From the 8th century, the Swahili Coast on the East African coast was a location where Africans and Arabs interacted to develop a unique identity known as Swahili Culture. Their language is Swahili, which means “people of the shore.” Mombasa, Mogadishu, and Zanzibar were among the prominent, independent commercial cities that sprung up along the coast. The Swahili Coast city-states …

Yohannes IV, a nobleman by birth, a cleric by education, a zealot by faith, moralist by tendency, a monk by practice, a nationalist by policy, and a soldier and emperor by profession His birth name was Kahsai Mrcha. He was born on July 12 1837 at Mai Beha Tembien. His father was Shum Tembien Mircha Woldekidan of Tembien. Mircha’s mother Woyzero …

Jaja Anucha Wachuku, a Royal Prince of Ngwaland and “descendant of 20 generations of African chiefs in the Igbo nation of Eastern Nigeria,” was a Pan-Africanist, Nigerian leader, lawyer, politician, diplomat, and humanitarian who lived from January 1918 until November 7, 1996. He was the first Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the country’s first Ambassador …

The Maji Maji Rebellion, was an armed rebellion Africans against German colonial rule in East Africa. The war was triggered by a German policy designed to force the indigenous population to grow cotton for export and lasted from 1905 to 1907, during which 250,000–300,000 died. The roots of the Maji Maji resistance war lie in the partitioning of Tanganyika to …

Moshoeshoe I, the founder and king of the Basotho Kingdom (current-day LESOTHO), was known for his military superiority and diplomatic capabilities. He was a key figure in defending Lesotho against European colonization and helping the country’s independence. Moshoeshoe was the son of a Koena chief, and his original name was Lepoqo. Moshoeshoe earned a reputation as a leader as a …

The Rozvi Empire (1684–1866) was a Shona state established on the Zimbabwean Plateau by Changamire Dombo. The term “Rozvi” comes from the Shona word “kurozva,” which means “to plunder.” It refers to their history as a warrior nation. Origins Following the death of King Matope, Dombo or Changa relocated to the south and established the Rozwi Kingdom. In establishing the …

The Maasai are an African indigenous ethnic group of semi-nomadic people who live in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Because of their distinct traditions, customs, and dress, as well as their proximity to East Africa’s many national game parks, the Maasai are among the most prominent African ethnic groups and are well-known internationally due to their ties to the national parks …

The Hadza are a Rift Valley indigenous ethnic group who live around Lake Eyasi. They are descended from Tanzania’s aboriginal hunter-gatherers, and they have lived on the same area for thousands of years. The Hadza are one of the world’s last hunting-gathering cultures. The Hadza’s manner of life has remained almost unchanged. The Hadza Tribe of Hazdabe is considered to …

Africa is home to a diverse range of complex and ancient civilizations that have thrived for thousands of years. Africa now boasts a vast variety of historical sites that can convey tales of long-forgotten cultures and people. The 75,000-year-old Adam’s Calendar believed to be create by Bokoni people in South Africa is one of these remarkable historical sites. Blaauboschkraal stone …

Some 22,000 years ago, Khoisan were the largest group of humans on earth: the Khoisan, a tribe of hunter-gatherers in southern Africa. The Khoisan were the first people in Southern Africa, and their history is fascinating. Long before the first settlers arrived on South African shores, there were various groups of people who spread out sparsely across the land. These …