: The region corresponding to present-day Hungary, known as Pannonia during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of the Avar Khaganate, the Kingdom of Hungary, and later the Habsburg Monarchy.

Kingdom of Croatia

* Bosnia: The area of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, known as Bosnia during Byzantine times, came under Byzantine influence in the 6th century CE. However, it experienced frequent shifts in control between the Byzantines and various other powers, including the Kingdom of Croatia. Bosnia fell under Ottoman control in the late 15th century, ending Byzantine influence in the region.

* Croatia: Croatia, known as Dalmatia during Byzantine times, came under Byzantine rule in the 6th century CE. However, Byzantine control over Croatia was limited, and the region experienced a complex political landscape, including periods of independence, Croatian kingship, and Hungarian influence.

Carolingian Empire/ Holy Roman Empire

* Belgium: Known as the Low Countries, including Flanders, it was part of various Frankish kingdoms and later the Holy Roman Empire.

* Netherlands: Known as Frisia during Byzantine times, it was part of various Frankish kingdoms and later the Holy Roman Empire.

* Slovenia: Known as Carantania during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of the Carolingian Empire and later the Holy Roman Empire.

* Switzerland: The region corresponding to present-day Switzerland, known as Raetia during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of various Germanic tribes and later the Holy Roman Empire.

Ostrogoth:

Austria: The region corresponding to present-day Austria, known as Noricum during Byzantine times, was not directly under Byzantine rule. It was part of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, Lombard Kingdom, and later the Carolingian Empire.

Morovian empire: Czech Republic and Slovakia, were a part of the Great Moravian Empire and later the Kingdom of Hungary.

Ottoman rule:

* Albania: approx. 527 years

* Bosnia and Herzegovina: approx. 415 years

* Bulgaria: approx. 482 years

* Croatia: approx. 173 years

* Cyprus: approx. 307 years

* Greece: approx. 377 years

* Hungary: N/A (experienced Ottoman invasions and control)

* Kosovo: approx. 457 years

* North Macedonia: approx. 520 years

* Moldova: approx. 328 years

* Montenegro: approx. 382 years

* Romania: Various periods of Ottoman influence and control

* Serbia: approx. 345 years

* Slovenia: N/A (experienced Ottoman incursions and influence).

Mongol rule:

The Mongol Empire had a significant impact on Europe after its expansion in the 13th century. The Mongol Empire did not establish long-term colonies in the traditional sense. Despite this, some parts of Europe came under Mongol rule or influence during this period. The Mongols ruled Russia for 240 years from 1240 to 1480. Russia has had various historic names: Kievan Rus, Novgorod Republic, Vladimir-Suzdal. The Mongol Empire established the Golden Horde, a successor state in the region, which exerted control over various Russian principalities. Mongol rule in Russia, known as the Mongol Yoke, lasted for over two centuries, from 1240 to 1480.

The Mongols ruled Belarus (Historic names: Principality of Polotsk) for 1 year from 1240 to 1241; Hungary for 1 from 1241 to 1242; Lithuania (Historic names: Grand Duchy of Lithuania) for 5 years from 1258 to 1263 and Poland for 1 year (1240-1241).

Mongol Empire was primarily centered in Asia and its rule over European territories was relatively short-lived. The Mongols focused more on conquest and establishing tributary relationships rather than long-term colonization. Therefore, the impact and duration of Mongol rule in Europe were limited compared to other empires like the Ottoman Empire.

It is essential to learn world history to gain perspective on the general experience of all humans, and also to debunk errors of thinking.

On "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo"

Let me narrate the story to those who don't understand the Igbo language, because I have seen people finding it hard to pronounce "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo," let alone understand the meaning. Before I start the full story, here is the meaning of "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo": it simply represents the sound of an elephant's footsteps.

Let me remind you that the title of the song is "Ka esi ree onye isi oche" (how the chairman was sold).

The story starts with a king in the animal kingdom who has a daughter. She has been rejecting suitors who ask for her hand in marriage. She has rejected more than a hundred handsome men. Her father, the king, became worried and invited all his family and cabinet members. He told them to ask his daughter why she kept rejecting the men who came to marry her. They asked the king's daughter, and she said that anyone who wants to marry her must bring an elephant.

The king told his guards to inform all the young men who wanted to marry his daughter that they must bring an elephant to qualify.

When the tortoise heard the news, he went to the elephant's house and told him that the king asked him to inform him that he would be his chairman in his upcoming Ofala festival. The elephant was so happy, and the tortoise told him that the festival would be the next day and that they would go together.

As the elephant and the tortoise started their journey to the king's Ofala festival, the tortoise was too slow, which made the elephant complain that by the time they arrived at the king's palace, the ceremony would be over. The tortoise asked the elephant to allow him to climb onto his back so that he could walk faster and they would arrive on time. The elephant agreed and told him to climb onto his back so they could meet up.

As the tortoise climbed onto his back and the elephant started the journey, the tortoise pretended as if he was about to fall off. The elephant asked him to hold on well so that he wouldn't fall. The tortoise told him that his hands were too small to hold on well unless he used the rope he had to tie around the elephant's neck so he could hold onto the rope instead. The elephant agreed, as he only wanted to arrive at the Ofala festival on time. The tortoise then tied the elephant with a rope and started singing, "King, I have brought the elephant!"

The elephant immediately asked the tortoise, "Who did you say you have brought?" The tortoise told him that he was saying he had come to the occasion with the elephant, but it sounded as if he said he had brought the elephant. The tortoise told the elephant to keep going and that he was with him. The elephant continued, and his heavy steps sounded like "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo."

When they arrived at the king's palace, the tortoise told the elephant to wait outside while he went inside to inform the king that they had arrived. The elephant agreed. However, the tortoise told the elephant that he didn't trust him and that he might leave before he came back. So, he tied the elephant to a tree in front of the king's palace.

Then the tortoise raised his voice once again, informing the king that he had brought the elephant so that he could marry his daughter. When the king came out, he saw the elephant tied up in front of his palace. The king then handed over his daughter to the tortoise.

This is the story that the lovely song by Mike Ejeagha narrates: "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo."

Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Beautifully Albino: Albinoism Explained

Dark skin is primarily influenced by the production and distribution of eumelanin, a dark pigment, by melanocytes. Tyrosinase, an enzyme crucial for melanin synthesis, plays a key role in this process. According to research, individuals with dark skin have higher levels of active tyrosinase, resulting in increased production of eumelanin [1].

Light skin, on the other hand, is characterized by reduced levels of eumelanin and higher levels of pheomelanin, a lighter pigment. This is attributed to lower tyrosinase activity, leading to decreased eumelanin production. Pheomelanin is less effective at protecting against UV radiation, hence individuals with light skin are more susceptible to sun damage [2].

Albinism is a genetic condition caused by various mutations that affect the genes involved in melanin production, including the tyrosinase gene. It is associated with high levels of tyrosinase inhibitors. These mutations can lead to a partial or complete absence of melanin, resulting in little to no pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes [3].

Albinos are therefore not the ancestors of white people. Having high levels of tyrosinase inhibitors produces the light skin tone but the cause of albinoism is different to the reason for other “white” skin tones.

Determining the exact timeline of when white skin first emerged is challenging due to limited scientific evidence. The emergence of lighter skin tones is believed to have occurred gradually over tens of thousands of years as human populations migrated and settled in different regions. It is estimated that white skin pigmentation began to emerge in Central Europe around 8,000 to 6,000 BCE. The spread of lighter skin to Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa likely followed, but the specific timing and extent of this process can vary based on population dynamics, migration patterns, and natural selection pressures [4].

According to specialist scientists, the knowledge of the genetics of skin tones in Africa is less mature than the knowledge of the genetics of skin tones in Europe. This is due to academics having dedicated a higher volume of research to European specimens. Scientists have found that genes which they thought are only present in “white Europeans” and which they thought were indicators of “whiteness” exist in some black Africans too. [5]

African Albinos are beautiful Africans; they are not cursed. There are also albinos in Europe, Asia such as fashion model Connie Chiu and America. It is just caused by being born with high levels of tyrosinase inhibitor.

References:

[1] Jablonski, N. G. (2004). The evolution of human skin and skin color. Annual Review of Anthropology, 33, 585-623.

[2] Rees, J. L. (2003). Genetics of hair and skin color. Annual Review of Genetics, 37, 67-90.

[3] Oetting, W. S., & King, R. A. (1999). Molecular basis of albinism: mutations and polymorphisms of pigmentation genes associated with albinism. Human Mutation, 13(2), 99-115.

[4] Beleza, S., Santos, A. M., McEvoy, B., Alves, I., Martinho, C., Cameron, E., ... & Rocha, J. (2013). The timing of pigmentation lightening in Europeans. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 30(1), 24-35.

[5] Ed Yong (2017). The Ancient Origins of Both Light and Dark Skin: A study of diverse people from Africa shows that the genetic story of our skin is more complicated than previously thought. The Atlantic Magazine. Published 12 October 2017. Last accessed 23 May 2023.

BLACK HISTORY

Paulette Nardal was one of the founders of the Negritude intellectual movement. Nardal was born on October 12, 1896 in Saint-Pierre, Martinique, to Paul Nardal, the first black engineer in public works on the island, and Louise (Achille) Nardal. Paulette was the eldest of seven sisters.

After her studies in Martinique, Paulette arrived in Paris (France) in 1920 and became the first Black student from Martinique at La Sorbonne University. As a student, Paulette Nardal regularly attended Le Bal Nègre, a dancing and jazz club where black people gathered which allowed her to remain connected to both the Black Diaspora and Africa. At the end of her studies, Paulette Nardal presented a dissertation on Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom's cabin.

This work introduced her to the intellectual struggle of black people in the United States.

Paulette was later joined later in Paris by her sisters Jane and AndrΓ©e. Jane (or Jeanne) Nardal, was the fourth among the seven sisters.  She studied literature at La Sorbonne University, was interested in Negro Spiritual songs and contributed to their spread in Martinique. AndrΓ©e was also interested in music and was a pianist.

In 1929, the three Nardal sisters opened a Paris salon called Le Salon de Clamart. This salon was also a gathering place where black intellectuals met, networked, and reflected on black peoples’ condition, which was dominated at that time by colonialism in Africa and racial discrimination in the United States and the West Indies.

Jean-Price Mars, RenΓ© Maran, Marian Anderson, and Marcus Garvey were among the many black intellectuals and artists who visited the salon. The visitors also included AimΓ© CΓ©saire, LΓ©opold SΓ©dar Senghor, and LΓ©on Gontran Damas, who are considered the founders of the Negritude movement.  Historians now however credit Le Salon de Clamart as creating the intellectual environment that produced the major ideas related to the concept of Negritude and the subsequent Negritude movement. The Nardal sisters, for example, used the salon to create the intellectual review journal La revue du monde noir (The Review of the Black World). Although the review lasted only one year, Paulette became known for her articles, which explored the condition of black women throughout the diaspora.

Paulette was crippled at the beginning of World War II in 1941 when the ship she was traveling on from Martinique to France was attacked by a German warship. During the war, she actively participated in the French resistance to German occupation.  She also created another salon as well as the feminist intellectual review La femme dans la citΓ© (The Woman in the City).

In the post-World War II period, Paulette Nadal was nominated as a delegate to the United Nations in 1946.  She worked in the Division of Non-Self Governing Territories. She returned to Martinique in 1948, and in the 1950s and 1960s, she supported Dr. Martin Luther King’s campaign for civil rights in the United States.  Paulette Nadal, who never married, died in Fort-de-France, Martinique on February 16, 1985. She was 88.

#history #africanhistory #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackhistorybooks #afroamerican #afrohistory #afroamericanhistory

HISTORY LESSON

“Black slaves in America were divided into two groups: those who served in homes and those who were treating the country.

Slaves farmers lived in great humiliation and extremely inhumane conditions, while slaves of household servants considered themselves a ′′ higher ′′ class of slaves, because they had the privilege of eating leftovers behind their white masters, using their old clothes and not doing heavy physical jobs ...

Whenever slaves farmers would unite to liberate slavery, they would be opposed by declaring their white masters information about preparations and details of rebellion. That's how slaves farmers would be severely punished and lose hope to achieve their dream of freedom.

The slaves of the house servants did not give their brothers away with some special purpose or meaning, but only because the remains of food and crushed clothes were more valuable than freedom.

The greatest enemy of freedom is not the emperor, neither the slave owner, nor the slave chase. The greatest enemy of freedom is a happy slave.”

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

HISTORY LESSON

The Sahelian kingdoms were a series of centralized kingdoms or empires that were centered on the Sahel, the area of grasslands south of the Sahara, from the 8th century to the 19th. The wealth of the states came from controlling the trade routes across the desert. 

Their power came from having large pack animals like camels and horses that were fast enough to keep a large empire under central control and were also useful in warfare and trade.

There were integrated kingdoms and empires, with substantial cities and significant towns; and less organised territories with large scattered populations. 

People practised agriculture, stock-rearing, hunting, fishing, and craftsmanship such as metalworking, textiles and ceramics. They navigated along rivers and across lakes, traded over short and long distances, and used their own currencies.

The three most powerful and famous empires were Ghana, Mali and Songhai which collectively dominated the Trans Saharan Trade for over nine centuries. The Sahel also saw more extensive use of armor than anywhere else in Sub Saharan Africa.

They had infantry but their military strength came from their cavalry who wore full body gambesons, leather jerkins and chainmail. They also had similar armors for their horses.

There was an attempt to experiment with plate armor like the ones used by the Kanem Bornu Empire.But the hot climate made it ineffective for it to be fully adopted. 

#Afrique #Black #Africa

Friday, 19 July 2024

HISTORY LESSON

Before 1913, Blacks owned the majority of land in South Africa. Black  farmers were outproducind their White counterparts. Black South Africans were so wealthy that they  were even sending economic aid to White workers in England. All that changed in 1913 when Whites purposefully engineered Black poverty to turn Black people into a cheap labor force for mining companies & to allow White farmers who couldn't compete to take over agriculture in South Africa. Whites can't compete on a level playing field. They have to steal land & labor. This narrative that Whites discovered an uninhabited land & built it from scratch is revisionist bs. All the land & wealth of South Africa was stolen from the Black population.

Ancient symbols - the Bull’s Tail Whip

The bull tail whip, or fly-whisk, carried by leaders in ancient times, particularly in African cultures, symbolized authority, power, and protection. In ancient Egypt, pharaohs and high-ranking officials were often depicted with fly-whisks, which were used not only as practical tools to swat away flies but also as ceremonial symbols of their leadership and divine right to rule. The bull tail, associated with strength and fertility, further emphasized the leader's connection to powerful deities and their role as the protector and provider for their people. This practice highlighted the leader's elevated status and their responsibility to maintain order and prosperity.

In this picture, the bull tail whips hanging from King Den’s waist.

You’re looking at 8 miles and 12,000 years of Amazonian art

Hidden in the Amazon rainforest is an 8-mile art canvas, covering over 12,600 years of ice age rock carvings.

The amazingly well-preserved work of art depicts mastodonts, giant sloths and other extinct animals.

The rocks captures information about thousands of men and animals who have not roamed the continent for at least 12,000 years.

The discovery was made by a team of archaeologists in the Chiribiquete National Park in 2019, but it was kept secret for months to allow for the area to be fully secured.

Experts believe that the vastness of painting is such that it will take several generations to study them all.

The discovery was significant not only because of its age but also due to the well-preserved state of the artwork, which offers valuable insights into the prehistoric life and environment of the Amazon. It indeed took some time for the findings to be publicly announced, partly to ensure the protection and preservation of the site. The vastness and richness of the paintings suggest that it will take several generations of study to fully understand their context and significance.

World History, and the history of the accomplishments of mankind is far more interesting than anything you have been told.

There are probably lots of “tourist attractions” in Africa too that we haven’t found yet, which will create jobs. Never look down on yourself.

HISTORY LESSON

This is what the French said about SAMORY TOURE (specifically what one of the French officers said about Samory Toure). “It is not an exaggeration to say he showed himself superior to all negro chiefs. He was the one who gave proof of those characteristics of a chief: the strategist, a politician, an outstanding leader of men, possessing audacity, energy, the ability to follow up an advantage, and plan in advance, and above all a tenancity which could not be destroyed.”

Al-Mami (meaning “the leader”) Samory Toure was an outstanding West African ruler, who used alliances, supply chain management, and local weapons manufacturing to fight the French invasion, coming out from the French bases in Senegal. He got the 300-400 blacksmiths to create copies of European firearms. He is therefore unique for attempting to create a gun-manufacturing factory.

Samory Toure (c. 1828 – June 2, 1900), also known as Samori Toure, Samory TourΓ©, or Almamy Samore Lafiya Toure, was a Mandinka Muslim cleric, military strategist, and founder of the Wassoulou Empire, an Islamic empire that was stretched across present-day north and eastern Guinea, north-eastern Sierra Leone, southern Mali, northern CΓ΄te d'Ivoire and part of southern Burkina Faso. A deeply religious Muslim of the Maliki school of religious jurisprudence of Sunni Islam, he organized his empire and justified its expansion with Islamic principles.

The local enemies of the Wassoulou Empire, the Kong Empire, aligned themselves with France against the Wassoulou Empire in the Mandingo Wars. The Kong Empire was founded by Seku Wattara in 1710 and destroyed by Samory Toure in 1898. Samory Toure’s decision to only seek Muslim allies alienated him from regions which were followers of African religions who saw him as an aggressor.

Praise Poem (Oriki) Oyo

“…Oyo omo Alaafin

Ojo pa sekere mode omo atiba

O b’olowo wipe k’o gb’owo

O si n ba iwofa wipe k’o ju eru sile

Ase k’o le baa di’ja

Ko le baa di aapon

K’omo oba le ri je nibe

Oyo l’o gbin agbado oran

S’ehinkule elehinkule

Elehinkule ko gbodo yaa je

Beeni ko si gbodo tu u danu

Omo iku ti’ku ko le pa

Omo arun t’arun ko le gbe de

Omo ofo, t’ofo ko le se….”

Translation:

Oyo, descendant of the Alaafin

Rain must not beat the sekere

Child of Atiba

You urge the creditor to demand his pay

Yet you also urge the hireling debtor to repudiate his debt

So that conflict may ensue

For the benefit of the prince/princess

Oyo plants the ‘corn of trouble’

In another man’s backyard

That one must not harvest it

Neither must he weed it off

Child of death who cannot die

Child of pestilence who cannot be tied down by sickness

Child of calamity whom calamity cannot afflict….!

(Note: sekere is a musical instrument made with beads or cowries strung around a large gourd)

HISTORY LESSON

Changes in Place Names over time: Ancient Ghana, Ancient Ethiopia v Modern Ghana and Modern Ethiopia, Ancient Africa v. modern Africa, Ancient Libya v. modern Libya

The historical usage of the name "Ethiopia" has evolved significantly over time. For much of ancient history, the term "Ethiopia" (from the Greek "Aethiopia") was broadly used by Greek and later Roman geographers to refer to the lands south of Egypt. This term did not correspond to the modern-day country of Ethiopia but rather to a vast region that encompassed parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, including areas of modern-day Sudan and beyond.

Similarly, the term "Sudan" (derived from the Arabic "Bilad al-Sudan," meaning "Land of the Blacks") historically referred to the large Sahel region stretching across Africa just below the Sahara Desert. This vast region includes modern-day countries such as Sudan, Mali, Niger, and Chad.

The historical Ethiopia, often referred to in various classical texts, included what we know today as parts of Nubia and regions south of Egypt. However, the modern political entity we now call Ethiopia has its roots in the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, which was a major trading empire from about the 1st to the 7th centuries AD and controlled territory in what are now Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The name Abyssinia was used to refer to the region and the empire in what is now Ethiopia for many centuries, particularly during the medieval period. The transition to the official use of "Ethiopia" occurred in the 20th century. The name Ethiopia itself, however, was used long before the official change in the mid-20th century, deeply rooted in the country's own historical and cultural identity, as well as in ancient texts and traditions.

In summary, while the name "Ethiopia" has been used in various contexts to describe different regions over millennia, the modern nation-state of Ethiopia has its origins in the ancient and medieval kingdoms that occupied the highlands of the Horn of Africa. The official change from Abyssinia to Ethiopia in the 20th century reflects a reclaiming and formalizing of a name with deep historical significance for the region.

Thursday, 18 July 2024

The girl in this picture is a genius from Egypt in Diaspora

The American company Heinemann chose the story of the genius “Yasmine Yahya Mostafa,” the daughter of the village of Manazala in Damietta Governorate, Egypt to write a book and distribute a million copies to schools and universities so that students can learn from her and try to be like her.

Yasmine won first place in the world at the Intel Science and Engineering Fair out of 1,700 contestants from more than 78 countries, and the committee that was judging included members who received the Nobel Prize.

In appreciation of this achievement, NASA named a group of asteroids named (MOUSTAFA 31910) after the Yasmine family.

Yasmine is only 23 years old, and despite that, she is invited to lecture at major international conferences. She is currently working on more than one scientific project, and a bright future is expected for her. 

#Africa #Egypt

Wednesday, 17 July 2024

Valdiodio N'diaye the patriot who confronted the general of Gaulle

In the history of Africa, we often mention SΓ©kou TourΓ©'s "No" to De Gaulle in 1958, but we also forget to mention the stage in Senegal where De Gaulle was maltreated by Valdiodio Ndiaye and the "banner bearers".

Master Valdiodio N'diaye or (Waldiodio Ndiaye) (1923-1984) is a Senegalese politician, several times minister, also mayor of Kaolack, his hometown. He distinguishes himself in the eyes of Africans when he confronted General de Gaulle in 1958. He calls for immediate independence, through a speech that is dated.

Then his fate turned upside down in 1962 when, under the presidency of LΓ©opold SΓ©dar Senghor, he is accused of conspiracy against the state, alongside Mamadou Dia. He then spends twelve years in prison, cut off from his family. His wife and children will be deported without care from Senegal to France.

Even today, this dramatic episode of Senegal's history remains a sensitive topic and some continue to wonder about the meaning of this elimination in a country that was born that was then a model of democracy.

After his release in 1974, Valdiodio N'diaye resumes his career as a lawyer in Dakar.

In 1981, he participated in the founding of the People's Democratic Movement (MDP) with Mamadou Dia, but left it in 1983 and joined the Socialist Party (PS). During the 1983 Senegalese presidential election, he is supporting the outgoing president Abdou Diouf.

He died the following year, on May 5, 1984 at the General Hospital in Dakar; he is buried in Kaolack, his hometown, where he had been mayor for a long time.

La QuintEssence

Top 10 Most Populated African Countries 2024

(1). Nigeria. πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ -223 804 632

(2). Ethiopia  πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ή -126 527 060

(3). Egypt.       πŸ‡ΎπŸ‡ͺ -112 717 598

(4). Dr Congo. πŸ‡¨πŸ‡© -102 262 808

(5). Tanzania. πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡Ώ -63 436 106

(6). South A. πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ -60 414 495

(7). Kenya.   πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ -55 100 586

(8). Sudan.   πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡© -48 109 006

(9). Uganda. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¬ -48 105 334

(10). Algeria  πŸ‡©πŸ‡Ώ -45 606 480

#Africa

BOTSWANA

Botswana has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years, from ancient civilizations to modern times. Here's a brief overview:

Pre-Colonial Era (1000 BC - 1885 AD):

- Ancient tribes like the San and Khoikhoi inhabited the region.

- Bantu-speaking peoples arrived around 500 AD.

- Powerful kingdoms like the Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe empires emerged.

- Tswana tribes migrated to the area in the 14th century.

Colonial Era (1885 - 1966):

- British colonization began in 1885.

- Bechuanaland Protectorate was established in 1885.

- Economic development was limited, and the region remained a British protectorate.

Independence and Modern Era (1966 - present):

- Botswana gained independence on September 30, 1966.

- Seretse Khama became the first president.

- Diamond discoveries in 1970s fueled economic growth.

- Democratic institutions and stability characterized the country's development.

- Challenges like HIV/AIDS and economic diversification emerged.

Recent Developments:

- Botswana has maintained its stable democracy and strong economy.

- The country continues to face challenges like inequality and unemployment.

- Tourism and conservation efforts have grown in importance.

This brief history highlights the key events and periods in Botswana's past.

Here's an extension of Botswana's history until 2023:

Independence and Modern Era (1966 - 1990):

- Seretse Khama's leadership (1966-1980) and his successor, Ketumile Masire (1980-1998), oversaw significant economic growth and development.

- Botswana became a diamond-rich country, with the Orapa mine opening in 1972 and the Jwaneng mine in 1982.

- The country maintained its democratic institutions and stability.

1990s - 2000s:

- Festus Mogae succeeded Masire in 1998 and continued economic growth and development.

- HIV/AIDS became a major challenge, with Botswana having one of the highest prevalence rates globally.

- The government responded with comprehensive programs and antiretroviral treatment.

2010s:

- Ian Khama, Seretse Khama's son, became president in 2008 and served until 2018.

- Economic diversification efforts continued, with a focus on tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

- Botswana maintained its reputation for democratic stability and good governance.

2020s:

- Mokgweetsi Masisi succeeded Ian Khama in 2018 and has continued to lead the country.

- Botswana has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts.

- The country has continued to prioritize conservation and tourism, with a focus on high-end, low-impact tourism.

Recent Developments (2020-2023):

- Botswana has maintained its stable democracy and strong economy.

- The country has continued to face challenges like inequality and unemployment.

- Efforts to diversify the economy and promote private sector growth have intensified.

- Botswana has also prioritized digital transformation and innovation.

Please note that this is a condensed version, and there may be additional details or nuances to explore. Let me know if you'd like me to expand on specific aspects!

5 Facts About Rwanda πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ό

(1). Kigali Rwanda is cleanest City in Africa.

(2). Rwanda has most beautiful ladies in Africa.

(3). Rwanda is among peaceful countries in Africa.

(4). Rwanda is only African country that experienced genocide.

(5). Rwandan use English, kinyarwanda, french and Swahili.

#Africa #Rwanda

HISTORY LESSON

In 1974, Bulgarian archaeologists unearthed a groundbreaking discovery near Varna, Bulgaria: a sprawling Copper Age necropolis dating back to the 5th millennium BC. Among its treasures were the world's oldest known gold artifacts, shedding light on the advanced metallurgical capabilities of the pioneering Varna culture.

This find not only predates Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations but also challenges our understanding of early European technological achievements. It suggests a level of craftsmanship and metallurgical knowledge previously unrecognized, sparking new inquiries into the development of ancient civilizations. The ten gold rings must be symbolic if we consider the penchant for these ancients in applying symbolism to everything they do. The ten commandments, the ten rules of Islam, the ten trials of Abraham; no doubt where the Romans got the ingredients from to cook the Christian religion that was later copied by Muslim religion;

Sumerian mythologyπŸ‘‰πŸ€¨

PROGRESS REPORT IN KENYA

Dear GenZ and the Kenyan youth in general,

Revolution is a process. And it cannot be limited to change of Political leadership. It could also just be about a change in Political organization. A change in methods of operation can also be revolutionary. YOU achieved a revolutionary goal on 25th June 2024.A change in the conventional way of doing things is a major revolutionary achievement.

But that achievement aside, our most important challenge ahead is to sustain this momentum. Democracy is not just about getting the right people into office. Even right people get hungry. And sometimes lose their moral compasses. The most important feature of democracy is the appropriation of sovereign power by the people. We achieved that on 25th June. Now we need to.sustain the pressure. Occupants of public office must be reminded at all times that they are servants of the people. Not the bosses. And please don't leave the Counties out. Because Counties are today's epicentres of corruption and primitive accumulation of wealth. With tax payers money getting invested in moribund non income generating enterprises that will eventually rot away the way Mobutu's palaces degerated.

Sustaining the pressure is important because old habits die hard. Corruption does have very strong teeth. It bites back. We need to press the advantage we have right now,sustain the onslaught on bad leadership practices and keep leadership on its toes so that the corrupt get afraid of taking up government appointments. . Stick to measurable, achievable goals. Because if you introduce the impossible, your struggles to achieve will expose your weaknesses which they will then use to divide you for easy manageability.

Never ever give thought to conversations about dialogue. Because History has proven that dialogue in this country simply denotes creation of extra seats at the feeding trough. That option should not be part of the revolution. The onus is on you young people to remain anonymous and keep the crooks on their toes until 2027. That too is revolutionary.

And in the meantime, you are the largest voting block in the country today. Take time and Register to vote in 2027 in large numbers because it's only with your numbers and participation that we can make the loudest statement to political aspirants in 2027.

**********

And even though today I will miss fumbling gaffes of the farmer from Meru, I will not relax until the new Cabinet is named. I'd hate to be happy today just to have to deal with the eventuality of that crass illiterate braggart from the hills as a CS!!! 

By the way Solomon M Omutsani

Please help us understand why the only man left standing is the occupier of the Unconstitutional office?

Source: Delmic Media

ROSETTA DOUGLASS

Rosetta Douglass-Sprague (1839 June 24 - 1906) was a prominent African American teacher and activist. She was a founding member of the National Association for Colored Women. Her father was Frederick Douglass.

Rosetta was born to Anna Murray Douglass and Frederick Douglass in 1839, in Bedford, Massachusetts. When she was five, she moved with her parents to Lynn, Massachusetts. Rosetta was a critical thinker like her father, but struggled against the demands of gender roles during her time. When she was six, she stayed with Abigail and Lydia Mott, from Albany, New York. Abigail taught her to read and write, and Lydia taught her to sew. At eleven, she assisted her father in making and packaging his newspaper. On December 24, 1863, she married Nathan Sprague. Her husband was an ex-slave and poorly educated, and struggled to find his footing and a job. She did not support her father's interracial marriage after her mother's death. She had seven children, and many grandchildren.

In 1845, the Rochester Board of Education closed public schools to black students. Frederick Douglass sent Rosetta to a private school rather than send her to an all-black school that Rochester set up for black students. She eventually was tutored from age 2 to 7. In 1848, Rosetta was admitted into the Seward Seminary in Rochester, New York. Rosetta was segregated from the white students while she was there, and her father spoke out against this in his newspaper. She also attended Oberlin College’s Young Ladies Preparatory and New Jersey’s Salem Normal School.

Douglass worked as a teacher. She eventually became primarily a homemaker and wife. She wrote the paper My Mother as I Recall Her in 1900, as well as the paper What Role is the Educated Negro Woman to Play in the Uplifting of Her Race?

Douglass worked along with her father, and had a keen sense of social justice issues. She advised her father against accepting the presidency of the Freedman’s Bank. She went on to become a founding member of the National Association for Colored Women.

MAMIE GRIFFIN

Mamie Griffin, who worked as a cook, posed with one of her books. (John Johnson / Courtesy Douglas Keister / NMAAHC, SI)

Lost and Found Again: Photos of African-Americans on the Plains, Nebraska

Douglas Keister, bought a box of glass negatives that featured portraits of the city’s small African-American population from the 1910s and ’20s, an era from which few other photos survived. As Keister and Zimmer scrutinized the portraits, they began to see something else emerge: an untold story of what historians call the new negro movement. Following World War I, African-American writers, musicians, artists and academics across the country sought to promote confidence, dignity and self-expression—a movement that would blossom into the Harlem Renaissance. Johnson’s portraits, they realized, were part of the same intellectual current. His subjects were formally posed and dressed in their best, and they often held books to show that they were educated. “Up until then, many photos of African-Americans showed the plight of the poor,” Keister says. “These photos are elevating. They’re ennobling".

Ancient Egypt: Inventions and Discoveries

Government and Economy:

* Community banking models – Grain as currency

* Police – Fourth Dynasty evidence

* Postal system – Pharaohs' decrees couriers

* Law – Concept of Ma'at

* Complex segregation of duties - From various Royal Court records.

Warfare:

* Military organization – Old Kingdom units

* Military scribe – Battle recording

* Catapult – Found at Buhen fortress

* Draw bridge – Buhen fortress feature

* Battlements – World's oldest battlements

* Arrowslit – Middle Kingdom forts

* Battering rams – Depicted in tomb

* Siege towers – First Intermediate Period

* Naval ram – Amenhotep I's reign

* Grappling hook – Bronze Age use

* Dagger – Copper or bronze

* Police Dogs – Used by Egyptians

* Encryption – Tomb of Khnumhotep II

* The phalanx - The phalanx was a military formation first used by ancient Egyptians and Asiatic armies, later adopted by the Greeks, characterized by heavily armed infantry soldiers (hoplites) arranged in tightly packed rows. Each soldier's shield protected both themselves and their neighbor, creating a formidable defensive and offensive unit.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry:

* Diversion dam – Sadd el-Kafara Dam

* Noria – Fourth Century B.C.

* Beekeeping – Recorded around 2600 B.C.

* Horse stable – Pi-Ramesses stables

* Zoo – Hierakonpolis discovery

* Olive cultivation – Egyptian origins

* Ox drawn plough – 2000 B.C. use.

Transport:

* Hulls – Built since 3000 B.C.

* Sail – Predynastic art depictions

* Harbor – Wadi al-Jarf discovery

* Masts – Bipod mast used

* Steering oar – Predecessor to rudder

* Paved road – Near Faiyum discovery

* Rail – Lake Moeris Quarry

Metals, Elements and Materials:

* Mercury – Earliest use 1500 B.C.

* Natron – Used in mummification

* Turquoise – First Dynasty mines

* Wattle and daub – Merimde culture

* Lime mortar – Used in pyramids

* Emerald – New Kingdom mines

* Amethyst – First Egyptian use

* Malachite – Mined since 4000 B.C.

* Electrum – Old Kingdom use.

Medicine:

* Meninges – Discovered in Egypt

* Cerebrospinal fluid – Early knowledge

* Paralysis – Documented symptoms

* Urinary incontinence – Ebers Papyrus

* Anatomy – Detailed in papyri

* Circulatory system – Ebers Papyrus

* Cataract surgery – Fifth Dynasty depiction

* Cancer – Edwin Smith Papyrus

* Diabetes – Ebers Papyrus recommendation

* Dracunculiasis – Treatment described

* Crutch – Used in ancient Egypt

* Hysteria – Recorded in papyri

* Hematuria – Known Bilharzia symptom

* Colorectal surgery – Chester Beatty. Papyrus

Inventions:

* Poultice – Ancient medical practice

* Splint – Used for fractures

* Bandage – Adhesive and honey use

* Prosthesis – Wooden toe evidence

* Intramedullary rod – Found in mummy

* Cauterization – Described in papyrus

* Toothpaste – Used since 5000 B.C.

* Breath mint – Ancient Egyptian invention

* Tampon – Papyrus Ebers reference.

Innovations:

* Gynaecology – Kahun Papyrus treatments

* Pregnancy test – Urine and grain method

* Birth control – Honey and acacia

* Rhinoplasty – Edwin Smith Papyrus

* Surgical suture – Found in mummies

* Ophthalmology – Ebers Papyrus section.

Mathematics:

* Numeral system – Ivory labels evidence

* Binary – Rhind Papyrus method

* Fraction – Egyptian fractions use

* Quadratic equation – Berlin Papyrus

* Exponentiation – Powers of two

* Regula falsi – False position technique

* Square root – Inverse proportion method

* 0 – Symbol in accounting texts

* Mathematical symbols – Hieroglyphic signs

* Pi – Pyramid measurements

* Golden number – Used in designs

* Arithmetic progression – Rhind Papyrus

* Geometric mean – Rhind Papyrus problem

* Conversion of units – Rhind Papyrus

* Seked – Proportional slope measure

* Trigonometry – Pyramid construction use

* Red auxiliary number – Arithmetic aids.

Areas and Volumes:

* Area of Triangle – Rhind Papyrus problem

* Area of Trapezoid – Rhind Papyrus problem

* Surface area of Sphere – Moscow Papyrus

* Volume of Cylinder – Rhind Papyrus

* Volume of Prism – Rhind Papyrus problem

* Volume of Pyramid – Rhind Papyrus problem

* Volume of Frustum – Moscow Papyrus.

Measurement:

* System of measurement – Early dynastic period

* Length – Recorded in Palermo stone

* Curve measurement – Step Pyramid diagram

Engineering Inventions or Discoveries by Ancient Egyptians (prior to 334 BC):

* Pyramid construction techniques - Massive stone blocks precisely placed.

* Obelisk quarrying and transportation - Monolithic stones erected vertically.

* Papyrus-based writing material - Thin paper-like writing surfaces.

* Water clock (clepsydra) - Time measurement using water flow.

* Shaduf (irrigation device) - Manual water-lifting mechanism.

* Copper piping - Early plumbing systems for water.

* Complex stone cutting - Precision cutting of hard stones.

* Arch bridges - Curved structure spanning obstacles.

* Solar calendars - Solar-based timekeeping systems.

* Stone masonry tools - Tools for shaping and placing stones.

* Mummification techniques - Preservation of human bodies.

* Dental drills - Early tools for dental procedures.

* Lighthouse at Pharos - Guiding structures for navigation.

* Construction ramps - Ramps used in building pyramids.

* Construction art - such as Cliff face and wall face artwork

Areas of Philosophy Pioneered by Ancient Egyptians (prior to 334 BC):

* Maat (justice, truth, harmony) - Central moral and ethical concept.

* Concept of the afterlife - Detailed beliefs on life after death.

* The concept of reincarnation.

* Cosmology - Understanding the universe's structure.

* Divine kingship - Kings as gods on earth.

* Ethics and morality - Guidelines for righteous living.

* Human soul's nature - Components like Ka and Ba.

* Mythology - Creation stories and gods' roles.

* Hieroglyphic writing - Symbolic representation of ideas.

* Medicine and healing - Holistic approach to health.

* Sacred geometry - Mystical significance of shapes.

* Astrology and astronomy - Study of stars and their influence, applying the motion of stars to concept of fate, governance and societal order.

* Spiritual purification - Rituals for soul cleansing.

* Political philosophy - Governance and social order.

* Philosophy of art - Symbolism in art and architecture.

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