Lesotho, the “Kingdom in the Sky,” is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. With a population of about 2.2 million, Lesotho is known for its mountainous terrain, high-altitude landscapes, and cultural resilience. Its strategic location within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and its participation in trade agreements such as AGOA (African Growth […]
Editorial credit: StreetVJ / Shutterstock.com Gabon’s population (~2.4 million in 2023) is over 80 % Christian and roughly 10 % Muslim, with religious traditions intertwined in daily life and festivals. Ethnic diversity includes Fang (~32 %), Punu, Nzebi, Teke, Myene, among over 40 groups. The Myene people, for example, are skilled woodcarvers and canoe builders and maintain matrilineal clan […]
Ethiopia is one of the world’s oldest civilizations, home to more than 80 ethnic groups—including Oromo, Amhara, Tigrayan, Somali, Afar, Sidama—with over 90 languages and 200 dialects. Amharic is the federal official language, used for legislation and administration, while English is the primary language of secondary and tertiary education. Regional states also recognize languages like […]
Eswatini is a constitutional absolute monarchy with a rich cultural heritage centered around the Swazi (Nguni) people, who comprise the overwhelming majority of the population. Key cultural highlights include: Traditional festivals: Umhlanga (Reed Dance) —an annual ceremony celebrating young women’s solidarity and chastity. Incwala (Kingship Ceremony) —a sacred rite tied to Swazi identity and monarchy. […]
Editorial credit: Sunshine Seeds / shutterstock.com Introduction For decades, the dominant message in American education has been that a four-year college degree is the primary path to financial success and stability. However, this narrative has started to shift as industries face growing labor shortages in the skilled trades. The importance of trade shops in high […]