In ancient times, jewelry was worn not only for adornment, physical beauty and social status but also for its spiritual and healing benefits. In ancient Egypt gold or nub (Medu Neter – Egyptian language) was considered of divine nature and associated with the sun. Gold as well as copper has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which […]
African fashion has been known to be very traditional in its usual sense. Everything from the assortment of textiles from the different regions of Africa to the jewelry and headwraps are usually worn for some formal occasion or another. African fashion has evolved as the African woman has evolved; it has now transformed to fit […]
The empire of Mutapa was a powerful nation in modern day Zimbabwe that rested between the Limpopo and the Zambezi River and extended to the Mozambique coast from 1430-1760. The empire of Mutapa was the successor kingdom of the Great Zimbabwe and it was comprised of mainly a Karanga-speaking population that maintained the stone building […]
Southern Africa is home to many different tribes that maintain their own dialect and way of life. Because of the vast diversity within Southern Africa, many of the tribes remain in the shadows of the more noticed tribes, such as the Zulu tribe. The Swazi people, also known as the Swati people, are a Bantu Nguni-speaking […]
Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa and the Empress of African song, was a popular South African singer who introduced authentic Xhosa and Zulu songs to western audiences. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1932, Miriam Makeba attracted the attention of Harry Belafonte who then assisted her travel to the United States to begin […]
Menen Asfaw was born to an Oromo family on April 3, 1891. She was crowned on November 2, 1930 when her husband, Tafari Makonnen became the Emperor of Ethiopia known as Haile Selassie. Empress Menen was known as a champion for education and an advocate for women’s issues in Ethiopia. She founded the Empress Menen […]
Ethiopia is the only African nation to resist colonization by European powers, and so, has also been able to resist the distortion of their culture. Ethiopia maintains all of their traditional attires and practices. The style has become more modern overtime, but still stays true to their history. The Oromo women of eastern Ethiopia are deeply […]
Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in the world and the only African country to successfully resist the scramble for Africa by colonial powers. Ethiopia became a symbol of hope and strength for all people of African descent when Ethiopia had beaten back attempts at colonization by Italy. The famous battle of Adwa signified […]
Ethiopian fashion is vibrant and ever-changing. Yefikir Design is one of the many brands that highlight the emerging fashion sense within Ethiopia. Made in 2009 by Fikirte Addis, an Ethiopian designer based in Addis Ababa, Yefikir Design serves as a representation of fashion for her home country. Her designs channel Ethiopian culture while mixing in […]
In South Africa Mantsho represents the unapologetically modern African woman. Created in 2004 by Johannesburg-based designer Palesa Mokuburg, this brand focuses on using African materials and transforming them into modern, edgy designs. Using fine silks and woven fabrics along with traditional African material, Mantsho combines modern fashion with reverence to African culture and history. The […]