Human-kind begins in Africa, evolving to become anatomically modern humans 300,000 years ago in Africa. Significant out-migrations from Africa began 95,000 years ago into different habitats on earth, leading to the human differentiation that created the "races". In the 1980s, one anthropologist stated "We are all Africans under the skin".

The Imperial Age of West African History
Ancient Ghana
Wagadu

African women of antiquity were legendary for their beauty and power. Especially great were the Queens of Ethiopia; Queen of Sheba (960 B.C.), Candace of Meroe and her defeat of Alexander the Great (332 B.C.), Amanirenas, Amanishakhete, Nawidemak, Amanitore (Acts 8:26-40), Shanakdakh, and Malegereabar.

Kmtyw (Egyptian) medical papyri are ancient Kmtyw texts written on papyrus which permit a glimpse at medical procedures and practices in ancient Kmt (Egypt). The papyri give details on disease, diagnosis, and remedies of disease, which include herbal remedies, surgery, and magical spells.

Authorities in Ivory Coast have reportedly been investigating Kiev’s alleged training of Tuareg insurgents.

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwana, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

⁣Kirango is an old village on the banks of the Niger river, 35 km from Ségou. The village is inhabited by Bamana (farmers) and Bozo/Somono (fishermen). Both ethnic groups celebrate their masquerades, each in their own way.


The masquerade of the Bamana ('sogo bò' - the animal comes out) is organized by the 'ton' (youth association) every jear, in June. It comprises ‘sogow’ (animals): masks and large puppets that represent spirits, animals (domestic, wild, or mythical), and human personages.


They are accompanied by drumming, singing and dancing.


Video & text © Elisabeth den Otter