Oriire’s April Roundup — Stories of Spirit, Symbols & Shared Heritage
Hello friends,
We’re bringing you a fresh set of stories exploring how African traditions, ideas, and beliefs continue to shape communities today. From centuries-old scripts like Nsibidi and Vai, to trickster tales that teach through humor, to the ways African spirituality and cuisine live on across the diaspora—there’s a lot to uncover.
🪶 The Falcon in Egyptian Mythology
By Ibukunoluwa Johnson
What does a falcon have to do with kingship, protection, and the gods? In ancient Egypt, everything. This article traces the divine symbolism of the falcon and its embodiment in Horus, the sky god.
📜 Nsibidi: Evidence of the Igbos' Ancestral Literacy
By Peace Nwoha
Before Western scripts arrived, symbols were already speaking in southeastern Nigeria. Nsibidi is an ancient writing system passed between communities through secret societies, body art, and carved designs.
🌍 From Africa to the World: African Flavors Across the Diaspora
By Toluwanimi Alexis
Okra in Louisiana. Jollof’s cousins in the Caribbean. Discover how African culinary traditions were preserved and reimagined across continents.
🌬️ Sacred Spirits: Tracing African Spirituality in the Diaspora
By Gbenga Salvador
Vodou, Candomblé, Santería—these aren't just religions, but living links to ancestral Africa. This article traces how African spirituality survived the Atlantic slave trade and took root in new worlds.
✒️ The History of Vai Script and Its Historical Influence on the Modern World
By Nneoma Sally
Invented in the 1800s by a man who claimed to receive it in a dream, the Vai script stands as proof of West Africa’s intellectual legacy. Discover how this indigenous writing system still shapes identity today.
🕷️ The Trickster Across Africa
By Eleojo
Anansi, Eshu, the Hare—trickster figures from different African cultures who all play by their own rules. This piece explores how mischief, intelligence, and humor serve as tools for survival and resistance.
📢 Reminder: Submit Your Articles Based on Our Monthly Themes
As of March 1st, all article submissions to Oriire must align with one of our five monthly prompts. This keeps our stories dynamic and focused, and ensures a wider range of narratives.
That’s it for this April. As always, thank you for reading, sharing, and helping us preserve and celebrate Africa’s diverse history and mythology.
Until next time,
💛 Sesi from Oriire