Arts & Craft
Zulu Beadwork: The Love Letters You Can Wear
Among the Zulu, a beaded panel could tell a young man exactly how a woman felt about him. Here is how colour, pattern and craft became a language.
Stories — page 18
Heritage & History
The Obelisks of Aksum: Stone Giants of an Ancient African Empire
Seventeen centuries ago, the kingdom of Aksum raised carved stone towers taller than most buildings of its time. One was taken to Rome, and came home after 68 years.
Music & Dance
The Balafon: West Africa's Wooden Xylophone and the Legend of the Sosso-Bala
Wooden keys, gourds that buzz like insects and a sacred instrument said to be eight centuries old. The balafon has been the voice of Mande kings, griots and village celebrations for generations.
Languages & People
Kiswahili: The African Language Spoken by 200 Million People
From Zanzibar's harbours to the halls of the African Union, Kiswahili connects East Africa and beyond. Here is how it grew, and a few words to get you started.
Arts & Craft
La Sape: The Congolese Gentlemen Who Dress to Defy
In Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the sapeurs turn immaculate suits and polished shoes into an art form and a philosophy. Here is the story of La Sape.
Ideas & Philosophy
"The Child Who Is Not Embraced by the Village": Why African Proverbs Still Teach
Across Africa, proverbs carry law, wisdom and humour in a few words. Here is how they work, why they matter, and a few worth learning — with their real origins.
Food & Ceremony
Fufu: One Dish, Many Countries, Endless Debate
Pounded, swallowed and never chewed, fufu is eaten from Ghana to Congo under many names. Here is what it is, how it is made, and the rules for eating it.
Heritage & History
The Kingdom of Kush: Sudan's Pyramids and the Pharaohs Who Ruled Egypt
Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt. They belong to Kush, an African kingdom that lasted over a thousand years, ruled Egypt, and was led by powerful queens.
Festivals & Celebrations
Egungun: When the Ancestors Dance Through Yoruba Towns
Dressed in layers of brilliant cloth that hide every inch of the body, Egungun masquerades bring the ancestors back to Yoruba communities. Here is what the festival means.
Languages & People
Eunoto: How Maasai Warriors Become Elders
Every few years, a generation of Maasai warriors gathers for Eunoto, a ceremony that ends their years as moran. Here is what happens, and how it is changing.
Festivals & Celebrations
The Kano Durbar: Thousands of Horsemen Salute an Emir
At the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, the ancient city of Kano fills with horsemen in flowing robes riding to honour their emir. Here is the story of the Durbar.
Music & Dance
Gnawa: Morocco's Trance Music With Roots South of the Sahara
With a three-stringed bass lute, iron castanets and all-night ceremonies, Gnawa music carries the memory of people brought across the Sahara into Morocco.