African History

  1870 and the Kimberley Revolution: Empire, Race, and Resources The year 1870 can be regarded as a major turning point in the history of Southern Africa . It marked the beginning of a period of profound transformation, catalyzed by the discovery of diamonds (and later gold ) in the region's interior—specifically in the area now known as Kimberley . This discovery occurred amidst intense territorial rivalries involving multiple stakeholders: the Boers , primarily of Dutch descent; the British imperial authorities ; and indigenous African communities , whose ancestral lands were increasingly coveted by both settler and imperial interests. In his work South Africa: From the Great Trek to Union , J.D. Omer-Cooper captures the complexity of this development: “In 1867, the chance discovery of a diamond started South Africa’s mineral boom and there was a rush to stake out claims to diamond diggings. The diamondiferous area fell within territory disputed between the Orange Free Sta...

Imagine a vast, shimmering wetland teeming with life, sprawled across the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert. This is the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Unlike most deltas that flow into the sea, the Okavango’s waters vanish into the desert, creating a unique, ever-changing ecosystem.     How Does a Delta Exist in a Desert?   - The Okavango River originates in the highlands of Angola, traveling over 1,000 km (620 miles) before fanning out into Botswana’s flat plains.   - Instead of reaching the ocean, the water spreads across 15,000 sq km (5,800 sq mi) of the Kalahari, sustained by seasonal floods (peaking between June-August).   - The delta’s water levels shift with the seasons, creating dynamic islands, channels, and lagoons that reshape the landscape yearly.     A Wildlife Paradise   The Okavango is one of Africa’s last true wildernesses, home to some of the most concen...

The history of African American invention and innovation is a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity, resilience, and ingenuity in the face of systemic adversity. For over 300 years, African Americans have contributed groundbreaking inventions and innovations that have shaped industries, transformed daily life, and advanced human progress. Despite facing slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, these inventors and innovators have left an indelible mark on science, technology, medicine, agriculture, and the arts.   Early Contributions Amidst Adversity The story of African American innovation begins in the era of slavery, a time when enslaved people were denied basic rights, education, and recognition. Yet, even under these oppressive conditions, African Americans demonstrated remarkable ingenuity. Enslaved individuals often applied their skills to improve agricultural practices, create tools, and solve practical problems on plantations. For example, enslaved blacksmi...

  William Washington Browne (1845–1897) emerged as a pivotal figure in African American economic empowerment during the post-Reconstruction era, navigating a trajectory from slavery to founding the first Black-owned bank in the United States. His journey reflects the resilience of Black communities amid systemic oppression and their strategic pursuit of financial self-determination.     EARLY LIFE AND EMANCIPATION   Born into slavery in Habersham County, Georgia, in 1845, Browne endured the brutalities of forced labor until emancipation in 1865. His early years were marked by a thirst for education, a rarity for enslaved individuals. After gaining freedom, Browne attended a Freedmen’s Bureau school in Tennessee, later becoming a teacher and minister. These roles positioned him as a community leader, attuned to the economic vulnerabilities facing Black Americans. As historian Juliet E.K. Walker notes, "The post-Emancipation period presented African Americans wit...

Chess, widely referred to as a game of strategy and intelligence, has long been attributed to India and Persia. However, there is compelling evidence that Africa, more particularly Ancient Egypt and Nubia, played a crucial role in the invention of the game. The history of strategic board games in Africa predates recorded chess history and provides insight into the continent's role in its invention. ANCIENT AFRICAN STRATEGIC BOARD GAMES Several African societies had board games with dramatic similarity to chess. One such game is Ancient Egyptian game Senet, created approximately 3100 BCE. According to Murray (1913), "Senet was not merely a game but a spiritual and intellectual exercise, symbolizing the journey of the soul through the afterlife." This is proof that rational thinking and planned movement in board games existed in Africa long before the known evolution of chess in India (Murray, 1913). Yet another African board game, Alquerque, which later evolved into ...

  In 1771, James Somerset (or Sommersett), an enslaved man from Boston, was brought to England by his owner, Charles Stewart, a customs officer. After attempting to escape, Somerset was captured and placed on a ship bound for Jamaica, where he was to be sold. However, his English supporters obtained a writ of habeas corpus, preventing his departure and securing his removal from the ship before it set sail. The case reached the Court of King’s Bench, where in 1772, Chief Justice Lord Mansfield ruled in Somerset’s favor, declaring that no English law sanctioned slavery. This landmark decision in Stewart v. Somerset effectively prohibited slavery in England. Stewart had originally purchased Somerset from a Virginia plantation owner and transported him to England in 1769. At the time, it was common for enslavers to bring enslaved people to England, where they were widely recognized as property. Two years after arriving in England, Somerset fled but was recaptured and imprisoned aboard ...