UNESCO Archives

Igbo Youths in Abuja Celebrate New Yam Festival, Keep Cultural Heritage Alive

Music, dancing, traditional attire and the aroma of roasted yam filled the air as members of the Igbo community in Abuja gathered to celebrate the New Yam Festival, a tradition…

Africa News Now September 29, 2026

ANN Eastern Africa

Ethiopia’s Meskel Festival Becomes a Call for Peace Amid Tigray Tensions

Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered in Addis Ababa on Saturday for Meskel, filling Meskel Square with prayers, hymns and religious processions before the lighting of the traditional Demera bonfire.…

Africa News Now September 28, 2026

ANN Central Africa

São Tomé’s Colonial Plantations Gain UNESCO Status as Restoration Plans Begin

The historic plantation estates of São Tomé and Príncipe are receiving renewed attention after six former roças were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, opening new possibilities for preservation…

Africa News Now August 31, 2026

ANN Southern Africa

Zimbabwe Bird Returns Home After 137 Years, Marking Major Cultural Repatriation

Zimbabwe has welcomed the return of one of its most important national symbols, "the Zimbabwe Bird," more than a century after it was taken during colonial rule. The soapstone sculpture,…

Africa News Now April 16, 2026

ANN Northern Africa

Sudan Recovers Hundreds of Stolen Museum Artefacts Looted During War

Sudanese authorities on Tuesday unveiled hundreds of recovered ancient artefacts at a secured ceremony in Port Sudan, marking a rare cultural victory amid the country’s ongoing civil war. The 570…

Africa News Now January 14, 2026

African Diaspora ANN Eastern Africa

Rwanda Backs Louise Mushikiwabo for Third Term as Francophonie Secretary-General

Rwanda has officially announced its support for former Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo to serve a third term as Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the global body…

Africa News Now January 13, 2026

ANN Northern Africa

UNESCO Recognizes Egypt’s Beloved Koshari as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Egypt’s iconic dish, koshari, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, marking the country’s first culinary entry. This popular, affordable, and vegan-friendly mealmade from rice,…

Africa News Now December 11, 2025

ANN Northern Africa

Morocco To Save Endangered Traditional Crafts with New Handicraft Treasures Program

Morocco has launched the third edition of its “Moroccan Handicraft Treasures” program, a nationwide initiative designed to rescue traditional crafts at risk of disappearing and to pass ancestral skills on…

Africa News Now November 14, 2025

ANN Northern Africa

Morocco Seeks UNESCO Heritage Status for Iconic Caftan as Global Symbol of Craftsmanship

Morocco is moving to secure global recognition for one of its most cherished cultural symbols the caftan, a centuries-old garment that embodies elegance, identity, and artisanal mastery. The North African…

Africa News Now October 30, 2025

ANN Southern Africa

Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany Voted to Become UNESCO’s First Arab Director-General

Former Egyptian minister of antiquities and tourism, Khaled El-Enany, is set to become the next Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), following a decisive vote…

Africa News Now October 7, 2025

African Diaspora ANN Southern Africa

South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, Found Dead in Paris Hotel Fall

South Africa is mourning the sudden death of its ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa, who was found dead in Paris on Tuesday. French police confirmed that the 58-year-old…

Africa News Now October 1, 2025