ETHIOPIA'S ROCK CHURCHES: AFRICAN CIVILISATION ON DISPLAY

The Lalibela churches in Ethiopia are a complex of religious buildings that were skillfully carved out of stone in the 12th century. The churches are not only architectural marvels that have stood the test of time. They also serve as a clapback to racists, who often say colonialism and slavery brought 'civilisation' to Africa. Outstanding African civilisations, such as Lalibela, show this theory has no legs to stand on.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AFRO-JESUS!

Many assume Christianity in Africa was a purely Western missionary import. However, as Ethiopian Christian Orthodox history shows, the religion was on the continent as early as the 4th century AD. It was heavily influenced by local Ethiopian culture. Depictions of figures such as Jesus and the apostles show them with dark skin and giant afros - very different from the blond-haired, blue-eyed figure many associate Jesus with. The Ethiopian Bible is also among the oldest, and contains 81 books, 15 more than the King James’ 66.

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'SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR AFRICANS'

Speaking from the heart, this guy gives French commuters a quick lesson about respect. He demands France stops looking down on Africans and passionately states it's Africa that's supporting France, not the other way around. His message, from February last year, gets applause on the metro. And the activist warns France is about to 'miss the train of history' if it doesn't change its attitude. Does his speech resonate with you?

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DISTURBING THE DEAD? OPENING OF 2,600-YR-OLD MUMMY DIVIDES NET

A viral clip of Egyptian authorities opening up a 2,600-year-old coffin has drawn heated reactions three years after it was first posted.

The video, posted in 2020 by New Zealand's ambassador to Egypt, shows a group of Egyptian officials flanked by curious onlookers prying open a mummy - in a scene that commenters have slammed as 'chaotic and disrespectful.'

The reactions illustrate Africans' reverence for the dead and their concern for how the dead are treated.

And it reminds one of the 'curse of the pharaohs,' alleged to be cast on anyone who disturbs the mummy of an ancient Egyptian, especially a pharaoh.

Continued….This legend gained currency in the 1920s after the mysterious deaths of the team that opened Tutankhamun's tomb. While the deaths were attributed to scientific reasons, such as fungal infections, they inspired horror films and rumours of the curse, which persist to this day.

What do you think about opening up ancient tombs? Let us know in the comments.

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TO BE FRANC, IT'S FINANCIAL REPRESSION

A financial weapon of repression against former colonies? We look at the CFA franc in Africa 78 years after it was introduced, and why it might be high time to ditch it.

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JON STEWART ON U.S. SYSTEMIC RACISM

In case you’re after a quick summary of America’s racist history towards Blacks, Jon Stewart doesn’t do a bad job. During a minute-long blast, he points out a few home truths that got his guest back-pedalling.

This clip is from The Problem with Jon Stewart, a show that aired on Apple TV last year. Funnily enough, the programme was scrapped two months ago over ‘creative differences’ between Apple and Stewart.

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PLO ON HAITI & WHY KENYA FORCE IS NOT PAN-AFRICAN

Pan-African scholar and lawyer PLO Lumumba shared his views with African Stream on the announced deployment of Kenyan cops to Haiti. Heralded as a humanitarian, Pan-African initiative, he says the fact that it’s happening at Washington’s behest completely undermines it - as the US is one of the main destabilising forces on the island, alongside the likes of France. It was after a Kenya-Canada meeting that Kenya’s Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua made the announcement, with the US pledging to foot the bill - up to $200 million.

Haiti has been deemed in need of urgent intervention due to a security crisis driven by mounting gang violence.

Continued….However, given that the US itself faces similar problems, while the likes of Jamaica have been under a state of emergency for a significant part of the year, it’s unclear why Haiti should get special treatment.

If stability in Haiti were the noble cause the West pretends it is perusing, why has it at every turn sabotaged Haiti’s development? France made Haiti pay slave owners and the US robbed Haiti’s gold. It also propped up the dictatorship of François Duvalier and orchestrated the overthrow of the popular leader Jean Aristide.

With a Kenyan court halting the deployment of Kenyan officers to the island for now, PLO Lumumba says it should be a time for reflection. By all means, let Africa help its brother nation in the Caribbean - but it must be a homegrown initiative, not one pushed down Haiti’s throat by the West. Why should Kenya be the ‘Black face’ of American imperialism?

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FALLACIES OF AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE

We’ve all heard them talk, charming words, excellent cadence, captivating delivery..... but do they have anything to offer us beyond fiery speeches? Well it turns out that the only thing they have to bring to the table is neo-colonialism. Do you agree with us or did we miss the mark?

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THE REAL LION KING

We all grew up on the Lion King but what if we told you it’s not really about Mufasa, Scar, Simba and Naila. It’s actually about West African royalty. Specifically, Sundiata Keita, the founder of the great Mali Empire. The REAL Lion King! Ahmed Ghoneim flies through the history behind the Disney classic.

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