ARTS & CULTURE

Odun Ifa Exhibition

Yoruba Gallery’s Odun Ifa 2024 exhibition showcased an eclectic mix of art from talented artists presenting the essence of Ifa / Orunmila in practice, belief, culture and lifestyle, including the Orisa’s associated with Ifa such as Orisa Ibeji and Orisa Esu in his multidimensional forms and energies.

South Africa: First Fossil Pangolin Tracks Discovered in South Africa

[The Conversation Africa] A team of scientists who study vertebrate fossil tracks and traces on South Africa's southern Cape coast have identified the world's first fossil pangolin trackway, with the help of Indigenous Master Trackers from Namibia. Ichnologists Charles Helm, Clive Thompson and Jan De Vynck tell the story.

Zimbabwe: Former Beauty Queens Shine At Auditions

[The Herald] Tafadzwa Zimoyo -- This year's Miss Universe Zimbabwe (MUZ) pageant has shattered traditional barriers by including single mothers and married women among its top 20 finalists, a historic milestone that reflects a profound shift in the local beauty industry.

Ethiopia: Holiday Experiences, Remembrance of Things Past

[Ethiopian Herald] For most of us, holidays give us the opportunity for a break from the daily grind and a moment to foster positive attitudes, depending on how long a given holiday lasts. The social, psychological, economic, and health benefits of holidays are obvious. "Holidays are important because they offer a break from routine, allowing for relaxation, stress reduction, and the opportunity to connect with loved ones. They can also boost productivity by providing mental rejuvenation and promoting a different mindset

Namibia: Steenkamp Enters Khoekhoegowab Storm … Says No Language Is Superior to Another

[New Era] A storm is brewing at the Auas Primary School in the heart of Katutura, where disgruntled parents and community members and the school's management are at loggerheads. It is alleged that the staff and principal are plotting to remove the Khoekhoegowab (KKG) language from the school. At the centre of the brouhaha is principal Toini Nauyoma, the alleged orchestrator-in-chief of the move.

Africa: Salif Keita Goes Acoustic With So Kono

[Afropop] When we spoke with Salif Keita before the Pandemic, he told us, not for the first time, that he was ready to retire from recording and performing. Not long afterwards, he released what he said would be his last album, Un Autre Blanc. His urge to withdraw from the world was likely reinforced in 2022 when he lost a key ally, his longtime friend and manager Chris Syren, who died at age 64.

Africa: Humans Lived in African Rainforests 150,000 Years Ago, Far Earlier Than Believed – New Research

[The Conversation Africa] Our human species emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago but scientists don't yet have a clear picture of what kind of natural environment we evolved in. Until recently, the dominant idea was that grasslands and savannahs were the ecological "cradle" of human beings. Environments like rainforest were considered to be barriers to human expansion, and inhabited only much later in human history.