African Arts Journal

Late June 2026 Stage Plays to Catch Before the Month Ends

There’s still time to enjoy live theatre this month! Here are some strong productions still running or wrapping up in the final days of June 2026: Rise ’76: The Story of June 16th (Market Theatre, Johannesburg)This powerful play honouring the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising has been extended and continues its run until early July. Co-produced by the Market Theatre and Baxter Theatre, it delivers an emotionally charged and historically significant experience....

Late June 2026 Stage Plays to Catch Before the Month Ends There’s still time to enjoy live theatre this month! Here are some strong productions still running or wrapping up in the final days of June 2026:Rise ’76: The Story of June 16th (Market Theatre, J…

The Manuscripts of Timbuktu: Challenging Outdated Narratives About African History

For centuries, the world was taught that Africa was a continent without books, universities, or intellectual traditions. Yet hidden within the dusty libraries of Timbuktu are hundreds of thousands of ancient manuscripts that tell a different story — one of scholars, astronomers, physicians, poets, and jurists who turned a desert city into one of the greatest centres of learning in the medieval world....

The Manuscripts of Timbuktu: Challenging Outdated Narratives About African History For centuries, the world was taught that Africa was a continent without books, universities, or intellectual traditions. Yet hidden within the dusty libraries of Timbuktu are hundreds of thousands …

Saturday Book Bag: The Niger River – Journey Through a River’s Life

This beautiful Saturday is an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to one of Africa’s most majestic natural wonders through a captivating new non-fiction book. The Niger River – Journey Through a River’s Life (published by Ayikwa) is a stunningly illustrated children’s book that takes young readers on an unforgettable journey along one of Africa’s greatest rivers. Starting from its source in the Guinea Highlands, the book follows the Niger as it winds through streams, wetlands, and diverse landscapes before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean through a vast delta....

Saturday Book Bag: The Niger River – Journey Through a River’s Life This beautiful Saturday is an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to one of Africa’s most majestic natural wonders through a captivating new non-fiction book. The Niger River – Journey…

The Art of Fela: Why His Music Is the Most African Sound Ever Made

We talk about Fela Kuti the activist. The rebel. The prisoner. The prophet. But we don't talk enough about Fela Kuti the artist — and that is the conversation the world needs to have. Because before there was a message, there was a sound. And that sound was one of the most sophisticated, deeply rooted, and brilliantly constructed musical achievements of the twentieth century....

The Art of Fela: Why His Music Is the Most African Sound Ever Made We talk about Fela Kuti the activist. The rebel. The prisoner. The prophet.But we don’t talk enough about Fela Kuti the artist — and that is the conversation the world needs to have.Because b…

June 2026 African Children’s Books: Fresh Titles to Read This Month

June is offering families a lovely selection of new African and African-inspired children’s books. Here are some standout releases worth picking up this month: 1. Chasing Dragonflies by Blessing Musariri (June 2026)A beautiful and imaginative story from Zimbabwean author Blessing Musariri. This picture book follows a young girl’s adventure chasing dragonflies, exploring themes of wonder, nature, and curiosity through rich African storytelling traditions....

June 2026 African Children’s Books: Fresh Titles to Read This Month June is offering families a lovely selection of new African and African-inspired children’s books. Here are some standout releases worth picking up this month: 1. Chasing Dragonflies by Blessing Mu…

Review: “Surviving Biafra” – A Powerful and Necessary Documentary on the Nigerian Civil War

Released on June 1, 2026, Surviving Biafra: Voices from the Nigerian Civil War is one of the most important documentaries to emerge from Nigeria this year. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Meji Alabi, this 75-minute BBC Africa Eye production offers a deeply human look at one of the most traumatic chapters in Nigeria’s history. Through intimate eyewitness testimonies, rare archival footage, and personal interviews — including one with Alabi’s own grandfather, a former Federal Army commando — the documentary presents multiple perspectives from both sides of the conflict....

Review: “Surviving Biafra” – A Powerful and Necessary Documentary on the Nigerian Civil War Released on June 1, 2026, Surviving Biafra: Voices from the Nigerian Civil War is one of the most important documentaries to emerge from Nigeria this year. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Meji …

Why the FIFA World Cup Needed African Music

For years, the narrative has been the same: Africa benefits from the World Cup. But the truth, as seen during the spectacular opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, is quite the opposite. The World Cup needed African music. On a night meant to showcase the best of global football, it was African artists who brought the fire, the soul, the rhythm, and the unforgettable energy that elevated the entire event....

Why the FIFA World Cup Needed African Music For years, the narrative has been the same: Africa benefits from the World Cup.But the truth, as seen during the spectacular opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, is quite the opposite.The W…

The Queen of Sheba and the Ancient Kingdom of Aksum: Africa’s Legendary Empire of Power and Faith

Few figures in history capture the imagination quite like the Queen of Sheba. Known in Ethiopian tradition as Makeda, she stands as one of Africa’s most legendary rulers — a powerful, wise, and wealthy monarch who ruled the ancient Kingdom of Aksum more than 3,000 years ago. According to Ethiopian chronicles and the Kebra Nagast (Glory of the Kings), Queen Makeda journeyed from Aksum to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon....

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