5 African Stunning Popular Traditional Dress code Attires You Should Try On

5 African Stunning Popular Traditional Dress code Attires You Should Try On

Photo Credit: www.yoair.com

Imagine if us as humans moved without any form of clothing on us? I don't even wanna imagine this. Because of civilization, many African communities were able to acquire a certain way of dressing up that is accustomed to their beliefs and surroundings. Today for many of these dressings and attires, they have been popularized around the world and maybe you're one of those people that can't distinguish exactly which dress code is from which country on the African continent. This blog post will help clear that for you because in this post, we share 5 Stunning African traditional dress code attires that you should try on at least have in your closet.

5. Shuka. This is a traditional African clothing wear that belongs to the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. The Maasai are popularly known as pastoralists and also they are known to be great warriors. Probably this is the reason for this design of clothing that they usually put on. The shuka is usually designed with a Red-strip running across or crisscrossing each other to create those beautiful designs. Definitely, this is one of those attires that you should try on maybe on your visit to Kenya or Tanzania in the Maasai-land

4. Kanzu. The Kanzu is a white or creamy traditional outfit worn by men majorly in the African Great Lakes region in countries such as; Burundi, Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi and many more. The Kanzu is a very common dressing especially at traditional functions such as weddings to accentuate a man's look at the wedding

3. Isidwaba. This is a very popular dress code in the Zulu culture of South Africa. The Isidwaba which is also known as Isikhakha is a traditional skirt worn by married women in the Zulu culture. This skirt is usually made out of leather from either cowhide or the goat's skin. The married woman wears this with a mat-like fabric on top to give her a full look. The Zulu culture states that the father to the bride is the one to give this Isidwaba to his daughter from the cowhide of the cow that the girls gets in the inception to adulthood ceremony

2. Kente. This is a traditional African wear that can be worn by both men and women. This type of dressing originates from the Ewe and Ashanti people of Ghana in West Africa. It is a hand-made fabric made from strips of cotton and silk and it's a very popular type of dressing at traditional weddings in West Africa and this is definitely one of those types of dressings that you should try on.

1. The Dashiki. This is an African clothing that originates from the Ewe people of Ghana. This is a multi-colored fabric and for the men, it's usually worn as a lose-fitting shirt which is embroidered with a V-shapped collar. For the women, this could take up any design that the person might desire. The Dashiki today cuts across the entire African continent because it's worn all across the continent and even outside the continent in countries such as; The USA, Asia and so many other places around the world

Well those are the 5 main attires worn across the African continent. You could let us know down in the comments section which amonst these attires looks very stunning to you and maybe where you're watching from. Rememeber that you can also get yourself these clothings by heading to the description box of this video for you to look out for some of these cloths

TANZANIA: Why You Should Visit | Top Attractions

Photo Credit: ILP Blog

TANZANIA: Why You Should Visit | Top Attractions

Tanzania is an East African country and I must say it's one of the most underrated travel destinations on the African continent. But definitely one of the best for many people looking for vacation places to stay for a longer time. The country is filled with great attractions that keep it receiving visitors all year round from all over the world. Trust me if you love the outdoor lifestyle, this is definitely the country for you to include on your bucket list. In this blog, we share the 10 Best attractions and places to visit on your trip to Tanzania...

1. Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro. Mountain Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak standing at 5,895m above the Sea level. I should also say that this is Tanzania's most iconic image that distinguishes Tanzania from many other countries on the continent. People travel from all across the world to come and hike and also climb this highest land on the African continent for them to have that Kilimanjaro experience. One tip that we would like to share with you as a traveler is for you to visit between late June to October. This is usually during the Dry season because it can sometimes get very messy during the wet season. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro usually takes 5-9 days for you to reach the mountaintop

2. Serengeti National Park. If you love the Safari, The Serengeti National Park is your place. A visit to this treeless plain that has millions of animals living here including the Big Five which are the Lion, Leopard, Black Rhino, Elephants and Buffalos will give you a total experience of the Serengeti National park safari. The Serengeti has one of the Largest Animal migrations that happens every single year and this is definitely one of those places that we highly recommend you to visit on your trip to Tanzania

3. The Great Zanzibar Beaches. The Great Zanzibar beaches are among the major holiday destinations for many people around the world. These white sandy beaches will treat you to a great relaxation on your visit to the Zanzibar island. There are a ton of activities that you could take on on your visit to Zanzibar and among these; Scuba diving, water surfing and many more others. This is definitely a must add onto your travel bucket list

4. Ngorongoro Conservation Place. The Ngorongoro conservation place found in the Northwestern part of Tanzania. Here you'll get to visit the crater lake which brings thousands of animals including Gazelles, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebra and many other types of animals. For the Birdwatchers this is also a bird sanctuary and trust me, you'll have a great time here

5. Olduvai Gorge. The Olduvai Gorge is one of the few remaining archeological sites that existed in the ancient times. It is believed that people who lived in the Stone Age times were here and part of their remains or fossils were discovered in this place. Among the items that were discovered here include the hunting tools that were used y these people, their skulls and also their bones

6. Stone Town. Stone Town is one of those main places to visit in Tanzania. Located on the island of Zanzibar, This is one of those cultural towns in Tanzania and we must say nothing much has changed in this town for the last 200 yeas or so... Majority of the homes here were built in the 19th Century, a period when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading towns in the Indian Ocean. Many of the historic buildings in this town have been turned into museums and tourist attractions to generate revenue for the town and Zanzibar as an island

7. Ruaha National Park. A visit to the Ruaha National park should be one of your top priorities on your trip to Tanzania. In 2008, this National park became Tanzania's largest park and it's home to buffalos, Gazelles plus being the largest conservation place for elephants in Tanzania and the African continent at large

8. Lake Victoria. On your trip to Tanzania, your could also visit Lake Victoria which is the world's largest tropical fresh-water lake and Tanzania happens to have the biggest part of this lake. This lake is also shared by the other two neighboring countries to Tanzania and these include Kenya and Uganda. The lake is a major source of livelihood for many communities around it and here you'll get to taste some unique fish species such as the Tilapia and Nile perch. It is still on this lake where you can visit some of the major port towns like; Mwanza, Bukoba and Musoma where the major economic activities on the lake usually happen

9. Ol Doinyo Lengai. Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) is found in the Southern park of the Great East African Rift Valley in the Arusha region. Ol Doinyo Lengai is known for its Low-temperature lava it emits each time it erupts. As of the time of recording this video in 2021, this mountain last erupted in 2019 but the most unique feature that keeps bringing people from all across the world to come see it is this low-temperature lava that it emits each time it erupts. This is one of Tanzania's most visited sites and definitely one of those we highly recommend for you to visit on this list

10. Kikuletwa Hotsprings. The Kikuletwa Hotsprings is one of the hidden gems in Tanzania. This is located between Arusha and Moshi in the Northern part of the country. The Kikuletwa Hotsprings are a beautiful oasis surrounded by the jungle just waiting for you to swim and enjoy them either before or after climbing the Great Mountain Kilimanjaro because they're on the same route

Well, that's Tanzania and its Top Attractions or best places to check out in the country. You can let us know down in the comments which among these 10 attractions you want to check out first on your trip to Tanzania. You can also check out the video that clearly shows these top attractions in Tanzania.

GUINEA: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know

GUINEA: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know

Photo Credit: www.cffacape.org

Guinea is a country found in West Africa and it's bordered by six countries which include; Guinea Bissau-North West, Senegal-North, Mali-North East, Ivory Coast-East, Sierra Leone-South West and Liberia-South. The country has a population of 13 million people and its capital is Conakry.

Guinea has very many interesting facts but in this write up, we share the 10 Interesting Facts that you probably Didn't know about this West African nation

1. No Fixed Telephone Lines. Guinea is one of the only four countries in the world that do not have fixed telephone lines. In case you're wondering which the other three countries are; we have Guinea Bissau, South Sudan and DR. Congo. To bring you back to Guinea, I must say it's one of those countries that jumped a level or Generation of technology and today they're all wireless. The communication networks today are all wireless in nature so incase you're lets say trying to make a phone call to another person, this can only and only be done using the wireless system

2. Trusts Traditional Medicine. In Guinea when someone falls sick/ill, it is said that 80% of the population of the country seeks remedy from the traditional healers. Very surprising, right?. Because as it is with many other African countries, the people from the oter countries always seek medical attention from trusted health facilities

3. Agricultural Country. Guinea is considered one of those agricultural countries and it is said that 75% of the working class in the country or population in the country is employed in the agricultural sector. Agriculture is one of the main sources of livelihood in the country and also agricultural products are one of the major contributors to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

4. Rice is the Staple Food. In Guinea, Rice is the staple food of the country. As you move from one region of the country to another, you might notice various cuisines that are prepared by the different communities in the country by rice still remains a staple for many in the country. So if you're planning a visit to Guinea, you should probably prepare yourself for some good Jollof rice.

5. Second Largest Bauxite Producer. Guinea is the World's second largest Bauxite producing nation. Although considered on of the poorest nations on paper, Guinea is the second largest Bauxite producing nation in the world. This is the rock whose ore is used in aluminium production and also the making of aluminium products. Bauxite to date still remains the largest export of the country

6. Known By The Capital. Guinea is the only country that is called by its national capital. Am sure you've always heard the name Guinea-Conakry. Well the reason the country is called this way it's simply because there are other countries that go by the name GUINEA like Papua Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau so as a way to distinguish Guinea from the other countries, The country is usually referred to as Guinea Conakry which Conakry is the capital of the country

7. Highest Female Genital Mutilation. Guinea has the world's highest number of Female Genital Mutilation. As we talk today, 98% of women and girls in Guinea go through Female genital mutilation. This is majorly because of cultural beliefs where they think doing this will enhance a girl's or woman's performance in her marriage

8. West African Source. The other fact that we felt you should know about Guinea is the fact that it's the source of the 3 major rivers in West Africa and these rivers include; River Gambia, The Niger river and River Senegal. All these rivers stretch going through various countries in West Africa which makes Guinea one of those very important countries in West Africa

9. African Acrobatic Center. Guinea is also referred to as the African Center for Acrobatics. The Center d'Art Acrobatique (Read in French) which is found in Conakry is very popular for producing some of the best acrobats in Africa and the entire world. These acrobats travel around the world performing in many countries and for many people that want to learn acrobatic skills, this is the country where they always go to.

10. Islamic Dominated. Guinea is predominantly a Muslim country. It is said that 85% of the population follows the Islamic faith and only 15% of the population is comprised of other religions such as Christianity and Traditional believers.

Well, that's Guinea and the 10 Interesting facts about the country. You can let us know down in the comments which amongst these 10 facts stood out for you and also watch the video format of this blog

THE GAMBIA: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know

THE GAMBIA: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know

The Gambia also known as the 'Smiling Coast of Africa' is a country in West Africa. It has a population of close to 2 million people and its capital is Banjul.

10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know

The Gambia is located on the African West coast and it's bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic ocean. The Gambia is a very small country. It's incredibly narrow measuring less than 30 miles wide at its widest. So you can imagine. It's a very small country. But although small, the country is densely populated with approximately 2 million people as of 2020.

Agriculture is Gambia's main source of income. The Gambian economy heavily relies on tourism but the sond-biggest cash crop are the Groundnuts/peanuts. It is said that 80% of the population in the Gambia is employed in the agricultural sector. So the Gambian population heavily relies on Agriculture. Many of them engage in various ways of farming but most predominantly the Subsistence type of farming 

Home to Nine different Tribes. The largest of these tribes is the Mandinka along with the Fula nd the Wollof. All these tribes in the Gmbia live harmoneously together and they live a very happy life. But if you're someone who would like to go live in the Gambia, English is the official language spoken in The Gambia and it's widely used all over the country. 

Home to 600 Bird Species. The Gambia is also known for the many bird species within the country. It is said that there over 600 bird species within The Gambia. Many of these birds can befound in the forests, on the river banks and also the sea shores.So, if you're a bird watcher, this is one of those things to lookout for when you head to the Gambia.

Predominantly a Muslim country. Although there are other religions like Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Muslims-90%, Christians-9% and Indiginous beliefs-1% of the Gambians. All these communities live together and harmoneously with no friction whatsoever amongst these religions so all these people embrace each other the best way they can. 

Election using Marbles. During Gambian elections, voting is done using marbles. It's said that in one's private booth during elections, the voter is presented with holes in the ground marked with each candidate. They simply drop their marble into the hole they choose. So that's the way they select a candidate of their choice.

Once a center of West African slave trade. The Kunta Kinteh Island formally known as the James Island was once a waypoint of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Today it's one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in the Gambia. If you're making a visit to the Gambia, This is one of the places that you must look out for. One of the Great grand fathers of The Gambia is said to have been born on this island and the museum of slavery is found in this very place. The museum connects the past to the present by educating visitors about the history of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade that happened in the West African region. 

The Gambia only has 50 miles of the Coastline. On this coastline, you'll find some of the best beaches that this world has to offer. It is these beautiful beaches and all year round sunshine that makes very many tourists travel to the Gambia for holiday making. If you're planning your next holiday, this is one of the places that you should visit on the African continent. 

Sacred Crocodile Pool in Bakau. The Kachikali crocodile pool is known to be home to around 100 crocodiles of varying shades and sizes. These are very well looked after so they pose no danger whatsoever to any tourist that come around on a daily basis. When you visit this crocodile pool, you should also check out the museum that basically describes how this area became a very sanctified place in the Gambian culture because they believe that the water in this place has some healing powers. This is one of those places that you shouldlook out for when you get to The Gambia. 

Those are the Top 10 Interesting facts about The Gambia. You can let us know in the comments section what really stood out for you. You can watch a whole video we made about these facts highlighted in blue

Learn the Swakihi language by enrolling for this Easy to learn Speak Swahili For Beginners Course. At the end of the course, you'll be able to start a conversation in the Swahili language.

EGYPT: Why You Should Visit [Top 10 Attractions]

EGYPT: Why You Should Visit [Top 10 Attractions]

When most people hear about Egypt, all that comes to their mind are the pyramids and Pharaohs. But Egypt is more than just these. Egypt is a country located in the Northern part of the African continent and it is one of the most visited countries on the African continent. The country has a population of 105 million people and its capital is Cairo. It's definitely one of those to look out for and in this blog, we share the 10 Unmissable attractions that you should check out on your visit to Egypt.

Alexandria. This is one of the biggest cities in Egypt and it was founded by Alexander The Great. It is the home of Cleopatra (From the Bible) and it's also referred to as the Renegade city of the Mediterranean. Here you'll see the city's long-seafront Corniche road that leads to the fort that had the ancient Lighthouse of the city. Alexandria is definitely one of the best summer destinations for many

Cairo Egyptian Museum. The Cairo Egyptian Museum I must say is one of the world's greatest museums with great history of collections. It is located in downtown Cairo and this is where you'll find the Royal Mummies. At the museum, you'll also be able to check out other exhibits in the museum to help you connect the Egyptian past to the present

Pyramids of Giza. The Pyramids of Giza are the last surviving of the Seven wonders of the ancient world. These are one of the world's most recognizable landmarks and they contain tombs of the Pharaohs. Among these pyramids we have the Khufu, then you'll also visit the Menkaure and the Khafre tombs. For most of the visitors to Egypt, this is the first site they check out when they land in Egypt. These pyramids are located in the South-western suburbs of Cairo and they will definitely enable you connect to the Egyptian history

Cruising on the Nile river. Cruising on the Nile river is definitely one of those other things that you could do in Egypt. Now let's bring some context to this; The Nile river is Egypt's main source of water and I must say, without the Nile, there would be no Egypt. This is the longest river in the world and it stretches for 6693km starting from East Africa and it pours its water into the Mediterranean sea. Taking a cruise on the Nile will enable you to relax as you see the temples that sit on the banks of the river between Luxor and Aswan. Plus you'll also be able to see some of the most beautiful sand dunes in Egypt

Saqqara. Now it's very common that when you talk about Egyptian pyramids, everyone's mind runs direct to the Pyramids of Giza but the Saqqara pyramids which are just about One hour from the capital Cairo are one of the oldest pyramids in the world. These pyramids were utilized by each and every Pharaoh of Egypt. Saqqara, which are also referred to as the Old Kingdom Step Pyramids are definitely one of those to check out for on your visit to Egypt

Exploring Islamic Cairo. Here is where you'll find monuments that date back to the 10th Century of the Fatimid era. It is in this district where you'll find Mosques and Madrassas (Islamic schools). So if you would like to learn more about the Islamic culture, then definitely this is the place to check out for in Egypt. The other beauty about this place is that the culture has been preserved in a way that you can still coppersmiths in their tiny workshops and also the stalls that they run. At these stalls you'll be able to buy yourself some ceramic souvenirs, textile, spices and also perfume from the land of perfumes because Egypt contributes 90% of the world's perfumes

Aswan. This is Egypt's most tranquil town and it is a great place to stop and spend some days as you enjoy the chilled-out atmosphere in this town. While here, you could also visit the Nubian villages, you could also ride a Camel to the desert monastery of St. Simeon on the East Bank. Did I also tell you that there are also Riverboat restaurants in the town?, this will definitely give you a great experience on your visit to Aswan and Egypt at large

Abu Simbel remains as one of Egypt's Top attractions receiving tens of thousands of visitors annually. This archeological site comprises of two massive Rock-cut temples in the South of the country. These twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the rule of Pharaoh Ramesses in the 13th Century. The Abu Simbel monument depicts Pharaoh Ramesses and his Queen Nefertari.

The Valley of Kings. This is Egypt's most evocative site and it was only discovered in the 1920s. On discovery, the site had many treasures and riches such as Gold, and many other precious artifacts that were owned by the ancient people. Although these were all robbed and taken away. These tombs also known as the Valley of Kings were originally constructed for Kings and the Noble people of Egypt in the 11th Century. At these Royal tombs you'll be able to check out some of the great ancient artwork that clearly depicts scenes from Egyptian myths and also it depicts the rituals and beliefs of that ancient time. This is definitely one of those places we highly recommend you to visit on your trip to Egypt.

The Cairo Opera House. Now if you want to visually connect with Egyptian culture, then the Cairo Opera House is your best bet on this. This Opera House was originally built in 1870 and it houses a total of 7 theatres, an Art gallery, a Music library and a Museum. While here, you'll be able to watch some of the plays and dances that clearly depict Egyptian culture.

Well, that's Eqypt and its Great Attractions. You can let us know down in the comments which amongst these attractions you would like to visit first on your trip to Egypt. You can watch the video here