Cabo Verde is a creole island nation off West Africa, with a strong blend of African and Portuguese heritage. Its official language is Portuguese, used in government, business, and schools; Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is the everyday language spoken by virtually the entire population. Musical genres like morna and coladeira, celebrated globally through artists like […]
Burundi—meaning “Land of Upright People”—has rich cultural traditions rooted in the intertwined histories of the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa communities. The culture relies heavily on oral storytelling, ritual dance, poetry, and communal celebration rooted in centuries of common heritage rather than strictly ethnic differences. Drumming and dance play central roles. The Royal Drummers of Burundi […]
Editorial credit: NoyanYalcin / Shutterstock.com Burkina Faso (meaning “Land of Upright People”) has a rich tapestry of Mossi, Gurmanché, Dyula, Bissa, Fula, and San/Khoisan ethnic traditions across roughly 60 languages. Culture centers on mask traditions, ritual dance, oral expression, and vibrant regional festivals like the FESTIMA Mask Festival in Dédougou and FESPACO, Africa’s largest film […]
Editorial credit: Bashi Kikia / Shutterstock.com Botswana, home to around 2.4 million people as of 2024, is largely the nation-state of the Tswana (Batswana) (≈79 %), with Kalanga (~11 %) and San/Khoe groups among others. Tswana cultural values center on Botho‑Ubuntu—a philosophy of community, interdependence, and social cohesion. The official language is English, used for government, business, and […]
Benin—a West African nation with a population of about 13.7 million—is rooted in the legacy of the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey, historic Yoruba‑Gbe cultures, and more recent Francophone influence. Its history of kingdoms like Abomey and Porto‑Novo and its central role in the Atlantic slave trade have deeply shaped its cultural identity, spirituality, and diaspora connections. […]
Editorial credit: hamdi bendali / Shutterstock.com Located in North Africa, Algeria is the largest country on the continent and a regional power with the third-largest economy in Africa, driven largely by hydrocarbons. Its population is projected to reach approximately 47 million in 2025. Cultural Heritage & Identity Algeria’s culture is richly layered—with roots in Berber, Arab-Islamic, […]