Before sunrise in a rural community in northern Nigeria, Amina begins her day. Like millions of women across the country, she walks a long…Continue reading on Medium »

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In many Western debates, people argue that Equality of Opportunity (giving everyone the same start) is the goal. But in many African societies, the "starting line" is vastly different depending on whether you are in a tech hub like Lagos or Nairobi, or in a remote rural village with no internet or reliable power. ​The Opportunity Argument: We should focus entirely on infrastructure, education, and removing corruption. If a kid in a village has the same fiber-optic internet and schooling as a kid in the city, their success should be up to their own hard work. ​The Outcome Argument: Because the gaps are so deep and historical, "equal opportunity" isn't enough. We need policies that ensure a fair distribution of wealth and resources (Equality of Outcome) to make sure the most vulnerable aren't left behind while a small elite thrives. ​I want to hear your thoughts: Is it possible to have "true" equality of opportunity in our current systems? Or is a focus on equal outcomes (like social safety nets and wealth redistribution) the only way to ensure stability and dignity for everyone? submitted by /u/kumwendasam [link] [comments]

This was prompted by a discussion on another forum but it's been on my mind for a long while so I'm bringing it here to know what you guys think. Recently, I've noticed that whenever any group in Africa is being discussed, you'll have a couple people in the comments section do this thing where they'll try to attribute whatever positive trait is displayed to the fact that they're "not really African". They'll tell you that a gazillion years ago, some non black group was living amongst them so now the group is basically multiracial for having .006% non black dna. In my head, I joked that the only group who will be able to pass this African litmus test would be Nigerians but even they're not safe because it was Nigerians being discussed and lo and behold when a pretty Nigerian woman was brought up, cue the "well ackshully, Nigerians are mixed". In response the person who brought this up made the good point that italians get to retain their whiteness and nobody ever brings up the fact they have brown dna whenever anyone mentions them being "tall, dark and handsome" so why does the goalpost get moved for Africans? Where do we draw the line? Most people aren't 100% anything so how come Africans get stripped of their Africaness as soon as they do literally anything that isn't seen as bad? edit: Side note but it's not lost on me that every time anything about Africa is being discussed, it's referred to as "SSA" and not just Africa as if "SSA"s aren't what make Africa, Africa. Makes no sense to me to refer to Africa while prioritizing non black sensibilities because I know it's used to separate from the north when nobody even thinks of those guys when talking about Africa. To me it reads as a way for non Africans (because non African black people do this too) to impose themselves on us. Look how quickly they changed their tune when Ukrainians told them they don't call their country THE Ukraine. Nobody in Africa uses the term "SSA" yet non Africans took it upon themselves to use this term which is incorrect to begin when some of these so called "Sub Saharan" countries are actually IN the Sahara. submitted by /u/Odd-Audience7429 [link] [comments]

Skeletons Crest Tiv (Nigeria): The Tiv, Jukun, Chamba, and Mumuye are ethnic groups geographically close to one another. Also gravitating around there groups are smaller minority groups geographically located in the state of Taraba, whose capital is Jalingo. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Tiv were known for loving to work the land, with a propensity to expand their cultivable territories beyond the allotted limits. They eventually encroached on the lands of their neighbors, the Jukun, creating tensions. Initially a happy compromise was reached: the Tiv gave part of their harvests in exchange for using the land. Over time, however, newer Tiv generations abandoned this agreement, and their numerical superiority led to the dispossession of the Jukun, without any compensation. Clashes broke out… Apparently the Jukun initiated the conflict by refusing grain and demanding their land back, leading to war. The Jukun eventually drove the Tiv away, but the Tiv had buried their dead on Jukun land and could no longer access the graves. When the Jukun refused them entry even for memorial rites, rumors spread that the graves were being desecrated. In despair, the Tiv consulted diviners, who revealed through dreams that their ancestors were angry at being abandoned. Around the same time, a severe drought and poor harvests reinforced these fears. The diviners instructed each Tiv family to create a coffin and a miniature skeleton, bury it at home with proper rites, and hold a large funeral ceremony. This practice led to the creation of skeleton statues among the Tiv. Over time, these sculptures grew in size, symbolizing stages of life, small for birth, medium for growth, and large for a full life. While coffins decay, the statues endure, sometimes supported by objects like caryatid seats for ancestral skulls. Chokwe (Southern/Central Africa): The Chokwe are a people of Central and Southern Africa, primarily found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The Cihongo mask is the male version of the Mwana Pwo mask. The Cihongo represents a male spirit evoking power and wealth. It is the spirit of a notable who is meant to bring prosperity to the village and administer justice. In the past, only the chief or the chief's son could wear the Cihongo. Grebo (Liberia): The Grebo are an ethnic group living in Liberia. Grebo masks were widely circulated in Paris very early on. They particularly attracted the attention of Picasso, who owned a collection of African masks and who was inspired by a Grebo mask, bought around 1908, to create his famous work Guitar in 1912, the first Cubist sculpture. Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo): The Kuba settled in the southern part of the Kuba kingdom in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kuba are the most prolific group in Western Kasai. Kuba art developed primarily around the royal personage. This prestigious culture, made famous by its masks, royal statuettes, and "Kasai velvet," is also rich in magnificent ceremonial costumes. Mende (Sierra Leone/Liberia): The Mende are an ethnic group living in Sierra Leone and Liberia . These helmet masks were traditionally used by the Sande, a women's society, for the most solemn celebrations, during the administration of justice, funeral ceremonies, and initiation rites into Sande society. During initiation, women of high rank use these masks to welcome younger members at the end of a three-month retreat in the forest. A long costume completes the mask and covers the entire body. This particular mask represents the spirit of fertility and embodies feminine waters. The characteristic features of this type of mask are always feminine even when they represent a masculine spirit. Punu (Gabon): The Punu are an ethnic group primarily located in southern Gabon. These mukuyi masks are believed to represent ancestors, sometimes female. The mask's enigmatic face is slightly triangular. Beneath the closed, almond-shaped eyes, as if puffy with sleep, the high cheekbones are rounded. The number and arrangement of the scarifications vary from one style or ethnic group to another. The most common motif, in the shape of scales, comprises nine lozenges. This distinctive mark, called mabinda, was carved into the flesh of children around the age of 10 to 14. Yahoure (Ivory Coast): Among the Yaouré, masks are used to influence the supernatural forces “Yu,” believed to cause both suffering and prosperity. Masks are forbidden to women and are most often danced to restore social and political balance, especially after death. Yaouré masks have influence from the Gouro, particularly in the nose and hairstyle, while also influencing Baoulé mask aesthetics. The hair, often arranged in three detailed semicircles, is a sign of power and wealth. submitted by /u/Solysii [link] [comments]

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I had an interesting conversation with one of the migrants working at our office yesterday in Pretoria. He's from Malawi and said there was no middle class back home. So I went digging and found that on paper, Malawi was technically better off than SA - which it may as well be, I've never been. submitted by /u/Jaded-Dot66 [link] [comments]

Here’s the artwork I did in its full form of the diptych series “Past, Present, Future and Mirror”. I was compelled to put hinges on the center so you can turn it round. Included is a video of how the painting looks during the day and how it transforms under blue light. As an added bonus, I included a trippy light reactive painting I did that gives off a different mood under different color lighting. The painting is called “Caught Red-Handed,” a painting depicting society’s hold on women’s body image. (Done on 50 year-old recycled wood panel) Let me know what you think 🤗 and thank you so much for the love on my previous post, I was overwhelmed with the positive reception I received 😭☺️ submitted by /u/unequivocallysam [link] [comments]

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