Idi Amin: The third President of Uganda

Idi Amin Dada (May 17, 1925 – August 16, 2003) known as Idi Amin, was the third President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. He is often described as a military dictator.

Idi Amin Dada:

Third President of Uganda

In office

25 January 1971 – 11 April 1979

8 years, 76 days

Milton Obote

Personal information

Birth

17 May 1925

Kampala, Uganda

Death

16 August 2003 (age 78)

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Burial place

Jeddah

Residence

Jeddah (1980–2003)

Citizenship

Uganda (–1979)

Saudi Arabia (1979–1989)

Uganda Protectorate

Uganda

Spouse

Sarah Kyolaba (1975–1982)

Work life

Profession

Politician, officer, military affairs

Party

Independent politician

Languages

English, Swahili

Field of work

Politics 

Sports

Boxing

Military service

Branch

British Army

Rank

Field Marshal (1975–)

Major General

Battles and wars

Mau Mau Uprising, 1971 Ugandan coup, Uganda–Tanzania War

He joined the British colonial military, specifically the King's African Rifles, which was active in East Africa at the time. Amin later rose to the rank of Major General and took command of the Ugandan Army in 1964. Idi Amin staged a military coup in January 1971, deposing President Milton Obote. Idi Amin's rule was marked by human rights abuses, political repression, racial discrimination, extrajudicial executions and the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. The death toll during his rule is unknown. Estimates by international observers and human rights organizations range from 100,000 to 500,000.

In 1975-76 Amin became chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, a pan-African group that aimed to promote solidarity among African nations. In 1977-79 Uganda was admitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Nicknamed the "Last King of Scotland" for his great admiration for Scotland and his attempt to emulate the protocols of royal families, his reign was marred by intense civil strife between Uganda's different ethnic groups and saw constant violence and assassinations of political rivals. He was accused by Western powers of dictatorship, and the death toll during his rule is estimated at between 80,000 and 500,000 according to Western estimates, although other organizations doubt this as part of the politicization of "propaganda" against him.

Idi Amin, then President of Uganda, wearing Arab dress, and King Khalid in Riyadh in 1979.

Idi Amin at one point in his rule carried out what he believed to be a series of economic reforms, including the decision to expel the Indians who had come to the country with the British and had begun to establish a group of commercial activities, businesses and various projects, and had a hand in the Ugandan economy. General Amin expelled them and most of them chose Britain as an alternative destination to Uganda, which welcomed them and granted them facilities in a case that later became known in Britain as the Ugandan Indian case. He was expelled to Saudi Arabia after the fall of his rule and lived in the city of Jeddah, where he died in 2003.

Early life:

Edit

Idi Amin did not write an autobiography, nor did he allow his life to be written or detailed in any official or public form. There are differences regarding the date and place of his birth. Most biographical sources state that he was born either in northern Uganda in the town of Koboko or in Kampala around 1925.[a] Other unconfirmed sources state that he was born in 1923 or as late as 1928. His son Hussein stated that his father was born in Kampala in 1928.[14]

Alfred Goedediko, a scholar at Makerere University, states that Idi Amin's father was Andreas Nyaber (1889–1976), a member of the Kakwa ethnic group who converted to Islam in 1910 after being a Roman Catholic and changed his name to Amin Dada. He named his eldest son after him.  Idi Amin left his father at an early age and was raised by his mother's family in a rural farming town in northwestern Uganda. Guiddico also states that Amin Idi's mother, Asa Atti (1904–1970), was a Lugbara ethnicity and a traditional herbalist who treated members of the Ugandan royal family. [15] Some sources have described Idi Amin as being of mixed Kakwa-Nubian descent. [16][b]

Amin enrolled in an Islamic school in Bombo in central Uganda in 1941 and after studying for a few years left school, working various odd jobs before being conscripted into the army by a British colonial army officer. 

#Africa #Uganda

THE HAUSA LANGUAGE

The Hausa language is spoken by over 150 ethnic groups, and in at least 11 African countries. There are Hausa speakers in Nigeria 🇳🇬, Niger Republic 🇳🇪, Cameroon 🇨🇲, Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 , Sudan 🇸🇩, South Sudan 🇸🇸 , Ghana 🇬🇭, Benin 🇧🇯, Eritrea 🇪🇷, Togo 🇹🇬 , Gabon 🇬🇦 and Algeria 🇩🇿 . In Nigeria, about 85 to 95 ethnic groups speak Hausa. Hausa is spoken by so many ethnic groups because before European colonization of Africa, for around 1,500 years the Sahel was covered by numerous multiethnic kingdoms and federations, some of which had Hausa ruler and many of which had Hausa are a Lingua Franca for trade.

Hausa is not only a language but also an ethnic group. The precolonial Hausa people belonged to many different kingdoms and federations throughout the last 2,000 years. They were not all organised into one state in the various eras before European colonization or before defeat to Fulani clerics. Instead, the population was so large that there were speak out across a diversity of independent political jurisdictions.

The number of Hausa speakers is larger than the number of Hausa people. There are about 85 million Hausa speakers in Africa in total: 54 million people speak Hausa as a first language while 34 million people speak Hausa as a second language.

People who don’t know the history of the Hausa people, or the nature of Hausa identity, often misidentify all Hausa speakers as “Hausa”, which is similar to thinking all French speakers are French citizens.

Hausas in the narrow sense are indigenous of Kasar Hausa (Hausaland) who are found in West Africa. Within the Hausa, a distinction is made between three subgroups: Habe, Hausa-Fulani (Kado), and Banza or Banza 7.

* "Habe" are taken to be pure Hausas. They include Gobirawa, Kabawa, Rumawa, Adarawa, Maouri, and others. These groups were the rulers of Hausa Kingdoms before the Danfodiyo revolution (Jihad) of 1804.

* "Hausa–Fulani" or "Kado" are Hausanized Fulas, people of mixed Hausa and Fulani origin, most of whom speak a variant of Hausa as their native language. According to Hausa genealogical tradition, their identity came into being as a direct result of the migration of Fula people into Hausaland occurring from the 15th century and later at the beginning of the 19th century, during the revolution led by Sheikh Usman Danfodiyo against the Hausa Kingdoms, founding a centralized Sokoto Caliphate. They include Jobawa, Dambazawa, Mudubawa, Mallawa, and Sullubawa tribes originating in Futa Tooro.

In some ancient texts referring to the region of northern Nigeria in the late 1st millennium AD and early second millennium AD, the Hausa people were called the Habe, and Hausa kingdoms are called the Habe kingdoms. 

#Africa

Kanem Empire

The Kanem Empire (c. 700–1380) was located in present-day Chad, Nigeria, and Libya. Thanks to it, it extended across a vast area, not only including Chad participants, but also parts of southern Libya (Fezzan), East New York Times in eastern Nigeria, and The Times of Cameroon. The Borno Empire (1480s - 1893) was a state in what is now northeastern Nigeria, which over time became larger than Kanem, and includes territories today including parts of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.

The early history of the empire is recorded mainly from the royal register (or girgam) discovered by the German traveler Hein Barth in 1851. The remains of the successor electronics of the empire, which manifested in the form of the Borno Emirate and the Dikwa Emirate, were recorded around 1900 and continue to this day as ancient states.  inside Nigeria..

Theories about original sources:

I grew up in 700 AD from a Bedouin tribe of Tebu. According to Gregam, some of them were forced to leave to the southwest, the largest share around Lake Chad as a result of British pressure and drought in their previous environment. This region included some liberal civil states belonging to the Sao civilization. Led by the leader of the Dojoa family, the Tebu eventually took control of the Sao after acquiring many of its customs.   It participated in the war between us until the late sixteenth century.

Hence, we find that the lost state of Agesimba mentioned by Ptolemy (Ptolemy) in the middle of the second century AD) was a predecessor to the Kanem Empire.

Dojoa family:

It was therefore at the southern end of the trans-Saharan trade route between Tripoli and Lake Chad. The Kanembu eventually abandoned the nomadic style, and established a capital in approximately 700 AD under the rule of the first legitimate king (“Mai”) and one of the Kanembu kings known as Sayyaf. The territory of the capital, Njemi (which means “south” in the Kanembu language), expanded and came under the rule of Dogu Ibn Saif. This was the beginning of the Dojowa family era. Each of the Dojowa kings (mai) are named after Lahian kings and belong to a dynasty known as the Magome. Despite the changes in the family suit, it was modified with Magome's name and Mai's surname for reasons of a thousand years ago.

Saifawa family:

The main factor that aided the history of the state was the early penetration of Islam.  Where trade began to the north, the Berbers and Arabs became the new religion with it.  In 1085 AD, the Muslim nobleman Homai removed the last king of the Dogwa Salma (Salma) from power, and raised a new dynasty and captured Sifua.

The arrival of the Sifua family was anticipating a change in the Kanem Empire.  James, because it means the Islamization of the conference and state policies. Second, defining a local identity. After the thirteenth century, the empire began in the south between Mai Saif and the Yemeni legend Saif bin Dhi Yazan. Hence, the new dynasty was given the name Saifawa instead of Saifawa.

Mai dunama dabalemi:

Kanem's expansion increased during the reign of Mai Dunama Dabbaleme (BC. 1221–1259), and also during the Saifawa dynasty.  Dabalemi began diplomatic exchanges with the sultans in North Africa and apparently arranged for the establishment of a private lodge in Cairo to facilitate the pilgrimage to Mecca. During his rule, he declared jihad against the surrounding tribes, and began a long period of conquest. After strengthening this territory around Lake Chad, the Fezan region (present-day Libya) came under the control of Kanem and the influence of the empire extended to Kano (present-day Nigeria), east towards Ouadaï, and south towards the Adamawa pastures (present-day Cameroon). However, he also destroyed the Muni clan and in doing so participated in the widespread revolt that culminated in the rise of Tubo and Bulala. The previous revolt was suppressed, but the next one continued and eventually led to Saifuwa's retreat from Kanem to Borno in 1380 AD.

Dabalimi established a system to reward military leaders by assuming power over the people they conquered. However, this system caused army officers to tend to pass on their positions to their sons, thus transforming the position from an economy based on achievement and loyalty to the Mai to one based on the inheritance of the nobility. Dabbaleme was able to suppress this trend, but after his death, discord occurred among his sons which weakened the Saifawa dynasty. Then the family disputes escalated until they reached civil war, and the remote peoples of Kanem soon stopped paying tribute.

The fall of Kanem:

After the death of Dunama II, Kanem quickly fell into a downward spiral. By the end of the fourteenth century, Kanem was torn apart by internal conflicts and external attacks.

Until the renaissance:

During the period from 1342 to 1352 AD, the Sao, who dominated Kanem before the Zaghawa, killed four Mai in battle. The increase in the number of Mai fighting for the throne led to a series of fierce wars.

#Africa

Literary Writer // Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe

In 2011, writer Chinua Achebe refused $1 million.

From the famous rapper 50 Cent who asked to name an upcoming movie after the writer’s novel (Things Fall Apart).

Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 - March 21, 2013) was a Nigerian Igbo novelist, the first prominent novelist from the Black Continent to write in English. His writings address the tragic effects of British imperialism on African societies. Achebe analyzed the stylistic relationships between African and English literature. His works captured the interests of literary criticism. His novel Things Fall Apart (or When It All Falls Apart) (1958) describes the collapse of traditional tribal life in the face of the British colonial presence in Nigeria; It also shows superiority in language. He has other books, including: God's Arrow (1964);  Son of the People (1966 AD); Savannah Dunes (1987 AD). Achebe also published short stories and children's books, and was a noted publisher and critic. Achebe was born in Ogidi, eastern Nigeria, and was educated at Government College, Umuahia and University College, Ibadan, and also worked in radio and the civil service. He recently taught at Nigerian universities and universities in the United States of America.

Chinua Achebe

(English: Chinua Achebe).  

Chinua Achebe - Buffalo 25Sep2008 

Chino Achebe, 2008

Personal Information

Birth Name

(In Igbo): Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Ach

Birth

November 16, 1930

Ogidi, Nigeria

Death

March 21, 2013 (82 years old)

Boston, United States

Cause of death

illness

Residence

Kogi State 

Nationality

Nigeria

Member of the

The Modern Language Association, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Literature  

health problem

Paraplegia  

practical life

Alma mater

London university  

Occupation

Novelist

Languages

English.

Employee in

Brown University

Notable works

Things fall apart

Awards

Man Booker International Prize (2007)

German Peace Prize for Book Trade (2002)

St. Louis Literary Award (1999)

Nonino International Award (1994

Lotus Prize for Literature (1975)

Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature  

Fellowship of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

His life:

Chinua Achebe's parents, Isa Okavu Achebe and Janet Anenchi Logbanam, converted to join the Protestant Church Missionary Society of Nigeria, but Achebe Sr. continued to respect the religious rituals of his ancestors, even though he stopped practicing them with his conversion to the new religion. Achebe's full name, Chinolmujo, is a prayer for divine protection and stability, which literally means (“May the Lord fight for me”).] The Achebe family had five other children who were given names that carry religious connotations related to the new Christian religion they embraced, and they are: Frank Okofua  John Chukwomeka Ivanechku, Augustine Nduka and Grace Nonka.

His Upbringing:

Albert Chinolmojo was born on November 16, 1930 in the Igbo village of Ogidi. The parents found themselves at the crossroads between the local culture and customs of the Igbo nation and the influence of Christianity that spread with the arrival of missionary missions to Nigeria, which cast a shadow on the children, especially Chenolmujo, and the family moved to the father’s birthplace, Isa Achebe, Ogidi.

Storytelling is the mainstay of the traditional and local customs of the Igbo people, and is an integral part of the formation of society itself.  Achebe's mother and sister, Zenobia Azuma, told him many Igbo novels during his childhood, which he frequently requested. His father's short story collections were in addition to the calendars hanging on the walls of their house and various books, including prose quotes such as those taken from the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1590 AD) by William Shakespeare, as well as the Igbo version of the book "A Pilgrim's Journey" (1678) by John  Bunyan was an important and effective factor in Achebe's educational career. As a child, Achebe always longed for the traditional celebrations of his village, such as the costume ceremonies, which he later addressed in his novels and stories. #Africa 

#Nigeria

OBA OVONRAMWEN NOGBAISI

Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi was the king of the  Kingdom of Benin (Nigeria) from 1888 until 1897, during a period of significant conflict with British colonial forces.

His reign came to an end after the British launched a military campaign against Benin Kingdom in response to a clash that resulted in the deaths of several British officials. 

In 1897, the kingdom of Benin was invaded, and Benin was sacked. The British looted the city, taking many of its famous Benin Bronzes and other treasures. 

Oba Ovonramwen was captured and later exiled to Calabar, where he died in 1914. His deposition and the subsequent colonization of the Benin Kingdom marked the end of centuries of sovereignty for one of West Africa's most powerful kingdoms.

#Africa #Nigeria 

Baba Sy - An African Legend

Grandmaster Baba Sy is known widely in the draughts community. His tactical style appealed to the masses and he rose to the top of the draughts world. In 1986, he was declared the 1963-64 World Champion (albeit posthumously) when the International Draughts Federation ruled that he should have been awarded the title when his opponent Iser Kouperman failed to show. Draughts is also commonly called checkers, but is played on a 10x10 board as opposed to the common 8x8 board.

After dominating the international draughts scene for many years, Sy died in a car accident in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. However, he remains a legendary cultural icon in Senegal as well as Europe and the draught-playing world. Since Sy's success, Senegal has become the powerhouse of Africa and other French-speaking countries have followed in the tradition. 

#Africa

THOTH, THE ATLANTEAN

I THOTH, the Atlantean, master of mysteries,

keeper of records, mighty king, magician,

living from generation to generation,

being about to pass into the halls of Amenti,

set down for the guidance of

those that are to come after,

these records of the mighty wisdom of Great Atlantis.

In the great city of KEOR on the island of UNDAL,

in a time far past, I began this incarnation.

Not as the little men of the present age did

the mighty ones of Atlantis live and die,

but rather from aeon to aeon did they renew

their life in the Halls of Amenti where the river of life

flows eternally onward.

A hundred times ten

have I descended the dark way that led into light,

and as many times have I ascended from the

darkness into the light my strength and power renewed.

Now for a time I descend,

and the men of KHEM (Khem is alchemy in ancient Egypt)

shall know me no more.

But in a time yet unborn will I rise again,

mighty and potent, requiring an accounting

of those left behind me.

Then beware, O men of KHEM,

if ye have falsely betrayed my teaching,

for I shall cast ye down from your high estate

into the darkness of the caves from whence ye came.

Betray not my secrets

to the men of the North

or the men of the South

lest my curse fall upon ye.

Remember and heed my words,

for surely will I return again

and require of thee that which ye guard.

Aye, even from beyond time and

from beyond death will I return,

rewarding or punishing

as ye have requited your trust.

Great were my people in the ancient days,

great beyond the conception of the

little people now around me;

knowing the wisdom of old,

seeking far within the heart of infinity

knowledge that belonged to Earth's youth.

Wise were we with the wisdom

of the Children of Light who dwelt among us.

Strong were we with the power drawn

from the eternal fire.

And of all these, greatest among the

children of men was my father, THOTME,

keeper of the great temple,

link between the Children of Light

who dwelt within the temple and the

races of men who inhabited the ten islands.

Mouthpiece, after the Three,

of the Dweller of UNAL,

speaking to the Kings

with the voice that must be obeyed.

Grew I there from a child into manhood,

being taught by my father the elder mysteries,

until in time there grew within the fire of wisdom,

until it burst into a consuming flame.

#Africa #Egypt 

ATTRIBUTES OF A MIND THAT'S AWAKE

(1). You read books and don't burn them.

(2). You are willing to change your mind when new information becomes available.

(3). You understand that most issues are not black and white.

(4). You believe in true equality for all people.

(5). You have empathy.

(6). You embrace co-operation.

(7). You believe Culture and Arts have value.

(8). You care about Earth and take good care of it.

#Africa 

THE PEOPLE OF KUSH: A FORGOTTEN CIVILIZATION OF ANCIENT AFRICA

Deep in African antiquity, the ancient civilization of Kush emerged as a formidable force in the ancient world.  Centered in the Nile River valley in modern-day Sudan 🇸🇩, the people of Kush established a kingdom that lasted nearly a thousand years, from approximately 1000 BC to approximately 350 AD.

The origins of the people of Kush are shrouded in mystery, but they are believed to have descended from the Nubian people of the Nile Valley.

The kingdom of Kush was known for its wealth, power and cultural achievements.  The Kushites were skilled in agriculture, metallurgy, and trade, and built massive temples, palaces, and fortifications that rivaled those of their northern neighbor, ancient Egypt.

The Kushites were also known for their military prowess, and in the 8th century BC, they invaded and occupied Egypt, establishing the 25th Dynasty of Egypt.

The Kushites established their capital in the city of Meroe, which became a prosperous cultural and commercial center.

The Kushites were polytheists and worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses that included Amun, Horus, Isis, and Thoth.  They also developed their own writing system, called the Meroitic script, which has not yet been completely deciphered by modern scholars.

The decline of the kingdom of Kush began in the 4th century AD, as the kingdom was weakened by external attacks and internal divisions.  In 350 AD, the kingdom was invaded and conquered by the Kingdom of Axum, an Ethiopian kingdom to the south.

Despite their disappearance from Meroe to other locations, the people of Kush left behind a rich legacy that is still visible today in the form of their monumental architecture, including the pyramids of Meroe, and their cultural achievements, including their art, literature, and religion.

#Africa #Black #Beauty

HISTORY LESSON

Autopsies, brain surgeries and caesarean operations were routinely and effectively carried out by surgeons in Ancient Uganda (Buganda kingdom), An ancient African Civilization.

Many treatments we use today were employed by several ancient peoples throughout Africa.

Before the European invasion of Africa, medicine in what is now Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, to name just a few places, was more advanced than medicine in Europe. Furthermore, Africans discovered ouabain, capsicum, physostigmine and reserpine.

Some of these practices were the use of plants with salicylic acid for pain (as in aspirin), kaolin for diarrhea (as in Kaopectate), and extracts that were confirmed in the 20th century to kill Gram positive bacteria.

Other plants used had anticancer properties, caused abortion and treated malaria — and these have been shown to be as effective as many modern-day Western treatments.

Africans performed vaccination, autopsy, limb traction and broken bone setting, bullet removal, brain surgery, skin grafting, filling of dental cavities, installation of false teeth, what is now known as Caesarean section, anesthesia and tissue cauterization before Europeans.

African cultures preformed surgeries under antiseptic conditions universally when this concept was only emerging in Europe.

Many medical operations and treatments were taught and performed by African slaves in America on their abductors or Slavers.

Some Africans who were taken to slavery in the America fought slavery by making use of herbs to poison and kill their slave masters.

Today we told that our herbs and medications were not effective, because they were not endorsed by foreigners. But beyond our back, they export our herbs to the labs to produce various drugs.

#Medicina #Africa #Beauty

SUDAN

Sudan boasts a greater number of pyramids than any other nation on the planet, surpassing even Egypt. The cities of Al Kurru, Nuri, Gebel Barkal, and Meroë in Sudan are home to no less than 223 pyramids. These structures typically stand between 20 to 30 meters in height and feature steep sides.

The Sudanese city of Meroë is rich in surviving monuments. Becoming the capital of the Kushite Empire between 590 BC until AD The city of Meroë in Sudan boasts a wealth of well-preserved historical monuments. Serving as the capital of the Kushite Empire from 590 BC to AD 350, this city is home to an impressive collection of 84 pyramids, several of which are accompanied by their own miniature temples.

Furthermore, the remnants of a bath house can be found within the city, displaying similarities to those constructed by the Romans. Notably, a prominent focal point of this bath house is a sizable pool, accessed via a grand staircase adorned with waterspouts featuring intricately designed lion heads, there are 84 pyramids in this city alone, many built with their own miniature temple. In addition, there are ruins of a bath house sharing affinities with those of the Romans. Its central feature is a large pool approached by a flight of steps with waterspouts decorated with lion heads.

The culture of opulence has a rich and captivating historical background. In ancient times, gold was employed to embellish the temples of Sudan. A notable account by a writer states that recent archaeological findings at Meroe and Mussawwarat es-Sufra unveiled temples adorned with gold leaf, both on their walls and statues.

Around 300 BC, the Sudanese people pioneered a script that encompassed twenty-three letters, including four vowels, along with a word divider. Numerous ancient texts written in this script have endured the test of time, with a selection of them currently showcased at the esteemed British Museum.

During the medieval era, Sudan boasted an array of ecclesiastical structures including churches, cathedrals, monasteries, and castles, the remnants of which endure to this day. Notably, the presence of glass windows in medieval Sudan is substantiated by archaeological findings, which have uncovered compelling evidence of window glass within the ancient cities of Old Dongola and Hambukol.

Bling culture was prevalent in medieval Sudan, as evidenced by archaeological findings. In the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in the city of Old Dongola, researchers discovered the burial of an individual adorned in an exceptionally intricate attire made of luxurious textiles, including those embellished with gold thread. Similarly, at the city of Soba East, there were burials of individuals dressed in fine clothing, some of which featured golden thread.

Style and fashion were prominent aspects of medieval Sudanese society. In the late thirteenth century AD, a dignitary buried at Jebel Adda was interred wearing a long coat made of red and yellow patterned damask, elegantly draped over his body. Beneath the coat, he wore loose-fitting cotton trousers. At the foot of the coffin, a pair of red leather slippers with upturned toes were placed. The body was enveloped in large pieces of gold brocaded striped silk.

Furthermore, medieval Sudan boasted advanced housing complexes equipped with bathrooms and piped water. An archaeologist described Old Dongola, the capital of Makuria, as having an eighth to ninth-century housing complex. These houses stood out due to their unique spatial layout and functional features, such as water supply installations and heated bathrooms. The interiors were adorned with murals, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.”

In the year 619 AD, the Nubian civilization graciously presented the Persians with a remarkable offering in the form of a giraffe.

#Africa #Black

HISTORY LESSON

The Yoruba people demonstrated a remarkable accomplishment in the development of their urban culture. According to William Clarke, by the year A.D. 1300, the Yoruba had successfully constructed numerous fortified cities, encompassed by flourishing agricultural lands. These cities included Owu, Oyo, Ijebu, Ijesa, Ketu, Popo, Egba, Sabe, Dassa, Egbado, Igbomina, the sixteen Ekiti principalities, as well as Owo and Ondo.

Furthermore, the Yoruba excelled in the field of metal art during the medieval era, attaining a level of excellence that could rival the artistic achievements of Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece and Rome, and Renaissance Europe.

As one scholar eloquently expressed, Yoruba art possessed a quality that would not pale in comparison to the masterpieces produced by these renowned civilizations.”

During the mid-nineteenth century, William Clarke, an English visitor to Nigeria, made an observation regarding the Yoruba weavers, stating that they possessed the ability to produce cloth of exceptional quality. He further emphasized that the durability of their textiles surpassed that of the prints and home-spuns manufactured in Manchester.”

TA recent discovery has unveiled that the ancient Nigerian city of Eredo, dating back to the 9th century, was encompassed by an impressive wall stretching a remarkable 100 miles in length and reaching heights of up to seventy feet. Furthermore, the internal area of this city was found to span an astonishing 400 square miles.

#Africa #Black #BlackHistoryMonth

"CUPPING" IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE DATES BACK TO 2200 BC

Cupping was used in Mesopotamia as early as 3300 BC, and later in Egypt around 2200 BC. Some 2000 years later, the Greeks and Romans also made use of cupping therapy.

Hippocrates (460-359 BC) used cupping, mainly for treating pain and infections, and in gynecology. His theory was that cupping could be used to draw out disease.

Cupping increases the flow of blood to the skin, without damaging the skin. The body then goes about repairing the bruising that this causes.

My grandmother who died in 2011 at the riped age of 109 years practiced cupping. It was called "Imi mbubo" in my language. She never visited any hospital in her life time. When she turned her back, you will noticed small razor cut lines on her back. It was the various places where the cuppings were placed.

Even as a small kid then, I noticed that the medicine man was invited from a distant land to do the "mbubo" on her. On the process, bad blood was usually drawn out from her body. After the cupping, she gets relieved and recovered. Honestly civilization started from Africa. Let's join hands to protect and preserve African values and heritage. We should stop demonizing our values to embrace western values and heritage. ~Ifeanyi Calistus

#Africa #Medicina #Beauty

Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 now has its own atomic energy agency

The Government of Burkina Faso, chaired by President Ibrahim Traore, has adopted a resolution on the establishment of an atomic energy agency in the country.

The document defines the provisions concerning the competence and rules of operation of the Burkini Atomic Energy Agency (BAAE). According to Traore, the creation of the BAAE "will ensure the energy independence of Burkina Faso, the industrialization of the country and facilitate access to electricity throughout the country."

According to BIA, Burkina Faso plans to build a nuclear power plant by 2030 to meet the growing demand for electricity, which is expected to triple in a few years.

This is what Democrats are unable to achieve for many years in Africa. But the young Captain is determine to uplift is Country. 

#Africa 

This lady, Henutnakhtu, lived 4,000 years ago

Henutnakht (also spelled Henutnakhtu or Henut-ta-Khuw) was an ancient Egyptian woman who lived during the early Middle Kingdom, around the 11th Dynasty (approximately 2000 BCE). She is best known because of her burial alongside a man named Nakhtankh in a tomb in Deir el-Bersha, a site in Middle Egypt.

What makes Henutnakht particularly noteworthy is the detailed analysis of her and Nakhtankh's remains, which have provided significant insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices, social status, and even medical knowledge. The two were buried in richly decorated wooden coffins, which were discovered by Egyptologists in 1915. The coffins contained a wealth of funerary goods, indicating their high social status.

One of the intriguing aspects of Henutnakht's story is the discovery of her body alongside Nakhtankh's. DNA analysis has suggested that despite being buried together, the two were not biologically related, raising questions about their relationship. Some scholars have speculated that they could have been married or that Henutnakht was part of an extended family, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.

The tomb and the coffins have been studied extensively, contributing to our understanding of the period's funerary practices, the status of women, and the health conditions of the time, as Henutnakht's remains showed evidence of health issues such as arthritis and dental problems. 

#Africa #Egypt

THE MINISTRY OF THE BABALÁWO

As a Babaláwo, no matter how you are feeling, when a person runs to you for help, you are to help. That is what you have been commissioned to do. This is why you are called an AKÁPÒ Ọ̀RÚNMÌLÀ - the one who carries the bag of Ọ̀rúnmìlà.

The traditional way you see the Jehovah's witnesses with a bag is the way the Babaláwo is referred to as Akápò. Inside the Àpò, that is, the bag, you have your Ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀, Iroke, Ikin, Ìyẹ̀ròsùn, Irukere, mini-Ọpọ́n, Ìbò and other items. This is because the work can come anytime.

In the Odù Ìwòrì-Obara, Ifá prevents his Akápò from using the hands with which he is supposed to cast Ifá to till the ground.

Which means, he can't even go to farm, he should rather sit beside his Ọpọ́n and wait for who will come, needing the help of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, that, is the source of his own livelihood. IFÁ speaks of the same of Ìlàrí Olodumare in Odù Ìrẹtẹ̀ Méjì.

This particular self-sacrifice is part of the Ìsìn/Ẹ̀sìn, the religion of Ifá.

As an Akápò, you have put on yourself the yoke of Ọ̀rúnmìlà and you no longer "own" yourself.

And for the period of time when you are learning Ifá under an Oluwo - because the gift of Ifá knowledge, divination and interpretation doesn't just jump on you, you have to train for it, during the period of this training also - you do not "own" yourself. Your Oluwo "owns" you.

This is also part of the Ìsìn/Ẹ̀sìn/Religion of Ifá.

Being a Babaláwo is a Ministry, guided by divine powers. It is not mere science. The powers behind it operate a very just reward system. Serve man truthfully, Serve Irúnmọlẹ̀ honestly, this is pleasing to Olodumare.

To be an Ifá scholar and researcher however, you don't need to be a Babaláwo who attends to people's problems. You also do not need an Oluwo to teach or train you. You can get books on Ifá, visit different Babaláwos to get information to satisfy the scope of your own academic curiosity.

Àbọrú Àbọyè Àbọṣíṣẹ.

Pic: Babalawo Sergio Ramirez Hernandez casting IFÁ. Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Lagba

How can you interpret Irosun-Ọ̀sá also known as Irosun-Onísìn for Global relevance?

ÌBÀ Oluwo Solagbade Popoola!!! 

ÌBÀ Oluwo Akomolafe Wande!!! 

ÌBÀ ÀRÀBÀ Adetunji Folorunso!!!

Presently, the Irosun-Osa, which is the Odù that was cast at ỌDÚN IFÁ ÀGBÁYÉ, Òkè ÌGẸ̀TÍ, 12:01am 26th May, 2024 has shed a light on the ongoing debate of spirituality-religion that is presently rocking the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe world.

I like to first state that whatever ongoing heated debate is being witnessed on the social media between the parties are borne out of the genuine interest to preserve the cultural heritage of the Ọmọlúàbí.

Ifá, represents a body of knowledge.

The binary codes are references to the knowledge bank that holds what knowledge. There are 256 signatures which serve as independent books containing different knowledge. Consider this an information storage and retrieval system - a computer in modern terminology.

The 256 signatures are not mere information retrieval systems but they are energy portals, through which manifestations take place.

When Ifá is cast, it captures the prevailing energy within the sphere of influence being inquired and then brings out the road map in order to instruct accordingly. These energies IFÁ traces are an example of electromagnetic resonance between satellites - if you understand the science that an individual life entity is an energy transmitter. That is, everything that exists carries energy which gives it life.

The Ifá divination system is thus confirmed a scientific process - Thesis or Fact!?!

The Spirituality-religion argument is coming from a sentiment.

The Spirituality proponent does not want a "binding" of people to do someone's bidding but to follow the bidding of ORÍ. This is simply telling each individual to stay his/her lane. There is no one rule that binds every human together as in a public/general. This further expresses the scientific aspect of human existence. Just as everyone component of any technology is functioning based on its individual program, every human is an independent component of/in existence. That is the stance of spirituality and it is valid.

What is also valid is that acquiring the knowledge of how to follow the bidding of ORÍ and to be able to lead others into this process requires a learning under a guide - A master.

Ifá calls this process Ìsìn.

Ìsìn means Service.

Anyone who wants to be a master at anything - including Ifá Priesthood, must first Serve.

Ifá Priesthood requires acquiring of the knowledge of universal sciences at its esoteric level.

Just as there are rules of engagement in scientific laboratories to prevent accidents, so are there rules of engagement in the IFÁ science system to prevent accidents.

The Ìsìn aspect of Ifá is one of the ways Ifá prescribes to avoid life's accidents.

Ọ̀RÚNMÌLÀ says Ìsìn,

I respond, Ìsìn Baramiagboniregun

He said that the little rat first served in ranks before it became a father rat (elder rat)...

Ọ̀RÚNMÌLÀ says Ìsìn,

I respond, Ìsìn Baramiagboniregun

He said that the little fish first served in ranks before it became a father fish (elder fish)...

Ọ̀RÚNMÌLÀ says Ìsìn,

I respond, Ìsìn Baramiagboniregun

He said that the little bird first served in ranks before it became a father bird (elder bird)...

Ọ̀RÚNMÌLÀ says Ìsìn,

I respond, Ìsìn Baramiagboniregun

He said that the little child first served in ranks before it became a father (elder amongst humans)...

Ifá states that attaining a position of competence in anything requires a period of serving one who has moved ahead of you in the path you seek to walk.

Ifá admonishes the people of the younger to seek to be loyal and understudy elders. The craze for money and social recognition should be shelved and they should submit themselves to be groomed by elders on the path that they should walk. When someone has been put ahead of you, you need to humbly and respectfully learn from them. This is what guarantees your own eldership authority.

This is the Oluwo - Ọmọ Awo relationship of the Ifá Priesthood (religion). It can be seen for what it is in the academic settings - Teacher - Student relationship. It can be seen for what it is in the work settings - Master - Apprentice.

Let young people embrace virtue of service.

Furthermore, IFÁ commands yearly celebration of IFÁ festival, the hosting of people to eat and drink in the name of Ifá and to conclude by divination to inquire from the Oracle the knowledge of the coming year and how to appropriately improve one's lot by adjusting one's ÌWÀ. This annual event commanded by IFÁ is both an economic stimulant and serves as an electromagnetic watch over our consciousness.

Ọ̀rúnmìlà says that the rulers should serve

I respond let the priests serve Baramiagboniregun

He said when the rulers serve,

when the priests serve,

then the blessings of economic prosperity will come in...

Ọ̀rúnmìlà says that the rulers should serve

I respond let the priests serve Baramiagboniregun

He said when the rulers serve,

when the priests serve,

then the blessings of economic prosperity will come in...

Ọ̀rúnmìlà says that the rulers should serve

I respond let the priests serve Baramiagboniregun

He said when the rulers serve,

when the priests serve,

then the blessings of a spouse/aya will come in...

Ọ̀rúnmìlà says that the rulers should serve

I respond let the priests serve Baramiagboniregun

He said when the rulers serve,

when the priests serve,

then the blessings of children will come in...

Ọ̀rúnmìlà says that the rulers should serve

I respond let the priests serve Baramiagboniregun

He said when the rulers serve,

when the priests serve,

then the blessings of all goodness will come in...

By rulers here - IFÁ is challenging the Presidents of the World, the governors of the world, the Monarchs of the world.

By priests, Ifá is pointing to the Ifá adherents, the priests of different deities all over the world.

This is what is being done by the Christians and Muslims with the yearly conventions.

IFÁ adherents should know that by their continuous congregation to create merriment in Ifá-Òrìṣà chants and praises with feasting, they are on course and it is a path to PROSPERITY. let nothing discourage you from doing this.

Sacred congregations of people with similar religious beliefs can be a platform of cross-fertilization of ideas and synergy for the execution of mutually benefiting projects to improve the quality of the lives of everyone around us.

While taking each one's individual path is crucial to living a fulfilling life, just as an individual component of a mobile phone can't do the job of a phone but needs to operate in synergy with other individual components, so also is the organized environment for human synergy highly crucial to one's life fulfillment.

Our Religion, which is tied to our spiritual beliefs bring us together as people in the attempt to achieve more by constructively utilizing our numbers.

Our individuality help us to identify our individual role in the greater goal.

While the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion is not designed to motivate you into believing a paradise after death, it reveals to us the importance of sowing and reaping, letting us know that our life's reality is a function of our actions. Meaning, to have a better life experience, you should sow the right actions.

What are some of the ways you can deliver the message of Irosun-Osa?

Source: Ayobami Ogedengbe

The Question: “How is Africa different from other continents?”

Between 500 million years ago and 10,000 years ago, Africa's natural environment underwent unique transformations that set it apart from other continents. During the Paleozoic Era (541-252 million years ago), Africa was part of the supercontinent Gondwana, which eventually fragmented, giving rise to Africa's distinct geology and ecosystems. Unlike other continents that experienced extensive glaciations, Africa’s equatorial position provided stable, warm climates, resulting in vast deserts, savannas, and tropical rainforests. The continent's biodiversity was shaped by its isolation during the Mesozoic Era (252-66 million years ago) and limited exposure to glaciation during the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million-11,700 years ago), unlike Europe and North America. Africa’s large arid zones, such as the Sahara, expanded significantly during the last ice age, contrasting with the extensive, unforgiving ice sheets in the northern continents.

In terms of human history, Africa cannot be judged by the same standards as other continents. The history of human activity in Africa predates the earliest estimates for the beginnings of language, art, writing, clothing, agriculture, and other cultural advancements. Ancient scholars recognized Africa's primacy in human history. Diodorus Siculus, a 1st-century BCE historian, remarked on this in *The Library of History*, stating: “The historians relate that the Ethiopians were the first humans, and they say that there is clear evidence for this claim. Nearly all sources agree that the Ethiopians did not arrive from elsewhere, but being born from the land they are justly called autochthonous. They add that it is obvious to all that the people who live under the midday sun are probably the first that the earth brought forth. This is because the sun’s heat dried up the earth as it was still wet from the genesis of everything and produced life.”

If the markers of civilization were redefined to include the earliest evidence of language, art, religion, astronomy, time-keeping, mathematics, mining, clothing, trading, sailing, jewelry making, cooking, bed making, tool-making, and more than 50 other cultural practices, the emergence of civilization in Africa would be recognized as tens of thousands of years earlier than in any other continent. Therefore, when considering Africa’s history and contributions to civilization, it's essential to recognize that the continent's development—by many measures—far predates similar advancements in other parts of the world. This unique legacy places Africa at the forefront of human history, redefining our understanding of civilization's origins.

Lastly, all humans originally had brown-skinned ancestors, as supported by extensive scientific research. This fundamentally challenges any claims of racial superiority based on skin color. Evolutionary, geographical, and environmental factors have shaped the diversity of human skin tones over millennia. As our ancestors migrated from Africa and adapted to varying levels of UV radiation across different regions, their skin pigmentation evolved accordingly. However, the concept of distinct racial groups is scientifically outdated; genetic research reveals that human variation is continuous and not confined to arbitrary, socially constructed racial categories. By redefining the markers of civilization, recognizing Africa's foundational role in human history, and understanding the true origins of our species, we gain a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity and the intricate interplay of factors that have shaped us all. This nuanced perspective affirms that skin color is a reflection of human adaptation and diversity, not a basis for division.

References:

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

2. Jablonski, N. G., & Chaplin, G. (2000). The evolution of human skin coloration. *Journal of Human Evolution, 39(1),* 57-106.

3. Norton, H. L. (2006). Evolutionary aspects of human skin pigmentation. *American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 131(S43),* 93-107. 

Picture - Miss Universe Ireland 🇮🇪

HISTORY LESSON

In the 1940s, Alhassan Dantata 🇳🇬 was the richeśt person in West Africa. 

He worked with kolanuts and built the Kano Groundnut Pyramids. Each pyramid had 15,000 filled bags.

He was a supplier to British trading companies.

Alhassan Dantata òpened an account with British Bank of West Africa (now First Bank Nigeria) with 20 camel-loads of silver coins in Kano, Nigeria in 1929

His great grandson, Aliko Dangote is the Ríchest Black person in Africa today.

THE BORNU TRIBE

The Bornu tribe of the African continent has historically been proven to be one of the largest African countries in area. It extended from the Niger River in the west to the Nile River in the east and from the Fezzan region in the north to Adamawa in the south. It was also the longest-lived country, having lived for more than a thousand years (700 - 1919 AD). This is why  It played a major role in spreading Islam on the African continent in general and the western and central Sudan region in particular 

The peoples of this vast region converted to Islam at the hands of Bornu, and Islamic and Arab culture spread through Bornu’s institutes and mosques, which continued to inhabit this region throughout the Middle Ages and part of the modern era. Its Qur’anic fires were not extinguished until after the colonial invasion of the continent.  Their state also spread consultation and justice among its subjects and adopted Islamic law as a method in all its political systems. 

And civilization (2). Manar was admired by all the travelers who visited it, whether they were Arabs or foreigners. Thus, it was able to establish strong relations with the rulers of Egypt and the countries of North Africa. It extended its hand to the Ottoman Caliphate, which accepted it and provided it with the necessary material and moral support. Its commercial convoys set off to roam the African desert, and they were like waves of waves.  In a deep sea, its trade flourished with Egypt, the Hijaz, and North Africa, and its trade even went as far as China, India, and East Africa (3). So T. appeared.

Neighboring Bornu, there were merchants and preachers, and Hajj was an important Islamic manifestation for the Sultans of Bornu. It is even said that more than thirty of the Sultans of Bornu performed the Hajj. Thus, this young state filled the Islamic region with a pool and a pool, and it was able to preserve its possessions throughout that period, even when European colonialism entered the African continent during the century. 

The twentieth was on three fronts: the British, the French, and the German (4), so the old empire fell after struggling for all that period, and then its possessions were divided between those three countries, but it left for the Muslims a wonderful heritage and eternal pages of Islamic history and the Islamic civilization of this continent.

Establishment of the Borno state:

The Borno state went through two stages in its political history. The first stage was known as the Kanem state (700-1398 AD) and the second was known as the Bornu state (1398-1919 AD). Nothing changed during the two stages except the name of the state. As for the rulers, they themselves only moved from the east of Lake Chad.

To the west of the lake, they called their state the state of Borno.  Most historical documents confirm that the state of Bornu was established at the beginning of its era in the Kwar region, south of the Fezzan region ((12)), after the fall of the Kingdom of Kush at the hands of Axum and the ensuing tribal conflicts that led to the migration of these tribes and their settlement in the Kwar region and the establishment of a king for them. 

In this region...then this country moved south and settled east of Lake Chad, which was known as the Land of the Kanem. This happened as a result of the Roman wars in North Africa and the subsequent events of the Islamic conquest. Huge tribes of Berber elements migrated and settled around Lake Chad and the Niger Basin.

Foreign relations of the State of Borno:

Since its inception, the state of Borno has been concerned with its external relations, especially since it is a major Islamic state in the heart of the African continent. It reached a stage of strength and greatness in the internal political structure and spread of Islam in the African continent, attracting the attention of the civilized world at that time, especially Islamic countries.. Sheikh Ahmed Baba says that the great sultans of the world are four. they:

The greatest Sultan of Baghdad, meaning the Ottoman Caliph, the Sultan of Egypt, the Sultan of Borno, and the Sultan of Mali ((35)). This is its position in the Islamic world.  As for Africa, Sheikh Abdul Qadir bin Al-Mustafa says in his book (Rawdat Al-Afkar) that the state of Bornu was the greatest of all African countries ((36)) during the Middle Ages, and for this prestigious position, the Sultans of Bornu were keen to consolidate their relations with major Islamic countries such as Egypt, North African countries, and the Ottoman countries.

#Africa #Nigeria

Desmond Tutu: The Story of the "Rebel Bishop" from South Africa

Desmond Tutu, the smiling bishop from South Africa, has gained friends and admirers around the world, thanks to his wild personality.

As a prominent black cleric, he had to become involved in the struggle against the apartheid regime, but he always insisted that his motives were religious, not political.

The late President Nelson Mandela appointed him head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was formed to investigate crimes committed by both sides of the conflict in South Africa during the apartheid era.

Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in a small town mostly occupied by gold mines in the Transvaal.

He initially followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a teacher, but he left that profession after the Bantu Education Law came into effect in 1953, which introduced racial segregation in schools.

Desmond Tutu joined the church, and was greatly influenced by many white clergy in South Africa, in particular the staunch opponent of apartheid, Bishop Trevor Huddleston.

Toto (right) with a group of teachers at Pretoria Bantu Regular College:

After being ordained as a priest in the church, Tutu obtained degrees in theology and psychology from a university in London, and worked for a period in two churches in southeast England.

Following a stint working for the World Ecclesiastical Council in Britain, Tutu became the first black rector of the Anglican Church in Johannesburg in 1975.

He also served as bishop of Lesotho between 1976 and 1978, assistant to the bishop of Johannesburg, and head of a diocese in the suburb of Soweto before his appointment as bishop of Johannesburg.

Desmond Tutu began raising his voice against injustice in South Africa when he was Rector of the Anglican Church in Johannesburg, and then when he became General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches in 1977.

Although he was a well-known figure before the outbreak of the 1976 uprising in black towns, Tutu was not known to the white community in South Africa as a fighter for reform until a few months before the outbreak of violence in Soweto.

Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts to confront the apartheid regime, in a move that was considered a major insult by the international community to South Africa's white rulers.

Tutu's inauguration ceremony as Archbishop of Johannesburg was attended by international religious figures, including former Bishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, and the widow of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

After becoming the leader of the Anglican Church in South Africa, Tutu continued his effective confrontation with the apartheid regime.  In March 1988, he said, “We refuse to be treated as a doormat on which the government wipes its shoes.”

Desmond Tutu used to visit black towns in South Africa:

Six months later, Desmond Tutu risked prison by calling for a boycott of local elections. He was also poisoned with tear gas in August 1989, when police confronted a group emerging from a church in a black town near Cape Town. The following month, he was arrested after refusing to leave.  Banned demonstration.

His calls to impose sanctions on South Africa, after he became archbishop, received support from all over the world, especially since these calls were accompanied by a strong condemnation of all acts of violence.

Desmond Tutu warmly welcomed the liberal reforms announced by South African President De Klerk shortly after taking office, which included lifting the ban on the African National Congress and releasing Nelson Mandela.

Shortly after, Desmond Tutu announced a ban on clergy joining political parties, a decision condemned by other churches.  Later in 1990, he attempted to mediate differences between the ANC and the Inkatha movement led by Zulu elder Gacha Buthelezi.

Desmond Tutu has never been afraid to speak out. In April 1989, during a visit to Birmingham, England, he criticized what he described as “two-nation Britain” and said that British prisons were full of black inmates.

He also angered the Israelis when, during a visit, he compared black Africans in South Africa to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Tutu said that he could not understand how a people who suffered as much as the Jews could impose this amount of suffering on the Palestinian people.

Desmond Tutu was poisoned with tear gas in August 1989, when police confronted a group leaving a church in a black town near Cape Town.

Desmond Tutu was a great admirer of Nelson Mandela, but he did not always agree with him, especially regarding the permissibility of using violence to achieve a just goal.

In November 1995, Mandela, then president of South Africa, asked Tutu to chair a truth and reconciliation commission tasked with searching for evidence of apartheid-era crimes and making recommendations on whether those who admitted involvement should be pardoned. Crimes.

At the end of the committee's work, Tutu attacked former white South African leaders, saying that most of them had lied to the committee.

Although the government accepted the report issued by the committee, many criticized it, claiming that it did not achieve the goals for which it was formed.

Tutu, for example, was accused of being lenient with Mandela's first wife Winnie, who was facing serious charges including involvement in murder.

But he was always affected by the pain of victims of violence, and was seen more than once crying during committee sessions.

Images source: Getty Images

#Africa #SouthAfrica