FOUR COMMUNES OF SENEGAL (1887-1960)

The Four Communes of Senegal in French West Africa, Gorée, Dakar, Rufisque, and Saint-Louis, were the only places during the African Colonial period, where African inhabitants were granted the same rights as French Citizens. As early as 1840, the importance of Gorée Island and Saint-Louis (located on an island of the Senegal River) as key French trading post settlements led to the establishment of a General Council in each colony. In 1848, … Continue reading FOUR COMMUNES OF SENEGAL (1887-1960)

THE HISTORY OF BELIZE

In comparison to many countries that have ancient histories spanning over thousands of years, Belize (a small country right below Mexico‘s Yucatan Peninsula) is a relatively young nation whose history spans only about 370 years. The indigenous Mayan population, however, has resided in Central America for thousands of years. Similar to the ancient cities found in Mexico, Belize’s indigenous culture had thriving societies that lived in abundance prior … Continue reading THE HISTORY OF BELIZE

KINGDOM OF OYO (CA. 1500-1837)

Oyo, a pre-colonial kingdom in present-day Nigeria, was founded in the 1300s. Established by Oranmiyan of the Yoruba people of West Africa, Oyo quickly grew to become one of the most powerful states in the Yoruba-speaking region.  From its capital city at Oyo-Ile, this weak state in the early 1500s, had by 1550 conquered two neighboring kingdoms, Borgu and Nupe, to become the most dominant political … Continue reading KINGDOM OF OYO (CA. 1500-1837)