Part Two : Clothing. Cosmetics. Calendars. Coffee. Nubian merchants wearing Sudanese Jalabiya. via lastplaces Introducing the next chapter in this series on African discoveries that changed human history from my upcoming book Stolen Genius. From the clothes we wear to the time we track, the rituals we practice, and the drinks we rely on to stay awake, many of our most “everyday” habits have ancient African roots. Here are just a few examples of how African societies revoluti

via Africa Rebirth Introducing this new series on African discoveries that changed human histories. For centuries, the world has credited European laboratories and pharmaceutical companies with the foundations of modern medicine. But the truth long buried under colonial silence is that Africa has always been a continent of healing, science, and surgical innovation. Here are just a few examples of how African societies revolutionized medicine long before the West caught on. 1

Images of Jesus, Mary, angels and archangels, saints, bishops and rulers - Faras, Sudan The dominant narrative of Christianity in Africa often begins with European missionaries landing on the continent’s shores in the 19th century. But this narrative overlooks over a millennium of vibrant African Christianity that predates the Christianization of Europe. From Nubia and Egypt to Axum and Carthage, Africa was not merely a recipient of Christian doctrine, it was one of its foun

5 Most Ethnically Diverse Countries in Africa

This video highlights one of the greatest cultural losses of the 20th century. Now imagine for a moment: a civilization, older and more...

New Discoveries Are Rewriting the Origins of Early Humans Kerma (Oldest Cities in Africa), Sudan In this instagram video I talked about...

I skipped out this weekend on what would have been my first annual car-race event/full-moon party in Tanga. Apparently this 30-year old...

How you see a country depends on whether you are passing through it, speaking the language, living in it. How you see a country depends on whether or not you can leave it, if you have to.  I have always found it difficult to identify from somewhere. My mother is the only sense of home I have ever known. Wanting to experience a place wholeheartedly and, naively perhaps, contribute small efforts toward improving the lives of those around me. The lives of strangers who have beco

Women are gathered in an open yard, mounts of rice, vegetables, and aroma of sweet spices. Men gathered under a tree conversing over...

From Khartoum, to Riyadh to Washington DC, my entire life feeding off the energy of fast living, tall buildings, overcrowded buses and...

It has been exactly one month since end of training, saying goodbye to everything that has become familiar and moving into my (new) village. Waking up this morning in panic to the sound of heavy rainfall and thunder, alone in the heart of a foreign place. I lie awake, wide and alert as my mind begins to wander into universe. Thinking of everything familiar, comfortable, family and friends an ocean away.  I’ve been experiencing a reoccurring dream that I am in Tanzania, then I

Ten weeks of intensive training and 34 volunteers later, April 24th 2014, we officially swear-in. The past couple of months have challenged me in ways I never expected. It was a period of self-actualization. I have become aware of what makes me upset, what calms me up and what motivates me to keep going. I learned to laugh even during the most difficult moments, sometimes cry to remind myself there is strength in vulnerability, to open my eyes, mind and heart to new perspecti

Waking up to the sound of heavy rainfall on metal roof and morning fire, I neatly fold my mosquito net, make my full-sized bed, and brush off dead insects that crawled their way into a sleepover the night before. Sun slowly peaks through the clouds, roosters alert, and neighbors with an early start. I grab bathroom slippers, solar light and Kanga in the right hand, water bucket and Target bought shampoo, toothpaste and shower gel on the left. Every morning, I fill bucket wit

What I appreciate about Tanzanian culture is the hospitality. The ‘Karibuni’ (welcomes’), ‘Tahadhaleni’ (pleases’), and ‘Asanteni’ (thank yous’). One month in Tanzania have already passed. It feels like a lifetime (in a good way). Since arrival Peace Corps overwhelms you with information, language and technical training. After a week in a beautifully secluded compound in Dar Es Salaam, we finally get exposed to the reality of Tanzania. A six-hour bus ride to Muhaza, a distric

"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears."  — Glenn Clark As I sit at John F. Kennedy International Airport watching the ground crew load the plane outside the window with baggage and fuel. Conflicting emotions rush inside of me; in a few hours I will board a one-way flight to East Africa to start my journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania. The day is finally upon me. My bags are stuff

"Start with heart of beginnings, for it is the highest and noblest of beginnings." I sit on my living room floor for hours. Organizing and reorganizing my suitcases as I mentally prepare for my Peace Corps Journey. The past year has been nothing but immunizations and doctor visits, work, traveling, meetings, flight booking and trying to be a good friend, daughter and sister. In between all the chaos my heart have become debilitated. My grandmother once told me, the human hear

Getting ready to leave this east coast bipolar weather and make my way to the sunshine on the other side of the world insh’Allah (God-willing). Even though I have made myself comfortable traveling and living in Africa as well as visiting other parts of the world, I cannot shake the nervousness of leaving for Peace Corps service. During the beginning of my Peace Corps process, I was frustrated by the lack of information provided. I felt completely clueless about the depth and

Thirty days left, and I have been trying to muster enough motivation to mentally come to terms with my leaving for twenty seven months. This morning I book my train ticket to Philadelphia, where staging will take place. As of February, 9th 2014 I will be embarking on a journey as a Health Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania, East Africa. I have been trying to pack while simultaneously unpacking my emotions.  Friends, family and strangers often ask, "Why the Peace Corps?" I coul

Reflecting on the past year I am suddenly overwhelmed with happiness, sadness, frustrations, remorse, elation, it was not an easy journey. I have become aware of what makes me upset, what calms me up and what motivates me to keep going. I had the opportunity to travel, venturing into new cities and countries and finding hope in the eyes of children and comfort in the wisdom of strangers and my grandmother, even though she is no longer with us, her favorite scent is my favorit

It was summer before my last year in undergrad. Restless on the couch drinking ginger beer and watching the Travel Channel episode on the most scenic places on earth. Kenya Rift Valley takes top ten. I think to myself what I would do to ever visit. A year later, I stand on the lake shore at Nakuru hearing the gabble of flamingos and watching pelicans swoop low over the water. Profound words cannot fit into description. It is beyond spectacular. The wilderness, the stillness,