Hey friends 👋,
This week we are spicing things up just a little bit. I am handing over the reins to our co-founder and editor, Stephanie. Also, expect interesting guest posts from great African writers in the coming issues.
Stephanie, take it away from here 🔥.
Moremi Ajasoro, the Legendary Yoruba Queen
Queen Moremi Ajasoro, bothered by the never-ending attacks by the Ìgbò, decides to take action. She consults the Orisha (spirit), who gives her an intelligent plan to defeat their neighbour, but in exchange, she makes a pact that will cost her dearly.
Where men are flogged before getting a wife
Cultures in Africa have varying traditions on rites of passage for male adolescents. Among the Fulani people of Nigeria, men ready to start a family do not just walk to the bride and pop the question. Instead, they go through a festival known as Sharo(meaning flogging). Young men(suitors) are flogged publicly by the older members of the community.
The public ceremony aims to test the bravery and endurance of boys as they transition into manhood. If the man is not strong enough to bear the pain, then the wedding is cancelled.
History of yesterday did a very informative breakdown emphasizing the significance of the week's long festival, held twice a year, with the first usually happening during the dry season and the second during the Muslim festival, Id-el-Kabir.
Mwana Darini’s Siwa
Rulers of city-states on the East African coast between the 17th and 19th centuries used Siwa(a large royal horn made of ivory, metal or wood) as a symbol of authority.
The people believed that the Siwa held supernatural powers for the reigning monarch and that anyone who heard its sound received blessings. If anything bad happened to it, that was a sign of a looming disaster for the ruler.
The story of a Swahili princess, Mwana Darini, depicts the importance of the Siwa in royal Swahili courts. Following a series of betrayal incidents by her uncle, she sought the services of a skilled carver, Mwenyi Bayayi, who made her a Siwa that dwarfed the Sultans official instrument.
This story by Nasra O. Bwana demonstrates the significance of the Siwa in the history of rulership in Pate, an archipelago in Lamu.
The most rigged elections ever
Elections in Africa have always faced a lot of rigging and corruption. However, the rigging in the 1927 Liberian elections by Charles D. King tops the charts.
Despite having only 15,000 eligible voters in the country, King won with 234,000 votes compared to 9,000 of his opponent, Thomas J.Faulkners.
The incident earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most corrupt and fraudulent election in history.
You should check out this piece by History daily that gives an in-depth flow of the events following the elections.
Special Mentions
📌 Batammariba (Tamberma) people: Africa's indigenous architecturally advanced people and penis elongation and enlargement specialists.- TripDownMemoryLane
📌 The Dogon tribe of Mali: Renowned for their astronomical knowledge and wisdom dating back to 3200 B.C. - Face2FaceAfrica
📌 Sultanate of Sokoto (Sokoto Caliphate) - BlackPast
Fun Fact 🚀
The Western Cape of South Africa is home to the longest wine route in the world(Route 62), which spans 850kms and boasts some superb wineries.
PROVERB OF THE WEEK
Kuhubha nzila hu gumana nzila. (Sukuma)
Meaning: To lose the way is to find the way.
Explanation: This proverb reminds us to be humble and learn from our mistakes.
WORD OF THE WEEK
Kuima (Kamba)
Meaning: digging
Example: nzia imwe ya ukwati ni kuima mimea ya mithemba mingi miundani
Translation: One of the commercial activities practised by many communities is cultivation.
Enjoy this playlist by the young and talented award-winning singer Nikita Kering from Kenya.
That's it for today. Sending you good vibes!
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