The African ExperiencexStories

Aicha Zakari
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~We are connecting Africans to each other and the WORLD.~ This podcast is about the African continent's cultures,folktales, stories, experience and latest tidbits all in one show! You'll get to know more about the spectacular continent through me, and many more~~

Episodes

  1. 12/21/2025

    The Nutcracker, The Emperor, and The General: An Obscure Web

    What does a Christmas ballet about dancing sweets have to do with the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte? And what does either of them have to do with the forgotten story of the son of an enslaved African woman who became the highest ranking general of African descent in European history? Find out in this episode! sources: https://archive.org/details/cu31924088381086 https://blackpast.org/global-african-history/alexandre-dumas-1824-1895/ https://www.google.com/search?q=books+and+plays+written+by+alexandre+dumas&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#wgvs=e file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/77/07/173370C0-682C-4459-BBE5-EF4A5204FCF6/the-black-count-glory-revolution-betrayal-and-the-real-count-of-monte-cristo.pdf

    26 min

  2. 08/31/2025

    Update: What's coming next

    New episodes and conversations to expect.

    16 min
  3. Accounts on Medieval Africa: Analyzing the Writings of Ibn Battuta, Leo Africanus, and Al Bakri - PART ONE

    11/24/2024

    Accounts on Medieval Africa: Analyzing the Writings of Ibn Battuta, Leo Africanus, and Al Bakri - PART ONE

    Clarification for listeners : In this episode, I use the terms “king,” “ruler,” and “emperor” interchangeably, but this isn’t entirely accurate when discussing the empire of Mali. The correct term is “emperor” or “Mansa”, because it reflects the scale and complexity of the empire’s governance and influence at the time. I apologize if this caused any confusion—it’s important to understand the distinction to fully grasp the historical context. Regarding the deceased Moroccan ruler mentioned, he was a sultan, which is the specific term used for rulers in Islamic polities like Morocco during Ibn Battuta’s time. While the term “sultan” can loosely translate to “king” in English, he was not considered an emperor. In this episode, I explore the writings of Ibn Battuta, focusing on his accounts of medieval Africa. Through detailed research and analysis, I examine what his observations reveal about the societies he encountered and the biases in his perspective. I also share my own interpretations and how his descriptions shaped historical narratives about the continent. This is part one of a deeper look into medieval African histor Relevant links :  https://resources.saylor.org/wwwresources/archived/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ibn-Battuta-Travels-in-Asia-and-Africa-1325-1354.pdf Manden Charter (Kurukan Fuga), an oral declaration of rights and law developed in the thirteenth century.1 “Manden” refers to the region between modern Guinea and Mali, in the northern Niger River basin, and was then part of the Mandingo Empire which was constituted by various Malinke clans and peoples. Article 16: Women, apart from their everyday occupations, should be associated with all our managements. https://human.libretexts.org/Courses/The_Westminster_Schools/The_Manden_Charter

    38 min

  4. 09/05/2024

    Betrayal: A Zarma Folktale

    In this episode, I explore the themes of trust, loyalty, and betrayal through a classic African Zarma folktale, from the book -Zarma Folktales of Niger, translated by Amanda Cushman. This is a story I loved as a child, but only now in my early 20s have I come to understand its deeper meaning. Through the interactions between a hunter, an alligator, and a cunning hare, we reflect on how loyalty and betrayal often intertwine in complex ways. I’ll also share my personal analysis and takeaways. Lastly, I invite you to consider the question posed at the end of the tale: Who truly betrayed whom? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments.

    10 min
  5. Ubuntu unveiled: Exploring criticisms, and insights into African communal Philosophy

    04/30/2024

    Ubuntu unveiled: Exploring criticisms, and insights into African communal Philosophy

    Whether you're a seasoned scholar or a curious listener, in this thought-provoking episode of The African Experience Stories Podcast, building upon our previous exploration, we confront criticisms head-on while unraveling the complexities and enduring relevance of Ubuntu ethics in today's dynamic world. From questioning the practicality of applying Ubuntu principles in modern societies to examining its compatibility with universal ethical frameworks, we engage in a nuanced discussion that challenges conventional wisdom. Through insightful commentary and scholarly perspectives from distinguished philosophers, we navigate through the intricacies of Ubuntu's cultural context and its implications for collective well-being. Explore the counterpoints to criticisms, uncovering the adaptability and resilience of Ubuntu ethics in addressing contemporary challenges such as social inequality, environmental sustainability, and interpersonal conflicts. Sources and additional resources: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02500167.2014.992176 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/74246714.pdf https://www.unav.edu/web/global-affairs/detalle/-/blogs/the-ethics-of-ubuntu-as-a-basis-for-african-institutions-the-case-of-gacaca-courts-in-rwanda https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226492645_African_Ubuntu_Philosophy_and_Global_Management Follow me on instagram @sunny_aimey for podcast updates!

    19 min
  6. ISLAM'S HISTORICAL JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA: TRADE, EMPIRES, AND SOCIAL/CULTURAL IMPACTS

    03/15/2024

    ISLAM'S HISTORICAL JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA: TRADE, EMPIRES, AND SOCIAL/CULTURAL IMPACTS

    Explore the rich history of Islam's journey across the African continent with me. Uncover seldom told stories of trade, empires, and cultural connections, as well as the social and cultural impacts. Together, we shall dive into the dynamic impact of Islam on the continent's diverse civilizations. 📜🔍 REFERENCE/SOURCE LINKS: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1382/the-spread-of-islam-in-ancient-africa/ https://www.whyislam.org/is-my-culture-compatible-with-islam/ https://openstax.org/books/world-history-volume-2/pages/3-2-the-songhai-empire https://wasscehistorytextbook.com/3-islam-in-west-africa-introduction-spread-and-effects/ UNESCO General History of Africa (Vol III, 20) and (Vol III,39). https://ahmedibrahim781.medium.com/ajami-the-old-african-script-95dcade346e6 https://ahmedibrahim781.medium.com/ajami-the-old-african-script-95dcade346e6 (5.7, page 120: Bornu empire gun trade with Turkish Ottoman Empire) - https://repository.bilkent.edu.tr/server/api/core/bitstreams/dccc8709-1d64-4f6c-aaed-f2d40826e413/content#page110 Films to watch for context about the manifestation of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, and the Africans who were key figures in Islamic history as a whole: “THE MESSAGE”. “BILAL: A NEW BREED OF HERO”. PS. To be fair, the decline of Kanem and Ghana was extremely multifaceted. Numerous factors contributed to their decline. It's important to consider the multifaceted nature of historical events and the various factors that contribute to the rise and fall of empires. Islam certainly played a role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of these empires, but it was just one of many factors at play.

    34 min
  7. African Ubuntu philosophy and the art of being disliked

    02/20/2024

    African Ubuntu philosophy and the art of being disliked

    In this episode, I delve into the profound realm of African Ubuntu philosophy, exploring its essence and intricate connections to the complexities of human interactions. From the roots of Ubuntu in communal values to its relevance in contemporary society, we unravel the layers of this ancient African wisdom. As we navigate the philosophical landscape, I introduce the intriguing concept of "The Art of Being Disliked." Reflecting on this idea, we contemplate the societal implications of embracing Ubuntu philosophy—an art form challenging norms and inviting discomfort. Join me on this thought-provoking journey as we unravel the threads connecting Ubuntu to the art of embracing one's identity, fostering community bonds, and navigating the tensions that arise when choosing authenticity over societal approval. It's a unique exploration of philosophy, identity, and the intricate dance between being true to oneself and embracing the art of being disliked. sources: https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4272&context=sspapers&httpsredir=1&referer https://www.ttbook.org/interview/i-am-because-we-are-african-philosophy-ubuntu perplexity.ai - An ai assistant research tool that cites sources for every answer. Certainly, for "The Division of Labor in Society," you can refer to the original French edition "De la division du travail social" published in 1893. For English translations, a widely used version is: - Durkheim, É. (1933). "The Division of Labor in Society." Free Press. Regarding "Suicide: A Study in Sociology," the original French edition is "Le Suicide: Étude de sociologie" published in 1897. For English translations, you can consult: - Durkheim, É. (1951). "Suicide: A Study in Sociology." The Free Press. These editions are commonly available in libraries and online bookstores, providing access to Durkheim's original works in English translation.

    54 min
  8. Invisible communication

    11/15/2023

    Invisible communication

    How we communicate with ourselves and the external world can be a little tricky sometimes. This episode entails my experience with communication and how it's impacted my life up till now. Enjoy!

    23 min

  9. 05/15/2023

    Pursuing enlightenment

    Are we prioritizing what we should really be focusing on in life? Or are we just in love with the idea of prioritizing certain traditions in theory? Do we truly understand the implications of what we say we must do as a collective, regarding our beliefs? Or are we only in love with declaring what we believe? In this episode, I delve a little bit into these topics.

    28 min

  10. 03/08/2023

    International women's day special episode (March 8)

    Episode conducted with special guest Ade Damayanti, this episode is dedicated to women and girls for international women's day. We cover a variety of topics such as social media, self perception, goal setting, religion and precious advice. Enjoy!

    50 min

  11. 01/07/2023

    Young Adulting journey episode 1

    This episode entails a few things I learned and continue to learn as a young adult. I give some tips and advice on how to navigate certain spaces. This actually could apply to anyone (adult or not) and the advice is for myself to remember as well because I'm still learning haha. See you in the next episode!

    16 min

  12. 01/01/2023

    The development of Africans and what that means for our youth

    In this episode, Guest writer, speaker and author Ogunbunmi Damola hops on to the African experiencexstories podcast to delve into the topic of Africa, our development, what that could mean for us and most importantly, how we can develop ourselves internally. Enjoy!

    1h 7m
  • 12 Episodes

About

~We are connecting Africans to each other and the WORLD.~ This podcast is about the African continent's cultures,folktales, stories, experience and latest tidbits all in one show! You'll get to know more about the spectacular continent through me, and many more~~

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