Yoruba palace gardens

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know “mud” buildings can be majestic. But more needs to be said about the royal architecture in precolonial Africa. Enter “Yoruba Palace Gardens” by J. B. Falade published in Garden History (Vol. 18, No. 1). I must have read this journal years ago and I suspect…

Who were the women slaves of the Hausa city states?

‘Who was…?’ a series that explores the African women who pop up in history yet remain mysterious. I think it was from the ladies of Old Oyo post that I started remarking on the powerful women in West African history. It should come as no surprise that in the Hausa city-states, women also occupied positions…

Know your (historical) food

For me, a good book must mention food. But a good number of the food say Nigerians, eat today should not be featuring in historical fiction set in the 13th century. No to cassava or peanuts but yes to watermelon (did you know watermelon is indigenous to the continent?) and African rice. The “Lost crops…