🔅 The World Mourns a Musical Legend
Mediterranean Diet What? & Bringing Nigerian Myths to Toon Town
Good morning from… Can you guess where in Africa this is? (Answer at the bottom!)
The World Mourns a Musical Legend: Amadou of Amadou & Mariam Dies at 70
Mali has just said goodbye to one of its biggest musical icons, Amadou Bagayoko, half of the beloved duo Amadou & Mariam whose desert blues and “Afro-rock” riffs made them global stars. Thousands thronged the streets of Bamako on Sunday for his funeral, paying tribute alongside friends, and fellow artists like Salif Keita. Bagayoko, 70, had been ill for some time, his family revealed.
Originally brought together by circumstance – both Bagayoko and his wife, Mariam Doumbia, met at an institute for the blind in Bamako – the duo went on to conquer the world’s biggest stages, from Glastonbury to Coachella. Their breakout album, Dimanche à Bamako, was propelled by the wild rhythmic flair of Manu Chao, leading to that unstoppable, genre-bending mix of rock guitars, West African grooves, and R&B undertones. After hits, tours, and star-studded collaborations with everyone from Damon Albarn to David Gilmour, Bagayoko’s last major performance was at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games closing ceremony – quite a fitting place for a musician who spent his life proving that physical limitations can’t dim artistic brilliance.
His wife, Mariam, described his final moments, telling journalists through tears: “I’m alone and I will remain alone in life.” The singer’s body is to be laid to rest in a private family ceremony, but Amadou’s legacy – like the notes of a soaring kora or that signature guitar line – will live on, echoing from the banks of the Niger River to festival stages worldwide.
Mediterranean Diet What? Why Your Next Superfood Might Be From Africa
For years, the “Mediterranean diet” has hogged the healthy-eating limelight. But according to new research, its place at the top of the culinary chain might have competition – from Northern Tanzania, no less. That’s right: kiburu (think: plantain-bean porridge) and other East African staples could offer just as many benefits as ancient Greek olives and tomatoes.
A Nature Medicine study recruited 77 people and flipped their meal plans for two weeks. Those used to a Western diet swapped in hearty Tanzanian dishes – fiber-packed, veggie-heavy, and fermented for good measure – and walked away with lower inflammation, healthier blood markers, and stronger defenses against infections. Meanwhile, participants who traded their usual boiled cassava and millet for roast beef and chips saw a spike in inflammatory proteins that can lead to all sorts of problems, from arthritis to insulin resistance.
Most of the “new” menu items hail from the Chagga people of Mt. Kilimanjaro – who eat loads of vegetables, legumes, ancient grains, fermented goodies, and zero over-processed nonsense. One staple is kiburu, that “porridge” of boiled plantains and kidney beans. Another tip: The star grains in the region – like teff, sorghum, and millet – are full of fiber and potential. According to co-author Dr. Quirijn de Mast, these African heritage diets are “rich in diversity” and might even outstrip the usual Mediterranean standbys when it comes to health gains.
Does this mean you have to replace your beloved extra-virgin olive oil with fermented banana mash? Not necessarily. The big takeaway is that unprocessed, fiber-packed food does the body good, whether from Tuscany or Tanzania. But if you’re looking to spice up your healthy-eating routine, you might want to ditch the hummus for a bowl of steamy kiburu. Your gut bacteria will thank you.
“Iyanu” Brings Nigerian Myths to Toon Town
Ever wonder why all the world’s mythological heroes seem to come from Greek, Roman, or Norse lore? Iyanu: Child of Wonder is here to fix that. This new animated series from Nigerian-American creator Roye Okupe and Lion Forge Animation takes you to a Yoruba-inspired universe, with a teenage orphan discovering epic powers against a lush Yoruba backdrop.
What started as a graphic novel is now a Cartoon Network show (also on Max) featuring an all-Nigerian voice cast. It’s a dream come true for Okupe, who wanted a hero his daughter – and any kid – could root for, while soaking up their African heritage. The show’s big boss, Lion Forge CEO Dave Steward II, calls it historic: a full-blown African mythology taking center stage in global streaming.
This time, the ancient legends aren’t about Thor’s hammer or Zeus’s lightning bolt – it’s Yoruba culture’s turn to shine. According to voice actor Sam Kugbiyi, that “cultural specificity” is what makes Iyanu so special. Consider it a game-changer for African representation—and a reason for mythology buffs to finally learn how to say “Àṣẹ!” instead of “Valhalla!”
Ready to let your kids watch it?
Food for Thought
“There is truth even in humour.”
— Angola Proverb
And the Answer is…
The photo is taken at Lake Malawi! You can also send in your own photos, alongside the location, and we’ll do our best to feature them.