The Ijebu Kingdom / British-Ijebu War

Ijebu (also known as Jebu or Geebu) was a separate kingdom in pre-colonial Nigeria. It was formed around the fifteenth century. Its ruling dynasty was founded by Obanta of Ile-Ife and was part of the Oyo Empire.

The kingdom was one of the most developed in the region with a complex and highly organized government. The capital was at Ijebu Ode where the Awujale had his palace. The traditional belief that governed the monarchy was similar to that of the Chinese Mandate of Heaven.

Counterbalancing the Awujale was the Osugbo (known as the Ogboni in other parts of Nigeria), a council of all free born, titled men that acted as the kingdom's courts. Like other African society Ijebu was divided into three age ranks, and these groups each had their own leaders.

The Kingdom stretches to parts of Lagos State and borders Ondo State. These towns includes Ijebu-Igbo, Imota, Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos, Ijebu-Isiwo, Ogun Waterside, Iwopin, Lekki in Lagos State, Ijebu-Imushin, Ijebu-Ife, Apunren, Erunwon, Isonyin, Ososa, Odogbolu and Ago-Iwoye.

The kingdom rose in power in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, mainly due to its important position on the trade routes between Lagos and Ibadan. The kingdom imposed sharp limits on trade, insisting that all trade through the region be conducted by Ijebu merchants.

The monopoly brought great wealth to the kingdom, but also annoyed the Europeans, who had made a treaty in 1852 with the Ijebus.

The Ijubu Monopoly accepted but later disregard and reject the treaty. In 12th May 1892, the British attacked Ijebu in response to its trade barriers.

With help of soldiers from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Hausa cities the British were later successful by 21st May and occupied the capital, burning the meeting hall of the Osugbo. The British army employed Maxim guns During the war where thousand of Ijebus died during the war.

The main cause of the war was the prowess of the Ijebu merchant who traded with the Portuguese merchant, this angered the British who were intruding into the Area to control the economy of the people.

Facts about African Football:

(1). Cameroon 🇨🇲 

- The National Team that has produced more World class Players than any nation in Africa. With 5 Afcons wins

(2). Egypt 🇪🇬 yy6yyh

- The most dominant Team in Afcon competitions and also on club level.

(3). Nigeria 🇳🇬 

- 3 times afcon Winners, quality Team, African Power house, with the most trophies at all levels in African football.

(4). Ghana 🇬🇭 

- Quality players over the years with 4 Afcon Trophies to her name! But currently has lost grip of being great! Won Afcon way back more than 30 years ago.

(5). Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 

- 2 Times Afcon Winners! Produced more world class players in the last decade than any other African Team

(6). Algeria 🇩🇿 

- Power house in African football, Consistence, produce quality players and always labeled favorite for the Afcon trophy.

(7). Senegal 🇸🇳 

- A force in African football! Unlucky not to have won more than 1 AFCON trophy. Quality players over the years.

(8). Zambia 🇿🇲 

- A Power house in the early years of African football, very competitive and plays beautiful football! Reached three afcon finals and won 1 trophy after 3 attempts.

(9). Mali 🇲🇱 

- Very unlucky, quality team, quality players over the years but no afcon trophy to show for.

(10). Congo DR 

- Early years heavyweights, very competitive does not produce world class players of late but a force in African football with two AFCON trophies to show for.

(11). Tunisia 🇹🇳 

- Tough team to play against! One of the good teams in Africa but not considered a huge powerhouse National Team! 1 Afcon Trophy to show for.

(12). Liberia 🇱🇷 

- The only African team to produce a World player of the year Winner (George Weah) apart from that nothing to talk about concerning football.

(13). Republic of South Africa 🇿🇦 

- They were great only for a decade from 1994 to 2002/04 period! With 1 trophy to show for, and the only African nation to host the Fifa World Cup to date. Not considered a powerhouse in African football though.

Via AG

QUEEN AHMOSE NEFERTARI

Queen Ahmose-Nefertari mother of King Amenhotep I, the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Kemet.

She was a daughter of Seqenenre Tao and Ahhotep I, and royal wife to Ahmose I.

📸: Ahmose Nefertari as depicted in tomb TT359

HISTORY

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

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

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

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

Via Ancient African History

AFRICAN HEROES AND HEROINES

Let us recall some great black heroes and heroines. I choose to celebrate the lives of African heroes and heroines who fought against and defeated the European monarchies and imperialists. Many were tortured, maimed and murdered.

Long live the spirits of our forefathers.

The struggle continues. Don't give up the fight.

Thank you for paving a way for us.

I hereby pour libation with enough love and respect to remember our heroes and heroines.

THE XHOSA PEOPLE

The Xhosa are the second largest cultural group in South Africa, after the Zulu-speaking nation. The Xhosa language (Isixhosa), of which there are variations, is part of the Nguni language group. Xhosa is one of the 11 official languages recognized by the South African Constitution, and in 2006 it was determined that just over 7 million South Africans speak Xhosa as a home language.

📸: Xhosa tribesmen

𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗪𝗢 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗕𝗔 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗚𝗢𝗚𝗢?

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻, famously known as “𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼” is a Yoruba movie actor, director and producer.

He was born on October 31st, 1959, in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, to Taiwo Subaru Akande and Halimat Ayinke Jenrade.

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 grew up in the southwestern part of Nigeria and attended St. Joseph Primary School in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, before proceeding to Abeokuta Grammar School for his secondary education. After completing his secondary education, he went on to study Business Administration at the Polytechnic Ibadan. However, his passion for acting led him to join a theatre group where he honed his skills as an actor.

𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼, currently 64, is known for his action-filled protagonist role in movies. He has since been a household name among Yoruba movie lovers. He was brought to the spotlight for his notable roles in movies like 𝗢𝗺𝗶𝗻, 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼'𝗸𝘂, 𝗢𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘂, amongst others.

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻'𝘀 acting career began in the early 1980s when he featured in a television drama series called "𝗬𝗲𝗺𝗶 𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿". He then went on to feature in several Yoruba movies, such as "𝗢𝘄𝗼 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘄", "𝗜𝗷𝗮 𝗢𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗿𝗮", "𝗢𝘄𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗲", "𝗞𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗿𝘂𝗻", "𝗞𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗻", "𝗜𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗶𝘆𝗲", "𝗞𝗼𝗳𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘂", "𝗢𝗹𝗼𝗷𝘂 𝗘𝗱𝗲", and many others.

𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼 has featured in more than 100 movies and has won awards, and has been nominated for numerous others. He is a proud recipient of the City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is reportedly a polygamist with two wives; Ajoke, Taibat and his marriages are blessed with six(6) children.

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲? 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗘𝗦. Although Kehinde Hassan is not as popular as his twin brother Taiwo, he has made a name for himself in the industry and has shown that he is just as talented as his brother.

Yes, 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻, popularly known as 𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼, has a twin brother. His name is Kehinde Hassan, and he is also an actor like his brother Taiwo. He is from a family known to have twins in high numbers. Taiwo has a twin brother, Kehinde. His father is a twin, as well as his grandfather.

In summary, 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻, popularly known as 𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼, has a twin brother named Kehinde Hassan.

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻'𝘀 passion for acting has led him to become one of the most sought-after actors in the Nigerian film industry. His incredible talent and versatility have earned him several awards and recognition both locally and internationally. He has left an indelible mark in the industry and has inspired many upcoming actors to pursue their dreams. Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as 𝗢𝗴𝗼𝗴𝗼, is a role model and a source of inspiration to many. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲!

JOHN H. JOHNSON

In a world of despair, we wanted to give hope. In a world of negative Black images, we wanted to provide positive Black images. In a world that said Blacks could do few things, we wanted to say that they could do everything.

-John H. Johnson, founder / CEO of Ebony Magazine 

PATRICE LUMUMBA

A day will come when the history of Africa will be told, not as the europeans and americans wrote it, but the true and only history of Africa will be the one written by Africans. Patrice Lumumba

That day has come.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

(1). Africa was one time called Alkebulan (mother of mankind).

(2). Africa ruled the world for 15,000 years.

(3). Richest man in history is an African King (Mansa Musa).

(4). Africa civilized mankind.

(5). Mining started in Africa 43,000 years ago,  In 1964 a hematite mine was found in Swaziland at Bomvu Ridge in the Ngwenya mountain range.

(6). Africans were the first to organise fishing. expeditions 90,000 years ago at Katanga, Congo.

(7). Africans carved the world’s first colossal sculpture 7,000 years ago.

(8). The ancient Kemetians had Afro combs.

(9). African Kings ruled India.

(10). Africa is a home to World’s oldest University. 

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT MUGABE (21-02-1924 to 06-09-2019)

One of the greatest anti imperialistic quote of Robert Mugabe was " Keep your England and I will keep my little Zimbabwe".

Growing up in a modest christain Orthdox home where I was lucky to have basic Access to Eurocentric African history books where the story and history of black Africans were written through European lenses in order to suit European narrative of what and who Africa should be, impacted a form of false knowledge of African history on me.

I read in many books how terrible and draconic Robert MUGABE was. I watched daily on CNN and BBC news correspondence on how Mugabe was a dictator and a shame to humanity. I believed them until I started reading Afrocentric historical books which depicted Robert Mugabe as a pure African revolutionary who destroyed Apartheid and colonial structures in Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe was jailed, beaten and tortured for Fighting against Apartheid government in Zimbabwe by the White minority rulers.

Mugabe changed the name of his country from Rhodesia into Zimbabwe. Cecil Rhodes was the name of the British man who committed many crimes against humanity in Southern Africa because of his quest for material benefits and mineral resources embedded in the soil of South African nations. To make matters worse, the British and the white minority settlers renamed Zimbabwe as Rhodesia after this man.

Robert Mugabe was an African revolutionary and a complete freedom fighter. He was an Afromarxist. He nationalised all the white owned multi national corporations in Zimbabwe and returned the lands in Zimbabwe back to the blacks. 

The Queen of England removed the knighthood she bestowed on Mugabe because of his pro African policies but Mugabe was ready to sacrifice his personal Glory for the benefits of his people. Zimbabwe was economically sanctioned in order to paint Mugabe as a failure. Yet, the true legacies of Mugabe lives forever.

Rest in peace, Robert Mugabe!

Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo

THE WORLD'S TALLEST PEOPLE

Meet world’s tallest people. The Dinka and Nuer of South Sudan. The Dinka people are the tallest tribe in Africa followed by the Tutsi of Rwanda. Most Dinka are 7’ feet tall. Dinka are also one of the darkest tribes in Africa.