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5 African Tribes With Unique Traditions [PHOTOS

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With an estimated three thousand tribes nestled within 54 countries occupied by over 1.4 billion people, the African continent boasts unique cultures and traditions passed down over centuries.

Owing to her custom’s impact on the diverse African culture practised by many across the continent, many of these practises and traditions have over the years gained some level of traction and acceptance, but for some, they have remained alien and inconceivable.

Bantu tribe – Malawi and Chewa Festival for the Dead

The Bantu tribe in Malawi is home to the Chewa people, a group of locals with a unique burial ceremony for their dead.

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Called the Chewa festival for the dead, this ceremony/practice calls for a purification ceremony for the dead. The process calls for the throat to be slit and water poured through until the body is clean. The water is then collected and used to prepare a meal for the community.

This practise is believed to rid the dead of their iniquities.

Banyankole tribe – Uganda; the Potency test

The Banyankole tribe in Uganda tests the potency and virility of a groom before he is permitted to get married. This tribe charges the bride’s aunt to have sex with the groom to confirm his potency. She is also required to ‘test’ the bride’s virginity. Some traditions permit the bride’s aunt to either listen in or watch the couple consummate their marriage to prove their potency.

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Aka tribe – Congo and the Breastfeeding dad.

A parenting ritual called ‘couvade’ is practised by the Aka Pygamy tribe of Congo. This practise, many have termed shocking, encourages skin-to-skin contact between dad and baby.

Dads are encouraged to cradle their newborns against their bare chests and breastfeed them. The AKA Pygamy tribe believes this will aid in fostering a deeper connection between father and child.

Wodaabe tribe – Niger Republic; Guérewol Beauty Contest

The Cure Salée festival, held at the end of the rainy season in September, is a male beauty contest and courtship ritual practised by Wodaabe men. Styled to perfection with make-up and other fashion accessories, these men compete for the affection of their women.

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An ideal contestant is a tall man with perfectly white teeth and eyeballs. To impress these women, the men make different gestures, including rolling their eyes and smiling brightly to reveal their beautiful white dentition.

The Guérewol beauty contest is also judged by young women.

Maasai tribe – Northern Tanzania and Kenya ; Maasai spitting

Spittle holds major significance in Maasai culture. Tribal members show their respect through this medium, which is also regarded as an act of blessing.

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The Maasai people believe that one’s spittle represents one’s essence, hence the ritual set up for greeting elders in the community. Young Massai men are required to first spit into the palms of the elders before offering them a handshake. This act is highly revered.
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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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