Most African kingdoms left a great mark on the world with their construction methods, advanced irrigation and farming systems, their system of mathematics and medicine, and its famous leaders.
While Europe was going through its Dark Ages, a time of intellectual, cultural, and economic regression, from the 6th to the 13th centuries, Africans were going through an almost continent-wide renaissance after the decline of the Nile Valley civilizations of Egypt and Nubia.
There were various African kingdoms and empires spread out across the continent, and regional and political powerhouses like those found in our history books. Let’s take a look at some of Africa’s most notable kingdoms and civilizations.
Even though it is mostly overshadowed by its Egyptian neighbors to the north, the Kingdom of Kush stood as a regional power in Africa for more than a thousand years. This ancient Nubian empire got to its peak in the second millennium B.C., when it ruled over a vast swath of territory along the Nile River in what is now Sudan.
Almost all that is known about Kush comes from Egyptian sources, which shows that it was an economic center that had a lucrative market in ivory, incense, iron, and especially gold.
The kingdom was both a trading partner and a military rival of Egypt - it even ruled Egypt as the 25th Dynasty - and it adopted many of the customs of its neighbors.
Also referred to as the Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum), this ancient society is one of the oldest of the African kingdoms and is spread across what is today Ethiopia and Eritrea in an area where evidence of farming dates back 10,000 years.
The Aksumites were important in the commercial trading routes which existed between the Romans and Ancient India, and they were seen as one of the four great powers of their time together with China, Rome, and Persia.
They erected several stone wooden slabs that served as monuments in pre-Christian times during their reign, but one of them is the most famous of all. Standing at 79 feet, the Obelisk of Axum is approximately 1700 years old and is found in present-day Axum, Ethiopia.
Commonly referred to as Wagadu, this kingdom was a vital stop along the trans-Saharan trade route which connected African societies in the Sahel to the markets found along the coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the trans-Saharan gold trade.
Although its capital city was said to have changed several times, one of these, Koumbi Saleh, was the biggest city south of the Sahara Desert. At its peak, it was home to between 15,000 and 20,000 people - a huge population for a city that had a limited water supply.
They specialized in the trade of gold and kola nuts (the latter of which became the secret ingredient in Coca-Cola centuries later). The decline of the Kingdom of Ghana was cemented when it became part of the kingdom of Mali around the year 1240 CE.
For just their size, few states in African history can compare to the Songhai Empire. Created in the 15th century from some of the former regions of the Mali Empire, this West African kingdom was larger than Western Europe and comprised parts of a dozen modern-day nations.
The empire enjoyed a time of prosperity, thanks to vigorous trade policies and an advanced bureaucratic system that separated its great holdings into various provinces, each governed by its governor.
It got to its peak in the early 16th century under the rule of the devout King Muhammad I Askia, who conquered new lands, forged an alliance with the Muslim Caliph of Egypt, and established hundreds of Islamic schools in Timbuktu.
Although the Songhai Empire was once among the most powerful states in the world, it later crumbled in the late 1500s after a time of civil war and internal strife left it open to an invasion by the Sultan of Morocco.
After the decline of the Kingdom of Wagadu, it was annexed by the Kingdom of Mali. While the Ghana Empire traded in gold, the Malian Empire mined gold from its mines which, by the end of the 1200s, was the source of approximately 50 percent of the gold supply of the Old World.
The most famous ruler of the Malian Empire, Mansa Musa, was the richest back then - even by the standards today. He is seen as one of the richest people in world history with records suggesting that Mali was the largest producer of gold on Earth during his reign.
Great Zimbabwe is one of the most impressive monuments in sub-Saharan Africa. It has an imposing collection of stacked boulders, stone towers and defensive walls assembled from cut granite blocks.
The rock citadel has long been the subject of myths and legends - it was once thought to be the residence of the Biblical Queen of Sheba - but historians now know it as the capital city of an indigenous empire that succeeded in the area between the 13th and 15th centuries.
This kingdom ruled over a large chunk of modern-day Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It was especially rich in cattle and precious metals and stood astride a trade route that connected the goldfields of the region with ports on the Indian Ocean coast.
The Mutapa Empire encompassed a large portion of Southern Africa, from the Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers to the Indian Ocean coastline. Its territory was so large that if it were around today, it would stretch across parts of six Southern African countries.
Legend has it that a warrior prince from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe created the Kingdom of Mutapa. Within a generation, Mutapa eclipsed the glory that was Great Zimbabwe and its surroundings. The Portuguese unwittingly became middlemen between India and the smaller kingdoms of Maputa in their bid to control trade in the region (which was also fueled by rumors that the biblical mines of King Solomon were held by the ruler of Mutapa).
Before European powers shared the African continent during the Scramble for Africa, the modern-day countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo both formed part of the Kingdom of Kongo.
Even though the precise boundaries of the kingdom are uncertain today, this empire eventually stretched into both modern-day Congos and Angola under the leadership of a Kikongo warrior, Luken Lua Nimi, whose military and political prowess dominated central Africa for centuries.
Found in modern-day Nigeria, the Benin Empire was seen as one of the oldest and most developed states in West Africa until its annexation by the British Empire.
Famous artisans crafted masterpieces from bronze, ivory, and iron. The Benin Empire had a strong trading relationship with the Portuguese, exchanging palm oil, pepper, and ivory for Manilla (a form of currency used in West Africa) and firearms.
Britain’s first expedition to Benin occurred in 1553 and a mutually beneficial trading relationship existed throughout the 16th and 17th centuries until Benin suspected Britain of making controlling advancements. Dutch, British, and Portuguese explorers brought numerous tales back to Europe of the beauty, wealth, and sophistication of Benin.
]]>Africa is a continent having various attractions. Visitors are often drawn to the many positive features such as friendly and energetic people, an inviting climate, natural wonders, and exquisite cuisines among others. Due to these, Africa continues to remain a top tourist destination for millions.
There's a huge diversity of food culture within Africa, often gotten from the kinds of fruits, vegetables, and cereals that grow well in the region. You are spoiled, not only for choice; but when you taste the sumptuous meals your eyes get opened to the very cultural essence of the tribes/races on the continent.
The typical African meal comes from paying great attention to detail - you'll discover those cooks employ a rich array of base ingredients, spices, and other condiments to produce a culinary paradise. From the desert lands in North Africa to the lush greens of the West and the Sahel plains of the East, every area has a delicacy that will surpass your expectations.
African cuisine is as diverse as the various cultures on the continent, and its cuisine not only shows this rich diversity but is also full of flavor. Besides the great-tasting stews, soups, and snacks that are part of African cuisine, there are some interesting and easy to prepare staple starch meals that accompany dishes.
As you travel across the African countries, you will discover that there are regional likenesses in most neighboring countries but each country has an exceptional culinary signature. Below is a list of 10 popular foods from across Africa.
Jollof rice is a meal prepared and enjoyed across the West African sub-region. It is a favorite food for Nigerians. The food is an unparalleled delicious food that will tempt your taste bud. Don’t leave West Africa without sampling jollof rice; it is a perfect meal for lunch.
Jollof is a pot of rice prepared with tomato sauce and served with chicken, meat, or fish. Fried plantain is another common accompaniment to Jollof. Feast your eyes and later, your taste buds, as you watch the rice soak up the prepared juices/sauces and turn orange as it reaches readiness.
If you find yourself in Central Africa, particularly Cameroun, then do not let this delightful appetizer pass you by. Ask for it, seek it, and eat it!
Made with cowpeas, Koki arises when the peas are mashed, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. It gets its characteristic bright red color and flavor from red palm oil (or palm nut sauce) and other condiments such as crayfish, pieces of fish, and chili peppers.
This is a classic food combination, like rice and peas or fish and chips! This meal is a bit like a large pancake made from the cereal teff and food is simply heaped on top of it! You use the Inerja to pick up all the yummy mixes, such as tibs, which is a popular dish made using various meats.
Any time you visit Cape Verde, you should have a taste of their famous dish called Cachupa. The meal is prepared with hominy corn, beans, vegetables, fish or meat – beef, goat, chicken or marinated pork. It is one of the traditional and staple foods in Cape Verde. It is served on special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and birthday ceremonies. Cachupa is so delicious that you’ll wish to eat it for breakfast daily.
A popular staple in Sudanese cuisine is kisra, which is a special type of bread that is made from durra, sorghum, or corn. It the main accompaniment of stews including waika, bussaara and sabaroag, which are mainly made from dried meat, dried onions, spices, and peanut butter, with milk and yogurt as additional options. It is made by mixing sorghum with water and leaving it overnight before adding in flour and more water to make a batter. It is then fried over a fire in a pan. Another popular staple made with sorghum is asseeda, which is also an accompaniment to stews.
No culinary trip to South Africa is complete without you having a taste of Biltong. If you love meat, you will love Biltong - a special kind of all-meat product that originates from South Africa. Biltong is prepared by drying and spicing up the meat in strips.
Ugali or sima is a famous staple accompaniment that is eaten with dishes such as sukuma wiki, which is made up of a leafy green vegetable such as kale, tomatoes, onion and a spice mix known as mchuzi mix, and sukuma ya nyama, which is the meat version of sukuma wiki.
Ugali is mostly made from cornmeal and boiling water in a pot, and it is cooked until it gets stiff. This meal is also eaten in Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, and is made with cornmeal, cassava flour, sorghum or millet.
This North African meal is a favorite in Cairo and across Egypt. Before giving your tongue an unforgettable treat, watch as dexterous chefs turn boneless chicken breasts into mouth-watering kebabs, complete and spiced with cardamom, black pepper and other ingredients that you should discover yourself. As it is said, the taste of the pudding is in the eating!
If you find yourself on vacation in West Africa, stop by this beautiful country to savor a meal for all time - the irresistible Alloco. Often seen as a snack, Alloco is made up of Ivorian fried plantain served with chili pepper, onions, or egg, and tasty tomato sauce.
Popular for its unique taste and ease of preparation, you will not have to keep the wolves in your tummy at bay for too long as a result.
Couscous is a staple dish, enjoyed across the large North African landscape. It is made up of steamed semolina. If you want this meal taken up a notch, ask for Couscous Royale, with infusions of lamb cuttings. At other times, ask for specially spiced chicken as an accompaniment. Saffron is also included to give you a memorable eating experience.
In Conclusion
One of the best travel experiences is eating delicious meals, and there are a lot of mouth-watering foods in Africa. From the best staple meals in East Africa to Barbecued meats (suya) in West Africa and all other savory dishes in North, South and Central Africa, which are made with love and we treat these foods with appreciation.
Africa cuisine is a voyage of discovery as the foods actually show African history and culture. If you want to get acquainted with an African country, the best thing to do is to taste your way through the country with these meals mentioned above.
]]>A significant part of the development of children is their reading. Each child has a vivid imagination, so fueling this can help them develop ideas that in effect help how they see the world. Additionally, it helps them to develop empathy and understanding about the world from a young age.
Although it is necessary for everybody to read literature from around the world, if you are of African descent, it is a good idea to give your child an understanding of the various cultures in the continent early in their life.
Anyaugo is a young girl who spots a giant chicken in the kitchen on the eve of the New Yam Festival which threatens to ruin all the preparation (and food!) for the next day. Aided by her friend, a nature spirit, she follows it and all sorts of madness ensues. This book is ideal for ages four and above, and includes lovely illustrations from Amini.
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Kitchen-Nnedi-Okorafor/dp/0993225306
Follow the tales of Africa’s animals as they live together and find out why the hippo has no hair, how the elephant got his trunk, how the tortoise played a trick, and who is king of the animal kingdom. It draws from stories from all around the continent, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Malawi, all with lots of song and dance.
http://www.beverleynaidoo.com/king.htm
This is a heart-warming book about generosity and the virtues of sharing. In it, a rabbit rescues a chameleon, who then rewards him with a magic gourd that always fills itself with water and food. However, a king intent on gaining wealth steals it away from him. Will the rabbit ever recover his gift? And what will happen to the king?
https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Gourd-Aesop-Prize-Awards/dp/0439439604
This is a book about a boy who hopes to help his mother carry loads to the market once he is able to buy a red and blue bike. He saves up for the purchase and teaches himself how to ride a bike. However, when the time comes, he does not have enough coins to buy the bike. What will he do? This is definitely a sweet story with an even sweeter ending.
https://www.amazon.com/Rows-Piles-Coins-Tololwa-Mollel/dp/0395751861?ie=UTF8&ref_=zg_bs_3024_90
Zahrah was born with vines in her hair and is therefore considered to have magical powers, despite the fact that she does not agree. Soon, however, strange things start to happen and she must be brave in order to save her best friend’s life.
Since most children suffer bullying and teasing at some point in their lives, this book is a great way to teach them how to respond to name calling. Desmond is called a mean name by a group of boys, and retaliates in the way of an insult. However, with the help of a priest, Father Trevor, he learns to forgive.
https://www.amazon.com/Desmond-Very-Mean-Word-Tutu/dp/0763652296?ie=UTF8&ref_=zg_bs_3024_76
Little Gregory draws a lion in the sand. Totally immersed in this activity he winds its tail around a jellyfish, a sandcastle, a crab, further and further away from his Dad… until he is lost. A Beach Tail brings to life a child’s summer experience. The rhythmic text, paired with realistic water color illustrations, makes this a wonderful read-aloud book for preschool children.
https://coloursofus.com/product/1590787129/US/colofus-20/?cart=y
This book is about a young American girl who learns about East African culture and begins to imagine herself as a Masai. Her thoughts begin to weave between the two different cultures and as does the beautiful artwork, drawn by Nancy Carpenter.
Sosu’s Call won the 1999 UNESCO 1st prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature. It is also commonly listed as one of the top twelve titles of Africa’s 100 Best Books. But what is so good about this book? Well, it tells the story of Sosu, a disabled boy who can’t walk. Despite his disability, he is always around to aid his town when in need. People around him find that he has a great deal to contribute despite his physical limitations.
This story is about a 11 year old who wants nothing more than to cross the Niger river and get to Asaba, but unfortunately he doesn’t have the six-pence needed for the ferry. Chike then goes on a series of adventures to get across, and once he does, it opens up a whole new series of adventures for him.
As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But after leaving Kenya for a period of time, she is distraught to find entire forests being cut down. So Wangari takes it upon herself to do something about it and starts by planting nine seeds in her backyard. As they grow, so do her ideas.
In this latest installment of the Cat in the Hat's Learning Library, the Cat takes Sally and Nick to Africa—where they meet some really big cats—and all sorts of other animals, too, including elephants, zebra, giraffe, hippos, warthogs, buffalo, baboons, side-striped jackals, spotted hyena, pythons, vipers, and six kinds of antelope!
Tina and Lisa are two little orphan girls who are best friends. One day Tina is injured in an accident and wakes up in Magic Land. Learn about the power of friendship in this magical tale.
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Land-Cheri-Marie-Anthony/dp/1493195247?tag=thehuffingtop-20
This children’s book celebrates the beauty of black hair!
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Be-Nappy-Jump-Sun/dp/0786804270?tag=thehuffingtop-20
Little Gregory draws a lion in the sand. Totally immersed in this activity he winds its tail around a jellyfish, a sandcastle, a crab, further and further away from his Dad… until he is lost. A Beach Tail brings to life a child’s summer experience. The rhythmic text, paired with realistic watercolor illustrations, makes this a wonderful read-aloud book for preschool children.
https://coloursofus.com/product/1590787129/US/colofus-20/?cart=y
God’s Dream is a gentle picture book for the very young in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu explains the concept of unity and forgiveness with warmth and humor, supported by vibrant illustrations.
https://coloursofus.com/product/076364742X/US/colofus-20/?cart=y
Mum always says “no” when someone asks her if she works. But little Kizzy thinks being a mum is a hard job – and also the best one ever! With repetitive text and energetic illustrations, The Best Mum is a sweet tribute to mothers and a fun read for children of all ethnicities.
https://coloursofus.com/product/1870516621/US/colofus-20/
‘Papa, do you love me?’ is set in Africa and features the Masai culture. The follow-up to the best-selling ‘Mama, Do You Love Me?’ captures the universal love between a father and child. Beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text and endearing message are sure to make this another instant classic.
https://coloursofus.com/product/0811842657/US/colofus-20/?cart=y
This book portrays the impact of British colonization on the life of a settled African community. The author not only informs the outside world about Ibo cultural traditions, but also reminds his own people of the value of their past.
https://www.amazon.com/Things-Fall-Apart-Chinua-Achebe/dp/0385474547
The first novel of this Zimbabwean writer portrays an African society whose younger generation of women struggle with varying degrees of success and failure.
https://www.amazon.com/Nervous-Conditions-Tsitsi-Dangarembga/dp/0954702336
So, this is a list of some great children’s books by African authors to read to your little ones.
]]>
Cape Verde also referred to as Cabo Verde, is an African island country found in the Atlantic Ocean, stretching over an archipelago of ten volcanic island nations on a volcanic island off the northwest coast of the continent. It was an uninhabited island that was first discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century.
Below are some interesting facts about Cape Verde.
So, there you have it, some interesting facts about Cape Verde!
]]>Start your day well with a smile and say 'Good Morning!' . This song will put a smile on your face!
]]>Queen Amina is a historical figure from what is now North Western Nigeria. She is believed to have ruled in the 16th century. We are really excited to release a new Bino and Fino episode about her.
]]>Listen to the brand new song from Bino and Fino! A fun way to teach children about the days of the week. You can watch and listen to it on Youtube.
You can also listen to that song and others in your favorite music streaming platforms.
Play Bino and Fino Music on Spotify here
Play Bino and Fino Music on iTunes here
Play Bino and Fino Music on Apple Music here
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
]]>Algeria is the largest country by land area; and by population, Nigeria is the largest.
Here is a list of all the countries in Africa.
Here are also some of the flag of several African countries.
Kenya
Cape Verde
South Africa
Gambia
Cote d'Ivoire
Zimbabwe
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkino Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
In this episode, Bino and Fino go on and adventure to learn all about the different African flags.
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
]]>Here is a video we put together of a few of them.
The great thing is that you can now buy official Bino and Fino birthday decorations.
]]>Play on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/album/2U9CyA...
Play on iTunes here https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id1...
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
Also check out our party decorations printables set here
]]>You can place your orders on Etsy here
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
]]>Its always great to see more shows that represent children of the African Diaspora. One such cartoon series is Guilhermina and Candelario! The siblings live on the shores of a beach in pacific coast of Colombia in their grandparents's house, spending their days playing, discovering new things, and finding creative solutions to problems.
You can watch episodes on their YouTube Channel
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
]]>You can watch more Bino and Fino episodes on Bino and Fino DVD1 , Bino and Fino DVD2 and Bino and Fino DVD 3
]]>
Here are some Fun Facts About Nigeria!
]]>So, there you go – some amazing fun facts about Nigeria for you.
Learn more about Nigeria and other African countries with DVDs 1 2 3 and the 'I Love Africa Map' .
]]>
We put together this wonderful list of cartoons, videos, books and sites that are dedicated to helping Yoruba parents teach their kids how to speak Yoruba and know more about Yoruba culture.
The list is not exhaustive so do feel free to let us know of any others we should include on the list.
Learn Yoruba Flashcards
Onka 123
Yoruba for Kidz
Yoruba 101 with Tughu and Ewa
Learn Yoruba with OLABELLA!
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (Yoruba Kids Song)
Learn Yoruba Basics With Aunty Funke!
Am I Small? Nje Mo Kere?
I can't speak Yoruba
Why do you wash your hands? Kilode Ti O Ma Nfo Owo Re?
Okojo's Chronicles: Oduduwa (The Story of The Yoruba) - Panaramic Comics
Let's Speak Yoruba: Nigerian Language
Yoruba Alphabet 2 - Phonics
Jelesimi: Alantakun Tin Tin Ni/Itsy Bitsy Spider
Yoruba Nursery Rhymes: Culture Tree TV
African Tales (Ijapa Ologbon Ewe)
Yoruba Ambassador
Yoruba Cultural Institute
Intro to The Yoruba Cultural Institute from Yoruba Culture on Vimeo.
YORUBA TALKING DRUM BY RICHARD OLATUNDE
Little Kids Performing a Traditional Yoruba Dance
Speak Yoruba App
Yoruba 101: Genii Games
]]>
I hope you enjoys them and share with your family and friends. Happy holidays from sunny Abuja!
Queen Nzingha
Children's author and publisher Akua Agusi collection of books that are designed to develop well rounded children through, history and culture.
I More Kids
A mama run ethical lifestyle brand that is helping children internalise good values and positive beliefs. All children have a right to a good and positive life and this starts with a foundation which is fueled by self love.
Daddy Do My Hair
Daddy Do My Hair is a series of books which celebrate the unique and special relationship between father and child.
Swahili Princess
Queens of Africa
The Queens of Africa dolls are dedicated to help empower children of African descent to be confident and matured ethically.
Nia Ballerina
Nia Ballerina is a UK based company and we have designed musical jewelry boxes with black ballerinas. They also have cute bags and dolls.
Nthombenhle dolls
In Zulu, Ntomb’entle means beautiful girl. The Ntomb’enhle range represents just a few of our south African and neighbouring countries traditions.
Zollie Zi
The Adventures of Zolie Zi: Zolie Zi is the main character and narrator in a realistic and comical series of children’s books.
My Daddy Does/ I Love My Fro
Two wonderful books from Case Elisha that explore self love and the special relationship young boys have with their dads.
Heritage Box
a monthly subscription box set specially curated to teach kids about Black history and African geography :)
Signature African Bag
Aliyah Learns a New Dance
Aliyyah is thrilled to be representing Nigeria at the African regional dance competition. But will she ever learn all the moves?
I Am Wanda
"Where's WANDA?" tells the story of Little WANDA, a young girl who travels to African countries to discover the healing properties of healthy local foods and brings them back to her community to help people in need!
Adorably African
For fun and exciting African inspired wear for your kids check out Adorably African. Nothing but print love going on over here :)
Santana's World
Check out Santana's Bad Hair Day! It’s a story about best friends Santana and Milo. It’s a nice rhyming story which aims to promote diversity and appreciation of self within our children’s books!
Mixed Me Clothing
Mixed Up Clothing is a multiethnic children's clothing line inspired by the textiles, cultures and people of the world, to develop friendships through fabrics.
Color My Fro/ The Colorful Adventures of Cody & Jay
Two great coloring books from Crystal Swain Bates designed to encourage creativty, promote self confidence and celebrate diversity.
The Africa Memory Game
A board game with 100 trivia questions of History, Geography and Culture.
Obi & Titi
The Adventures of Obi and Titi is a series aimed to address the lack of diverse children’s characters in today’s media such as books, education material, animation and games. Through these various forms of media we will provide positive, fun and engaging ways for children to learn about African history and culture and its contribution to early civilization
Issosy Children
Culturally infused collections for kids, delivering a message of modern heritage & inclusion in high end fashion. They also have some really cool African inspired wear for the kids :)
Meltrak
Meltrek is collection of animated lessons that teaches children African American history more in-depth and from an Afrocentric perspective using hip hop music. They also have posters and coloring books for the kids to enjoy.
Melanin OP: African Fabric Toddler Apron
Here's a gorgeous apron for the minis to cook and craft in! Pockets in front to stash cookies for eating later.
Peacebekids
The Adventures of Peacebe and the Heartwatch was created by siblings Leneen Faith and David Campbell. Peacebe is a 6 year old boy who has a magical watch named Heartwatch. With the help of Heartwatch, Peacebe can fly, teleport, transform and much more!
Ikuzi Dolls
Ikuzi Dolls are beautiful black dolls that come in different shades of brown, hair textures and hairstyles.
Zuree Dolls
Zuree is a brand that aims to promote diversity and show all girls they are truly beautiful regardless of their ethnicity. The first doll in the Zuree line is Toya, a Jamaica Patois-speaking cutie with dark skin and curly hair.
]]>
OK I hope that doesn't sound bad. Check out my video below and let me know what you think.
]]>
Hey guys! Following our really popular list on fun educational content to teach kids Yoruba, we thought we'd put one together one to help parents teach their kids how to speak Igbo and know more about Igbo culture.
The list is not exhaustive so do feel free to let us know of any others we should include on the list.
Learn Igbo Now!
Books and Learning Materials
On-line Resources
My First Igbo Words - Video Flashcards for Kids - Igbo Language Video Flashcards from Learn Languages Now on Vimeo.
My Book of Igbo Words and Pictures - Companion Videos from Learn Languages Now on Vimeo.
Awukwo
Books
Online Resources
Genii Games
Ezinaulo. Igbo
Nigerian Culture Kids
YouTube Videos
Resources
https://www.facebook.com/igboamaaka/
http://umuigbounite.com/blog/
http://www.icsn.co.uk
]]>I am pleased to announce that you can now watch Bino & Fino in Yoruba on Amazon .If you want your children to have more access to children's media in Yoruba this will hopefully be of value to you. Beyond that, the show might be useful if you are interested in Yoruba , Nigerian and African language & culture in general.
You can watch the first volume here.
Happy viewing!
Adamu
]]>
Ntomb'entle Dolls
]]>Ntomb'entle Dolls
Meet the beautiful Ntomb'entle dolls from South Africa. Each doll represents a different tribe in South Africa, giving South African children a strong sense of their heritage. Also available for shipping to the U.S
For more information check out their website here
Toyi Toyi Toys
Designed with love in Africa, Toyi Toyi offers a range of dark-skinned dolls in South Africa but ship worldwide.
For more information check out their website here
Queens of Africa
The Queens of Africa dolls are one of the most popular range of African dolls made to promote African Heritage. The original dolls, Nneka, Azeezah, and Wuraola represent Nigeria's three largest ethnic groups - Hausa, Igbo & Yoruba. The mission statement of the brand is to empower young Nigerian girls and other children of African descent. The dolls also come with a booklet that explains the cultures and traditions of the ethnic group that each doll represents.
Nandikwa Dolls
Here is a description about them. The Nandikwa™ Doll brand, Simply Beautiful, is a sole proprietor business, operating from Meyerton, South Africa. Nandikwa™ Dolls is owned and managed by Mmule Ramothibe. The brand started as an idea in 2012 to address the shortage of ethnic like dolls in the market. This gave rise to the birth of the Nandikwa™ Dolls Collection.
Ikuzi Dolls
Ikuzi dolls are beautiful black dolls that represent the different shades of black beauty. They come in 3 different shades of brown with different hair textures and a beautiful designer dress.
Unity Dolls
Created by Auldon Toys, a respected supplier of toy and educational products in Nigeria, Unity Dolls is a collection of 14 inch child developmental dolls. The vision of the project is to meet the demand of parents for dolls that reflect the social and cultural surroundings of children in Nigeria. The dolls will also be available to purchase in the UK.
For more information check out their Facebook page here
MonTQ Dolls
Chic Afrocentric handmade dolls from well respect artisan Tanye Montegut. For more information check out her page on Etsy here
Nubia Kemita Africa Doll
The Nubia Kemita doll is a new beautiful African princess range by Poupee from France. She spots a chic modern African print dress and stylish shoes. Both dress and shoes are removable and changeable.
The doll can purchased from here
For UK purchase check out the Ice Cream Toys & Book Store here
Maria African Baby Doll
This beautiful African baby doll comes dressed in several traditional African outfit along with her very own cute seated mini baby doll.
For more information click here
Ethi Dolls
Ethidolls is an ethnic African heritage doll range. The collection focuses on African women leaders in History such as Queen Makeda and Yaa Assantewaa. Each doll comes with a book and CD explaining their history.
PoupeeMakedaa
PoupeeMakedaa is a french based doll maker that specializes in unique African dolls in beautiful African print clothing.
Check out their website for stock availability here
Mommy Mpoppy
Barbie is about to have some competition from this new black doll range from South Africa. Meet Momppy Mpoppy, a South African doll with a funky afro, a lover of adventure and fashion. The dolls come in different fashionable outfits and are catching on quite quickly. More importantly, they are giving black girls in South Africa a chance to see themselves in their toys.
Check out their website here
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Ubongo Kids
Ubongo Kids is an exciting animated edutainment TV series, watched by over 1.4 million viewers in Tanzania and available in over a million more households across East Africa. Animated characters Kibena, Kiduchu, Koba and Baraka go on adventures each episode, using their wits and knowledge of math to solve mysteries and problems in their community. With the help of Mama Ndege, a mathemcatical bird, Junior Jumbo, a frugal elephant, and Uncle T, a rapping giraffe, they find the fun in math! Shout out to Nisha and the crew for the work they have put in.
Anilingo
The Anilingo Series is an animated multimedia product creatively designed to make the teaching and learning of Nigeria languages appealing to the younger generation., which come in a DVD that contains the three major languages (Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa)
Akili and Me
Akili and Me is an edutainment series for children between the ages of three and six years old. The radio and animated TV series follows the adventures of Akili, a four-year-old girl who lives with her family at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Every night when Akili goes to sleep, she enters a magical land where the animals speak, but they only speak English. Akili learns English and other skills, with the help of the young audience.
Jabu's Jungle
Jabu’s Jungle is an animated adventure series that follows Jabu, an intrepid nine-year-old, and his Magic Talking Drum as they explore the jungle, helping animals in need. Along the way they meet plenty of friends who join in the fun, but need to be always on the lookout for naughty Van the Vulture.
The Adventures of Turtle Taido
Adventures of Turtle Taido is the story of a bubbly, lively turtle who travels to different cities on an adventure. On his journeys, he makes friends and learns about different cultures. He also learns about different animals. His special powers enables him get himself and others get out of trouble.
Afro Games
Five children of different backgrounds team up through games from African soil and use them to solve problems. Through this series, we want to share to the world an engaging and personal window into our cultures.
Abeba & Abebe
Abeba and Abebe is the first ever animated series to be made in Ethiopia by and for Ethiopians. It follows a standard kids series format of 52 x 7 min episodes (that’s one story a week for a year!) and is aimed at an audience of 6 - 12 year olds.
The show’s themes use the Ethiopian Constitution as guidance and intend to teach the rights of all children in Ethiopia in a fun and entertaining way.
Pokou Princess Ashanti
Poku, is the story of a princess of the 18th century witnessed the division of the Ashanti kingdom. Preferring exile to the confrontation, she left with a part of the population towards the center of the current Ivory Coast.
The Legend of Ngong Hills
This short animation film trailer is based on a Maasai folk tale. The story is about Ogre, who has a habit of attacking the Maasai Village but then falls in love with the beautiful young maiden Sanayian.
From what we can find out, this was done by a lady called Rashidat Hassan. If we get more information about the project we will share it with you.
Nicamedia
Nicademia is the leading producer of local educational animated movies and cartoons to make learning easy and fun for young Nigerians. The company creates original animated movies to explain concepts in a voice and visual style that is accessible, educational, and entertaining for both children and adults
The Tibeb Girls
Concord
Bino and Fino.
You can get Bino and Fino DVD 2 and DVD 3 now.
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The Little Flower Doll comes with three chapter books telling an inspirational story about Civil Rights and ending bullying.
Little Flower's story is told in three Little Flower Novelettes that are sold with the doll.
Brains and Beauty Dolls were created to remind young girls how great
they are, to motivate them to believe in themselves, empower one
another and achieve their goals in style.
Their dolls speak twenty encouraging phrases and have real kinky curly hair.
]]>When you talk about Africa in the world of children's entertainment, very rarely do you see many programs for children to watch to help them learn about the continent. This issue is even more prevalent in Portuguese speaking countries like Brazil where there is a serious lack of media that portrays Africa for children to interact with.
Most children in Brazil know little about their African heritage, African culture, history and the positive impact it has had in Brazil and the world. They are not taught about this in schools, in the books they read or the TV shows they watch.
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When you talk about Africa in the world of children's entertainment, very rarely do you see many programs for children to watch to help them learn about the continent. This issue is even more prevalent in Portuguese speaking countries like Brazil where there is a serious lack of media that portrays Africa for children to interact with.
Most children in Brazil know little about their African heritage, African culture, history and the positive impact it has had in Brazil and the world. They are not taught about this in schools, in the books they read or the TV shows they watch.
Image copyright Antônio Milena/ABr - Agência Brasil
Brazil has the biggest black African diaspora outside of Africa. It is even larger than that of the U.S.A. Brazil owes most of its wonderful, vibrant, culture to the African roots of its Afro-Brazilian population.
To help counteract this problem we launched a crowdfunder in May to help raise funds to produce a Brazilian Portuguese version of our popular educational African cartoon show Bino and Fino.
THE TEAM
We thrilled to announce that we have successfully completed the Portuguese version of the show which is now available for download at our store.
We hope this will help provide more access for Portuguese speaking children in countries like Angola, Portugal, Mozambique and Cape Verde to enjoy African focused children's media.
Here is an episode from the Portuguese version to watch on our You Tube channel.
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You can get most of these books at Listening Tree Books
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