African Culture

African stools are one to two foot stools carved from wood or stone. Unlike most stools, African stools are not used for sitting. Instead, they serve an important spiritual and social purpose for...

In Africa, both men and women participate in agricultural production. While women traditionally worked primarily on subsistence crops, they have become increasingly important to cash crop...

Whatever your purpose for learning the Zulu counting system, you're in for a lot of memorization and practice. In addition to having long and difficult names for each number, the Zulu language...

African tribal masks aren't just art, but have long been a part of tribal religion and culture. African tribal masks came in literally thousands of different looks, shapes, and forms based on...

For a long time, I couldn't figure out how to clean out my native head-ties(gele) after an occasion: they are usually stained by make-up after a special event because they sit on your face for...

To get the most out of African traditional wears, careful handling is required in terms of washing, drying and storing these native wears. The more elaborate a fabric is, the more you want to...

African traditional wears require careful handling in order to preserve the quality and life of the fabrics. The more elaborate fabrics like Laces, head ties and wax prints with embroidery...

East Africa is defined both geographically and geopolitically, so it doesn't have an official border. It is widely defined as the region included within the borders of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,...

Traditionally, South African women have held second-class status to men. African social structures are centered around men, leaving women powerless. This is mainly the belief throughout the entire...

Hairstyles from Africa share a rich history both the motherland and the rest of the world. Children's styles often involve simplicity in terms of preparation along with durability. A lot of the...

The Nigerian constitution, adopted in 1999, makes clear the basic human rights all citizens of Nigeria. In practice however, women are still considered the inferior sex in Nigeria, especially in...

Lions are different from others in the cat family in many ways; they are its only members to hunt cooperatively. They live in social groups known as prides. This atypical lifestyle affords these...

The role of women in contemporary Africa is complicated as the continent continues to grow and develop. Since the end of colonialism, many of the nations have moved into a situation of greater...

According to reports found on Independent Online, a South African news aggregator, human trafficking affects mainly women and children and is a modern form of slavery. It has become a problem that...

Bantu knots (aka "Zulu knots") can serve as a fabulous protective style if you don't want to be in your hair all the time! You can shape the sections in many different sizes and...

The term, "living it up" can mean different things for different people. Whether it be traveling the world or spending unforgettable nights with friends, there are many ways for people...

It is believed that human malaria began in Central and West Africa. According to the article, "Evolutionary and Historical Aspects of the Burden of Malaria," one of the four types of human...

Throughout the 3000 years of Ancient Egyptian civilization, the recording and transcribing of history, observations and transactions were paramount. The wealthiest ancient Egyptians employed...

The Central Region is one of the financial and tourist hubs of Ghana. The region possesses a long history of both native and European influence. Today, a number of different tourist spots have...

Kente cloth is a traditional African cloth that is created by weaving strips of cloth and then sewing them together to create a new, larger piece of fabric. Kente cloth is traditionally dyed using...

The proper name for the Zulu people is the amaZulu, "the people of heaven." This South African tribe adapts to the modern world while keeping its time-honored philosophies and traditions intact.

The Baule (or Baoule) people live in Africa's central Ivory Coast. They have several different societies, or groups, in charge of specific dances and ceremonies, of which the Goli is one. Each has...

Matoke is a staple in Uganda and served with every meal in almost every home. It looks like a green banana and grows in bunches on a tree. However, unlike bananas, matoke is fairly hard before it...

In Africa, when a man and a woman want to be married, it usually involves the entire family of the groom and the bride. Sometimes, the village or communities where they are from are also very...

African masks come in many different styles. African art is becoming the fashion trends. African masks on the market are the new craze when it comes to decorating rooms with African motif.

Despite steady economic growth since the mid-1990s, Africa remains the world's poorest continent. Increased investment and improved government have fueled economic progress, but African nations...

South Africa under apartheid---a system of legal racial segregation the National Party government implemented from 1948 to 1994---adversely affected the black majority. However, it most...

The history of African instruments dates back thousand of years. Similar instruments are used in different parts of Africa. The most commonly known instrument is the African drum, but there were...

Africa is a continent that is filled with rich culture and natural resources. Even so, women of this continent face enormous challenges that affect their well-being and health.

An advanced civilization existed in the African country of Egypt from 3,000 to 30 B.C., according to the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. This civilization is known for its pharaohs and...

Whether you know someone who resides in South Africa or you need to contact a business or institution, you may need to make a phone call to South Africa from the U.S. In contrast to making a local...

Kenya is an East African country with many obstacles to overcome. Despite being the regional hub for commerce, its economic and health situations are dire. Unemployment is high and life...

Chadians call their country "Africa's Mesopotamia" because its civilization also began between two rivers---the Chari and the Logone. There is archaeological evidence that Chad was already an...

Piercing your ears at home can save you a lot of money. The art of piercing your ears really is quite simple. The only real difference is the professional places have a little fancier tools. But...

Despite its reputation for lawlessness and piracy, Somalia maintains a functioning economy, one that outperforms many other African nations. Studies have found that since the 1991 collapse of its...

Fish farming is recognized as one of the most important aspects of what is now known as the Republic of Nigeria's agricultural sector.

Black history is the study of global historical events regarding people who are primarily of African descent. Because of its scope, teaching black history can seem like a challenge. However, its...

If you own a legitimate East African mask, you are probably the envy of many a collector. For Westerners, these masks have become coveted items. For the indigenous cultures that created these...

The Great Sphinx is the world's oldest known monumental statue and an iconic symbol of Egypt. The Spinx was fully excavated in the 20th century, but the details of its origins remain mysterious.

In all cultures, jewelry is an important aspect of fashion. It is made from a variety of materials--usually of whatever resource is deemed valuable by the culture. Jewelry can stand for many...

Senegalese traditional dance reflects the diverse cultural and natural history of Senegal. As in most of Africa, Senegalese music and dance accompany everyday activities as well as special...

African slavery existed before Europeans began exporting slaves to the Americas. In the 16th century, the Portuguese were the first to have formal agreements to trade people for goods.

Giraffes are a most distinct animal because of their long necks and color patterns. These animals are found in zoos across America. They originate from Africa.

Throughout the history of Africa, imperialism and colonization from outside sources kept the continent in upheaval. This colonization began at the end of the Middle Ages and continued until the...

West African dance is an essential component of West African culture. Over time, traditional dances incorporated new moves, rhythms and ideas. Through the slave trade, and through national...

There are many ways to spend money to Ethiopia from the United States. Historically, the Ethiopian diaspora has sent money by entrusting a friend or family member who was traveling back to...

The African nation of Sudan is a country with strong Islamic and Christian influences. Partially ruled by Islamic law, the type of clothes worn in Sudan is similar to those worn in the surrounding...

Dictator. Tyrant. Madman. Mentally unbalanced. Cannibal. Buffoon. All of these words have been used to describe Idi Amin, who ruled the African nation of Uganda for much of the 1970s. During his...

Somalia is home to many traditional dances, some performed by both men and women, and some performed by only one gender.

West Africa is composed of 16 countries, including Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger, Benin and Togo. The western and southern borders of West Africa are formed by the Atlantic Ocean. The northern border...