11 interesting things you should know about Africa

Anyone who lives in the US, the UK, Canada, and other advanced nations would attest to how living standards fall on a continuum. Where you live, what you own, and daily routines could depend on what you earn and how many work shifts you’re up for.

As developing countries edge closer towards economic advancement, a rather institutionalised society where everything is on the fast lane emerges, leaving public figures and tourists often seeking serenity in cities and destinations relatively far away from all the hustle and bustle.

Among many other reasons, countries in Africa have become a popular destination for people of widely varying climes and nationalities such that Africa Day was celebrated on May 25, alongside a benefit concert that streamed on YouTube and across a slew of television channels in Africa.

This offered many an opportunity to experience the music of the continent while raising funds to support the food and health needs for children and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But beyond music, here are other attributes that set Africa aside as the go-to destination anytime.

• Travel destinations

Okay, first there’s the history-evoking resorts, beaches, mountains, bewildering landscapes, and other tourist sites. When these are considered, Africa is still one of the best travel destinations in the world. The continent welcomes visitors to its water bodies, wondrous vistas, and rich history.

From the National Museums of Kenya to the Arab Republic of Egypt, considered to be the cradle of civilization, the continent undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression. Other popular tourist locations include São Tomé e Principe, Seychelles, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Reunion Island, and Morocco.

• Language

Over 25 percent of the world’s languages are spoken only in Africa, which is home to an estimated 2000 languages. With a population of over one billion people, Africa has the highest linguistic diversity in the world.

Nigeria alone is known to have over 250 languages. Arabic is the most widespread official language, other widely spoken languages are Berber, Igbo, Swahili, Hausa, Zulu, Portuguese, Amharic, and Yoruba.

• Heritage sites

But have you heard of the ‘smoke that thunders’, ‘iSimangaliso- a place of miracle and wonder’, ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, or ‘Kilimanjaro?’ These are just a few of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Africa.

Africa has 89 cultural world heritage sites, places that represent the combined works of nature and of man that readily call to mind the continent’s diversity. Some other sites to check out are the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, and Osun Osogbo Grove in Nigeria.

• Mineral resources

Around 30 percent of the earth’s remaining mineral resources are in Africa. These include uranium, platinum, diamonds, cobalt, gold, oil, and gas reserves. Nigeria is the fifth-largest oil exporter ahead of Iraq and Kuwait.

Nickel and uranium can be found in Burundi, titanium in the Gambia, and diamonds in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s interesting to note that a great deal of the gold mined came from a single place, the Witwatersrand, in South Africa.

• Early African art

Art has been synonymous with Africans. The earliest form of African art is rock art. The oldest rock art images, scientifically dated from 27,000 years ago, are in Namibia. The petroglyphs, rock carvings that depict animals like giraffes that no longer exist in the area, are preserved in the Saharan sands in Niger and date back to 6500BC.

The earliest known sculptures are the remarkable terracotta pottery heads from the Nok culture of Nigeria and are dated around 500 BC through to 200 AD. Metal sculptures, wood carvings, and textiles also make up some of the early African art.

• Young population

Africa has been home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations and now, it is the home to a very young growing population. The African population is much younger than the rest of the world with over 50% of Africans under the age of 20.

This has enabled the continent to record growth in industries that fit this young demography such as fintech, entertainment, transportation, technology, real estate, fashion, and food processing.

• Fashion

African fashion has come a long way to where it is now: bold, diverse, and original. Notable celebrities like Beyoncé, Jidenna, Chimamanda Ngozi, and Erykah Badu have worn African prints as fashion choices.

African fashion designers like Nigeria’s Deola Sagoe or South African’s Sindiso Khumalo have been able to build recognizable brands not just in Africa but across the world.

• African heroes

Africa also has a long list of heroes. These are notable personalities that have been identified for their admirable courage, nobility, or exploits.

Some of these are Nelson Mandela, Chinua Achebe, Desmond Tutu, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Paul Kagame, Wangari Maathai. In fact, Africa has a wealth of heroes who are celebrated worldwide.

• Food

Africa presents diverse culinary options. Preparing iconic dishes from Africa needs a unique set of skills and preparation techniques. From jollof rice from Nigeria, Piri Piri chicken from Mozambique, Waakye from Ghana, Cachupa from Cape Verde, Yassa from Senegal to Superkanja from Gambia, African cuisine leaves a lasting impression on your palette.

In Nigeria, to really enjoy your meals, you must explore the art of eating with your fingers. This is the norm in most African countries.

• Architectural wonders

The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt date back to 2500BC. Pyramids in Sudan were originally built by the Kush under the ruling of Nubian Kings in the 4th century BC. Africa is known for its architectural wonders. The Corinthia Hotel Khartoum in Sudan, Aksum’s Giant Stelae in Ethiopia, the Reunification Monument in Cameroon, the Walls of Great Zimbabwe, Alice Lane Towers in South Africa and the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali, all showcase Africa’s ingenious creativity.

• Tribal ceremonies

African tribal ceremonies pay homage to the rituals that mark important occasions in tribal life. The Maasai people of Kenya and Northern Tanzania view spitting as a form of blessing and a sign of respect.

The Mursi tribe of Ethiopia is one of the last tribes in Africa where it’s the norm for women to wear large pottery or wooden plates in their lower lips and the courtship dance for young men of the Wodaabe tribe in Niger is an annual ritual competition where the winner is then eligible for marriage.

Africa is arguably considered the cradle of the world’s civilization. Its rich culture is visible in its languages, food, tourist attractions and most especially, its people. The second-largest continent in the world is distinctively unique and offers an unparalleled experience for those willing to visit or know more about its heritage.