Reclaiming Her Voice: How Adichie Overcame a Decade of Silence
After a decade-long hiatus, acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has returned with her powerful new novel, Dream Count. This release marks the end of a profound creative struggle, during which Adichie battled depression, grief from the loss of both parents, and the pressures of motherhood. Unable to write fiction, her primary solace came through immersing herself […]
Faith Meets Festivity: Inside Kenya’s Vibrant Lamu Maulidi Festival
Every year, Lamu, a historic Swahili port town off Kenya’s northern coast, comes alive with the Lamu Maulidi Festival—a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. nlike maulidi celebrations elsewhere, Lamu’s festival fuses culture, pilgrimage, and ceremony in a carnival-like atmosphere. Founded in the 19th century by scholar al-Habib Swaleh, the festival blends Islamic ritual with […]
Archiving Identity: How Baoulecore Keeps Ivorian Culture Alive
Baoulecore, tucked near Cocovico market in Abidjan, is more than a record store—it is a living archive of Ivorian culture and memory. Founded in 2023 by collector Cédric Kouamé, the space hosts vinyl, cassettes, photographs, zines, and rare books, each of which is a tangible piece of Ivorian heritage. The store, which began as Kouamé’s personal […]
Kenya’s Chebet Completes 5,000-10,000 Double in Tokyo Thriller
Beatrice Chebet stunned the athletics world by outsprinting fellow Kenyan Faith Kipyegon to claim gold in the women’s 5,000 meters at the Tokyo World Championships. Chebet, who completed a remarkable 5,000- and 10,000m double with the win, crossed the finish line in 14 minutes 54.36 seconds, narrowly edging Kipyegon, who earned silver in 14 minutes 55.07 seconds. […]
Beyond “Water”: The Visionary Shaping South African Dance’s Global Beat
In Johannesburg, South Africa, choreographer Lee-ché Janecke is on a mission to take his culture global. Janecke, who grew up in Cape Town and Johannesburg, is best known for choreographing Tyla’s viral “Water” dance. His journey began at family gatherings, and despite no formal training, he co-founded the country’s first male voguing and whacking dance crew. […]
Why São Tomé and Príncipe Belong on Your Travel Bucket List
Tucked away off Africa’s west coast, the dual-island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is a hidden gem, where unspoiled beaches, volcanic peaks, and lush forests create a dreamlike escape. Visitors can savor seafood feasts, hike to remote coves, or wander Príncipe’s deserted sands, often with no one else in sight. The best time to visit […]
Egyptian Archaeologists Unearth Rare Stela with Secrets of Ptolemaic Rule
Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a rare sandstone stela in El Husseiniya, marking a new version of the famed Decree of Canopus. First issued in 238 BCE under Ptolemy III, the decree—like the Rosetta Stone—was key to deciphering hieroglyphics. Unlike earlier copies that used multiple languages, this four-foot slab is inscribed solely in hieroglyphics, topped by a winged […]
From Sahara Sands to Museums: Niger’s Fight to Keep Its Fossil Heritage
While living animals draw crowds at Niamey’s unique museum-zoo, the real treasures are the ancient fossils that reveal a stunning secret: modern-day arid Niger was once a lush world of dinosaurs and supercrocs. Unfortunately, this incredible paleontological heritage is at risk, threatened by a lack of resources, smuggling, and insufficient local expertise. However, a new generation of […]
From Kente to Shweshwe: Exploring Africa’s Heritage Through Textiles
Africa offers travelers a wealth of experiences far beyond its famous safaris, including a rich fusion of cultural heritage found in its textiles. From the golds and blues of Ghana’s legendary Kente cloth to the fermented mud-painted patterns of Mali’s Bògòlanfini, each fabric is a wearable piece of history. South Africa’s Shweshwe, Uganda’s UNESCO-recognized barkcloth, and […]
Ghana’s Women Oyster Farmers Battle Climate Change to Preserve Tradition
In coastal Ghana, a generations-old tradition of oyster farming, led by women, is under severe threat from climate change and mangrove depletion. Once supported by US-funded training programs, these women now rely on their own efforts to replant mangroves, protect fragile ecosystems, and sustain their families. Oysters, which fetch about $4 per basin, are becoming scarcer as […]
