Photo by The Cleveland Museum of Art on Unsplash I was warned about exposing the secrets of African masks to foreigners, but I did not listen. Actually, I wrote a book about it. The book is titled Within Carved Lines. And now you’d think that I’ll have regrets, but unfortunately, I dont. Here’s why… Growing…
Some modern African women will not accept a marriage proposal if it is not accompanied by the sonorous music of the saxophone, cake, wine, a bouquet of money or whatever is trendy these days, a diamond ring, friends and onlookers chanting, “say yes! Say yes!! Say YESSS! And of course, a proper man on his…
You are not African, but for some reason, you own African masks. And the big question is: why? People often reach out to me with stories like this. Someone who isn’t African receives a mask as a gift, keeps it, and turns it into decoration. I recently heard from someone named Justin who was given…
Africa, a continent of unparalleled cultural richness and diversity, has gifted the world with an extraordinary legacy of artistic expression. Among its most iconic and profound creations are traditional African masks—sacred objects that transcend mere aesthetics to embody spirituality, history, and identity. For centuries, these masks have played pivotal roles in rituals, ceremonies, and storytelling,…
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…
Did Africa have Female Kings? History brims with tales of extraordinary female kings of Africa, women who shattered gender barriers to reign as kings—not just queens—commanding armies, forging empires, and leaving legacies that challenge Western assumptions about patriarchy in pre-colonial societies. These visionary leaders, from the Hausa city-states of Nigeria to the kingdoms of Angola,…
Most people feel they are born for something great! Do you ever feel that way? I bet you do. I have that same feeling all the time. This feeling urges us to give, share and in some way; make the world better. In the midst of all these desires is helplessness especially when we aren’t…