Africa Factbook

The cultural significance of gele headwraps in Nigeria, different styles of gele, and the historical roots of headwraps among people of African descent in the Americas and the Caribbean.  Gele Headwraps in Nigerian Culture. The word "Gele" is pronounced as "geh-leh" with the stress on the first syllable. Gele headwraps are an important part of Nigerian culture, especially among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Gele headwraps are typically made of a stiff fabric, such as Aso-oke, which is a hand-woven fabric made using a traditional weaving technique. Aso-oke fabric comes in a variety of colors and designs and is often used for special occasions and ceremonial clothing. In Nigerian culture, gele headwraps are worn by women on special occasions such as weddings, religious ceremonies, and cultural festivals. The style of gele worn by women often differs based on their marital status.  The Yoruba culture, for example, married women typically wear larger and mo

The true story of Yasuke, also known as Yasuke the African, unveils the remarkable tale of the first black samurai and retainer in history.  Hailing from Africa, Yasuke's journey led him to serve as a retainer and samurai under the renowned Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the late 16th century. Retainers were expected to be skilled in martial arts, warfare, diplomacy, and other necessary skills to serve their lord effectively.  A retainer was also a trusted subordinate who pledged their allegiance to a higher-ranking samurai or noble and offered their skills, support, and loyalty in exchange for protection, patronage, and social status.  The name Yasuke is pronounced as "yah-soo-kay." Yasuke the First African Retainer and Samurai. Retainers played a crucial role in the hierarchical structure of the samurai class. They formed the personal entourage and administrative staff of the lord or daimyo, assisting in various aspects of governance, warfare, and daily affairs. Re

The story of Kibo the Old Chimpanzee highlights the valuable lesson that wisdom and knowledge can continue to develop as we age.  Just like the old chimpanzee, Kibo, who demonstrated enhanced problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and behavioral flexibility, the story reminds us that life experiences and accumulated knowledge can contribute to continued growth and learning. It emphasizes the importance of valuing and seeking wisdom from older we who have valuable insights to offer. Kibo the Old Chimpanzee Story of Wisdom Growing with Age. Once in a forgotten time in a chimpanzee sanctuary, there lived an old male chimpanzee named Kibo. Kibo had spent most of his life in the sanctuary, rescued from a difficult past. He had seen his share of hardships, but his age had only brought wisdom and a remarkable ability to adapt and learn. As Kibo grew older, his companions noticed a change in his behavior. He became the go-to chimpanzee whenever a complex problem arose. Whether it w

Atlas Film Studios in Morocco is a thriving hub for filmmakers, offering stunning landscapes, vast studio spaces and captivating film sets. Ouarzazate is a city located in the southeastern part of Morocco, in the Atlas Mountains. The Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate has put this Moroccan city on the global cinematic map. Located in the captivating city of Ouarzazate, Morocco, the Atlas Film Studios hold a fascinating history that has left an indelible mark on both the local community and the global film industry. These studios have earned the reputation of being the Hollywood of Morocco and have become a source of pride for the city. Atlas Film Studios in Morocco The Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, Morocco, are named after the nearby Atlas Mountains. The Atlas Mountains are a prominent mountain range that stretches across Morocco , Algeria, and Tunisia. They are known for their majestic beauty and have been featured in numerous films shot in the region. By naming the studios after th

Within a village haunted by torrents of rain, Nekra's ability to transform into a vengeful thunderstorm was both a curse and a fascination. Her powers unleashed chaos upon the villagers, who cowered in fear, until one fateful day when Olman, a wanderer with unwavering courage, entered the village. Drawn to Nekra's plight, he sought to understand the source of her powers and guide her toward a path of redemption and renewal.  The Storm Whisperer Folktale Story In a time before written memory, in a village filled with fear, there was a woman named Nekra. Since she was little, she had this amazing ability to turn herself into a powerful thunderstorm that could flood the whole village whenever she got angry. The villagers were scared of her and did everything they could to keep her happy, so she wouldn't unleash her storm and destroy their homes and farms. One day, a traveler named Olman arrived in the village. He had heard stories about the girl who could control thunderstorms

African-American colonization sought to escape slavery, establish autonomy, self-governing communities, and spaces free from racial discrimination. African American Self Colonization Efforts. African-American colonization efforts such as the April 1861 Niger Valley Exploring Party were driven by the desire to escape slavery, seek political autonomy, establish self-governing communities, and create spaces free from racial discrimination. During the mid-19th century, African-Americans in the United States faced severe oppression and racial discrimination due to the institution of slavery.  Slavery, which had been practiced for centuries, treated African-Americans as property, denying them basic human rights and subjecting them to brutal treatment and exploitation. Enslaved African-Americans were denied their freedom, subjected to harsh labor conditions, and experienced physical and psychological abuse. They were considered inferior to white Americans and were systematically excluded from

To ward off curses, witchcraft and evil spirits, the use of protective symbols such as wearing or hanging a talisman called Gurudumu is common practice. In Tanzania, witchcraft superstitions are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and traditions. Witchcraft superstitions such as albino witchcraft and curses are powerful beliefs throughout certain parts of Tanzania. A talisman called Gurudumu. Albino Curses and Witchcraft in Tanzania. There is a strong belief in the existence of albino witches who are thought to possess magical powers. This belief has unfortunately led to the persecution and violence against albinos, as some people seek their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals. Some traditional beliefs and superstitions associate albinism with supernatural or magical powers. This misconception fuels the demand for albino body parts, as they are believed to possess mystical properties that can bring wealth, success, or protection from harm. In certain communities, there is a bel

Difference between Food Grade Shea Butter and Cosmetic Shea Butter.  Food grade shea butter and topical shea butter predominantly differ in terms of their purity, processing, and the use of preservatives. Food grade shea butter typically does not contain additives or preservatives that are present in cosmetic shea butter.  These can include fragrance additives, colorants, and other cosmetic-specific ingredients that are not necessary or suitable for consumption. Food grade shea butter is typically processed and purified to meet specific safety and quality standards for ingestion, resulting in a product that is free from unnecessary cosmetic additives. Comparing the difference between Food Grade and Cosmetic Shea Butter. Food grade shea butter and shea butter used topically primarily differ in terms of their purity, processing, and the addition of preservatives.  Food grade shea butter is produced using more stringent manufacturing processes to ensure it meets specific safety and qualit

The idea that Ethiopia has never been conquered by a foreign power is correct however the concept Ethiopia has never been occupied by a foreign power is common misconception, Italy was the only foreign power to occupy Ethiopia. It is true Ethiopia was never colonized by a European power during the Scramble for Africa period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but before that time period, the foreign power that occupied Ethiopia were Italian colonialists 1936 until 1941. Also, there were many notorious Italian occupied concentration camps in Ethiopia; Gursen, Graziani, Nocra, Mai Terara and Danane.  Haile Selassie lead the Italian resistance from exile. The misconception that Ethiopia was never occupied has much to do with incorrectly interchanging the words occupied and conquered. While the terms occupied and conquered imply foreign control over a territory, the term conquest typically implies a more complete and permanent form of subjugation, while occupation can refer to a ran