All that can be said cannot be seen. All that can be seen must never be said. About the book… In Within Carved Lines: Secret Meanings of African Masks, Michael Ukwuma invites readers on an extraordinary journey into the heart of African artistry and spirituality. This captivating book transcends the mere appreciation of African masks...

Introduction: The Golden Age Shattered   Before the white man came, Africa was a tapestry of splendor—a continent where kings ruled with wisdom, where empires stretched across savannahs and forests, and where the rhythms of life pulsed through intricate trade routes and thriving cities. From the gold-laden courts of Ashanti to the scholarly halls of...

Imagine waking up one morning, blinking into the dim light of a world that feels faintly off—like you’re a character in a video game coded by someone who didn’t bother to ask your name. Your avatar’s tag floats above your head in glitchy, neon letters: “African.” It’s not a badge of honor; it’s a branding...

Let’s talk about jollof rice. Yes, that steaming, spicy, tomato-drenched dish that has Nigerians and Ghanaians ready to throw hands, with Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Gambia tossing in their own ladles to stir the pot. Across social media, in kitchens, at parties, Africans will argue until their throats are hoarse about whose jollof reigns supreme...

Traditional African masks are far more than mere objects of beauty—they are sacred vessels of culture, spirituality, and communal identity. Across West, Central, and Southern Africa, these masks have long been integral to ceremonies like harvest celebrations, funerals, and rites of passage, acting as conduits between the physical and spiritual realms. Crafted from materials like...

African scarification traditions, an ancient practice deeply embedded in African history and culture, is far more than a mere physical alteration of the skin. It is a sacred art form, a rite of passage, and a powerful symbol of identity, beauty, and spirituality. Across the continent, various African communities have used scarification for centuries to...