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Locked Away from Civilization of Learning Africa: The Koma People

The Koma tribe is an ethnic group found in the northern part of Adamawa, a state in Nigeria. These people live in an area filled with hills in the Alantika mountains ( Alantika means ‘’Allah hasn’t yet arrived’’ in the Kanuri language)very close to the border between the people of Cameroon and Nigeria. Thier society is matrilineal. Fathers have been known to give out their wives/daughters to visitors as a sign of friendship. Killing of twins was considered sane to the Koma tribe because they believed twins were evil and an abomination of Learning Africa.

Ever met anyone who doesn’t know what a mobile phone is? Or one who doesn’t know what the internet is all about? Let's take a trip to the northern part of the country Nigeria. The Koma tribe is an ethnic group found in the northern part of Adamawa, a state in Nigeria. These people live in an area filled with hills in the Alantika mountains(Alantikameans ‘’Allah hasn’t yet arrived’’ in the Kanuri language)very close to the border between the people of Cameroon and Nigeria. The Koma people are known to be very primitive because of their way of life and their pagan religion. Despite being surrounded by Islamic societies, the Koma people hold their ancient traditions and religious practice. They still wear a one-piece garment that covers just the genitals and the buttocks partially and fresh leaves too. A deviation from the normal African culture and belief where inheritance is via the paternal lineage (where you inherit things from your father’s side), the Koma people customarily inherit from the maternal side (they inherit from the mother’s side).

 It's surprising right??  There’s this popular belief that in a tribe in Africa, the man gives out his wife/daughters to visitors and friends. Well!! Welcome to the Koma tribe, where the men/fathers give out their wives/daughters to visitors/ friends as a sign of friendship or acceptance. The Koma people are known for this particular act. According to them, it brings peace and unity to the tribe as a man is bound to share everything he has. The killing of twin children that was stopped so many years ago in Africa did not affect the Koma people. Until recent times, the Koma tribe was known for the killing of twins. To them, it was regarded as evil and an abomination. They bury the twin children alive and the mothers of these twins are seen as people with misfortune. It will be of interest to note that these ancient practices are subtly practiced even to date. The Komas are lovely people with an average population of about 400 people. They engage in the rearing of animals. Today Koma tribe is part of the seven districts of the Jada local government in the Adamawa state of Nigeria.

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZOBO DRINK -LaaWin - Learn and Win

LaaWin - Learn and Win - Zobo drink is made from Zobo leaves (aka sorrel leaves) and is a popular beverage consumed in Africa, Europe, Asia, and America. It’s made with zobo leaves, flavor, cloves, and ginger, and sometimes flavored with pineapple, cucumber, or orange juice. Zobo is rich in vitamin C, Calcium, Iron and Phosphorus, and can be used as an anti-bacterial agent. It helps relieve menstrual cramps when brewed as a tea. Pharmaceutical researchers have discovered that zobo is effective in managing high blood pressure. Flavonoids found in zobo have antioxidant properties that protect the body from diseases. Zobo contains Vitamin A which boosts healthy vision.

The Zobo drink is a popular beverage drink made from dried Zobo leaves. It is consumed in different parts of the world ranging from Africa to Europe, Asia, and America. Zobo leaves are also known as sorrel leaves and the drink is also known as Sorrel drink in the Caribbean and hibiscus tea by others. The traditional Nigerian zobo is made with basically four ingredients- the zobo leaves, flavor, cloves, and ginger. Health enthusiasts prefer to replace the artificial flavorings with pineapple juice, juiced cucumber, or orange juice. The drink is a perfect drink for family gatherings, office spaces as well as to ward of thirst on a sunny day. Are there any health benefits of the zobo drink? Emphatically Yes! So here are some benefits of taking a zobo drink. 

1. ZOBO DRINK IS RICH IN VITAMIN C AND OTHER VITAMINS Are you looking for a rich source of vitamins on a budget? Your sure bet is a glass of zobo. Zobo drink is packed with Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Carotene, etc. It has more vitamin C than an orange or a mango! This property of the zobo drink also makes it effective as an anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial agent 

2. ZOBO DRINK MAY RELIEVE MENSTRUAL PAIN Zobo drink is effective in reducing menstrual cramps. For menstrual cramps, it is best to brew it as tea and drink without any sugar additives. 

3. ZOBO DRINK MAY MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE The journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research has found that consuming zobo drink may lower the blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. 

4. ZOBO DRINK PROTECTS YOUR BODY FROM DISEASE You may ask how it does this. Zobo contains flavonoids that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect your body from disease because they neutralize free radicals present in the body tissues and cells. 

5. ZOBO IS GOOD FOR YOUR EYES Zobo contains a lot of vitamin A which helps to prevent eye defects like night blindness and also boosts clear and healthy vision. It also boosts appetite and helps resolve certain eating disorders. Of course, it’s important to do everything in moderation, so do endeavor not to take too much of it. The zobo drink is definitely a healthy addition to your diet.

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Learning Africa LANGUAGES THAT ARE ALMOST EXTINCT

Learning Africa about endangered species every day, but we don't hear about endangered languages every day. A language that is at risk of going extinct is called an endangered language. According to UNESCO, not every language is at the same level of endangerment. A language can be vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, or severely endangered. There are over 200 African languages that are on the verge of extinction. A few languages are already extinct in Africa. Examples are the Kpati language in Nigeria. The preservation of African languages has become important as it is part of our unique identity.

What if tomorrow, there’s no one left on earth that speaks Yoruba? We would say the language is extinct. We know about endangered species because every day we hear about animals that will soon go extinct as a result of climate change and human activity. What we don’t hear about every day is endangered languages.  The topic of endangered languages is always met with a look of amusement initially and then a sober look as the reality of the possibility dawns on the hearers. However, this subject is a matter of concern as it is already happening to some African languages. A language that is at risk of going extinct is called an endangered language. According to UNESCO, not every language is at the same level of endangerment. Some are just vulnerable, which means there's a possibility they may become endangered. Some languages are endangered. That means it is sure that they will go extinct if nothing is done. 

Beyond this stage, a language can become critically or severely endangered. Africa is home to over 3315 tribes and ethnic groups, each having their languages that form their unique identity. A few languages are already extinct in Africa. Examples are the Kpati language in Nigeria, the Kore language in Kenya, and the Weyto Language in Ethiopia. There are over 200 African languages that are on the verge of extinction. Examples are the Soo language in Uganda, The Akie language in Tanzania, and the Defaka language in Nigeria. UNESCO stated that the Igbo language may be extinct by 2050. The preservation of African languages has become important as it is part of our unique identity. Our cultural diversity according to UNESCO, widens the options open to everyone and is one of the roots of the development. We must not struggle to be the same. We should rather endeavor to live in unity despite our cultural differences. As we embrace English, French, and Spanish, we should also teach them our words, our expressions, and our culture as free men and women under God. We have to pass on to the generations after us the colorful heritage our ancestors left behind beginning from our languages. What do you think can be done to preserve African languages?  

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West Learning Africa Super Foods To Include In Your Diet

Superfoods are those foods that confer awesome health benefits to an individual Learning Africa. An average African knows these foods but not all know their health benefits. Baobab fruit is the oldest superfood in Africa. Teff are grains grown mostly in Ethiopia and Eritrea and they are high in vitamin C. Ginger juice is strong and is often mixed into cocktails. They are also used for public and social occasions in Senegal. Tamarind, Fonio, Pumpkin leaves are rich in Electrolytes, amino acids, and potassium respectively. Some other superfoods include Moringa, Kenkiliba, and Hibiscus plant.

Superfoods are those foods that confer awesome health benefits to an individual. An average African knows these foods but not everyone knows their health benefits. There are so many positive benefits of these foods.  BOABAB FRUIT One of Africa’s oldest superfoods known to provide nutrients to humans and many other life forms is the Baobab fruit from the ancient Baobab tree. The seeds are soaked because they are always dry, they are very delicious and have a sherbert taste. The leaves are sold in various markets in West Africa. The fruit is very high in antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, and iron. TEFF Next, we have Teff, a grain that is mostly grown in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This grain houses a serious nutritional punch and it is the leading grain when it comes to nutritional values. 123mg of calcium can be gotten from a full cup of cooked Teff. It also has a very high concentration of protein, iron, and vitamin C. GINGER JUICE Ginger juice is strong and has a very pleasant sharp taste. Ginger drink for over a hundred years has been used as a digestive and circulatory system tonic. The ginger juice/drink is an awesome stomach settler and is sometimes mixed into cocktails. Senegal and some other Muslim west African countries find this drink super healthy for public and social occasions.

 THE TAMARIND The Tamarind is also an amazing kind of West African superfood that is served as a juice and has a scintillating sweet-and-soar flavor. This one is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. This juice helps in relaxing and balancing the electrolytes when one is experiencing dehydration. FONIO Fonio is another Culture Values of Africans that is closely related to millet and is high in amino acids. It is always used to make stews, salads, and porridge PUMPKIN LEAVES Commonly known in Nigeria as Ugwu is the Pumpkin leaves that are eaten all over the continent of Africa, they can be eaten fresh or dried too. They contain a very large amount of Vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, potassium, and some of the B-vitamins. 

THE HIBISCUS FLOWER The Hibiscus flower is popular and known in North Africa, particularly Egypt and Sudan. The dried leaf of the hibiscus, when soaked in hot water produces a dark red tea that is called karkadeh in Arabic and Zobo in Nigeria. In Egypt and Sudan, the red hibiscus tea is served in celebrations like weddings. The Hibiscus tea is highly rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants minerals. THE KENKILIBA SHRUB West African Muslims break their fast with bread and the sweet and milky kenkiliba tea. The leaves from the kenkiliba shrub are native to the Sahel that serves as a digestive detoxifier, it is very common in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and Mali. THE MORINGA PLANT No part of the Moringa plant is a waste because the bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers are edible. The leaves can be used fresh or dried and they can also be grounded into powder, they are very high in Vitamin C and A, iron, calcium. It is so amazing to know that the moringa contains 25 times the iron of spinach, 4 times the calcium of milk, twice the protein of yogurt, seven times the Vitamin C of oranges.

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Learn History of Africa Dance Styles

Since time immemorial, Africans have used various dance styles to express emotions, ritual rites, communication, entertainment, and freedom.In 1500, dance styles were unique to every tribe and connoted deep spirituality Learn History of Africa. Many African tribes had a dance teacher to pass the traditional dance style to younger generations. It was the dance teacher’s duty to ensure that every group in the community knew their movements naturally. Due to the meanings and expressions behind the styles, it was inherent that no step was missed.

A little insight into the dance style of the Ijaw people of Nigeria, West Africa. They had both dry land and wet swampy lands which affected their dance styles. The farmers on the dry savanna placed their feet firmly on the grounds, following their dance leader in a circular motion, swaying their bodies steadily in rhythm. In the mangrove swamps were fishermen whose dance style is called ‘waist dance’. When they danced, their backs leaned forward from their hips, their torsos positioned like they had a dog’s posture except they were not kneeling. They moved lightly, moving their body weight from foot to foot in rhythm to songs they sang as they fish by the swamps. 

It is impossible to talk about Learn History of Africa without mentioning drums. It was very essential for dance because of its rhythm and tune to emotions and spirituality. Drums were known as the tribe’s heartbeat. Drums had the power of staging the mood and connecting positive energies and uniting the people. Another essential accessory for dance was clapping hands and stomping feet in collective rhythm to the drum, singing, and body movements while dancing.

With time, dance got complicated as it widely developed. Many dances had what we called isolated and polycentric movements. With this style, each body part moved differently from the other. Bear in mind that these times, Africans were being sold into slavery to Europeans, Caribbean's, and South and North Americans. The slave masters gave them the freedom to practice their traditions which included dance. It was with these dance styles Africans had a passage to be free in their minds. Yet, in North America, slaves were subjected to harsh laws that prohibited them from dancing but Africans devised ways to continue dancing despite the conditions.

Due to the dispersion and separation of ethnic groups and tribes, dance styles began to merge and evolve into a broad new African dance style. The Caribbean island was a major influence on this evolution. Inspirations also came from Spain, France, Dutch, and Britain.

The Learning African dances we know today were all rooted in the 1500 dance styles. The lasting African dance styles are; Agahu, Agbekor, Adamu, Yankadi, Munchongoyo, Kpanlogo, and Mohobelo.  Even in new lands, these dance styles stayed with Africans and are now popular dance styles in modern-day such as; tap Dancing, Twist, Charleston, Jazz dance, lindy hop, twerking, hip hop, zouk, Capoeira, the jitterbug, etc.