80 episodes

We’re here to challenge the common misconception that Africa is a country, whilst appreciating the identity of each nation. Through each episode we’ll explore key historical moments which have shaped the continent, in an easily digestible, satirical (and shady) format with your hosts Chinny and Astrid. We're on Instagram: @itsacontinentpod, Twitter @itsacontinent and our website is itsacontinent.com. Like what you hear? You can support here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent

It's a Continent W!ZARD Studios

    • History
    • 4.9 • 30 Ratings

We’re here to challenge the common misconception that Africa is a country, whilst appreciating the identity of each nation. Through each episode we’ll explore key historical moments which have shaped the continent, in an easily digestible, satirical (and shady) format with your hosts Chinny and Astrid. We're on Instagram: @itsacontinentpod, Twitter @itsacontinent and our website is itsacontinent.com. Like what you hear? You can support here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent

    Burkina Faso's Icon (birthday rerun)

    Burkina Faso's Icon (birthday rerun)

    Happy 4th birthday It's a Continent! We're throwing it back to our second ever episode.
    Thomas Sankara was the president of Burkina Faso from 1983-1987. He remains an inspiration to young Africans and those committed to a pan-Africanist future. His progressive policies, when it came to women’s rights, sustainability, education, and healthcare, were innovative and ahead of his time. We’ll discuss Sankara’s legacy and what could’ve been if he was able to fully galvanise Burkina Faso and perhaps the African continent. This episode was first broadcast on March 24th 2020.

    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...
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    • 37 min
    Patrice Lumumba: Congo’s Revolutionary Martyr

    Patrice Lumumba: Congo’s Revolutionary Martyr

    Patrice Lumumba was a distinguished Pan-African politician who served as the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the country gained independence. Lumumba was well-connected in both professional and social circles; however, as he became more politically active and vocal, calling for an end to Belgium's rule and advocating for the DRC's independence, he became a target of both the Belgian and US governments.

    *Trigger warning* there is a graphic depiction of death at the 29 minute mark.

    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...
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    • 33 min
    Marcus Garvey: The Black Moses

    Marcus Garvey: The Black Moses

    Marcus Garvey was a prominent figure in Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism, whose ideology, known as Garveyism, continues to influence African pride and unity. Garvey championed the back-to-Africa movement, advocating for the empowerment of Africans and the African diaspora in the face of poverty, discrimination, and colonialism. We discuss Garvey's vision, the challenges he faced from Western authorities, and ongoing debates surrounding his legacy.

    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

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    • 27 min
    Reparations to Africa: Action not Words (rerun)

    Reparations to Africa: Action not Words (rerun)

    Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. This episode was originally aired on December 13th 2022.
    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg
    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

    Sources for further reading:
    Reparations to Africa - Rhoda Howard-Hassmann
    Colonial Genocide and Reparations Claims in the 21st Century: The Socio-Legal Context of Claims under International Law by the Herero against Germany for Genocide in Namibia, 1904–1908, Jeremy Sarkin
    How Europe Underdeveloped Africa - Walter Rodney

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    • 59 min
    Unravelling the Black Tax

    Unravelling the Black Tax

    In this episode, we explore the term Black Tax, originating in South Africa, to describe the financial support provided by black individuals to their families. Examining its roots, we navigate its historical context, cultural and emotional burdens, and its ties to imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid. 
    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg
    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...
    Sources:
    Annalena Oppel (2023) Black Tax and coloniality – re-interpretation, emancipation, and alienation, Social Identities, 29:1, 44-61, DOI: 10.1080/13504630.2023.2188183
    Arinao Mangoma & Anthony Wilson-Prangley (2019) Black Tax: Understanding the financial transfers of the emerging black middle class, Development Southern Africa,36:4, 443-460, DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2018.1516545
    Black Tax: Burden or Ubuntu? by Niq Mhlongo
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    • 24 min
    Repatriating African Artefacts

    Repatriating African Artefacts

    90-95% of Africa’s cultural heritage is held overseas, with Benin Bronzes languishing in museum basements all over the world for around 125 years. the British Museum containing over 73,000 items from the continent alone. Asante Royal artefacts sit at the V&A, Met Museum and Royal Family. Germany possesses the skulls of Tanzanian chiefs, upsetting the local community and natural order. We discuss how these items were taken forcefully by colonial agency, and how African countries are calling for the return of their treasures.
    Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

    Sources:
    The story of Nigeria's stolen Benin Bronzes, and the London museum returning them
    Stealing Africa: How Britain looted the continent’s art
    Germany DNA study links colonial skulls to living relatives
    Tanzanians demand return of ancestral skulls
    The Tanzanians searching for their grandfathers' skulls in Germany
    We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent
    Visit our website: itsacontinent.com
    Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com
    Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

    Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...
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    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

mary ann with no e ,

Long overdue

I am a white Boomer and I’m embarrassed that I know so little about most African countries. I’ve been through the first season and have learned so much. Looking forward to the other seasons. Thank you ladies.

consciousdave ,

Great show on an underrated topic

Unfortunately, I don’t come across many history podcasts that cover Africa, so I always cherish the ones I do find and this is one of them. The hosts are very amicable and passionate about covering these stories. They’re usually well researched and knowledgeable as well and since they’re from some of the countries/cultured covered, they often bring in inside knowledge or help break things down even easier to understand

Bart Ranger ,

Great Job on CFA Francs

Your recent episode on French influence on the monetary system of its former colonies in west and central Africa is very poignant. These countries still remain vassals of France after all these decades of “independence”. In west Africa they tried to introduce a new currency - the ECO - to integrate the economies of member states of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, but it was scuttled on the eve of its implementation due to pressure from France

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