Nigeria: Badagry Museum, a Sobering Reminder of Long Slave Trade History
[RFI] It’s Saturday afternoon and pupils from a primary school in Lagos, Nigeria, have travelled with their teacher to the Badagry Heritage Museum to learn about the transatlantic slave trade.
Africa: Angelique Kidjo and DJ Black Coffee Dedicate Grammy Wins to African Youth
[RFI] Musicians worldwide were celebrated during the 64th Grammy Awards hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah in Las Vegas on Sunday. Benin’s Angelique Kidjo and South Africa’s DJ Black Coffee won Grammys for their respective albums. Ukraine’s P…
South Africa: ‘We’re Laughing Again’ – South African Comedians Find a Pandemic Balance
[RFI] It’s a Monday night in Johannesburg, the time when comedy sessions typically take place at Cocktail on Six, in the Melville neighbourhood. The club is divided into two rooms: one for patrons to relax and wash away the day’s worries, the other a d…
Central Africa: Rare Fang Mask Sold in France for Millions Despite Protest
[RFI] A carved mask from Central Africa, dating from the 19th century, was sold in France for 4.2 million euros on Saturday, despite Gabonese protesters in the auction house calling for the item’s “restitution”.
Mozambique: Deep Sea Dive – the Mozambican Artist Fishing for Archives and Memories
[RFI] For Mozambican artist Euridice Zaituna Kala, history is not something you lock away in a book or a museum. It is a fragile, living discipline that needs interaction with humans so it can be nurtured and passed down through the generations. The di…
Zimbabwe: Zimbabweans Barking Up the Wrong Tree With ‘Silly’ English Names, Says Artist
[RFI] A prominent Zimbabwean illustrator and animator has embarked on a project to replace “silly” colonial-era names of trees with their native ones. Tafadzwa Tarumbwa wants names like sausage tree and monkey-orange, snot apple and African bubblegum, …
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso-Born Architect Francis Diebedo Kere Wins Prestigious Pritzker Prize
[RFI] The Pritzker Prize, architecture’s most prestigious award, was awarded this week to Burkina Faso-born architect Francis Diebedo Kere – the first African to win the honor in its more than 40-year history.