AIF 47
Escape from Système D

Escape from Système D

Its heyday as Africa’s musical epicentre may be over, but Kinshasa’s music scene is anything but dead Dripping with sweat, I put my guitar down and hurry to join our singer at the front of the stage for the dance...

Rooted in the Motherland

Rooted in the Motherland

Many in the music industry believe African music to be the source of most of the music we hear today African music is as diverse and broad as the continent itself, with thousands of musical styles ranging from North...

Fulfilling a great commission

Fulfilling a great commission

Religion is a deeply rooted aspect of Africa’s cultural life and there is nothing to suggest that this will change in the foreseeable future There is no disputing the importance of religion to African life. In 2010,...

The end of the road?

The end of the road?

Recent conflicts between pastoralists and farmers are prompting some African countries such as Nigeria to seek to curtail the Fulani’s ancient itinerant culture As a boy growing up in rural Taraba state in north-east...

Living on the edge

Living on the edge

Exploited and marginalised by the communities around them, Zimbabwe’s San fight an uphill battle for survival In May 2013, Zimbabwe’s former president, Robert Mugabe, caused controversy when he said the country’s San...

Diaspora diaries and football politics

Diaspora diaries and football politics

As with football, Africa risks losing its best and brightest to more advanced and  monied nations Football and politics have always enjoyed a fascinating relationship. During this year’s World Cup the political subtext...