Memory· Long-Form Article
Coming Home Through Gborodigondi
A viral TikTok clip of a twenty-year-old Nsukka music video pulls a childhood memory back into focus
By Nneoma Sally· 7 min
Explore
Search and filter across articles, codex entries and podcast episodes on myth, folklore and cultural memory.
66 results
Memory
Articles (52)
Memory· Encounter
The Literal Voice of the Oja
A flute I dismissed as too archaic to notice stopped me mid-stride on an NYSC parade ground
By Nneoma Sally· 6 min
Memory· Essay
Queen Njinga's Subversion of Pre-colonial Gender Structures
Discover the story of Queen Njinga, the fearless ruler who used diplomacy, warfare, and political strategy to resist Portuguese expansion and defend her kingdom.
By Nneoma Sally· 10 min
Memory· Essay
Interrogating the Roots of Afrophobia in South Africa
How a nation forged in liberation became a continent's most violent rebuke of it.
By Somtochukwu Udeozo· 8 min
Memory· Heritage Review
The Grammar of Inherited Voices
On Maryam Yusuf Magaji's Poems in Vistas
By Shalom Kasim· 24 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Reading A Man of the People Against the Fall of the First Nigerian Republic
In A Man of the People, Chinua Achebe dissects the culture of patronage, corruption, and political spectacle that defined the First Nigerian Republic, a system whose internal contradictions would soon erupt in the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état.
By Shallom Paul· 9 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Dangerous Precedent of Chibok
While Nigerian families watched the news in safety, the state was busy breaking its social contract with 276 girls through strategic denial.
By Nneoma Sally· 4 min
Memory· Essay
Avoiding Death, or Avoiding Life?
Staying home in Lagos was hard and strange, but it also gave me time to notice the little things.
By Adédoyin Àjàyí· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Learning Under Siege: UNIMAID During the Peak of the Boko Haram Insurgency
A personal narrative as an undergraduate student at the University of Maiduguri in 2015, during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
By Sunday Stephen Laabes· 9 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The 'Tomato Ebola' of 2016
When a moth infestation wiped out tomato supply, Nigerians were forced survive on improvisations.
By Somtochukwu Udeozo· 7 min
Memory· Editorial
Why Oriire Is Becoming Community Supported
From self-funding to self-taught development, this is a behind the scenes reflection on what it has taken to keep Oriire alive and why community support is now essential to preserve and protect African mythology for the future.
By Sesi Morgan· 5 min
Memory· Editorial
Why Is Museum Drama Everywhere, and What Does Money Have to Do with It?
A lot of things have happened in November so far. The most interesting ones for me are the Eurobond issued by the FG, S&P's upward review of Nigeria's economic outlook, and the MOWAA protests. All of these tie to our prompts.
By Shalom Kasim· 4 min
Memory· Heritage Review
Domtilla (1996) as a Historical Archive of Urban Struggles in Nigeria
Zeb Ejiro's Domitilla followed a young woman selling sex to survive in a Lagos gutted by Nigeria's Structural Adjustment years. Beneath its melodrama, the 1996 film preserves how women bore the weight of economic collapse, and it stands today as an archive of the decade itself.
By Precious Peters· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Iyalode & Iyaloja: Twin Pillars of Precolonial Yoruba Economic Empire
While Western society was busy telling women to stay in the kitchen, Yoruba women were out running the markets, controlling the wealth, and holding so much power that not even a king could tell them what to do. The question is how?
By Inumidun Seyiolapade· 11 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
You're Team Book Too? The Lost Manuscripts of Ancient Timbuktu
Are you one of the people who think Timbuktu is a mythical land of desert and dust? Think again, because this place was an old-time Silicon Valley that valued books more than cars and had a decentralized library system as the best cloud storage network a city could ask for.
By Inumidun Seyiolapade· 14 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Women in Akan Society
Women are prominent in the most important aspects of life in Akan Society. Explore how decisions in defense, trade, politics and familial matters are determined by women.
By Shallom Paul· 7 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Birth of Feminism in Pre-Colonial Societies in Nigeria
Long before colonial rule, Nigerian women held real political and spiritual power, and no Yoruba king could be installed without the blessing of female chiefs like the Iyalode. From the Umuada of Igboland to the kingmakers of old Oyo, women governed and judged within their own communities.
By Ogundeko Toluwanimi Alexis· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Fearless and Female - The Untold Story of Africa's Dahomey Amazons
The Agojie were an all-female regiment who guarded and expanded the kingdom of Dahomey, sworn to celibacy and trained from girlhood to fight. Known to their own people as Mino, "our mothers", they met French colonial troops on the battlefield and became legend across West Africa.
By Precious Peters· 7 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Ghanaian Waakye and Its Transatlantic Counterparts
Waakye (pronounced “wah-chay”) isn’t just rice and beans; it’s a Ghanaian classic with a story to tell. This article highlights its many variations and traces how the dish journeyed across the Atlantic, leaving its mark on food cultures far beyond Ghana.
By Inumidun Seyiolapade· 15 min
Memory· Essay
What Is Freedom to the Unfree? Emancipation Through African Eyes
How has West Africa dealt with its role in the history of slavery? This article reflects on Emancipation Day and looks at the need for open dialogue and renewed connection with the global Black diaspora.
By Somtochukwu Udeozo· 14 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
African Foundations of Brazil's Martial Art Capoeira
Brazil's dance-fight of music and disguised blows did not begin in Brazil. It grew from Engolo, a combat-dance of Angola that enslaved Africans carried with them across the Atlantic.
By Akunna Danugwu· 7 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Vèvè of Haitian Vodou
Ever seen those gorgeous geometric patterns in movies about Haiti? Those aren't just fancy floor decorations—they're vèvè, the spiritual calling cards of Haitian Vodou. This article will delve into the evolution of these ground drawings, from their potential roots in Dahomean traditions to their sacred and symbolic role in contemporary Haitian Vodou.
By Inumidun Seyiolapade· 9 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The History of Vai Script and Its Historical Influence on the Modern World
The Vai script is one of West Africa's best-documented ancient writing systems, and thanks to this remarkable fit, modern historians and the Vai people themselves can trace their origins and understand their ancestral way of life.
By Nneoma Sally· 10 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Sacred Spirits: Tracing African Spirituality in the Diaspora
Despite the hardships of the slave trade, African spiritual traditions endured, carefully preserved and passed down through generations. Today, several religions stand as powerful testaments to the resilience and intentional efforts of diasporic communities to uphold their cultural and religious heritage.
By Gbenga Salvador· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
From Africa to the World: African Flavors Across the Diaspora
Centuries of migration, enslavement, and resettlement have spread Africans—and their food—across the globe. It's fascinating to see how dishes from distant countries share striking similarities, yet reflect subtle local twists.
By Ogundeko Toluwanimi Alexis· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Oyo Empire: The Rise, Glory, and Legacy of a Yoruba Superpower
Founded by the Ife prince Oranmiyan, the Oyo Empire grew from a single savanna town into the dominant Yoruba power, its cavalry ranging from the Atlantic coast to the Sahel. At its height in the 17th and 18th centuries, it forced even Dahomey to pay tribute before its long decline.
By Miracle· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Nok Culture: A Window into Nigeria's Enigmatic Past
Deep within central Nigeria, an ancient civilization once flourished, leaving behind a legacy as mysterious as it is captivating. Known as the Nok culture, this society thrived between 1500 BCE and 500 CE, predating many prominent civilizations in sub-Saharan Africa.
By Miracle· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Esan-Nupe War
In the 16th century, the Nupe pushed south into Edo country, set on conquest and leaving Islam in their wake. The Esan, a people of thirty-five kingdoms known as skilled warriors and herbalists, stood in their path.
By Stacey Osalumhense· 11 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Life and Legend of Yaa Asantewaa of Ghana
Yaa Asantewaa is a formidable female personality in Ghanaian history. This article delves into her life, the sociopolitical context of her time, her legendary leadership during the war, and her enduring legacy.
By Jemima Oluwaseun· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Historic Olumo Rock: A Symbol of Egba Resilience
Olumo Rock, located in Abeokuta, Nigeria, is a historic landmark and symbol of Egba resilience. The rock served as a refuge for the Egba people during 19th-century inter-tribal wars. Lisabi Garden, the Cave, and the Peak comprise Olumo Rock, each telling stories of Egba history and culture. Today, Olumo Rock represents the Egba people's unwavering determination and cultural heritage.
By Gloria Anefu· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Former Kings of Nigeria's Economy: Cocoa and the Groundnut Pyramids
Nigeria's economy once thrived on agricultural exports, particularly cocoa and groundnuts. This article explores the rich history of these products and how they contributed to the country's economy before the oil boom.
By Ogundeko Toluwanimi Alexis· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
From the Nile to the Niger: Tracing the Development of African Mathematics
Tracing the mathematical development from the Nile to the Niger reveals a rich heritage in Africa, with ancient civilizations like Egypt demonstrating advanced knowledge in geometry and arithmetic, while the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai contributed to mathematics through manuscripts covering diverse fields. Despite colonial disruptions, contemporary initiatives aim to revive indigenous mathematical traditions, showcasing Africa's ongoing role in global mathematical discourse.
By Olubayo Stephen· 4 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Evolution of Warfare in Pre-Colonial West African States
It is about the history of Warfare and its evolution in Pre-colonial West African States through the revolutionary discovery of horses as weapons of war
By David Olushola· 16 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Colonialism and Yoruba Society: Transformations, Challenges, and Resilience
British rule reached Yorubaland and rewrote how it was governed and schooled, replacing kings with warrant chiefs and shrines with missionary classrooms. Yet Yoruba society absorbed the shock, carrying its language and identity through the upheaval.
By Aderinsola Aberuagba· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Bantu Dispersal: A Journey Through Time
The Bantu dispersal across sub-Saharan Africa had a profound impact on the continent's culture, language, history, and education. The migration of the Bantu people influenced the formation of diverse societies, the spread of Bantu languages, the development of political entities, and the transmission of knowledge, leaving a lasting legacy on African heritage and contributions to the world.
By Olubayo Stephen· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Historical Exploration of African Writing: A Comparative Analysis of Adinkra Symbols in Ghanaian Culture and Nsibidi in Igbo Land, Nigeria
Across Africa, symbols carried meaning long before the printing press. Adinkra, hand-carved onto Ashanti cloth to stand for wisdom and proverb, and Nsibidi of Igbo land were two systems that recorded thought in form rather than alphabet.
By Olubayo Stephen· 4 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Diplomacy and the Balance of Power in Pre-Colonial West African States (1600-1800)
Long before Europe credited itself with inventing modern diplomacy at Westphalia, the Oyo, Dahomey, Benin, and Kanem-Bornu empires were already managing treaties and the balance of power among themselves. Between 1600 and 1800, West African statecraft built and toppled empires through negotiation as much as war.
By David Olushola· 15 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Lights, Camera, Ososa: The Legacy of Hubert Ogunde
Hubert Ogunde, a visionary filmmaker born in Ososa Ijebu, Nigeria, revolutionized Nigerian cinema with his groundbreaking films and theatrical performances. Through his commitment to authentic storytelling, cultural preservation, and social change, Ogunde's legacy continues to inspire artists and audiences, leaving an enduring impact on Nigerian cinema and the wider world of film.
By Babadasoola· 9 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Leading the Marginalized: The Political Activities of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
This passage highlights the emergence of Black feminism in Africa, particularly associated with Pan-Africanism. Women in Nigeria played pivotal roles in protests against colonial interference, giving rise to a formidable type of feminism. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a prominent figure in Nigerian feminism, founded the Abeokuta Ladies' Club and led major protests against women's taxation and the monarchy. Her activism extended to national and international levels, earning her honors and recognition f
By Olúwábùkúnmi Abraham Àwóṣùsì· 12 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Love in Nobility: The Woman King, Queen Iden of Benin Kingdom, Nigeria
When King Ewuakpe of Benin lost the loyalty of his people, his wife Queen Iden offered her own life as the sacrifice that would restore the throne. Hers is one of the rare stories to sing a Benin woman's part in holding the kingdom together.
By Grace Oshiname· 14 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
The Musical Life of Àyìnlá Ọmọwúrà
The musical life of Àyìnlá Ọmọwúrà is chronicled in this article which examines his music, life and impact. An Apala musician from Abeokuta, Ayinla's music discussed various societal ills.
By Olúwábùkúnmi Abraham Àwóṣùsì· 7 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Rhythm of Resistance: Exploring the Role of Music in African Liberation Movements in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Music has long been a tool for resistance and protest in Africa. Throughout history, African musicians have used their art to express political dissent, challenge oppressive regimes, and promote social change.
By Olubayo Stephen· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Pioneers, Leaders, and Trailblazers: The Stories of Prominent Women in African History
African history has been shaped by numerous women who have made significant contributions in various fields. Despite facing numerous challenges and barriers, these women have emerged as leaders, pioneers, and trailblazers, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of women.
By Olubayo Stephen· 5 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Yoruba Traditions and Religions in South America
The Yoruba people are an ethnic group that originated in West Africa, specifically in present-day Nigeria and Benin. However, their influence and traditions have spread far beyond their place of origin, including to South America. The Yoruba culture, and its associated religions, has played a significant role in shaping the societies and cultures of many South American countries, particularly Brazil, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago.
By Olubayo Stephen· 3 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Evolution of Currencies in West Africa
The evolution of currency in West Africa spans centuries and encompasses a wide range of cultures and civilizations. From bartering to cowrie shells, beads, metal objects, European currencies and now digital currencies like Bitcoin. The use of foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, remains widespread in West Africa, and digital currencies offer a number of advantages over traditional forms of currency, including lower transaction costs and increased security.
By Olubayo Stephen· 3 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Nigeria at 62: Reinventing Nigerian Music for Cultural, Social and National Change
African art became an instrument of aesthetics, an embellishment of worth and cultural glorification, as well as an exploration of anthropological details and the globalisation of African cosmology.
By Olubayo Stephen· 6 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Mau Mau Uprising: Bloodshed for Kenyan Freedom
The Mau Mau Uprising is another African history relating to the national activist movement for freedom in Kenya. It was a bloody war of liberation that lasted from 1952 to 1963 and is said to be the foundation of Kenyan independence.
By Imisioluwa Ogunsunlade· 4 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Àkàrà-Acaraje: Unravelling Nigerian-Brazilian Culinary Ties
It is surprising how much similarity is yet to be uncharted between the African diaspora and the motherland. Here, therefore, we try to draw a nexus between the Brazilian Acaraje and Nigerian Àkàrà.
By Imisioluwa Ogunsunlade· 7 min
Memory· Long-Form Article
Aba Women's War
Pioneered by women from the Owerri and Calabar provinces of south-eastern Nigeria, the “Women’s War” in Igbo history or the “Aba Women’s Riots of 1929” in British colonial historywas an immense rejoinder to the oppressive and repressive administration of the British colonial administrators in south-eastern Nigeria. This riot became one of the meanest challenge against British rule in the colony and an epochal case of feminist thought and tendencies as well as anti-colonial revolt.
By Imisioluwa Ogunsunlade· 4 min
Memory· Essay
Revisiting Fictions on Pre-literate Africa
The advent of the European world left Africa with little or no choice. It was indeed a brutal condition of either immediate adaptation or cultural annihilation. Therefore, the question that remained pertinent in the minds of early writers was the issue of African autonomy and cultural splendor.
By Imisioluwa Ogunsunlade· 20 min
Memory· Essay
How African Spirituality Became Tied to Satan
From white colonizers to contemporary pop culture
By Sena Voncujovi· 10 min
Memory· Editorial
Why It Is Essential to Preserve Our Heritage
A people's culture is the sum of their collective knowledge, passed down for generations and added on to with time. They learn by seeing what has worked and noting down what has not and ensure that future generations can learn from the mistakes of their elders.
By sesi-morgan· 2 min
Codex (3)
Podcasts (11)
EP 30 · S2Memory· Podcast
The Migration Story of the Mijikenda
The Mijikenda are nine distinct ethnic groups that migrated from inland East Africa to the Kenyan coast. Ari joins this episode to walk through the migration story, and what the nine groups still have in common.
Dec 8, 2023·23:36·Sesi, Haleemah & Ari
historyKenyaMigrationAncestryTransformation
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EP 29 · S2Memory· Podcast
An Overview of Ethiopia's History and Geopolitics
From the kingdoms of Axum and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to today's headlines about the Horn of Africa. Tam joins this episode for a walk through Ethiopia's history.
Nov 24, 2023·26:32·Sesi, Haleemah & Tam
historyEthiopiaWar & ConflictTransformation
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EP 28 · S2Memory· Podcast
The Legend of Dahomey Amazons
The Dahomey Amazons were the all-female warrior regiment of pre-colonial West Africa, fighting alongside (and often outperforming) the men. Massoud joins this episode to tell their story.
Nov 10, 2023·29:07·Sesi, Haleemah & Massoud
historydahomeyamazonsHeroismWar & Conflict
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EP 26 · S2Memory· Podcast
African History: Ethnicity
Africa is home to thousands of ethnic groups, and that diversity has shaped borders, alliances, and conflicts for centuries. This episode looks at where those groups came from and how they've sorted themselves over time.
Oct 13, 2023·23:53·Sesi & Haleemah
history
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EP 25 · S2Memory· Podcast
A Virtual Tour Around Africa and the Diaspora
Abigail takes this episode on a tour of Africa and the diaspora, stopping in different cities to look at what each community has carried over from home.
Sep 29, 2023·26:37·Sesi & Haleemah & Abigail
history
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EP 23 · S2Memory· Podcast
The Spice Route of Africa: A Journey Through the Flavors of the Continent
African spices don't show up evenly across the continent. This episode goes country by country, naming the ones each region cooks with most, and the dishes they end up in.
Sep 1, 2023·17:26·Sesi & Haleemah
food
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EP 19 · S2Memory· Podcast
Ancient African Cities
Before colonisation, Africa was home to some of the most sophisticated cities of their time. Seyram and Bryan of @africasuntoldstories join this episode to travel through Great Zimbabwe, Timbuktu, Djenne-Djenno, and Benin City.
Jul 7, 2023·51:30·Sesi & Haleemah, Seyram & Bryan
historyZimbabweShonaMalitimbuktu
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EP 16 · S2Memory· Podcast
The History of Yoruba Language and its Evolution in Western Nigeria
Yoruba is spoken in West Africa, and shows up inside the religious vocabularies of Brazil and Cuba. Wale joins this episode to walk through the journey, and the dialects.
May 26, 2023·43:29·Sesi, Haleemah & Wale
historyNigeriaYorubalanguage
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EP 10 · S2Memory· Podcast
Kayanmata - Myth or Fact?
Kayanmata is the Hausa set of practices tied to femininity and to the way women hold power inside marriage. Mojisola joins this episode to talk about the practice and why it continues to provoke debate.
Mar 3, 2023·11:03·Sesi, Haleemah & Mojisola
historyNigeriaHausakayanmataTaboo
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EP 3 · S2Memory· Podcast
The African Concept of Land
Today, land is mostly talked about as wealth and an investment. That isn't how Africans always thought about it. Imisi joins this episode to talk about what land meant before money got involved.
Nov 25, 2022·27:42·Sesi, Haleemah & Imisi
historyproperty
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EP 2 · S1Memory· Podcast
Queen Moremi
Queen Moremi is a name most Yoruba children know, even if the full story has been blurred by retellings. This episode goes back to who she was and why Ile-Ife still owes her.
Mar 12, 2021·21:03·Sesi & Haleemah
historyNigeriaYorubamoremiHeroism
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