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African Masks Examined: History, Type, Role, Meaning & Examples

One of the most enduring and fascinating aspects of African culture is masks. In Western museums and private collections, they are treated as artistic objects appreciated for their aesthetic qualities. However, their role in African society is more functional than artistic.

Read on and you will learn everything you need to know about the African mask tradition.

Ancient African Masks

Africans have been making masks since prehistory. The earliest evidence we have for masking in Africa comes from rock paintings in Algeria at Tassili n’Ajjer.

These show masks that look a lot like contemporary West African masks and date to about 11,000 years ago. We don’t know how these masks were used though.

The function of ancient Egyptian masks, however, is better known.

The most famous of these is the boy king Tutankhamun’s gold funerary mask, which was placed on his mummy and weighed a whopping 22.5 pounds (10 kilos).

Funerary mask of Tutankhamun. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CairoEgMuseumTaaMaskMostlyPhotographed.jpg

Made from two sheets of gold: the face and neck are made from 18.4-carat gold and the rest is made from 22.5-carat gold. It is decorated with a number of precious stones.

Throughout ancient Egyptian history, funerary masks of lesser artistic quality were placed on mummies of common people.

There are three known types of masks depicting animal-headed gods from ancient Egypt. A priest wore a mask of the jackal-god Anubis mask during funerary rituals, which are depicted in Egyptian art.

Two such masks also survive. One is a light wooden mask that would have sat on top of the head but the other is a clay helmet that weighs a whopping 17 pounds!

Masks of the lion-headed god Bes also were used in rituals, including perhaps puberty rituals, as depicted in one tomb where a masked individual accompanied dancing boys. (1)

Priests wore masks of the falcon-headed god Horus during various religious rituals as well.

Types of African Masks

African masks take on different forms. They may only cover the face, or go over the entire head, cover part of the torso, or be a headdress that rests on top of the head.

Some are very small, some are life-size, and others are gigantic.

Some masks represent animals, either in their form or by incorporating actual parts of animals into their production.

Others represent male or female figures. Those that represent women generally take on an idealized view of female beauty.

10 Examples of African Masks

The number of types of African masks probably reaches into the hundreds, primarily among the cultures of West and Central Africa.

Below is a sampling of ten types of masks, their uses and the cultures with which they are associated.

Kanaga

Mask (Kanaga), Mali, Dogon peoples, 20th century, wood, fiber, hide, pigment, 53.6 x 97.2 x 15.9 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

The Kanaga mask is a funerary mask worn by the Dogon people of Mali intended to ensure the safe passage of the deceased to the otherworld where his ancestors are. (2)

Kòmòkunw

Alternate view, Kòmò Helmet Mask (Kòmòkun), 19th–mid-20th century, Guinea or Mali or Burkina Faso or Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, Komo or Koma Power Association, Wood, bird skull, porcupine quills, horns, cotton, sacrificial materials, 35.2 x 22.1 x 85.6 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

The threatening-looking Kòmò Helmet Mask is worn by the Bamana people of Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. Secret societies wear the mask during private meetings where they learn about the society’s history, rituals and beliefs. (3)

Nwatantay

Mask (Nwantantay), Burkina Faso, Black Volta River region, Bwa peoples. 19th–20th century, wood, pigment, and fiber, 182.9 x 28.2 x 26 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

The Nwatantay mask of the Bwa people of Burkina Faso represents natural spirits that cannot be seen by humans. The designs of the masks teach important moral and social lessons during dances performed for funerals, agricultural rituals, and initiations. (4)

Helmet Mask

Helmet Mask, 19th-20th century, Sierra Leone, Moyamba region, Mende or Sherbro peoples, wood, metal, 47.9 x 22.2 x 23.5cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

The helmet mask of the Mende people of Sierra Leone is unusual in that it is worn by female initiates of a young women’s association. While the face represents ideal female beauty, the beard indicates that women are equal to men in their knowledge. (5)

Okuyi

Private collection of author (Okuyi mask from Gabon) – Sydney, Australia (wikipedia.org/wiki/okuyi/)

The okuyi mask is worn among the Bantu people of Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea during rites of passage such as infants reaching 4 months of age, adolescence, and funerals. These rituals can last for hours and are accompanied by dancing and singing. (6)

Yaka

https://africa.si.edu/collections/view/objects/asitem/Objects@3491/4?t:state:flow=c57d372d-c31f-4221-8dac-e020dede7b0c

The nkanda of the Democratic Republic of Congo wear these masks during puberty and circumcision rites. They represent ancestors or important figures within their culture. (7)

Koro

https://africa.si.edu/collections/view/objects/asitem/6522/14/title-asc?t:state:flow=f786c1db-d461-465c-bf61-46990e416106

Muslim communities such as the Koro of Nigeria also use masks as part of rituals. The koro mask lacks any human or animal representations, in keeping with Islamic scripture. (8)

Lipike

https://www.plu.edu/africanartcollection/masks/makonde-mask-3/learn-more-makonde-mask-3/

Made by the Makonde people of Tanzania and Mozambique, these helmet masks featured prominently in rituals used during different life stages of children. (9)

Kponyungo

https://www.plu.edu/africanartcollection/masks/firespitter/learn-more-firespitter/

During three day long funerals of the Senufo tribe in Côte d’Ivoire, members of the secret male Poro society wear these masks while beating on drums next to the funerary bed. (10)

Bobo Tere

https://www.plu.edu/africanartcollection/masks/tere-mask/learn-more-tere-mask/

The Bobo people of Burkina Faso believe the son, Dwo, of the creator god, was left on earth to mediate between man and God. This mask represents him but does not depict him, because he cannot be seen, and is used in performances intended to maintain the balance of nature in the agricultural society. (11)

The Role of African Masks

Meaning and Function

African masks are not simply beautiful artistic objects to be admired. Rather, they are part of a ceremonial costume. They are not meant to represent actual people or even animals.

These masks served as a way for people to communicate with the spirit world. The spirits that take up residence in the masks can be ancestors or natural entities.

When the mask wearer puts on the mask, his identity is taken over by the spirit represented by the mask.

People are not even allowed to speak the name of the mask wearer because he is subsumed in the mask spirit’s identity.

African masks also serve as educational tools, as part of rituals to teach social roles and physical control or to settle disputes. All community members were required to attend Igbo masquerades in Nigeria, where the masked individuals would approach people and tell them the bad behavior they engaged in.

Uses

Masks play a central role in masquerades, during which the mask wearers danced accompanied by music.

Masks representing dead ancestors play an important role in African funerals. Masks are also worn during rites of passage, such as mass circumcision of boys or during initiation into secret societies.

Examples of African Masks Being Used in Rituals

Nigerian Igbo Masquerades

All community members were required to attend Igbo masquerades in Nigeria, where the masked individuals would approach people and tell them the bad behavior they engaged in.

Igbo initiates wearing tall masks made from calabash.

Dogon funeral in Mali

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_de_masques_dogon_au_Mali.jpg

Tiriki circumcision ceremony in Kenya, where boys are secluded for four weeks.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dancing_alongside_family.JPG

Masked figure with lion head and boys during a possible ancient puberty ritual.

https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=229649001&objectid=111363

The Making of an African Mask

Who Made African Masks?

African mask makers were often farmers or blacksmiths by trade or people who learned as apprentices from other artists, who they paid to teach them for two or three years.

Families often passed the tradition down from generation to generation. In most cultures, the mask maker was a respected member of society.

Carving a mask with an adze. https://www.kunst-aus-westafrika.com/scondjwin-dagnogo-images

The Design Process of African Masks

Inspiration

Highly stylized in design, African masks are not intended as portraits of real people. Mask designers usually follow traditional designs, especially ones that pleased spirits in the past.

By copying these carefully, the artists believe that they will attract other spirits to dwell in them.

Sometimes a person will have a dream that inspires the design of a mask.

They would then go to the local elders and describe the dream, and these elders would take a decision as to whether the mask should be made or not.

Patterns

Geometric and symmetrical patterns often play a prominent role in the design of African masks.

These include parallel lines, curves, spirals, and cruciform shapes all are found.

Certain patterns distinguish the two genders, with prominent bouffant hairstyles indicating women. Sometimes the patterns represent scarification of the face that is common in some African cultures.

Some are influenced by other faiths, such as crosses representing Christianity and patterns inspired by Islamic art.

Materials

The most important material used in mask making is wood.

Wood is plentiful in Africa’s forests. Trees are thought to possess a soul and therefore it is a good material to house the spirit of the mask.

Sometimes an offering or sacrifice is even made to the tree’s soul before it is chopped down.

African mask makers work with many materials including brass, copper, bronze, brass, terracotta and glazed pottery, raffia and fabrics.

Decorative elements they apply to masks include cowrie shells, beads, bone, animal skins, feathers, and vegetable fibers.

The pigments and dyes used to color the wood are natural materials such as clay, seeds, tree bark and leaves.

The Mask Making Process

The mask maker carves the mask using a traditional tool called an adze. This and his other tools each had a spirit that dwelled in it and a sacrifice had to be made to the tools before commencement of the work.

For the mask to be endowed with its intended powers, it needed to be consecrated by a priest, medicine man or magician.

Only through these rituals, which often involved adding magical substances to the mask, would the spirits who were intended to dwell in the mask take up their abode there.

Collections of African Masks

The history of African mask collecting has gone through several stages since Europeans began to collect masks in the 19th century during their colonial forays into Africa.

At first, Europeans treated masks as ethnographic objects, and displayed them in natural history museums alongside taxidermied animals, exotic plant remains and fossils.

By the early 20th century, the same masks came to be regarded as art objects and were collected by and displayed in art museums. (12)

Masks In Museums outside Africa

https://blackhawkmuseum.org/art-of-africa/

Many museums struggle with the ethics of collecting and displaying African masks, due to the way in which some of the masks were collected and the spiritual implications of the masks.

When considering a mask in the Brooklyn Museum collection for an exhibition, the curator discovered that the mask, donated to the museum in 1998, had actually been stolen from a shrine in Nigeria in 1948.

She consulted the descendants of the family that had fashioned the mask on what to do.

The curator and the family conducted a divination ceremony with the gods as part of the decision making process. The gods told them that the mask was no longer spiritually empowered so the museum put the mask on display with the family’s blessing. (13)

President Emmanuel Macron of France commissioned a report on the restitution of sub-Saharan African art to Africa and the authors recommended that art in French museums either be temporarily or permanently returned to the continent from whence it came. (14)

Some of the best museums outside Africa to view African masks include the National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC, and the Brooklyn Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Primitive Art in New York.

In Europe, the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, Musée d’Ethnographie du Trocadéro in Paris and the British Museum all have excellent collections.

Masks In African Museums

Unfortunately, some of the greatest collections of African masks are outside the continent. However, some African museums also display collections of masks.

Among the museums where you can see masks in Africa is the National Museum of Burkina Faso or the newly inaugurated National Museum in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Dundo Museum in Angola displays masks that were previously looted but returned.

Famous Private Art Collections

Collecting African art and masks, in particular, became en vogue among famous 20th century European and American artists. (15)

The masks began being featured prominently in their artworks or inspiring them.

Among these are Man Ray’s surrealist photo Noire et Blanche, one of many photographs he produced that featured West African artworks that he collected.

Noire et Blanche by Man Ray.

After a visit to the ethnographic museum in Paris, Pablo Picasso also started collecting masks and went through a period when he painted paintings that were inspired by them.

However, critics have complained that these works are examples of cultural appropriation and that the original craftsmen who produced the masks were never compensated for their contribution to these works. (16)

Should You Buy an African Mask?

If you want to buy a historical & authentic African mask, be prepared to shell out a good sum of money. The record paid for an African mask was $7.5 million at an auction in 2006.

Picasso was said to have been inspired by the Ngil mask from the Feng culture, hence the high price.

You have to be careful when buying an African mask as forgeries are common. (17)

The same ethical considerations that museums face also make buying African masks as an individual collector tricky.

Some of these masks are stolen and Africans are increasingly engaging in campaigns to get them back.

For example, Congolese businessman Sindika Dokolo has been tracking stolen masks since 2014.

When he identifies one, he approaches the owner and asks for proof of how much they paid for the mask. He then makes them an offer to buy it at the same price. If they refuse, he sends his lawyers after them.

He has successfully returned a number of masks this way. (18)

However, there is an alternative for those who don’t have a lot of money to spend and don’t want to worry about legalities but want to get started collecting African masks.

Contemporary artists like Sefah Mohamed from Accra, and Abdul Aziz Mohamadu, sell their handmade masks at affordable prices online. (19, 20)

The demand for masks by tourists visiting Africa is so great that even in East Africa where they are less common, masks based on West African designs are sold in markets.

The Chinese have even gotten in on the business and some masks come with a “Made in China” sticker!

Frequently Asked Questions About African Masks

Where can I see an African mask dance (masquerade)?

Attending an African masquerade is a special experience that generally requires being part of African societies. However, mask dances are sometimes a focus of special tours to Africa, and Dogon mask dances are often performed specially for tourists.

What do African masks represent?

African masks represent spirits of the dead, and spirits representing natural phenomena.

Who wore African masks?

African masks were mostly worn by men because the spirits in the masks were seen as threatening to women.

What do the colors in African masks mean?

As they are worn across many different cultures, the colors of African masks have multiple meanings. However, several common meanings can be found for three colors: red, white and black.

Red is often used to represent blood spilled during wars or childbirth.

White signifies a mother’s milk or sperm, or the spirits of the ancestors.

Black represents the unknown. (21)

How long have African masks been around?

African masks are one of the oldest known forms of art. The earliest evidence of them is in the form of rock art from 11,000 years ago but they may be even older than that. It’s just that they aren’t preserved in the archaeological record.

What is the oldest African mask?

The oldest surviving African masks come from the Egyptian archaeological site of Hierakonpolis. These ceramic funerary masks had holes behind the ears to fit them over the face of the deceased person.

How can I make my own African mask?

Making an African mask is a great art project for kids that also helps them learn about cultures.

You might want to print out some of these line drawings of masks and then paste them on a piece of cardboard and cut out holes for the eyes, mouth, and nose. (22)

You can decorate it with paint, feathers, cotton, yarn, buttons, and tinfoil.

Here is a video example of just one way to make your own African mask!

youtube

Conclusion

African masks are one of the richest and most diverse artistic traditions in the world. While they are found in many of the world’s museums and art collections, these displays do not do justice to the important cultural role they play in performative rituals across much of the continent.

The post African Masks Examined: History, Type, Role, Meaning & Examples appeared first on Afrikanza.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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Best Places to See Giraffes in Africa

Africa has one of the richest faunas in the world. Its Savannah grassland is home to some of the most interesting animal species. The giraffe towers tall among these species. There is no better place to see giraffes than in Africa.

The following is a compilation of the 10 best places to see Giraffes in Africa.

10. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park[i] is the most famous game park in South Africa. It is probably the southern-most point in Africa where you can see giraffes.

Kruger National Park boasts of well-kept driving tracks within the game reserve. This makes it easy to access most places within the park plus you get an opportunity to view other species of African wild including the famous Kruger ostriches. There are also the Big 5 land mammals.

Giraffes in the Kruger National Park

9.Arusha National Park, Tanzania

Arusha is the Capital of the East African Community. It is a town located in Northern Tanzania. Close to this city, there is Arusha National Park[ii], which is not far off from one of Africa’s most topographically diverse mountains – Mount Meru.

Within the green lush bushes, giraffes dominate the heights of this national park, occasionally outcompeted by tall trees but which still allow an easy view of these tall giant mammals. This National Park boasts of the world’s highest population of African giraffes.

While Kruger grants you an opportunity to see ostriches in their natural habitat, Arusha National Park grants you an opportunity to see Flamingoes in their natural habitat.

Giraffes in Arusha National Park

8. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park[iii] is found in the semi-arid lands of Botswana. Due to the land being generally dry, it means vegetations are limited. This makes it quite easy to observe giraffes in this park as they compete to browse for twigs from the few tall canopies.

Chobe National Park is not so far from the world’s famous Victoria Falls. This makes it easy to extend your tour after witnessing one of the world’s largest water blankets falling down.

Like most of Africa’s game reserves, you are more likely to see lions, leopards, elephants, among other species interacting with these giraffes.

Giraffes in the Chobe National Park

Discover more: Where do African Lions live

7. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha National Park[iv] is established in a semi-arid environment of Namibia. As such, it is easy to spot the Angola Giraffe standing tall among the shrubs. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of running water source, it is much easier to sight giraffes at watering holes. All you need to do is to just strategically position yourself near a watering hole. The big advantage of this is that you will get a sight of many other wild species coming to quench their thirst.

Giraffes in the Etosha National Park

6. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park is located in Uganda. It boasts of one of the largest concentration of the rare and endangered species of Rothschild giraffes in the world. This is due to a deliberate and dedicated conservation effort that has seen their numbers rise up over the years to reach almost 1,000 giraffes as of 2019.

Murchison Falls National Park[v] is home to Murchison Falls which is one of the few waterfall sites along the source of River Nile. Here you can have a boat ride along the River Nile as you get to watch other wildlife species such as the Nile crocodiles, water buffaloes, waterbucks, hartebeest, elephants, among many other citizens of the wild.

Giraffes in the Murchison National Park

5. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park[vi] is part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. This ecosystem is the world’s most expansive safari destination. This National Park is located in the Northern Tanzania region bordering Kenya.

The most famous giraffe species that dots this ecosystem is the Maasai Giraffe – named after the Maasai community in Kenya and Tanzania who are the native inhabitants of this region.

The Maasai Giraffe is distinguishable from others due to its long strip of reddish-brown fur that spreads along the top of its neck.

Giraffes in the Serengeti National Park

Related Read: Best places to see Hippos

6. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

When it comes to the elephants narrative world-over, Hwange National Park [5]is a paradox. It is a paradox in the sense that, while elephant populations are dwindling at an alarming rate in other natural habitats across Africa, the opposite is the reality at Hwange. The elephant population has been rising sharply in this Park to the extent that it has raised alarm due to the risk of overpopulation. The current elephant population is 46,000 and is threatening to explode past the 50,000 mark in the near future.

There has even been protracted battle between the government of Zimbabwe and conservationists due to this encouragingly unique phenomenon. While the government wants to curl the excess population and sell its ivory so as to plow back the proceeds into conservation effort, conservationists are against this as they consider a bad precedent and an excuse for other parts of the world to formalize poaching.

The best time to view elephants is during the dry season that sets in between July and October. At such a time the dense vegetation becomes porous and also the elephants stay close to water sources. This way, it is easier to find them in specific locality than when they are spread out in the hugely expansive Park.

Elephants in Hwange National Park

5. Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

This is probably the southern-most elephants natural habitat in Africa (and probably the world). Addo Elephant National Park[6] is just about 70 kilometers from the famous Port Elizabeth city. This is South Africa’s third largest national park that claims a whopping acreage of 1,800 km square.

Addo Elephant National Park is an encouraging story for conservationists. With a near extinct population of just 11 elephants in 1931, the population has grown naturally to reach a sizeable level of about 450 elephants.

The Park boasts of a great tracking infrastructure with plenty of Jeep safaris and horseback safaris available for one to traverse the lengths and widths of this massive park.

Elephants in Addo National Park

4. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park[7] is home to one of the world’s largest populations of elephants. There are about 50,000 to 60,000 elephants in this Park. Found in the semi-arid lands of Botswana, this Park is not so far from the world’s famous Victoria Falls – another of Africa’s great tourist attractions, found in neighboring Zimbabwe.

June-November is the best time to sight these giant land species. This is because that is the driest season and as such, most elephants lines the Chobe river to drink water and also to keep their large skins cool.

Taking a boat ride along the Chobe River is the assured way to watch and capture this enlivening moment.

Elephants in Chobe National Park

3. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site[8] that is located in North-Western Botswana. Fondly referred to by locals as “plenty of plenty” and internationally billed as the ‘Eden of Africa’, Okavango Delta is home to boastful elephants – the largest land mammal on earth in a habitat natively occupied by some of the shortest people on earth – the pygmies. What a contrast? Well, not so strange in Africa.

Elephants in Okavango Delta

Must Read: Best Places to see Monkeys

2. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park[9] is located in Northern Tanzania in the Manyara region. The Tarangire ecosystem is one of the richest in Africa in terms of hosting a variety of big wildlife.

Elephants in this Park are uniquely reddish in color – not natural but due to the red oxide dust that collects on their skin. Other than this unique ‘skin’ color, this is the place with the oldest known elephant twins. There have also been more twins born in this park. This is a rare occurrence.

This makes Tarangire National Park, not only a place with the highest population of elephants on earth but the only place on earth where you can witness reddish twin elephants – only in Africa, uniquely Tanzania.

Elephants in Tarangire National Park

1. Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Established in the Southern parts of Kenya and bordering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park[10] is home to the world’s longest-running elephant conservation program.

Amboseli has one of the most unique and panoramic sceneries of any Park in Africa. This is due to the fact that it is largely a plain land with short Savannah grassland. This makes it easy to make a photographic shot that captures a very wide area without obstructions. Established at the foot of Africa’s tallest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro, makes it even more spectacular. You can easily capture a large Savannah grassland, the world’s largest land mammal, and Africa’s tallest mountain – all in one photograph. What more? All these while being caressed by the freshest breeze that nature brews atop Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Elephants in Amboseli National Park

Conclusion

The World’s biggest mammal has its indelible footprints on the land of its nativity – Africa. A visit to Africa without sight of elephants is no visit at all. Herein are the 10 best places to see elephants in Africa. Be glad that you now have a precise itinerary list of your next African elephant safari excursion.

Resource Links:

[1] Desert elephants of Namibia

[2] Mana Pools National Park

[3] Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

[4] Kruger National Park

[5] Hwange National Park

[6] Addo Elephant National Park

[7] Chobe National Park

[8] Okavango Delta UNESCO

[9] Tarangire National Park

[10] Amboseli National Park

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Best Places to See Hippos in Africa

Hippos are the world’s second largest land mammals. Like the world’s largest land mammals, the elephants, hippos are native of Africa.

While hippos are found in most wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Eastern and Southern Africa, there are certain sites where you can easily spot them without a fuss.

The following are The 8 Best Places to See Hippos in Africa:

8. Gola Forest, Sierra Leone – pygmy hippos

We begin with the rarest species of hippos – the pygmy hippos. Pygmy hippos[1]are native of West Africa, primarily Liberia and Sierra Leone. They are much smaller in size compared to those found in the Eastern and Southern Africa and extremely nocturnal. This means you can hardly see them during the day.

Gola Forest[2], cutting across Liberia and Sierra Leone, is the world’s only remaining natural habitat for pygmy hippos. This is the only location in the world where you can spot this unique species of hippos in its own natural environment.

Pygmy hippos in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone

7. Kenya wetlands

Kenya is believed to the original home of the oldest ancestor of hippos – the Kenyapotamus[3]. Scientists consider Kenyapotamus to be the ancestor of all hippopotamus species found in Africa. Most of the hippos are believed to have spread to the rest of Africa via various rivers spreading from the Lake Victoria Basin – world’s second largest freshwater body source.

As such, hippos are widely spread in Kenya’s freshwater points. Some of the famous water points include Maasai Mara National Reserve [4](Mara River) Mwea National Reserve[5], and Amboseli National Park[6]. There are also widespread populations of hippos along the shores of Lake Victoria[7].

Hippos fighting in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Interesting read: Where do African Lions live

6. Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Liwonde National Park[8] is located in southern parts of Malawi. Shire River passes through this park as it drains into Lake Malawi. Shire River within this park has one of the highest concentrations of hippos in southern Africa. You can actually find a hippo after every 20-30m along this stretch within the National Park.

The advantage of the Liwonde National Park is that you can easily spot all the Big 3 Grey Mammals – Elephants, Rhinos and Hippos within the same locality. Shire River is also navigable. This means that you can spot hippos up-close as you ride on a boat.

Hippos in Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Must Read: Best Places to see Monkeys

5. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park[9] is the most famous game park in South Africa. It has a huge population of hippos. Recently, the National Park engaged in curling activities in order to control the huge population due to increased scarcity of vegetation as a result of a long drought.

Hippos in Kruger National Park, South Africa

4. Kazinga Channel, Uganda

Kazinga Channel [10] is a place with the world’s highest concentration of hippos. Kazinga Channel is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park[11] – one of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda.

Kaziga Channel is a 32-mile long channel that connects two freshwater lakes – Lake George and Lake Albert – both part of the greater Lake Victoria Basin whose most of its excess waters empties into River Nile.

There are plenty of boat cruise services along the channel which allows you the closest view of these densely concentrated hippos.

Hippos in Kaziga Channel, Uganda

3. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango Delta is one of the most important wetlands in the largely arid Botswana. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site[12] that is located in North-Western Botswana. It boasts of a wide species of wildlife, including the Big 3 Grey land mammals – elephants, rhinos, and hippos.

Famously billed as the ‘Eden of Africa’, Okavango Delta has rich biodiversity unmatched elsewhere in Southern Africa. On a tour of Okavango Delta, you can be sure to watch not just the Big 3 Grey Mammals but also most of the Big 5 land mammals. In addition, you can also encounter some of Africa’s most indigenous communities such as the Khoisan people, who happens to be the natives of Southern Africa – especially Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

Hippos in Okavango Delta, Botswana

Discover more: Best places to see Elephants

2. St. Lucia Estuary – iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

St. Lucia is a town that is almost completely surrounded by water. At one end of it rests the St. Lucia Estuary, which is located within the hippo-rich iSimangaliso Wetland Park[13]. This park is located within the historically rich Kwazulu Natal province of South Africa.

St. Lucia Estuary provides the highest concentration of hippos in South Africa. Within the Estuary, there are boats which one can hire a ride to see some of these spectacular hippos which are extraordinarily black and huge. It is also not uncommon to encounter a hippo on the street of St. Lucia town while driving. Thus, it is always important to be cautious, especially at night.

Hippos in St. Lucia Estuary

1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park[14] is part of the expansive Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Located in the Northern Tanzania region bordering Kenya, Serengeti National Park is famous for wildebeest migration. However, it has a rich diversity of wildlife species that makes it the best safari destination in the world.

Near wetlands, which are plenty in this park, you can easily spot hippos playing within the water points as they seek to cool their skin.

One of the famous sites to spot a large group of hippos is the Retina Pool, Serengeti.

Hippos at Retina Hippo Pool, Serengeti, Tanzania

Conclusion

Africa, the world’s second-largest continent is home to Hippopotamus, the world’s second-biggest land mammal. Africa is the only place on earth where you can see hippos in their natural habitat. Your tour of Africa cannot be complete without a tour of one of the 8 best places to see hippos in Africa.

Resource Links:

[1] Pygmy Hippos of West Africa

[2] Gola Forest

[3] Kenyapotamus

[4] Maasai Mara National Reserve

[5] Mwea National Reserve

[6] Amboseli National Park

[7] Lake Victoria

[8] Chobe National Park

[9] Kruger National Park

[10] Kazinga Channel

[11] Queen Elizabeth National Park

[12] Okavango Delta UNESCO

[13] iSimangaliso Wetland Park

[14] Serengeti National Park

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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African Attire for Women – 10 Fashion Trends

When it comes to fashion, women are extremely versatile.

They not only keep their territory but also invade their boyfriends fashion territory when something fits their taste. 🙂

As such, some of those attires that were traditionally reserved for men have now entered the female domain. Talk of dashiki, agbada, and the like.

Unlike African men, where dressing style seems to be regional, there is no regional boundary when it comes to African attire for women. What a West African woman wears, you will easily find it being worn by an East African woman or South African woman, and vice versa.

The following are the top modern Afrocentric fashion trends for African women.

10. Flora print dress

Floral print dress keeps re-emerging on the fashion scene due to plenty of room for newer and better designs. The only requirement for a floral print dress is that the prints are of floral patterns. This allows flexibility in terms of design, material, color, etc.

Due to this flexibility, newer designs can easily be cloned into a floral print dress thus renewing its fashion lifespan.

9. Dashiki dress

Dashiki is one of those designs that fit so well into the unisex world. As such, it is common to find couples adorning dashiki attire, especially to social events and parties.

Dashiki is a colorful attire that covers the upper half of the body. It originates from Nigeria but widely worn in West Africa.

The attire is usually made of loose-fitting pullover garment, tailored and embroidered neck and sleeve lines, and an ornate V-shaped collar.

Unlike East and Southern Africa, dashiki is worn more by men than women in West Africa.

8. Kitenge print dress

Kitenge is a popular East African fabric characterized by unique print patterns, often in brilliant colors.

Originally, there used to be a certain design from which the kitenge fabric would be cut out. The kitenge dress also used to be accompanied by a kitenge headscarf.

However, in modern times, the kitenge is not confined to just dresses or a certain dress design. It is more confined to the print fabric while the design has become extremely flexible, especially among the youths.

Among the older generation, especially along the coast of East Africa, the original kitenge is still being worn.

7. Batik elegant dress

Batik design originated from Indonesia. However, it is a common design in Africa. Yet, the batik design in Africa is extremely unique in the sense that the patterns are mainly tribal patterns which makes it authentically African.

Batik is basically about the patterns and how they are made rather than about the fabric, its shape or its color. As such, batik is unisex. However, batik in Africa is mostly worn by women than men.

The popularity of batik in Africa is due to the ease with which it can be made. It only requires a simple tie-and-die technique, with materials used in the dying process being locally available.

Thus, anyone doesn’t need advanced skills, or buy special dyes, or wax… and neither does someone need specialized equipment to do it. Even 9-year-olds do batik printing.

6. Baby doll dress

As the name suggests, the Baby doll design mimics the dressing usually put on baby dolls. This design is characterized by relative slimness at the waistline and opens up in a funnel-like manner below the waist. It is also just short enough to cover some few inches above the knee

Baby doll design is ideal for women who have a medium waist and large hips. The fabric is often made of 100% rayon, which allows comfort while wearing it.

5. Slim waist long dress

This is a dress that distinguishes itself in terms of the design shape rather than material, color, or fabric. It is simply slim at the waist.

After the waistline, it gracefully opens up and extends to cover the legs up to the feet level. However, it doesn’t open up in a funnel-like manner.

The primary purpose of the slim-waist long dress is to accentuate the torso, especially the tiny waist and then be conservative with the lower abdomen.

4. Mermaid dress

As the name suggests, the mermaid dress flows along the African woman’s curvy body. Beyond curving, it is long enough to create some sort of a ‘fishtail’ at the lower end. This ‘fishtail’ covers most of the feet with only soles being occasionally visible while walking.

Mermaid dress is quite an age-old design that has refused to quit the race. Thanks to the cloning done to the newer fabrics and print patterns that helps to accentuate the beauty of the ‘mermaid’ thus making this unique dress not fall off the trend for such long.

3. Denim cute attire

Denim is a material that comprises of 100% cotton. It is the same material used to make the famous denim blue jeans.

Denim cute attire is more about the fabric being used to make the dress than anything else. However, most denim dresses are buttoned from top to bottom midway in front in such a manner that appears to dissect the front into two equal parts – left and right.

2. Mixed lace

The mixed lace design is one where lacing becomes a visibly dominant part of the dress. For example, the lower part of the dress, or the upper part of the dress can be glazed with a lace.

Mixed lace can also be virtually transparent in the torso part. This style of mixed lace dress is commonly worn during night-out parties.

1. Ankara

Ankara (print) is a common African design print characterized by tribal-like patterns and motifs. It is the prints are made using the batik technique. The batik technique originated in Indonesia. This technique uses wax as an agent in isolating print sports and determining the print intensity.

Like floral print, ankara is very versatile as it allows so much flexibility in design, color, and pattern. Also, like floral print, it is unisex, although it is popular among ladies than men. The primary difference between traditional batik and ankara is that the latter uses bright colors and doesn’t necessarily need to have tribal patterns while the former can also have dull colors.

The final stitch . . .

African attire for women is fashion conscious.

They dress Africa extremely well in as far as authentic fashion is concerned.

These modern fashion trends for African women are simply a glimpse of what you would expect to find from African women on your visit to Africa in as far as fashion is concerned.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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10 Modern Trends for African Men’s Fashion

Africa is a land of style!

Formal dressing aside, African men have a unique style of wear that distinguishes them from the rest of the world.

Being the second largest continent, Africa is diverse when it comes to fashion trends, most of which are influenced by traditional cultures, colonial tradition, and showbiz. As such, the easiest way is to cluster Africa into regions and observe trends within them – South, North, East, West, etc.

Let’s explore some of the authentic Afrocentric fashion trends for African men that keep recurring – in refreshing designs.

Southern African Fashion Trends

Southern Africa doesn’t offer too-too much when it comes to authentic Afrocentric fashion trends. Nonetheless, there are certain common trends in Southern Africa such as Madiba Shirt and Skhothane fashion.

10. Madiba Shirt

This is one of the famous African shirts that hit fashion trends in the early 1990s due to them being frequently adorned by Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s liberation hero.

Madiba shirt is a loose-fitting casual shirt that hangs over the trouser. It can be comprised of cotton or silk with batik and vivid colors. The shirt is currently experiencing a new resurgence, although it is not necessarily being worn by prominent personalities.

9. Skhothane

Skhothane is not just a clothing style but a ‘street’ subculture of Soweto.

Skhothane fashion comprises of brightly shining (often flowery) clothing that manifests some form of opulence among the poor suburban.

This fashion was dominant in Sowetan parts of South Africa in the mid-1990s.

Towards the end of the millennium, the fashion started fizzling out. However, the trend has started regaining moment, albeit slowly among black South Africans.

North African Fashion Trends

North African fashion trends are rather conservative and broadly influenced by the Arabic and native Sahel inhabitants.

Three common fashion themes that keep on recurring, albeit, with a drop of modernity, include Burnous, Jellabiya, and Kaftan.

8. Burnous

Burnous (alternatively, ‘burnoose’, ‘bournous’, or ‘barnous’) is a Maghrebi attire traditionally worn by the Berber people of North Africa, especially Algeria.

It is a long cloak of comprising of coarse woolen fabric accompanied by a hood. It is often white, although some other colors, especially shades of blue are also included these days.

It is an attire of nobility often worn by the high-ranking in society during special events.

Burnous has undergone a tremendous transformation of late. While modern imitations have come up, its stylish essence still remains the same.

7. Jellabiya

Jellabiya is a traditional Egyptian attire for men. This “man dress” is commonly worn by men along the Nile Valley and areas bordering it in Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.

It is a gown that has no collar (obviously!), has a wider cut, and wider sleeves.

Jellabiya comes in various colors. White is prevalent during the summer. But in winter, there are many choices, including grey, tan, blue, olive, among others.

Though commonly worn by men, Jellabiya is also worn by women. There are many trendy fashion designs that have sprung up, especially for women.

6. Kaftan

Kaftan, though common in Senegal, is more of traditional attire in the Sahel region, which also includes Mali, Mauritania, and southern parts of Algeria and Morocco, among others.

Senegalese Kaftan is also common in some parts of West Africa, especially those West African countries neighboring Senegal.

Modern kaftan is made using the latest fabric blends that makes it astounding.

East African Fashion Trends

Eastern Africa is relatively busy in terms of fashion trends compared to Northern and Southern Africa. However, it is still slightly less busy than it’s counterpart, West Africa.

Some of the Afrocentric fashion designs that are authentic to East Africa include Kanzu, Kitenge (though predominantly female) and Kidan Hebesha.

5. Kanzu

Kanzu is a common Swahili men’s cloth. The Swahili people are found along the East African coast including Kenya, Tanzania and upper parts of Mozambique.

Kanzu (tunic in English, and thawb in Arabic) is a white or cream-colored robe adorned by men in the East African region.

The Swahili people wear Kanzu with a blazer, suit jacket, or sports coat. A traditional kofia (hat) can also be worn on the head. Kanzu is commonly worn by the groom during wedding ceremonies in East Africa. The groom’s party often wears a blazer.

What makes kanzu trendy is how it is able to be accentuated with modern accessories that make it refreshingly stunning.

4. Kidan Hebesha – Ethiopia

Kidan Hebesha is attire that is commonly worn by men in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

It mainly comprises of a white shirt, a matching pair of trousers, and a light gauze-like fabric that is loosely wrapped around the chest and shoulders.

West African Fashion Trends

West Africa is the heartbeat of authentic Afrocentric fashions.

There are so many different, and sometimes competing, fashion trends in West Africa.

However, we can mention a few that have remained indomitable over the ages. These include Dashiki, Agba, and famous Kente.

3. Dashiki

Dashiki is a colorful attire that covers the upper half of the body. It originates from Nigeria but is also widely worn in West Africa as a whole.

The attire is usually made of loose-fitting pullover garment, tailored and embroidered neck and sleeve lines, and an ornate V-shaped collar.

Dakishi suit is what has become something of trendy especially during special social occasions such as weddings and premarital visits to the fiancee’s home.

2. Agbada – Nigeria

Agbada is a popular Nigerian attire for men. This gown is long, wide-sleeved and often decorated with silky embroidery.

Most often, Agbada is worn together with ‘Sokoto’ trouser. And sometimes, with ‘Obasanjo’ hat. The Sokoto trousers are slim-fit trousers whose lower end is just slightly above the ankle.

The ‘Obasanjo hat’ is a kind of hat that used to be famously worn by General Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria. It is a hat commonly worn by Nigerian elites, especially from the populous Yoruba community.

Agbada continues to be renewed by modern fabric designs, modern accessories, and latest embroidery patterns.

1. Kente – Ghana

Kente is a traditional Ghanaian fabric with carefully designed patterns that communicate.

Within these patterns, history, literature, political thoughts, religious beliefs, and ethics can be communicated. Each color used bears coded message.

However, unlike the traditional kente that used to be woven using the loom, modern kente is print design. Nonetheless, the communication essence still remains even though the young generation hardly comprehends the hidden meanings.

The modern trend for men is to use Kente sparingly, especially along the margins of the shirt or as an accessory fabric.

Final Say

The trends of authentic African designs move like waves.

There are times when a certain design is up and there are times it ebbs out to near extinction. As the winds of modernity flow, most designs get repackaged into newer forms while still retaining the primal essence.

The above mentioned designs are not novel but have undergone various incarnations and renaissance to their current trendy form.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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10 African Cities Known for Music

Music is the voice of a people’s culture. African music is the sound of the continent’s culture.

While every community in Africa has its own kind of music, there are certain countries that have more established music centers than others.

We are going to consider African cities where music is dominant in terms of music infrastructure and the culture of music as a people’s way of life. Here we go!

10. Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou is the capital city of Burkina Faso. Baptized by the legendary Thomas Sankara, this city is famous for its traditional music setup.

However, you can still find a blend of modern music, in addition to traditional musical entertainment. Ouagadougou is also known for its spectacular cultural displays, especially traditional clothing.

Some of the popular music venues include Le Bateau Ivre, Le Calypso, Dancing Acapulco, Byblos, and The Mask, among others.

9. Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana. It is the original home of the Pan-Africanist movement, established by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

Renowned musical artists that have made Accra their base include Ria Boss, Rvdical The Kid, Alex Wondergem, FOKN Bois, Gafacci, among others.

Some of the popular music venues in Ghana include Clear Spice, Chez Afrique, Kona Café & Grill, Labadi Beach, +233 Jazz Bar, Plotseven, Champs Sports Bar & Grill, Republic Bar & Grill, Rockstone’s Office, among others.

In case you are one of those who loves a mix of cultural music and contemporary Western music, Alliance Francaise and Geote Institute are some of the few places. Some of the renowned cultural groups in Accra include Afrochella.

8. Abidjan

Abidjan is the capital city of Ivory Coast. Ivory is the most populous French-speaking city in West Africa.

French has a great cultural influence in Ivory Coast. As such, music in Abidjan has been greatly influenced by French. There is a great Franco-African fusion when it comes to music.

Indeed, Abidjan is often referred to as Africa’s Paris. Many big names in Ivory Coast started off their music career in Abidjan and later on relocated to Paris to make an international appeal.

7. Luanda

Luanda is the capital city of Angola. It is one of the fastest developing cities in Africa, thanks to its booming oil and diamonds industries that have financed its rapid expansion.

However, it being the most expensive city in Africa, plus being predominantly Portuguese speaking, it has discouraged a lot of musicians from other parts of Africa.

Angola is one of the few countries in Africa that are Portuguese speaking. As such, its music is heavily influenced by the Portuguese dialect and culture. Semba is the traditional music in Angola.

However, it has undergone a lot of Portuguese influence such that you can hardly distinguish it from the Brazilian Samba.

Apart from Semba, other music genres that have native influence include Kizomba, lKiduro, Kilapanda, Zouk, and Merengue.

6. Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia. It is also the capital city of Africa – being home to the African Union (AU) headquarters. Addis Ababa is probably the oldest city in North-Eastern Africa.

Ethiopians have a well-established ancient culture pre-dating the Biblical times. As such, compared to most Sub-Saharan cities, Ethiopia has a very authentic culture that was less influenced by colonialism. It is the only country in Africa that was neither enslaved nor colonized.

Ethiopians as a people are very proud of their culture. This can be observed in their music, religion, language, and even form of writing.

5. Lagos

Lagos, though not the capital city, is the biggest city in Nigeria, and so far the biggest in West Africa. This coastal city boasts of being a melting pot of West African cultures.

From music to film, Lagos has cut out its special place in West Africa. Although it faces competition from the capital city, Abuja, in terms of infrastructure, Lagos is more livable than Abuja.

Thus, more people find it a great place for leisure and entertainment.

4. Dakar

Dakar is the cultural capital of West Africa. Through deliberate effort by Senegal’s first president, Leopold Senghor, to promote music and Senegalese culture, Dakar became a prominent city with musicians from neighboring countries finding it a welcoming music base.

3. Nairobi

Famously billed as the ‘City in the Sun.’

Nairobi is not only the capital city of Kenya but also the largest city in the Eastern and Central Africa. As such, it has a reasonably good music infrastructure.

Most upcoming musicians from East and Central Africa find it more convenient to establish a base in Nairobi as they nurture their skills and talents. In Nairobi, you can get famous names from DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia carrying out their music venture.

Chibalonza of DRC, Jose Chameleon of Uganda, and Diamond Platinumz of Tanzania are just but a few of the recent ones to have a base in Nairobi.

2. Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a melting pot of cultures, predominantly African and European cultures. During the long period of Apartheid, Johannesburg used to be predominantly a European music capital in Africa. However, after the end of Apartheid, Indigenous African music started permeating every facet of Johannesburg.

Though there are not so many big music names coming from Johannesburg, this capital city has a world-class music infrastructure. As such, most music recordings by big names in Southern and Eastern Africa are done in Johannesburg.

Big music names from South Africa include Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Lucky Dube, among many others.

1. Kinshasa-Brazzaville

Kinshasa is the capital city of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, or simply Congo-Kinshasa), while Brazzaville is the capital city of the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). These are twin cities only separated by a river which forms the national border between these two countries.

It is common to have musicians crisscrossing from one side to the other for music production and live performances. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish whether a given musician is from Kinshasa or Brazzaville.

Kinshasa is known as the Lingala capital of Africa due to the dominance of the Lingala music (a music genre that blends French, and local dialects).

Some of the famous musicians from Kinshasa-Brazzaville include Franklin Boukaka, Franco Matiadi, Tabu Ley, Kofi Olomide, among many others.

The music blends naturally into the indigenous lifestyle of the people of Congo. It is the traditional way of life that is expressed in almost every other social activity.

The final note

You cannot meaningfully talk about Africa without mentioning its unique kind of music. With over 5,000 ethnic groups, Africa’s music beats are diverse.

Nonetheless, visiting music scenes in Africa’s capitals is the best way to have a one-pot recipe for a fused collection of dozens of those cultures in each respective region.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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10 African Cities With the Best Nightlife

Africa is a great place for nightlife overall.

However, there are cities that provide some of the best experiences that you’ll never forget.

The following are the top African cities where you can find unmatched nightlife experiences.

10. Lome Nightlife

Lome is the capital city of Togo.

Togo is a tiny West-African country along the Gulf of Guinea.

The following are some of the best spots for you to wine and dine while enjoying Lome’s nightlife:

Le Privilège

7 Clash

Monte-Cristo Lome

La Villa

Lome is a port city located on the south-western end of Togo on the Gulf of Guinea. It boasts of good nightlife, friendly locals, and great hospitality.

9. Accra Nightlife

Accra is the capital city of Ghana.

Some of the great spots where you can have a great nightlife experience in Accra include:

Django Bar

Republic Bar & Grill

Carbon Night Club

Plot 7

Champs Sports Bar

Club Onyx

Kona Café & Grill

Clear Spice

Firefly Lounge

Labadi Beach

Monte Carlo

Belaroma

This is a great city where English-speakers will find it easy to move around and interact with the locals.

8. Luanda Nightlife

Luanda is the coastal capital city of the Portuguese-speaking Angola.

The following are some of the best nightlife entertainment spots in Luanda for you to sample:

Lookal

Coconuts

Kasta Lounge

Casa do Peixa da Bela

Quintal do Tio Jorge

Palos

La Vigia

Cira Club

Maiombe

It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. As such, there are new residents, both local and international whose entertainment needs have to be catered for.

Luanda hasn’t disappointed in this regard. It has many nightlife entertainment spots.

7. Lagos Nightlife

Lagos is West Africa’s biggest city.

Although it is Nigeria’s biggest city, it is not its capital city. Instead, Abuja is Nigeria’s capital city.

Besides being the most populous, Lagos is a place of fun, fashion, and a great nightlife. The following are some of the best spots that will make you have unparalleled nightlife experience:

Club Quilox

Escape Nightlife

Club 57

Cubana

Prive Lounge

De Moon Lounge

Ember Creek

Sailors Lounge

Lendar Bar

Club Pravada

Piccolo Mondo

Lagos is a port city located along the Gulf of Guinea in the south-western part of Nigeria. It is an oil capital where Nigeria’s major oil hub is located.

6. Port Louis Nightlife

Port Louis is an Indian Ocean seaport. It is the capital city of Mauritius. Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island off the coast of East Africa. It is one of the best tourist destinations in East Africa.

The following are some of the best hot spots to enjoy your nightlife in an oceanic environment:

Pointe aux Canonniers

Banana Beach Club

Senator Club

Insomnia Club

Karma Lounge Pool & Restaurant

Les Enfants Terribles

Lakaz Cascavalle Restaurant & Club

Tourists flock to Port Louise to enjoy plenty of sunshine and sea breeze while relaxing on the white sand beaches.

5. Maputo Nightlife

Mozambicans love to let loose after a day’s hard work.

The following are some of the places where you can join Mozambicans to have a great night of fun:

Coconuts Live

Chez Rango

Sinatra’s

Havana Bar

Clube Maritimo

Africa Bar

Mundos

Rua De Bagamoyo

Maputo is the capital city of Mozambique. Maputo is a port city with great oceanic atmosphere along the shores of the Indian Ocean.

4. Nairobi Nightlife

Nairobi is the largest city in Eastern and Central Africa.

It is the capital city of Kenya. Once billed as ‘The Green City in the Sun’ due to its old glory as the greenest city in Africa, and now ‘The Silicon Savannah’ due to its high number of IT startups, Nairobi by night is just another place.

Some of the best hotspots to enjoy your nightlife while in Nairobi include:

Simba Salon, Carnivore

Brew Bistro

Havana Bar & Restaurant

Galileo Lounge

Bacchus Lounge

Kclub House

Mercury Lounge

Black Diamond

Skylux Lounge

Casablanca

Kengeles

Tribeka

The throbbing nightlife in Nairobi quickly erases its chaotic daytime and ushers in moments of relaxation, great leisure, and hearty entertainment.

3. Johannesburg Nightlife

Johannesburg billed as Africa’s financial capital, does not dampen its throbbing nightlife spirit.

The following are some of the night spots that make Joburg a great place to enjoy your night out:

Taboo Night Club

Movida

The Summit Club

Churchill’s Bar

Reality Club

The Rock

Sir James van der Merwe

Chaf Pozi

Popularly known as ‘Joburg’, this city has some of the best nightlife experiences in Africa. It competes effectively with some of the best nightlife places in the Western world.

2. Cape Town Nightlife

South Africa has big cities that compete effectively with European capitals.

Cape Town is one such capital. Cape Town is a port city established on the south-western end of South Africa.

Some of the leading night clubs that brings to beat the throbbing nightlife include:

Cocoon

The District

Bob’s Bar

Che Bar

The Baxter Theatre Centre

Coco

Shimmy Beach

Madison Avenue

Fiction Music Bar

Decodance Night Club

Cape Town is growing so fast and soon will edge out Johannesburg, not only as Africa’s financial capital but also as South Africa’s largest city.

Cape Town’s great climate makes it a good atmosphere for night revelers.

1. Marrakech Nightlife

Marrakech is a small city found in the mid-western part of Morocco.

Some of the well-known clubs where you can enjoy your nightlife while visiting Marrakech include:

555 Famous Club Marrakech

VIP Club Marrakech

Theatro Marrakech

Café Arabe

Factory’z

Nikii Beach

So Lounge

The Royal Mansour Bar

Le Churchill Bar

Comptoir Darna

So Lounge

It is an internationally renowned nightlife city with many clubs that are internationally reputable. It could as well be billed as Africa’s nightlife capital.

Conclusion

Nightlife in Africa is such an exceptional experience.

You not only get to mingle with friendly people but also get to enjoy great entertainment in wonderful weather.

Within each of the top African cities for nightlife, we have listed for you some of the hot spots where you can enjoy memorable moments..

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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Top Earning African Musicians

Africa is rising up to claim its rightful stake on the global music arena.

African musicians are increasing becoming globally vocal.

To be able to appreciate the effort taken by African musicians, we look at some of the best-selling African musicians in 2018 who are still alive.

8. Jiddena

Jiddena Theodore Mobisson Al Amin, simpy known as ‘Jiddena’, is an American-born Nigerian R&B rapper. He was born in 1995 in the US, of Nigerian father and American mother.

Among his notable work outside the music industry is his collaboration with Michelle Obama, the former US First Lady, on an educational program, which included several shows and concerts, with the aim of sensitizing the importance of education among the vulnerable youths.

Some of the R&B hit singles by him include ‘Yoga’ and ‘Classic Man’ which he recorded with Wondaland Records. His success is evidenced by his wealth tag of $1 million.

7. Tinashe

Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe is an American-born R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. She was born in 1993 in the United States, of Zimbabwean father and Danish mother.

Probably Africa’s top-ranking female artist, Tinashe’s sonorous voice has been featured more in films than on the music scene. Some of the famous films in which her voice has featured include Cora Unashamed, and Polar Express, among others.

Some of her famous music hits include:

‘Chainless’

‘My High’

‘Boss’

‘Stargazing’

and ‘Vulnerable’, among others.

As a manifestation of her successful career in the music industry, Tinashe’s wealth tag of $6 million makes her Africa’s richest female artist.

6. Sarkodie

Born in 1988, Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as ‘Sarkodie’, is one of the most popular Ghanaian musicians.

Sarkodie is a rapper who has made great success through his record label dubbed ‘Sarkcess Music’. His music success has earned him a huge fortune, making him Ghana’s richest musician. This is clearly manifested in his wealth tag of $7 million.

Some of his big hits include:

‘Whine Fi Me’

‘Living Legend’

‘Megye Wo Girl’

‘You Go Kill Me’

‘Love Rocks’

‘Good Bye’

‘Onyame Nhyira’

‘Chingum’

and ‘One Time For Your Mind’.

Apart from his Sarkcess Music, Sarkodie is one of the leading philanthropists in Ghana who has contributed immensely to the welfare of poor children both morally and monetarily through his own Sarkodie Foundation.

This effort has been amply recognized by the Ghanaian authorities thus awarding him with the presidential Youth Ambassador position.

5. Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as ‘Davido’ is a Nigerian musician, songwriter, and producer born in 1992. Davido is one of the hottest pop stars in Africa.

He enthralled himself into music fame through his popular release by the title ‘Dami Duro’. He has registered many successes including The Headies Awards.

Some of Davido’s popular hits include:

‘All of You’

‘Overseas’

‘Skelewu’

‘The Money’

‘Owo Ni Koko’

‘Aye’

‘Dami Duro’

‘Gobe’

‘Gbon Gbon’

‘Ekuro’

‘One of a Kind’

‘Back When’

‘Feel Alright’

‘Tchelete (Goodlife)’

‘Naughty’

and ‘The Sound’, among others

His successful sale has added to his wealth tag which currently stands at $16 million.

4. Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as ‘Wizkid’ is a Nigerian musician born in 1990. He is currently Africa’s hottest hip-hop star.

Through his record label, ‘Starboy Entertainment’, Wizkid has received mega endorsement deals with international companies including Pepsi, MTN, among others.

Some of the popular hits by Wizkid include:

‘One Question’

‘Holla at Your Boy’

‘Show You the Money’

’Oluwa Lo Ni’

‘Tease Me/Bad Guys’

‘Pakurumo’

‘Don’t Dull’

‘Bombay’

‘Jaiye Jaiye’

‘Joy’

‘On Top Your Matte’

and ‘Love My Baby’

Apart from hit singles, Wizkid has made some of the biggest international collaborations of an African musician including:

‘One Dance’ with Drake

‘Slow Down’ with R2Bees

‘Girl’ with Bracket, ‘Bad Girl’ with Jesse Jagz

‘Sexy Mama’ with Iyanya

‘Pull Over’ with Kcee

‘Fine Lady’ with Lynxxx

and ‘The Matter’ with Maleek Berry.

His singing, recording, and endorsements have brought him a fortune whose tag currently stands at $20 million. Bearing in mind that Wizkid is a rising star, he is highly likely going to become Nigeria’s richest musician in not-so-distant future.

3. Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as ‘Don Jazzy’ is a Nigerian musician born in 1982.

Don Jazzy is both a musician and a record producer. Through his record label, Mavins Records, Don Jazzy has been able to produce albums for various musicians across West Africa.

His success is amplified by his wealth tag of $35 million, making him Nigeria’s wealthiest musician.

Some of the notable albums released by Don Jazzy include ‘Curriculum Vitae’, ‘Mushin2Mohits’, ‘Turning Point’, ‘No Long Thing’, ‘The Entertainer’, and ‘Funk You Up’, among others.

2. Black Coffee

Nkosinathi Maphumulo, popularly known as ‘Black Coffee’, is a South African DJ and Record Producer. Apart from being a Record Producer and DJ, Black Coffee is also a musician in his own right.

Some of his popular albums include:

‘Black Coffee’

‘Africa Rising’

‘The Journey Continues’

‘Have Another One’

‘Music is King’

‘Home Brewed’

and ‘Pieces of Me’, among others.

Through Soulistic Music, his Record Label, Black Coffee has not only been able to produce his own music but also molded other music talents across Southern Africa.

Black Coffee is South Africa’s richest musician and the second richest in Africa. He holds a wealth tag of $60 million.

1. Akon

Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, or simply ‘Akon’, is a Senegalese musician born in 1973.

His chest boasts of 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs! His popular albums have been able to record over 35 million sales. He holds the Record Label ‘Konvict’. Apart from being an artist, he is also a Record Producer and Songwriter.

So far, Akon is Africa’s richest musician with a wealth tag of about $80 million. Despite not being so active in 2018, his albums continued to bring in huge fortune. His fan-base is global and he is one of the few African musicians that have successfully created music with an all-around global appeal.

Some of his popular albums include:

‘Trouble’

‘Konvicted’

and ‘Freedom’.

His top hits include:

‘Locked Up’

‘Lonely’

and ‘Smack That’.

He has also done collaborations with several artists.

Some of his top collabos include ‘I Wanna Love You’ (with Snoop Dogg), and ‘Hold My Hand’ (with Michael Jackson).

The final verse . . .

Africa continues to incrementally stake its claim on the global music scene.

African music is the voice of Africa. It is great when the voices of Africa’s sons and daughters continue to echo in every corner of the planet.

Herein, we have captured just a few of these voices that have taken over from veterans such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, among many other legendary African musicians.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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Where Do Lions Live? (Best Places to See Lions in Africa)

Most of the Big-5 cats (Lions, Cheetahs, and Leopards) and most of the Big-5 herbivores (Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, Hippos, and Giraffes) call Africa their native homeland!

Africa’s wildlife simply has no comparison.

It is the richest and most diverse wildlife ecosystem in the world.

Places where lions live in Africa . . .

The King has marked his territory on our planet, and it’s in Africa.

Here are five major places in Africa where the ‘King of the Jungle’ finds comfort in calling home.

5. Luangwa National Parks

There are two national parks by the name ‘Luangwa’:

North Luangwa National Park,

and South Luangwa National Park.

Both of them are located within Zambia.

However, South Luangwa National Park leads when it comes to an easy sight of a large population of lions. One great thing about this National Park is that you can easily encounter lions while walking on foot. Unlike its northern counterpart, you do not have to go deep into the park to sight lions.

Within Zambia, there is also the famous Kafue Flats National Park. This Park is located in the central part of Zambia. It is relatively a small park. However, the unique habit of the acrobatic tree lions of Kafue is what draws in many tourists.

These lions like climbing trees. . .

. . . and really seem to enjoy displaying their tree-climbing acrobatic antics.

Another weird thing about the lions of Kafue is their daring habit of hunting the Cape Buffaloes for prey. Cape Buffaloes are the most hostile, dangerous and ferocious of all herbivores. They are ever ready to gore and kill even without any provocation.

Seeing these dangerous beasts being tactically hunted down through a lot of pride’s teamwork effort, mauled down and killed for a meal is a chillingly amazing scene.

4. Etosha National Park

The famous Etosha National Park is found in Namibia. It is unique in the sense that it is a desert park. Lions are easily sighted around watering holes as they seek to quench their thirst.

Some of the best watering holes to catch a sight of these jungle cats include:

Chudop

Goas

Rateldraf

Rietfontein

Nebrownii

Okaukuejo

Dolomite

Kalkheuwel

Homob

Okondeka

Klein Okevi

and Salvadora.

In addition to the lions, other surprises you may encounter include the remaining African members of the Big-5 cats – and also some members of the Big-5 herbivores – elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and rhinos.

3. Kruger National Park

The world’s famous Kruger National Park is the southern-most kingdom in as far as lions are concerned. It is located in South Africa.

Though Kruger National Park is famously known for its big ostriches, it is also home to many other wildlife species apart from ostriches and lions.

Never attempt this! From a documentary called Walking With Lions.

Some of the big herbivores, especially elephants and buffaloes, call it their South African home.

2. Chobe-Okavango-Hwange Ecosystem

Resting between northern-western Botswana and northern-eastern Zimbabwe, the Chobe-Okavango-Hwange ecosystem boasts as a place with the world’s highest concentration of lions.

This ecosystem comprises of:

Hwange

Okavango Delta

Chobe

Savute

Kwai

Selinda

and Linyanti, among other areas.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is found in the North-Western part of Botswana which borders the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Like the Mara and Serengeti parks, Choba and Hwange are only separated by national borders.

This park is famous for its elephant-hunting lions. Most lions do not hunt elephants for prey. However, this ‘natural rule’ gets wantonly violated in Chobe National Park. The reasons for this are still yet unknown since there are many other traditional preys within the park.

An elephant is a gigantic land mammal. It cannot be wrestled down by just a couple of lions. Thus, it takes a dedicated effort and the tact of pride of about 30 elephant-eating lions of Chobe to succeed in mauling down an elephant. Such a sight is a typical wild war scene to behold.

Okavango National Park

Okavango National Park is also located in the northern part of Botswana. It neighbors Chobe National Park to the east.

What makes this park famous is the Okavango Delta. Most lions found along this delta have adopted some form of aquatic lifestyle as they can swim to various islets while hunting for their preys.

Due to the rich variety of preys, the swimming lions of Okavango are relatively bigger and more powerful than those found elsewhere in Africa. The biggest ones are found on the Duma Plains within the Okavango Delta region.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is located in the North-Eastern part of Zimbabwe. It borders Chobe National Park to the East.

This Park is just a few kilometers drive from Victoria Falls – another great tourist attraction in Africa. The lions of Hwange are easy to sight because of the networked array of water holes which draws them to quench their thirst. Thus, the best sight-seeing point is near a waterhole.

Buffalos are the main source of prey for the lions of Hwange. Other sources include the antelopes.

1. The Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem

Holding the title of “The 7th Wonder of the World,” the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is renowned for its spectacular annual ritual of Wildebeasts migration.

The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem comprises of two expansive game reserves – the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Park.

These two parks are only separated by the Kenya-Tanzania national border.

The Serengeti Circuit

The Serengeti Circuit is a tourist region in Northern Tanzania. It comprises of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania. It is the ‘Siamese twin’ to Maasai Mara National Park.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngororongo Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera. This place has the highest population density of lions in East Africa. This place boasts of some the largest lions in the world, thanks to the rich source of preys.

Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is famous for the tree-climbing lions. It is rare for lions to climb trees as this is habit commonly practiced by leopards, not lions. Due to it having less traffic from tourists, it is one of the best places in Tanzania for one to view lions. However, unlike the lions of Kafue, they are less acrobatic.

Maasai Mara National Park

Maasa Mara is the world’s most renowned Safari tour destination. This expansive national park is located in the southern parts of Kenya. It borders Serengeti National Park to the south.

The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is the world’s most famous when it comes to lions. There are plenty of documentaries created within and about the Mara-Serengeti area.

These include African Cats a Disney documentary captured within the Maasai Mara National Park. The Big Cat Diaries is another popular BBC series captured within the Maasai Mara National Park.

The Big Cats Initiative is also another adventure created by National Geographic about the lions of Mara with the aim of creating global awareness about saving lions worldwide from poaching and risk of extinction.

Ready for a Safari tour?

Places with dominant footsteps of the king of the jungle are mainly found in Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. Should you want to visit the king of the jungle in his domain, these are the places to go. A visit to Africa without seeing the lions is a visit not accomplished. Take a stride with the pride.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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What is African Food Like?

Africa is a vast continent with a rich cultural diversity. As such it has a rich and diverse cuisine.

With almost 5,000 ethnic groups, each with its own unique cuisine, it is hard to come up with what we can call “African food.” However, there are certain dishes that are common across multi-ethnic groups existing in various regions.

We are going to consider not just the dishes but also the cultural and environmental aspects that go with it, which all make up Africa’s fine dining. We’re also going to look at the traditional setup rather than the modern setup which has undergone a lot of exotic influence.

Atmosphere of African food

Some aspects of eating in Africa transcend the food itself. So, let’s dive right into Africa’s fine dining scene!

Ambiance

When we look at the ambiance, we are considering the kind of environmental setup that prevails during dinner time in most places in Africa.

The following are some of the common features by which ambiance makes a fine dinner in Africa:

Night time – in Africa, dinner is held during the early hours of the night. This is between 7 pm and 9 pm

By the fireside – in most parts of interior Africa, dinner is held by the fireside. The fire serves several purposes

source of light

a source of warmth

a source of deterrence against wild animals and insects (especially mosquitoes)

a central point for gathering

a cultural symbol of unity, among others.

Moonlighting – during periods of the full moon, roast foods on an open fire are the most preferred way of eating while being socially engaged.

Togetherness

Food in Africa is not just a meal but a social gathering. Food is used as a means of strengthening bonds. As such, eating food alone is considered bad manners.

The following are some of the ways by which togetherness makes a fine dinner in Africa:

Warm family embraces – a fine dinner in Africa is one where the entire family comes together to share a meal.

Stories – unlike in other cultures where people have to stay quiet while eating, in most African cultures, a fine dinner is a one which is escorted by sweet stories.

Sharing dishes – togetherness extends to sharing dishes such as plates, beer pots, etc.

Visitors – a fine dinner in Africa is one where there is at least a guest who is receiving some good treatment during dinner time.

Divinity

A fine dinner in Africa is one where divine intervention is sought and appreciated. It is not just about sharing meals with the living but also with ancestors and spirits.

The following divine activities make a fine dinner in Africa:

Prayers – prayers were always conducted before any given meal, more so dinner. Included in the prayers are thanksgivings to those who made the food, to God for the life that lives, and to the spirits and ancestors for protection. They are also prayers of blessing to the family and those who are partaking the meal.

Sacred songs after eating – after eating, sacred songs are common.

Leaving something for the ancestors – in most traditional African societies, not all food cooked is eaten. Some is left for the ancestors. This could be taken to special shrines e.g. a sacred tree, or simply be left for the wild animals.

Natural Diet

African traditional cuisine is natural. Although, it is now becoming increasingly rare to find a pure natural diet as modernity means more natural sources of food are becoming extinct.

The following are some of what comprises a fine dinner of natural diet in Africa:

Clean eating – this refers to eating food as close to its natural form as possible.

Balanced diet – Africa has a rich variety of green leafy vegetables that grow naturally. Apart from that, there are plenty of natural grains, cereals, and wild nuts. Game meat, livestock meat and other sources of proteins are also in plenty. However, urbanization means that these are a preserve of the remaining few indigenous rural communities.

Natural recipes – recipes are often natural. For example, cooking oil/fat is extracted naturally from coconut, olive, palm, animal fat, etc. sugar is extracted naturally from honey, fruits, and nectar. Salt is obtained naturally from lakes and oceans. Those far from salty lakes use salt alternatives in form of savory herbs.

Special Ingredients

There are certain special ingredients that make fine dinner in Africa. These include:

Herbs – in traditional African societies, the boundary between food and herbs is blurred. This is especially the case when it comes to vegetables. Most vegetables also doubled up as herbs. Other than vegetables, there are pure herbs that are used to make food tender, break down lipids, ease up digestion, prevent stomach upsets, etc.

Sour milk – taking a gourd of sour milk after the main dinner meal is a common practice in pastoralist societies.

Spring water – in rural communities, the main source of drinking water is spring water. There is still a very low level of industrial pollution in African rural areas. As such, water is largely in its pure natural form.

A hot cup of Chai – Chai, is a name given to tea. Traditionally, tea is taken after the main meal. This is common with the East African communities where tea has been grown for ages or imported from China and India prior to colonization. Chai also refers to any hot beverage comprising of boiled water, some herbs in it, and sweetener.

Beer – beer in the evenings after meals is a common phenomenon in traditional African societies. However, this is only a preserve of elderly men. Children, youths, and women are generally barred from having a beer.

So, what’s food in Africa like?

Africa is vast. Thus, the best way to look at African cuisine is on a regional basis.

In most regions, there is a base meal.

A base meal is that meal which can be served with many other dishes as accompaniments. It can also be a base ingredient for those other dishes.

West African Dinner Cuisine

The following are the most popular dishes of the West African cuisine:

Base meals:

Rice – mostly white rice of basmati variety.

Fufu – a paste made from sweet starchy root vegetables. Cassava and Yams are popular ingredients.

Accompaniments:

Rice: Jollof (West African), Thiebou Djeun (Senegalese), Waakye (Ghanaian), Ofada (Nigerian)

Fufu (Nigerian): meat stew, fish stew, green vegetables, West African rice dish varieties (jollof, ofada, waakye, etc), palm nut soup, efo, egusi.

Other meals:

Alloco (Ivorian) – fried plantain snack often served with eggs and seasoned with onions, spices, and tomatoes.

East African Dinner Cuisine

The following are the most popular dishes of the East African cuisine:

Base meals:

Ugali – this simply refers to stiffened porridge. It is commonly consumed in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, but predominantly in East, Central and Southern Africa. In Central Africa, it is called Nshima.

Chapati – this is unleavened flat bred with a disk-like shape that is often baked on the open frying pan with just slight smearing of oil to avoid sticking on the pan and to give in golden-brownish coloration.

Matoke – this simply refers to cooked (mostly steamed) green bananas. There is a special variety of banana (plantain) that is used for matoke. It is commonly consumed in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Western parts of Kenya.

Nyama choma – this is simply smoked and barbecued meat.

Injera – round, flat, stiffened, and thin disc-like dish made from fermented teff flour. It is often lightly baked to achieve the stiffened form.

Pilau – heavily spiced pishori rice. Spices include coriander, turmeric, ginger, cloves, pepper, etc. Coconut milk is also used instead of water. Shredded coconut is also added to it. This is commonly served in the coastal areas of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Mozambique.

Accompaniments:

Ugali: fried vegetables, meat stew, sour milk, fish stew, fried green grams/beans, etc

Nyama Choma: Kachumbari, ugali

Injera: beyenatu, kitfo, Doro Wat

Chapati: meat stew, ndengu, fried vegetables, etc

Pilau: meat stew, ndengu, fried vegetables, etc

Matoke: meat stew, green vegetables, grain stew (green grams, beans, peas, etc).

Central African Dinner Cuisine

The following are the most popular dishes of the Central African cuisine:

Nshima – Central African name for Ugali (stiffened porridge)

Pondu (mainly DRC) – a stew made from cassava leaves, palm oil, onions, and chili.

Accompaniments:

Nshima: fried vegetables, meat stew, sour milk, fish stew, fried green grams/beans, etc

Pondu: Nshima, meat, grains, etc

South African Dinner Cuisine

The following are the most popular dishes of South African cuisine:

Bobotie (South African) – a mixture of minced meat and fruits with a creamy topping.

Biltong (South African) – dried and cured meat. Common meat sources include beef, ostrich meat, game meat.

Accompaniments:

Biltong: green vegetables, grain stew (green grams, beans, peas, etc)

Bobotie: often eaten alone. Can be accompanied by green vegetables, fried grains (green grams, beans, peas, etc).

North African Dinner Cuisine

The following are the most popular dishes of the North African cuisine:

Cholent – a slow-cooked mixture of beans, barley, potatoes, and meat. Rice can substitute barley while chicken can substitute meat.

Brik – triangular-shaped pastry stuffed with whole egg, onions, harissa, parsley, and tuna fish. Some other varieties can include cheese, chopped boiled eggs, chicken, and ground meat.

Couscous (Algeria/Maghreb region) – comprises of steamed small balls of semolina flour.

Accompaniments:

Cholent: It is a full meal. You can take with your preferred smoothie or fruit juice

Brik: you can take it with tea, a variety of stews, fruit juice, among others

Couscous: You can take it with a variety of stews, grains (especially chickpeas), nuts (especially cashew nuts and pine nuts), soups, pomegranate, roast chicken, salads, etc.

Time to eat!

Fine dining in Africa simply means being vast and diverse in your cuisine, as the continent itself.

Each part of the continent brings its own delicious uniqueness untasted anywhere else.

This is what makes Africa unique.

A visit across Africa is a way to make your tummy experience an unprecedented variety.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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Best Places for Surfing in Africa

Africa is endowed with a long coastline stretch that borders three oceans and several seas.

Along the thousands of kilometers long stretch are found some of the most spectacular surfing destinations in the world.

We have compiled a list of the ten most famous surfing spots in Africa. So, here we go, surfs up bro!

10. Busua Ghana

Busua is considered Ghana’s surfing Capital. With a gentle right-hand point break characterized by hollow beach break, Busua is a great place for newbie surfers and those who just have little skills to advance.

Just an hour’s drive west of Takoradi, Busua is an ‘endless summer’ destination for those who have made it their surfing destination.

Here you can easily interact with very hospitable Ghanaian locals – both surfers and traders, and from all walks of life, as you enjoy a great summer surfing experience.

9. Skeleton Bay, Namibia

For experienced surfers who dare have a challenging adventure, Skeleton Bay is the typical destination. Roaring currents, cold-shouldered waters, and fiercely competing waves makes this a scary place for newbies and those not skilled enough.

The barren crust-yellow sand beaches ensures that current flow is unhindered, yet, a relentless foresight for those who would like to witness a land falling into a distant horizon while enjoying their surf.

The plenty of shipwreck skeletons (from which Skeleton Coast/Bay derive their names) can be a reminder that this place is not for the faint-hearted.

This is a must-tour place for surfers who want to experience the dryland folds of Namibian beaches. Surfing season rests between May and September.

8. Ponta Do Ouro, Mozambique

Ponta Do Ouro (“Point of Gold” in English) Ponta Do Ouro is one of the best surfing sports on the East Coast of Africa.

This is one of the prime spots in the Southern Africa tourists’ circuit. It is one of the best holiday destinations along the south-east coast of Africa.

This right-hand point break that provides almost a kilometer ride, comes with a big surprise – the company of bottlenose dolphins. Here you are assured of a good company of them, especially during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season.

Besides surfing, scuba diving can also be carried out within the same range, which makes this one of the best spots in Mozambique for both surfers and divers.

7. Durban, South Africa

With both left and right breaks, New Pier is the most popular surfing destination in Durban. Renouned for being the Africa’s surfing capital, Durban boasts of world-class infracture that makes tourists from Western capitals feel at home.

For those who are just beginning, tolerant waves are found down south at a place called Vetch’s Pier. Vetch’s Pier is the front side of the world’s famous Ushaka Marine World.

Those experienced enough can get further north of Gold Mile to encounter places like Dairy Beach, North Beach, and Beach of Plenty.

Surfing experience in South Africa is one of a kind. It is part of a full tour package where you can enjoy Africa Safaris as you witness some of the world’s best kept game secrets.

The biggest benefit of Durban is that it has plenty of surfing spots that offers all-year-round experience. For those who would love surfing in warm waters, Durban is the place to go.

6. Anakao, Madagascar

Madagascar is Africa’s largest island. As such, it has a long coast with beautiful beaches. Anakao is the most famous surfing spot on this island. Among the breaks, Flameballs has the reputation of scaling a height of up to 8 feet.

However, Anakao can be a challenge for newcomers. Those not experienced enough should move to Jelly Babies. This left-handed break is more tolerant compared to the right-handed Flameballs.

Both Flameballs and Jelly Babies are found on the South-Western part of Madagascar – just south of Toliara.

5. Robertsport, Liberia

On the West African coast, Robertsport is one of the best surfing spots. This is a unique place found in Liberia just about 3-hours drive to the North-West of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city.

The famous Kwepunha Retreat awaits those who would like to board or enjoy a breathtaking West African cuisine.

Among the most famous breaks in Robertsport, Fisherman’s break and Cotton are the most well-known. Cotton is famous for its long, mostly hollow waves which are ideal for tube-riding. Fisherman’s break is reputed for being the most loved by long-boarders.

Apart from Cotton and Fisherman’s breaks, there is Shipwreck hideout for those who want to gain a different kind of experience.

Robertsport experiences south wrap swells that, at their best, can rise up to 6 meters and provide a guaranteed surfing length of 200 meters.

Robertsport provides the best surfing season between April and August.

4. Taghazout, Morocco

With fantastic right-hands, Killer Point is the most beloved surfing point north of Africa. It is also the best of this restive village of Taghazout, Morocco. Other nearby spots include Boilers and Anchor Point.

Boiler point which derives its name from the shipwreck’s boiler found within the vicinity is one of the most thrilling yet extremely challenging surfing spots in North Africa.

It is one of the most loved spots for surfing photographers in the world. This is due to the challenging encounters that push surfers to make some of the most spectacular maneuvers.

Anchor Point is famed for its consistent waves at all tides and clean lines. The waves can stream over a length of 300m to 500m and reach a height of between 3ft and 15ft.

Due to its proximity to Southern Europe, Morocco is a loved surfing destination for tourists on a short season trip.

The best surfing season is during winter which spreads from September to April. During this time, bigger swells are pushed to the vicinity by the North Atlantic storms.

3. Praia Do Tofo, Mozambique

On the southern end of Tofo’s eastward beach rests the famous Tofinho Point. Tofinho Point is a right-hand reef break that is just about 15 miles east of Inhambane.

Warm waters, consistent waves, and stunningly beautiful reefs make Tofinho Point one of the most unique surfing spots, not only in Mozambique but also in the world.

The best surfing season at this warm spot is between June and August. It is also a season that coincides with the Whale migration.

2. N’Gor Island, Senegal

N’Gor Right remains the most famous and unrivaled break along the coast of West Africa. It sets the theme of “The Endless Summer” one of the most iconic movies of the 1960s.

N’Gor Right is found on the N’Gor Island which rests not far off Cape-Vert Peninsula, and just within the vicinity of Dakar, the Capital City of Senegal.

Apart from N’Gor, Amaldives is another great place for surfing. It is located at the end of Cape-Vert Peninsula, just a few meters from Dakar.

The best surfing season ranges between November and March – for those who want to experience a daring adventure of surfing on formidable waves. However, September and August are ideal for newbies as the waves are much calmer and more dependable.

1. Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

South Africa is home to another great surfing place – Jeffrey’s Bay. Jeffrey’s Bay rests in the Eastern Cape province – another historically renowned province of South Africa.

Supertube is its most loved break in Jeffrey’s Bay. This 4-8 foot right-hander is one of the few places in Africa that hosts a World Surf League event – the J-Bay Open.

J-Bay, as is fondly known by locals, rests on iconic East Coast beaches of South Africa just about 50km south of the famous Port Elizabeth. It is commonly referred to as “surfing Mecca of Africa” due to the constant patronage it receives due to its fanatic surfers.

Other than Supertube, there are a host of other breaks, including Kitchen Window and Albatross.

The best surfing season rests between June and September.

Conslusion

Africa has some of the best summer surfing spots in the world. We have highlighted for you the 10 best surfing places in Africa so that you can have an informed choice of your nearest surfing spot should you make an African Safari adventure.

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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10 African Masterpieces of Literature & Song

The following is our list of the most famous pieces of work about Africa, cutting across:

literature

politics

poetry

painting

and sculpture.

Africa has great pieces of creative work that surprisingly even many Africans have never seen or heard of; this is due to Africa’s wide geographical spread, multilingual barrier, and very few Afro-focused media.

With that said, let’s jump right into it, shall we?

10. Things Fall Apart

Novel, By Chinua Achebe – Nigeria

This is a literary piece of work written by one of the best African writers of all time – Chinua Achebe[i]. Chinua Achebe hails from Nigeria[ii].

Things Fall Apart[iii] is a piece of work that focuses on a clash of traditions during Africa’s transition period from the colonial rule. It is at this period that Africa’s traditional values were in a violent clash with those values of their colonial subjugators.

Even though the Western culture brought profound positive effects on Africa – including modern industrialization and infrastructure, it nonetheless caused tremendous destruction in terms of Africa’s authentic traditional values that held families together and defined the gender roles.

Things Fall Apart is a theme about characterization and demonstration of Africa’s torn socio-cultural fabric as different forces fight for their own domain.

9. An African Thunderstorm

Poem, By David Rubadiri – Malawi

David Rubadiri[iv] is a great poet, writer, novelist, diplomat, and playwright from Malawi[v].

Like most early African writers, he ran afoul with his country’s government under dictator Hastings Kamuzu Banda and ran into exile in Uganda[vi]. While in Uganda, Obote’s government was overthrown, forcing him again to run into exile in Kenya[vii].

He served twice as his country’s diplomat, first has Malawi’s first ambassador to the US. After Kamuzu Banda ceased to be president, he returned to the country and later became his country’s Ambassador to the UN.

The following poetry extract is one of his great pieces of work, An African Thunderstorm[viii]:

Pregnant clouds

Ride stately on its back,

Gathering to perch on hills

Like sinister dark wings;

The wind whistles by

And trees bend to let it pass.

And like most writers of his time, he was critical of poor governance and leadership in Africa. Some of his work was critical of Africa’s despotic regimes.

8. Burger’s Daughter

Novel, By Nadine Gordimer – South Africa

This is a historical and political novel by Nadine Gordimer[ix], one of Africa’s earliest literary Nobel Laureates.

This piece of work focuses on the criticism of the era of the draconian Apartheid regime of South Africa. Burger’s Daughter[x] was billed by the New York Times as Gordimer ’s most political and most moving novel.

7. Bahora Girl

Painting, by Irma Stern – South Africa

This is a great painting that fetched one of the highest auction bids for such a piece of art in Africa.

Bohari Girl[xi] was painted by Irma Stern[xii], one of South Africa’s [xiii] most renowned personalities and a leading figure in the art scene. Apart from this masterpiece, Stern has painted many other pieces of art that have etched their place in the international art scene.

6. Daily Mirror

Sculpture, by Ben Enwonwu – Nigeria

Billed as Africa’s most influential artist of the 20th Century, Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, popularly knowns as Ben Enwonwu[xiv], is an artist and sculptor.

One of his most famous piece of work is the ‘Daily Mirror’[xv] sculpture, which he created in May 2013.

5. Senufo Female

Sculpture, by Master of Sinasso – Ivory Coast

Senufo Female[xvi] is a sculpture created by one of the most celebrated Ivory Coast[xvii] artists by the name Master of Sinasso[xviii].

It is a sculpture representing a traditional female body of the Senufo people of Ivory Coast. This piece of work fetched $12 million at its auction, bought by Sothebys.

4. Construction of the Suez Canal

Painting, by Abdul Hadi El-Gazzar – Egypt

Construction of the Suez Canal[xix] is one of the best modern masterpieces from Egypt[xx] that depicts its topic.

It is a painting drawn by Abdul Hadi El-Gazzar[xxi], one of Egypt’s most celebrated artists of modern times.

Egypt is a famous ancient civilization characterized by great artwork, science, engineering, and construction. Pyramids, paintings, sculptures, and religious edicts define this great land of the Pharaohs.

This masterpiece was able to fetch $1 million at an auction in Dubai in 2014.

3. Les Chadoufs

Painting, by Mahmoud Said – Egypt

Les Chadoufs[xxii] painting depicts the ancient Shaduf Screw method of irrigation which was invented by the ancient Egyptians over two millenniums ago as a way of irrigating farms along the River Nile.

The painting was drawn by Mahmoud Siad[xxiii], a famous painter from Egypt. It was auctioned at Christie’s for a whopping $2 million.

2. Aye Africa

Song, by Franklin Boukaka – DRC

This is a great song that many people brand it as “Africa’s Anthem”.

It is a deep moving song with that moves any listener who understands the plight of Africa, especially after the mirage of the so-called ‘Independence’.

In the song, Franklin Boukaka[xxiv] questions whether this war, poverty and misery that Africa faces is the independence and freedom that was promised by the Independence heroes.

From his background as a Congolese from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)[xxv], the song is painfully relevant when you realize that DRC is in deep turmoil that has so far claimed over 10 million lives, not forgetting that over 6 million of them that were massacred by King Leopold of Belgium prior to independence.

This is a painful song. Its lyrics can move any patriot to tears. A song from the deep heart of a martyr who was killed trying to fight for a better country through words and deeds.

The song was sung in French. The following are some parts of the translated lyrics:

Ahe Africa he

Eh he Africa

Where is your freedom?

Where is your liberty?

Oh, it is hard labor to cut wood fire!

With such sufferings with our kids!

I don’t know how to fix that.

I gave my confidence

To people only focused on luxury stuffs and cars

But when elections comes, they remind me as an important person for them

The colonizer left already

But what do we do with this freedom now?

You can listen to this great piece of work and its lyrics from this video:

youtube

Rest In Peace, Franklin Boukaka.

1. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

Song, by Enoch Sontonga – South Africa

Translated as ‘God Bless Africa’, this is another emotionally moving son by a great son of Africa – Enoch Sontonga. It’s greatness is evidenced by the fact that it has been adapted by several countries in Southern Africa as their national anthem.

These includes South Africa itself, Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania (in Swahili version), and Zimbwabwe (Shona version).

Enoch Sontonga[xxvi] was a teacher and Choirmaster at the Methodist Mission School in South Africa. He composed and sung the song as part of religious service and as a special dedication to his continent – Africa.

Enoch Sontonga died in obscurity during his youth at a prime age of only 33 years. But, his giant legacy lives on in this great masterpiece that has been adopted as a National Anthem for 5 African countries.

His spirit guided and blessed most of Southern Africa’s liberation heroes as it was the song of choice during their liberation struggle. A simple man whose hearty song invigorated the liberation spirit of a people of 5 countries of Africa.

The song has been adapted in many languages across Africa. In South Africa alone, it has been adapted in Xhosa (its original language), Zulu, Afrikaans, and English.

Here are some of the English extracts:

Lord bless Africa

May her glory be lifted high

Hear our petitions Lord bless us, your children

Lord we ask You to protect our nation

Intervene and end all conflicts

Protect us, protect our nation

Protect South Africa, South

Out of the blue of our heavens

Out of the depths of our seas

Over our everlasting mountains

Where the echoing crags resound

Sounds the call to come together

And united we shall stand

Let us live and strive for freedom

In South Africa our land

May Sontoga’s spirit be blessed.

Parting words

Africa is the source of the world’s most ancient civilizations. Every source of civilization has its culture which is described through different pieces of work. The top 10 most famous pieces of work about Africa provided herein helps to reignite memories of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

Resources:

[i] Chinua Achebe

[ii] Facts About Nigeria

[iii] Things Fall Apart

[iv] David Rubadiri

[v] Facts About Malawi

[vi] Facts About Uganda

[vii] Facts About Kenya

[viii] An African Thunderstorm

[ix] Nadine Gordimer

[x] Burger’s Daughter

[xi] Bohari Girl

[xii] Irma Stern

[xiii] Facts About South Africa

[xiv] Ben Enwonwu

[xv] Daily Mirror

[xvi] Senufo Female

[xvii] Facts About Ivory Coast

[xviii] Master of Sinasso

[xix] Construction of the Suez Canal

[xx] Facts About Egypt

[xxi] Abdul Hadi El-Gazzar

[xxii] Les Chadoufs

[xxiii] Mahmoud Said

[xxiv] Franklin Boukaka

[xxv] Facts About Democratic Republic of Congo

[xxvi] Enoch Sontonga

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afrikanza · 6 years ago

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10 Super Talented African Artists

Africa is a vast continent with a rich and diverse culture and traditions.

This wealth and diversity ensures that Africa is served with some of the world’s greatest artistic talents.

Discover more: 10 Most Influential African Women

To celebrate and honor this wealth and diversity, we have compiled a diverse list of our favorite famous African artists who are still alive today.

10. Michael Owusu Addo (Sarkodie), Musician – Ghana

From his humble beginning as an underground rapper, Michael Owusu Addo (1) who is popularly known as ‘Sarkodie’, rose to fame through his single debut by the name ‘Baby’.

Being the first Ghanaian (2) to win BET Award, Sarkodie has received the most nominations by any Ghanaian standard. This is evidenced by the fact that he was billed as the 19 most influential Ghanaian of the time, a great fete in a continent that still ‘worships’ politicians to the demigod status.

Sarkodie has been a staunch advocate of Azonto, a popular African music genre that owes its roots to the traditional Ghanaian Kpanlogo dance.

His first single, ‘Mewu’, from his fourth Album became an instant sensation upon release with sales topping 4,000 copies on its first day of release in Accra Ghana.

Billed by Forbes as among the “Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists,” Sarkodie has definitely etched his mark on the African entertainment scene.

9. Aya Tarek, Graffiti Artist – Egypt

Aya Tarek (3) is a street artist (graffiti) who came to fame during the ‘Arab Spring’ – a political uprising in Egypt (4) that ended the long reign of dictator Hosni Mubarak.

She used her graffiti to express political views and communicate to the world about the feelings and sentiments of the Egyptian people protesting against the autocratic regime.

Apart from grafitti, Aya Tarek has also participated in film creation. She has featured in Microphone, a film created by Abdallah whose primary theme is about art scene in the Alexandria Metropolitan. She has also featured in her own masterpiece, “How to F*ck Your Mind”, which is an explosive expression of her views.

Discover more: 10 Interesting African Tribal Tattoos

Her niche, using graffiti to communicate political and national issues, has made her uniquely positioned not only as the voice of the voiceless in the gravely censored media space in Egypt, but also in the Arab world.

8. Ama Ata Aidoo, Playwright – Ghana

Maybe too big for this list, Ama Ata Aidoo (5) is much more than an artist. Apart from being a playwright, poet, and author, she is also a scholar, a politician, an administrator, and philanthropist. She has been a Minister for Education under Jerry Rawling’s regime.

Aidoo is currently running Mbaasem Foundation which she established in 2000 as an organization dedicated to the promotion of African women writers.

She has more than a dozen titles to her literary work. The most famous of them being ‘The Dilema of a Ghost’, ‘Our Sister Killjoy’, and ‘Anowa’.

Discover more: 10 Must Watch Nollywood Movies

7. Nkosinathi Maphumulo (Black Coffee) – South Africa

Born in Kwazulu Natal, Nkosinathi Maphumulo (6), popularly known as ‘Black Coffee’, is a multi-award winning artist who has collaborated with world-famous musicians such as Alicia Keys, Drake, John Legend, and Usher, among others.

One of his famous masterpieces is “We Dance Again” from “Pieces of Me” album that catapulted him to global fame.

To his credit, he is the first South African (7) to win BET Award. In addition, he has won DJ Award for Best Deep House, plus three other South African awards.

His Soulistic Music, a leading management and record company, has been able to sign off releases from Zakes Bantwini, Culoe De Song, and Tumelo. All of them made spectacular achievement in gold and platinum sales.

6. Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Playwright – Kenya

Once imprisoned for his theatrical arts, Professor Ngugi Wa Thiong’o (8) is a renowned playwright and literary scholar from Kenya (9). He has worked extensively while in exile in the United States. He has produced various literature works and drama pieces.

As a persistent advocate of decolonizing the African mind, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o has used his literary works to educate Kenyans in particular and Africa in general, against cultural colonization by the West.

It is from this grounding that Ngugi Wa Thiong’o writes extensively in his ethnic Kikuyu language and then makes translation to other languages including Swahili and English. He is one of the rarest few scholars who write in their own ethnic languages.

Billed over the ages as a potential candidate for Nobel Prize in literature, Ngugi continues to inspire many, especially in his persistent message of mental decolonization. Maybe this is one of those unpalatable subjects that the West-dominated Nobel Prize Committee won’t love to entertain.

5. Faustin Linyekula, Choreographer and Dancer – Congo

A master of the dance theater, Faustin Linyekula (10) is well-known in the international choreography arena as a great dancer.

He is mostly associated with Studios Kabako, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (11), which he created by himself. The studios are dedicated for dancing.

Faustin has participated in so many international dance festivals. Some of these include Suresnes Cités Danse Festival, Festival d’Avignon, Le Cargo, Dinozord, Avignon festival, among others. He has also made collaborations with other dancer groups, notably, Ballet de Lorraine, and Sans-titre.

Apart from dancing, Faustin has promoted choreography in Africa as one among Africa’s eminent personalities with regard to this profession. Faustin still has a lot more to offer the world in general, and Africa in particular – in as far as international professional choreography is concerned.

4. Khaled Hadj Brahim in Sidi-El-Houari, Musician – Algeria

Famously known as “the King of Rai”, Khaled is an Arabic music star born and raised in Algeria (12). He relocated his base to France during Algerian political upheavals where he debuted the international scene with his famous ‘’Didi” hit song. “Didi” was released in 1992 and instantly became an international sensation.

Khaled (13) is a highly diverse and varsatile musician. Apart from singing in his native Arabic, he also sings in French. He fuses various genres including Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk, Salsa, among others. Apart from the famous ‘Didi’ hit, another big hit is “Aicha,” which is a love single that he produced in 1996.

Prior to “Didi”, Khaled debuted his music career as a 14-year-old teen with “La Route De Lycee”. This was after he had dropped out of school to start his Five Stars band.

Among the musical instruments that Khalid is able to play include accordion, guitar, bass, among others.

3. Salif Keita, Musician – Mali

Born in 1949 in Mali (14), Salif Keita is one of the veterans of Afro-pop. Born an albino, Salif Keita (15) has been an inspiration to those who suffer from albinism in Africa. Stigmatization and primitive superstitions and beliefs have contributed to albinos being an endangered ‘species’ in Africa. Many have been murdered while others abandoned as babies.

Through his inspirational music career, many Africans have learned that having an albino child is not a bad omen or something to be disgraced about.

Commonly referred to as “Golden Voice of Africa”, Salif Keita has a graveling voice with profoundly poetic lyrics. One of his famous albums is ‘Le Difference’ that he recorded towards the end of 2009. It is dedicated to the struggle of the albino community as victims of human sacrifice.

Salif Keita himself has faced persecution due to his condition. First of all, being disowned by his own father despite him coming from a noble family. Later on, forced to flee his own country for fear of being killed for ritualistic sacrifice and for having been completely obstructed from pursuing his beloved career due to his condition.

Among notable charity works, Keita has participated in includes tribute to Nelson Mandela urging for his release. He has established Salif Keita Global Foundation, an organization dedicated to championing for the rights of albino community worldwide. He has also been a UN Ambassador on albinism.

2. Cheri Samba, Painter – DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is famous for music artists. However, this hasn’t overshadowed Cheri Samba (16) whose drawings continue to leave an indelible mark on Africa’s artistry canvas.

Samba wa Mbimba N’zingo Nuni Masi Ndo Mbasi (Cheri Samba) has a large number of art collections which can be found in world’s famous places including Museum of Modern Art in New York, Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and The Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC).

His artistic work has featured in various global exhibitions, including The Global Contemporary Art Worlds (Germany), The Venice Biennale (Italy), Art contemporain d’un continent (Germany), and Centre national d’Art Contemporain (Italy), among many other places.

1. Wole Soyinka, Playwright – Nigeria

Like Ama Ataa Aido, Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka (Wole Soyinka) is another heavyweight that probably overflows this list. Nonetheless, we consider his part as a Playwright to consider him on this list.

He obviously has many other forays which make his role as a playwright rather minor. But, as much as this is one of the many roles he has in his career, it has a strong impact on the African continent.

Wole Soyinka (17), the first African Literary Nobel Laureate, has been on the forefront of promoting literary depth in Africa. He has used his playwright talents to champion for socio-political change not only in his native country, Nigeria (18) but also across Africa and the rest of the world.

He has been a stubborn critic of autocratic military regimes in Nigeria, which made him pay the price by being detained for two years by a military junta led by General Gowon.

As a globe-trotting professor of Comparative Literature and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has lectured in many universities across Africa, Europe, and North America. He has also served as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Promotion of African culture, human rights, freedom of expression, media and communication.

Conclusion

Africa got talents. This is just but a condensed list of the so many competitive talents who deserve a mention. Next time you are in Africa, take a chance to explore works by these greats.

Resources:

Michael Owusu Addo

Facts About Ghana

Aya Tarek

Facts About Egypt

Ama Ata Aidoo

Nkosinathi Maphumulo

Facts About South Africa

Ngugi Wa Thiong’o

Facts About Kenya

Faustin Linyekula

Facts About Democratic Republic of Congo

Fats About Algeria

Khaled Hadj Brahim in Sidi-El-Houri

Facts About Mali

Salif Keita

Cheri Samba

Wole Soyinka

Facts About Nigeria

The post 10 Super Talented African Artists appeared first on Afrikanza.

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10 Most Influential African Women

Africa has many influential women who have greatly aided in putting Africa on the globe in leadership, business, sports, arts, and other spheres and domains.

Discover more: 10 Richest Black Women in the World

We are going to look at those self-made women who rose to influential position mainly through their own efforts rather than being heirs or beneficiaries of undue favors. Here we go!

10. Lupita Nyog’o – Kenya

Lupita Nyong’o is an Oscar-winning actress who came to fame due to her role in the “12 Years A Slave”. She is the first Kenyan actress to have won an Oscar Academy Award in Film and Theater.

She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, in this film in 2013. She has also acted in several films, including East River, My Genes, Steve McQueen’s, Star Wars, The Jungle Book, and lately, Black Panthers.

She has been an inspiration for African women interested in entering the entertainment industry. Apart from acting, she has been an inspiration to women who would like to keep their appearance as natural as possible.

Unlike most African female stars in the entertainment industry, she has not had the urge to bleach her skin. This has led her to appear in several international magazines as an “authentic African woman.” We know, sad but true.

9. Salwa Akhannouch – Morocco

Salwa Akhannouch is a leading Moroccan female entrepreneur. She is not only one of the most influential African women but also one of the most influential Arabic women.

Her great influence emanates from her entrepreneurial prowess. She is the head of Akwa Group which specializes in fashion brands. She owns the exclusive franchise rights in Morocco for brands such as Zara, Gap, and Banana Republic.

She is also into real estate with an impressive portfolio. Through her enterprises, she has a 50% holding stakes in Morocco Mall – a prestigious mall that is Africa’s largest. The mall attracts over 50 million visitors from across the globe with key clientele coming from Africa, Europe and Asia.

8. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu – Ethiopia

Founder of soulRebels, Bethlehem Alemu is a household name in Ethiopia. She cut out her niche in the soles of the African shoes – making shoes out of recycled materials.

soulRebels is largely a social enterprise that not only generates profits but also helps to sustain a clean environment through recycling of materials that would have otherwise added to the increasing mountain of garbage in Addis Ababa and characteristic of most African cities.

Further, than that, soulRebels has helped relieve the acute unemployment crisis is Ethiopia by providing income opportunities to those living in poor slums of Addis Ababa. Thus, through her enterprise, she has profitably participated in alleviating poverty.

As Ethiopia’s un-announced cultural ambassador, Bethlehem Alemu, she has promoted Ethiopia’s traditional shoes, namely, “selate” and “barabasso” to international fame by adding to them a stylish dose of modern appeal.

Her ingenious entrepreneurship has led her to establish international stores in many parts of the world, including Switzerland, Taiwan, and Singapore.

7. Caster Semenya – South Africa

Born in 1991, in South Africa, Caster Semenya is a world-renowned athlete. She has won several international medals in athletics, including the most prestigious one – 800m Olympic Gold Medal.

Semenya began her international athletics career in 2008 by participating in 2008 World Junior Championship which she successfully won a gold medal in the 800m race.

In 2009 African Junior Championships, she won a double – 800m gold medal, and 1500m gold medal. She participated in several other international races, capping it up with 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. Her latest great win was in 2017 World Championships in London where she won gold in 800m race.

Caster Semenya has survived all odds when it comes to controversies surrounding her rather successful and exemplary performance in athletics. Some have questioned her gender and even damaging rumors on her personal life which would have otherwise caused great mental, emotional and psychological anguish to many haven’t deterred her.

6. Divine Ndhlukula – Zimbabwe

Divine Ndhlukula was born in Gatu, Zimbabwe. She is one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated women entrepreneurs. She is the founder and CEO of Securico Security Services.

She entered this male-dominated field by offering customized security services. Due to her exemplary corporate and social leadership, she stands as one of Zimbabwe’s the most decorated women leaders, if not the most.

She has won over 18 Awards both local and international with regard to leadership, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and philanthropy.

5. Ama Ata Aidoo – Ghana

Ama Ata Aidoo has had an influence on Africa spanning over 50 years. She was born in 1942 in Ghana. As a playwright, author, and academician, Aidoo has inspired not only African women but also men in the world of literature, drama, and poetry.

Apart from being an accomplished author, poet, playwright, and academician, Aidoo has also participated in public service as a Minister for Education under the fourth government of Jerry Rawlings.

As an academician, Aidoo has served in many universities straddling Africa, America, and Europe. She has written many pieces of literary works that have continued to impart knowledge to millions across Africa.

She has over a dozen pieces of such works in her name. The Dilemma of A Ghost being her debut piece and Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories, being her latest. At, 76 years of age, she still finds the energy to continue mentoring young African women through her Mbaasem Foundation.

4. Folorunsho Alakija – Nigeria

Billed as Nigeria’s richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija was born in 1951 in Nigeria. She worked in many companies before beginning her entrepreneurial journey. Her entrepreneurial debut was Supreme Stitches, a tailoring company. Later on, it became Roses of Sharon House of Fashion, which became a national brand.

Later on, Folorunsho ventured into the lucrative oil industry by applying for prospecting license in 1993. She carried oil prospecting under the flagship company, Famfa Limited. Later on, after oil discoveries, she converted from prospecting into mining.

Apart from entrepreneurship, she has also participated in the academic field having become the first Nigerian woman to be a Chancellor of a university. She achieved this by becoming the Chancellor of Osun State University.

She is one of Nigeria’s leading women philanthropists as well as the Chief Matron of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs.

3. Sahle-Work Zewde – Ethiopia

Sahle-Work Zewde has broken history to become Ethiopia’s first female president. This is a big fete considering that Ethiopia is a predominantly patriarchal society. She has thus broken the ceiling to inspire not only Ethiopian women, but African women at large.

Sahle-Work was unanimously elected by Ethiopia’s Federal Parliamentary Assembly to take up this coveted position. She had previously worked in diplomatic circles as UN Special Representative to the African Union (AU).

She has also served in various other ambassadorial positions including Djibouti, IGAD, UNESCO, and ECA (Economic Commission for Africa).

2. Fatou Bom Bensouda – Gambia

Born in 1961 in the Gambia, Fatou Bom Bensouda is the most influential woman from this tiny West African country.

Bensouda has served in various public capacities both locally, regionally and internationally. Currently, she is the second Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the first and only woman to have held that position.

She also served as Gambia’s first female Attorney General and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Prior to her appointment at ICC, she worked as Legal Adviser and Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

1. Dr. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Nigeria

Dr. Adichie is a writer and novelist. She was born in Nigeria, in 1977.

She is an acclaimed feminist renowned for her speech “We Should All Be Feminists”, delivered on TED program. She has won about a dozen prized Awards in by various literary organizations including Caine, Booker, PEN, Orange, among others.

Some of her great literary works include Purple Hibiscus, Half of A Yellow Sun, The Thing Around Your Kneck, among others.

She was inspired by Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and considers him her literary mentor. She hasn’t disappointed her mentor. She too has become a mentor not only to young and upcoming female talents but also to male talents.

Conclusion

When it comes to the most influential women, Africa shines on the global scene. It has powerful influential women across various professional, entrepreneurial, artistic, sports, political, and leadership domains.

They compete effectively with women across the world. They have contributed to raising Africa’s profile, even in domains that their male counterparts have been dwarfed. They are the true spirit of Africa’s 21st Century renaissance.

Discover more: 10 African Social Entrepreneurs – Proudly Leading Africa’s Transformation

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