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Afrika Yetu//Our Africa

@afrika.yetu_

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Africa’s fanpage. At Africa Yetu we focus on research of the continent and its people.

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Goundam, Mali. A city of the Songhai Empire.

Photographer: Eliot Elisofon
C.1959

#africa #westafrica #mali #songhaiempire #exploreafrica #africanbeauty #africanhistory #blackexcellence #beautifulafrica #mamaafrica by @afrika.yetu_

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5 years ago

Lusaka, a Luba device used for recording and retelling significant events.

#kongo #congo #afrika #africa #luba #drc #africanhistory #centralafrica by @afrika.yetu_

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University of Sankore, Timbuktu, Mali.

Began as a Mosque founded by the supreme Judge of Timbuktu, Al Qadi Aqib ibn Mahmud ibn Umar during the Empire of Ghana (300 AD - 1100AD) in 989 AD. During the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa in 1327 AD it would be converted into a fully staffed University, attracting traders from all over and reach its height during the Songhai Empire (1460-1591) under Askia Daoud becoming at the time the largest university in the world. Hosting 25,000 students, containing a library of 700,000 manuscripts written in Arabic, and Ajami languages (African Languages written in arabic) not just of islamic teaching but of science, mathematics astronomy, philosophy, medicine, occultic, language, geography, art, and even trade classes including, business, carpentry, construction, farming, shoemaking and many others. Courses were conducted in the open courtyards of mosque complexes or private residences. The people of Timbuktu specifically, regarded literacy and books as symbols of wealth, power and blessings. Books became the most valuable commodity in the city and several private libraries were built in the homes of native scholars.

Timbuktu began to decline as a hub of scholars in 1591 when the Moroccan soldiers invaded Songhai, resulting in the destruction of manuscripts and many of its scholars being sent to morocco. Today, the University of Sankore is functioning on a much smaller level due to limited resources and work is being done to preserve and translate the manuscripts.

#africa #westafrica #mali #songhaiempire #africanhistory
#exploreafrica #africanbeauty #history #blackhistory
#blackexcellence #beautifulafrica #mamaafrica #ghana by @afrika.yetu_

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James Barnor. @james_barnor_archives

Born in 1929, is a pioneering figure in Ghanaian photography, boasting a career spanning six decades. He has excelled as a studio portraitist, photojournalist, and chronicler of Black lifestyle, witnessing significant social and political transformations in London and Ghana.

Originating from Ghana, Barnor established his renowned Ever Young studio in Accra during the early 1950s, capturing a nation on the cusp of independence amidst an atmosphere alive with lively conversations and the sounds of highlife music.

It became a centre for local families and young professionals drawn to the studio to mark special occasions and capture life-changing events. Barnor’s practice is characterised by his celebration of youth, elegance, and beauty. These joyful and empowering photographs, co-produced by photographer and subject, capture the hopes and dreams of a nation.

Barnor moved to London, where he studied at the London College of Printing, and Colour Processing Laboratories in Kent while working at a factory. He went on to study at Medway College of Arts, which hired him as a technician, before returning to Accra in 1969 and establishing the first colour photography studio in the city, Studio X23.

“I had about three permanent jobs and solid pay,” he says. “I wanted the opportunity to establish colour printing in Ghana, hence my return.”

#jamesbarnor
#africa #afrika #africanart #ghana #africanhistory #beautifulafrica #africatotheworld by @afrika.yetu_

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Priestess Komfoyaa Anosua and musicians performing in the shrine house courtyard. Besease, Ghana. 1971

#africa #ghana #beautifulafrica #exploreafrica #afrobeat #africatotheworld #mamaafrica #history #westafrica #afrika by @afrika.yetu_

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4 years ago

Palace of Pelefone Gbon Coulibaly.

Korhogo, Northern Côte D'Ivoire.

#africa #cotedivoire #korhogo #beautifulafrica #exploreafrica #architecture #sahara #sudanosahelian #mamaafrica #westafrica #civilization #history by @afrika.yetu_

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In 1572, Emperor Sarsa Dengal commissioned the construction of the Guzara Palace. It was the first expression of Gondrine Architecture, it reveals a blend of foreign influences but remains architecturally unique to Ethiopia, having incorporated Aksumite elements.

The style was continued and popularized by Emperor Fasilides in 1635 during the construction of The Enqualal Gemb (A.K.A, Castle of Fasiledes) described as "a high building, among the most wonderful of splendid constructions and the most beautiful of glorious marvels built of stone and lime".

The Castle of Fasilides grew to become the Royal compound containing more magnificent structures built by predecessors, Emperor Yohannes I, Iyasu I, Dawit III, Bakafa, Iyasu II and Empress Mentawab. Enclosed by a 900m (0.6miles) crenelated wall 3om (98ft) high, punctured with 12 gates and three bridges, featuring a parapet roof between the outer and inner wall, allowing the Emperor to walk along the wall and look into the street.

The reign of Emperor Iyasu I, Grandson of Fasilades, came with new additions to the compound including, a banquet hall, churches, and more noticeably the castle of Iyasu I, which was said to bethe most beautiful palace adorned with ivory, venetian mirrors, paintings and ceilings covered with gold-leaf and other precious stones.

Mentaweb, the wife of Emperor Bakafa, became a co-ruler during the reign of her son Iyasu II. During this period, she ordered the construction of a banquet hall, several churches, and her own palace in the mid 18th century.

#africa #ethiopia #gondar #beautifulafrica #exploreafrica #architecture #africatotheworld #mamaafrica #axum #civilization #history #afrika by @afrika.yetu_

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Kuba Architecture

Palace of the Nyim (King of the kuba)

The BaKuba live in the central Democratic Republic of Congo, they are An amalgamation of some nineteen ethnic groups of diverse origin, living under the authority of a Nyim, (King) from the Bushoong group.

The bakuba build all their buildings in a rectangular shape. They are constructed with a wooden frame which is then filled with bulky grass held together by ties. A series of veins of palm leaves torn into strips about an inch wide are displaced horizontally so as to cover completely the grass below. The roof consists of palm leaves sewn together and which are not only impermeable, but are still also difficult to set on fire.

The separation between a comonor and a noble is denoted through size and the “Mabaam” (geometric woven patterns) found on these structures. The exterior walls of the Nyim are decorated with a mabaam called “Mbul Bwiin” its name derives from the woman credited with its creation. The Mbul Bwiin pattern consists of two angles enclosing a small diamond shape.

The Nyimi Palace (figg. 139 A, 143 and 145) is sixty feet long by twenty wide and there are eighteen feet from the ground to the ridge of the roof. The walls are also adorned with decorative motifs (fig. 144). Similarly decorated partition divides the interior into two rooms, its furnishings consist of mabaam from floor to ceiling, carved wooden floor, doorposts, pillars, bed frames and sliding doors.

#africa #ourafrica #congo #kongo #kuba #mamafrica #beautifulafrica #africanarchitecrure #mamafric #exploreafrica by @afrika.yetu_

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Okyenhene (King of the Akyem) Atah.

Kyebi, Ghana - 1902

#afrika #Ghana #beautifulafrica #africa #exploreafrica #African by @afrika.yetu_

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South Africa

Photographer: Alfred Martin Duggon-Cronin
Circa: 1919-1939

#afrika #southafrica #exploreafrica #africa #beautifulnature #africanprint by @afrika.yetu_

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For centuries Griots have been retelling the traditions, history, and genealogies of their societies through song. The position is hereditary and training usually begins at the age of 8, the child is to spend years listening and mesmerising as well as leaning to create the instrument, most popular instruments include, the Jeli Ngoni(similar to guitar), kora(similar to a harp) and balafon(similar to a xylophone). At 18 the Griot has mastered the required skills to perform hundreds of songs and stories.

Francis Bebey writes about the griot in African Music, A People's Art:

"The West African griot is a troubadour. The griot knows everything that is going on... He is a living archive of the people's traditions... The virtuoso talents of the griots command universal admiration. This virtuosity is the culmination of long years of study and hard work under the tuition of a teacher who is often a father or uncle. The profession is by no means a male prerogative. There are many women griots whose talents as singers and musicians are equally remarkable."

#africa #griot #westafrica #sahel #exploreafrica by @afrika.yetu_

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5 years ago

Mblo Masks are created by the Baule to honour an ancestor or a highly revered member in Baoule society, they are used in a traditional dance known as Gbagba. A Gbagba could be performed during times of mourning, feasteaning and celebration, these days however the Gbagba tradition is no longer observed, it has been replaced by newer performance styles with different masks.

#Afrika #westafrica #Africa #exploreafrica #africanart by @afrika.yetu_

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