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Showing posts from April, 2023

African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Esther. Thank you, Esther. We were able to purchase a new cutting board.

Driving on a Road Two Miles in the Sky

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The Sani Pass is a stunning mountain pass that spans approximately 1.8 miles in elevation, connecting South Africa and Lesotho. The pass is characterized by a treacherous 5.6-mile-long rugged terrain, consisting of loose gravel and rocky surfaces that pose a significant challenge to drivers and adventurers alike. Sani Pass is a steep 5.6 miles long mountain pass located in the southern Drakensberg Mountains, on the border between South Africa and Lesotho. The pass is named after the nearby Sani Mountain, which is the second-highest mountain in Lesotho. The Sani Pass is a gap in the Drakensberg mountain range formed by erosion caused by glaciers, rivers, wind, rain and other natural forces. Sani Pass in summer Elevated roadway through the clouds, traveling the treacherous Sani Pass. The Sani Pass is a mountain pass located in the Drakensberg Mountains of southern Africa, between South Africa and Lesotho. The road leading up to the pass is a gravel road with a steep gradient and sharp t

The Legacy of Anthony Johnson: From Slavery to Legalizing Slavery

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Anthony Johnson's journey from an Angolan indentured servant to a Virginia planter-class tobacco farmer is a complex and intricate tale of events. Anthony Johnson, a Black man who lived in colonial Virginia from 1621 to 1675, accomplished a remarkable feat by attaining his freedom and joining the planter class in Virginia. This ascent brought him wealth, power, and social status, but it came at the cost of another Black man, John Casor, whom the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in 1655 would be a slave for life. The relationship between Anthony Johnson, a Black man, and slavery in colonial Virginia was complex, as Johnson saw it as a means of gaining wealth and social status within society. Johnson was born in Angola in the early 17th century and was sold into slavery at the age of 21.The Portuguese established a colony in Angola in the early 17th century, which increased their access to slaves from the region. It is likely that Anthony Johnson was one of many captives from Angola bro

Debunking the PR Campaign Of King Leopoldo II

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The Reputation Management of King Leopold II and how it distorted the truth about his actions in Africa. The Reputation Management of King Leopold II distorted the truth about his actions in Africa. While he presented himself as a philanthropist and abolitionist, his true intentions were to rape, pillage and profit from the Congo Free State. He established organizations such as the International African Association to create a facade of scientific research and anti-slavery campaigns, while in reality, he forced the Congolese people into labor and subjected them to torture, mutilation, and death. The efforts of his reputation management team, particularly from 1885 - 1908, to maintain a positive image of King Leopold II have perpetuated the erasure of the atrocities committed against the Congolese people. False reputation management involves intentionally manipulating information or presenting a false image to improve its public perception, this is exactly the technique King Leopold II

Skin so dry it looks like a dusty bookshelf

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Dry skin is commonly referred to as ashy. Have you ever been told your feet are so dry, it looks like you've been walking in talcum powder; then you understand the definition of ashy and we have a cure for ashiness. The term ashy is used to describe dry, dull, flaky skin is a common skincare issue in the winter and summer months. Ashiness occurs when the skin becomes dry and dehydrated, causing dead skin cells to accumulate on the surface, which can give the skin a grayish or ashy appearance. Dry ashy skin Ashy Skin Jokes. There are too many jokes that are laughed out loud when skin is ashy such as: Pills and potions, your ass needs lotion. Skin so dry it looks like cracked earth. Skin so dry it looks like the sand in the Sahara desert. Your knees are so dry you have to ask God to give the lotion strength. Skin so dry it looks like a chalkboard. Your feet are so dry, it looks like you've been hiking through the Sahara. Skin so dry it looks like a crumpled piece of paper. Your

Seven Plagues of the Village

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Seven Plagues of the Village serves as a cautionary folktale on the importance of heeding wisdom, making wise decisions, and valuing community. The story of the Seven Plagues of the Village teaches several valuable lessons. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of listening to wise counsel. Secondly, it teaches the consequences of curiosity and disobeying rules. Thirdly, it emphasizes the power of redemption and the ability to right our wrongs. Lastly, it demonstrates the value of community and working together towards a common goal in the face of adversity. These lessons are crucial in navigating through life, and the story of the Seven Plagues of the Village serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of heeding wisdom, making wise decisions, and valuing community. The Seven Plagues of the Village African Folktale. As the El

Why Country Music Is So Popular in Kenya

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Country music is popular in Kenya because it resonates with the country's love of rural life, hard work, and family values. Country music tells stories in a unique way that connects with people from all walks of life including Africans. Country music originates in the Southern United States, and it is often seen as a genre that is uniquely American. The music is characterized by its use of acoustic instruments, its focus on rural life, and its themes of love, loss, and hard work. So, it may be surprising to some that country music is popular in Kenya, a country in East Africa but not really. Country music and Kenyan African Folklore are both forms of storytelling that have been passed down for generations. They both use simple language and melodies to tell stories about everyday people and their experiences. They also both often deal with themes of love, loss, hardship, and triumph.  The most popular country music song in Kenya is Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis. It was rele

What the Sand in Sahara Desert is Made of

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The sand in the Sahara Desert is made up of a variety of materials, including quartz, feldspar, and mica. Quartz, feldspar, and mica are three common minerals found in the Earth's crust. Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. Feldspar is a group of minerals that are mainly composed of aluminum, silica, and potassium, sodium, or calcium and is the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's crust. Mica is a mineral that is composed of aluminum, potassium, and other elements. The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area of over 9 million square kilometers. It is home to some of the most extreme weather conditions on Earth, with temperatures reaching up to 58 degrees Celsius or 136 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its harsh climate, the Sahara Desert is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. The sand dunes are home to a variety of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. The desert also supports a number of bi

France's Utilization of Maps to Exploit Algeria

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The French government's exploitation of Algeria through the use of the Delamarche map. Maps were created to justify French colonial rule in Algeria. The French colonization of Africa began with the invasion and annexation of Algeria by the French government in 1830. The French saw Algeria as a strategic location due to its proximity to France and the Mediterranean Sea, and its natural resources, including wheat, minerals, agriculture, and oil. Maps were created then used to justify French colonial rule in Algeria by falsely claiming large portions of Algeria were uninhabited. The French used surveying techniques similar to those used in the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to map and define their territories in Algeria, which helped in the exploitation of its resources and development of infrastructure.  The survey, known as the Triangulation of Algeria, was completed in 1860 and produced highly accurate and detailed maps known as the Carte topographique de l'AlgĂ©rie.  Thes

The Battle to Protect America and Africa's Wetlands

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The disappearance of wetlands is a significant concern for the world's drinking water, flood control, carbon storage and ultimately human health. The Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Florida Everglades in the United States are two of the world's most unique and important wetland ecosystems. While they are located on opposite sides of the world, they share many similarities in terms of their ecological and cultural significance. The Okavango Delta is located in southern Africa, while the Florida Everglades are located in the southeastern United States. The climate in both regions is characterized by warm temperatures and abundant rainfall, which is critical to the functioning of the wetlands. Both wetlands are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including many species that are endemic to their respective regions. The Okavango Delta is known for its large populations of elephants, lions, hippos, and other large mammals, as well as its rich birdlife.  The Everglades, o

Esi Reunites with Her Unborn Son

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This African folktale is an inspiring story of a mother and unborn son reunion. It tells the story of a mother's unwavering love for her child, and her determination to connect with him even after he has passed away. The story will inspire you to believe in the power of love and the possibility of connecting with loved ones beyond this physical world. Esi's story is a powerful reminder of the strength of ancestral wisdom and infinite spiritual connections in the face of unborn loss. As the elders say, there was once a woman named Esi who lost her unborn son. She never had the chance to meet him or hold him, and the pain of her loss haunted her every day.  Esi had heard of irugbin ilera from her great-grandmother. It is the threshold between wakefulness and sleep, where it was said that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds was thinnest.  Desperate to connect with her son in some way, she decided to try to reach him in this state. Every night before going to sleep

The Future of Chocolate is in Your Hands

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Before you bite, check to see if the label right by supporting the future of cocoa farmers and workers who are working in the chocolate industry in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Chocolate manufacturers often source cocoa from multiple countries, including Africa, and blend it together to create their products. However, it is important to note that not all chocolate sold at convenience stores or supermarkets is made from sustainably sourced cocoa. There are concerns about child labor and other human rights abuses in some cocoa-producing regions. That a chocolate bar you just grabbed at the convenience store contains cocoa that was grown in Africa, so before you eat that piece of chocolate check the label to insure the chocolate was sustainably sourced. You can tell if the chocolate was sustainably sourced by the Fairtrade and Rainforest Alli