Culture
African music craze sweeps YouTube as artists rack up millions of views
African music is witnessing explosive growth on YouTube, in a marked departure from the past, where tunes from the continent struggled to gain a foothold in the global scene. Seth Onyango, bird story agency More African hits are reverberating far beyond the...
Is Dakar set to become the cultural and creative capital of Africa?
Flush with success from investing in sports and the arts, Senegal's cultural capital seems to know no bounds. Dakar now boasts an array of fashion, culture and heritage platforms that are drawing global interest. by bird story agency On December 6th 2022, Chanel, one...
The Kabareh Cheikhats: Challenging Gender Stereotypes In Morocco
A performance in Morocco sees actors dressed as women to honour Cheikhat women, preserve traditional culture and challenge gender stereotypes. By Imad Saoudi for bird story agency. Dressed in colourful caftans and sporting wigs, bold make-up and glittering jewellery,...
Meet Carole Lubelo, A Young Liswati Fashion Designer On The Rise
The award-winning designer is inching her way to global recognition with her unparalleled innovative designs that take inspiration from the Swati people. by Nokukhanya Musi, bird story agency In 2015, Carole Mngometulu took a bold, risky step. With no formal training,...
Youth-run Glytime Foods Is Promoting Healthy Eating Across Africa
A youth-run family business in Harare is trailblazing the healthy food industry in Africa by providing nutritious options while sourcing from local farmers to increase food security and promote healthy eating. By Kuda Chideme, Bird Story Agency In 2017, Lesley...
Checkout Franco Ndiba, The Artist Making Waves In The Contemporary Art Scene.
From fishmonger to internationally acclaimed artist, the story of Franco Ndiba A chance encounter at the fish store where he worked led Franco Ndiba to drop his fillet knife for a paintbrush. Today, the artist is making international waves in the contemporary art...
Ganga Zumbi: African Man Who Created His Own Kingdom in Present Day Brazil
Nganga Nzumbi also know as Ganga Zumbi, is known by many as the African Spartacus. Was born in Kongo in 163O, enslaved and shipped to Brazil to work as a plantation slave. Managed to escape, raised an army of eslaved Africans and founded his own kingdom of Palmares,...
Nearly 800 Years Later, the Fires of the Benin Bronze Casters still blaze
For bronze caster, Alex Agbonmwenre, the return of the Benin Bronzes is about far more than the return of looted artefacts. It is also a reminder that the craft, which found a patron in Benin 800 years ago, has continued through an unbroken lineage of master...
With HypnoRock and Africhant, An Artist Breathes New Life Into the Makhoyane
There are very few musicians alive today who know how to play the makhoyane, the traditional instrument of the Swati. Most are elderly. Enter Thobile Magagula who is bringing the instrument back to life with Hypno-rock and Africhant. by Nokukhaya Musi, bird story...
Africa’s Agritech Startup Boom
Africa’s tech startups are providing fertile grounds for Agrifoodtech investors as funding for the sector increases ten-fold in five years. By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Venture capital in Africa is being boosted by investments in companies connecting farmers...
Malawi-born, Samson Kambalu artist takes fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, London
The fourth plinth of London’s Trafalgar Square has welcomed its first African figure as anti-colonial fighter John Chilembwe is tapped for pride of place on London's Trafalgar Square alongside three permanent “residents”. The four sculpture plinths built in London's...
Checkout Olasunkanmi Akomolehin, a Nigerian-born visual Artist
Olasunkanmi Akomolehin is a Nigerian-born visual. He grew up learning how to translate emotions and thoughts into what is visible including the inner pictures of the soul. He garnered knowledge and individual mentoring from colleagues, and the elderly, this has aided...