James Hall
@hallaboutafrica.bsky.social
Writer, historian, broadcaster who likes to share his discoveries about his home continent Africa.
Africa History Today. 1949: The Palm Line is established, and its fleet proves vital to West African economies and exports. To navigate Nigeria’s narrow waterways and sandbars of the West African coastline – 8,000 km from Morocco to Angola – ships are built narrow and flat.
February 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Africa History Today. 1949: The Palm Line is established, and its fleet proves vital to West African economies and exports. To navigate Nigeria’s narrow waterways and sandbars of the West African coastline – 8,000 km from Morocco to Angola – ships are built narrow and flat.
Today is World Almond Day, and Morocco is Africa's leading producer of the nutritious, slightly sweet, crunchy nut: 225 tons grown in 2024, up impressively from 143 tons in 2023. This week is Morocco's annual Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute, when the trees bloom as pink as cherry trees.
February 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Today is World Almond Day, and Morocco is Africa's leading producer of the nutritious, slightly sweet, crunchy nut: 225 tons grown in 2024, up impressively from 143 tons in 2023. This week is Morocco's annual Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute, when the trees bloom as pink as cherry trees.
Saturday night over Lake Malawi. This pic aided by time exposure but if you are here the truth is the longer you look the more stars to see. Africa's areas of low light pollution should promote their star gazing wonders as a tourism draw.
February 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Saturday night over Lake Malawi. This pic aided by time exposure but if you are here the truth is the longer you look the more stars to see. Africa's areas of low light pollution should promote their star gazing wonders as a tourism draw.
Long stretch. The Southern Hemisphere's longest runway, at nearly 5km (4,900 metres or 16,100 ft), is at Upington Airport in South Africa. As its name states, Upington is "Up" (elevation 835metres or 2,740 ft ) and hot in summer, so at that height and conditions planes need more space to land.
February 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Long stretch. The Southern Hemisphere's longest runway, at nearly 5km (4,900 metres or 16,100 ft), is at Upington Airport in South Africa. As its name states, Upington is "Up" (elevation 835metres or 2,740 ft ) and hot in summer, so at that height and conditions planes need more space to land.
Africa Air Poster #8: Only purple and brown are used in the handsome graphics urging travelers to use flight to go back in time. The juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern is unified by colour. (I'll be posting about 60 posters from every African country.)
February 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Africa Air Poster #8: Only purple and brown are used in the handsome graphics urging travelers to use flight to go back in time. The juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern is unified by colour. (I'll be posting about 60 posters from every African country.)
Happy 130th birthday, the Nile cruise ship Sudan. One of the world's most luxurious ways to travel when built in 1895, it is still the prestige way to see the antiquities. It'll cost you up to US$5000 for a 3 week trip to visit Egypt's ancient sites from Luxor and Aswan to the Red Sea.
February 15, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Happy 130th birthday, the Nile cruise ship Sudan. One of the world's most luxurious ways to travel when built in 1895, it is still the prestige way to see the antiquities. It'll cost you up to US$5000 for a 3 week trip to visit Egypt's ancient sites from Luxor and Aswan to the Red Sea.
It's a Happy Valentine's Day in Europe thanks to Kenya. A record 4200 tonnes of Valentine's roses were shipped from Kenya to the EU this past week in anticipation of today's demand for romantic gifts. Kenya earned US$300million in roses exports last year; 66% of its cut flower business.
February 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It's a Happy Valentine's Day in Europe thanks to Kenya. A record 4200 tonnes of Valentine's roses were shipped from Kenya to the EU this past week in anticipation of today's demand for romantic gifts. Kenya earned US$300million in roses exports last year; 66% of its cut flower business.
Africa Air Poster #7: It's 1935, and with a few high rises Jo'burg wants the world to see it as Manhattan. But what a great metaphor for apartheid! Skyscrapers literally built on the backs of black workers residing in dark mining hostels below.
February 14, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Africa Air Poster #7: It's 1935, and with a few high rises Jo'burg wants the world to see it as Manhattan. But what a great metaphor for apartheid! Skyscrapers literally built on the backs of black workers residing in dark mining hostels below.
23 Jan 1641: One of Kingdom of Kongo’s greatest rulers Garcia II Nkanga a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba began his 20yr reign. Militarily skillful, he nearly drove Portuguese colonial forces from neighbouring Angola.
I am writing a day by day Calendar of African History. If you're a publisher contact me!
I am writing a day by day Calendar of African History. If you're a publisher contact me!
January 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
23 Jan 1641: One of Kingdom of Kongo’s greatest rulers Garcia II Nkanga a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba began his 20yr reign. Militarily skillful, he nearly drove Portuguese colonial forces from neighbouring Angola.
I am writing a day by day Calendar of African History. If you're a publisher contact me!
I am writing a day by day Calendar of African History. If you're a publisher contact me!
Today in 1951: The premier of Hollywood’s most beloved movie about Sub-Saharan Africa, The African Queen, which was filmed in Uganda and Congo - unusual for that time of studio soundstage filming. Star Humphrey Bogart's performance would win the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor of 1951.
December 26, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Today in 1951: The premier of Hollywood’s most beloved movie about Sub-Saharan Africa, The African Queen, which was filmed in Uganda and Congo - unusual for that time of studio soundstage filming. Star Humphrey Bogart's performance would win the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor of 1951.
Today in 1918: One of Africa’s oldest medicinal brands, Nigeria's Alabukun, is invented by a chemist’s apprentice, Jacob Sogboyega Odulate. The aspirin-caffeine powder is put to multiple uses in West Africa, and has achieved its success by customer word of mouth, not advertising.
December 26, 2024 at 8:58 AM
Today in 1918: One of Africa’s oldest medicinal brands, Nigeria's Alabukun, is invented by a chemist’s apprentice, Jacob Sogboyega Odulate. The aspirin-caffeine powder is put to multiple uses in West Africa, and has achieved its success by customer word of mouth, not advertising.
Today 2024 years ago, the Bible documents Three Kings, (one, King Balthazar, from the Horn of Africa), bearing gifts that include frankincense. The spice originated in what will become Somaliland, and had been cultivated there already for 4000 years.
December 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Today 2024 years ago, the Bible documents Three Kings, (one, King Balthazar, from the Horn of Africa), bearing gifts that include frankincense. The spice originated in what will become Somaliland, and had been cultivated there already for 4000 years.
Tropical Christmas. As he does every year, Santa Claus arrives at the beaches of Banjul in a donkey cart, to spread good cheer among the children of The Gambia.
December 25, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Tropical Christmas. As he does every year, Santa Claus arrives at the beaches of Banjul in a donkey cart, to spread good cheer among the children of The Gambia.
Happy 73rd Independence Day, Libya. Freed from Italian control today in 1951, the United Kingdom of Libya under influential religious leader King Idris is a federation of the traditional states of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan, and has two capitals: Tripoli and Benghazi.
December 24, 2024 at 6:05 AM
Happy 73rd Independence Day, Libya. Freed from Italian control today in 1951, the United Kingdom of Libya under influential religious leader King Idris is a federation of the traditional states of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan, and has two capitals: Tripoli and Benghazi.
Christmas creche. All over Southern Africa, Santas are arriving with bags of toys for girls and boys at creches - what nursery schools are called in the region, appropriate for the X-Mas season because it's the same word as a nativity scene representing Jesus' birth.
December 23, 2024 at 8:42 AM
Christmas creche. All over Southern Africa, Santas are arriving with bags of toys for girls and boys at creches - what nursery schools are called in the region, appropriate for the X-Mas season because it's the same word as a nativity scene representing Jesus' birth.
Why is the flag of Uganda placed over South Africa? After posting maps of Africa's Portuguese speaking and then French speaking countries, here is a map of all official languages. The importance of Arabic is often overlooked, as is the influence of the Berber language.
December 22, 2024 at 11:10 AM
Why is the flag of Uganda placed over South Africa? After posting maps of Africa's Portuguese speaking and then French speaking countries, here is a map of all official languages. The importance of Arabic is often overlooked, as is the influence of the Berber language.
Met my grandson Melokuhle at the backyard's big rock today:
Melo: Mkhulu, ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Oh, no! I remember when I asked you that last Christmas.
Melo: Ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Okay.🙄So, Melokuhle, do you like reindeer?
Melo: I prefer sunshine, darling!
Melo: Mkhulu, ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Oh, no! I remember when I asked you that last Christmas.
Melo: Ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Okay.🙄So, Melokuhle, do you like reindeer?
Melo: I prefer sunshine, darling!
December 21, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Met my grandson Melokuhle at the backyard's big rock today:
Melo: Mkhulu, ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Oh, no! I remember when I asked you that last Christmas.
Melo: Ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Okay.🙄So, Melokuhle, do you like reindeer?
Melo: I prefer sunshine, darling!
Melo: Mkhulu, ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Oh, no! I remember when I asked you that last Christmas.
Melo: Ask me if I like reindeer!
Me: Okay.🙄So, Melokuhle, do you like reindeer?
Melo: I prefer sunshine, darling!
The December solstice is today: the 1st day of summer and longest day of the year south of the Equator, when the tilted earth orbiting around the sun gets its most direct sunlight in the south, casting the northern hemisphere into its winter's shortest day. Enjoy!
December 21, 2024 at 12:29 PM
The December solstice is today: the 1st day of summer and longest day of the year south of the Equator, when the tilted earth orbiting around the sun gets its most direct sunlight in the south, casting the northern hemisphere into its winter's shortest day. Enjoy!
How again was Africa colonized? Example: Today in 1885, with the German fleet off shore aiming cannon at his palace, the Sultan of Zanzibar Island Sultan Barghash bin Said was forced to sign a “treaty of friendship” that gave Germany total control over the African mainland of what will be Tanzania.
December 20, 2024 at 12:27 PM
How again was Africa colonized? Example: Today in 1885, with the German fleet off shore aiming cannon at his palace, the Sultan of Zanzibar Island Sultan Barghash bin Said was forced to sign a “treaty of friendship” that gave Germany total control over the African mainland of what will be Tanzania.
Today in the year 613: Africa's first Muslims, fleeing persecution in Arabia, are welcomed by Najashi, king of Aksum (Ethiopia-Eritrea). Among them is Rukayyah, daughter of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. They will build the first mosque in Africa, in Massawa (located in Ethiopia today).
December 19, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Today in the year 613: Africa's first Muslims, fleeing persecution in Arabia, are welcomed by Najashi, king of Aksum (Ethiopia-Eritrea). Among them is Rukayyah, daughter of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. They will build the first mosque in Africa, in Massawa (located in Ethiopia today).
Today in 1992, the first McDonald’s restaurant, a U.S. hamburger fast-food franchise, to open in Africa, starts business in Casablanca, Morocco. The 200-seat outlet is also the first McDonald’s to open in the Arab world. One menu item is the McArabia, a hamburger wrapped in pita bread.
December 18, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Today in 1992, the first McDonald’s restaurant, a U.S. hamburger fast-food franchise, to open in Africa, starts business in Casablanca, Morocco. The 200-seat outlet is also the first McDonald’s to open in the Arab world. One menu item is the McArabia, a hamburger wrapped in pita bread.
Statistics can be misleading and must be understood in context. The IMF forecasts that South Sudan will have the world's highest GDP growth in 2025, at 27.2%. But this is growth that starts from a very low point, at one of Africa’s most impoverished countries decimated by protracted civil war.
December 18, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Statistics can be misleading and must be understood in context. The IMF forecasts that South Sudan will have the world's highest GDP growth in 2025, at 27.2%. But this is growth that starts from a very low point, at one of Africa’s most impoverished countries decimated by protracted civil war.
With the British coffee/sandwich shop Pret A Manger opening in South Africa in 2025, is there an African restaurant chain that has outlets outside Africa? Yes. For one there's South Africa's restaurant Steers, which since 2013 has opened in the UK at Lavender Hill, Battersea and London.
December 17, 2024 at 11:28 AM
With the British coffee/sandwich shop Pret A Manger opening in South Africa in 2025, is there an African restaurant chain that has outlets outside Africa? Yes. For one there's South Africa's restaurant Steers, which since 2013 has opened in the UK at Lavender Hill, Battersea and London.
Africa's most popular men's necktie is the Kente print tie (left), with design from Ghana's iconic Kente fabric. December is Necktie Month (the tie industry promoting one of the most popular Christmas gifts for men), so I thought I'd mention this.
December 17, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Africa's most popular men's necktie is the Kente print tie (left), with design from Ghana's iconic Kente fabric. December is Necktie Month (the tie industry promoting one of the most popular Christmas gifts for men), so I thought I'd mention this.
Monday morning, and Africa goes to work with skill and enthusiasm:
*Cutting leather to make purses in Ethiopia
*Celebrating successful surgery in South Africa
*Lawyering in Kenya court
*Dispensing medicines in DRC
May YOUR work this week bring you rewards and help others!
*Cutting leather to make purses in Ethiopia
*Celebrating successful surgery in South Africa
*Lawyering in Kenya court
*Dispensing medicines in DRC
May YOUR work this week bring you rewards and help others!
December 16, 2024 at 6:58 AM
Monday morning, and Africa goes to work with skill and enthusiasm:
*Cutting leather to make purses in Ethiopia
*Celebrating successful surgery in South Africa
*Lawyering in Kenya court
*Dispensing medicines in DRC
May YOUR work this week bring you rewards and help others!
*Cutting leather to make purses in Ethiopia
*Celebrating successful surgery in South Africa
*Lawyering in Kenya court
*Dispensing medicines in DRC
May YOUR work this week bring you rewards and help others!