FORGOTTEN MIRACLES (A look into Africa's rich herbs and food part3)

FORGOTTEN MIRACLES continues with more exposition on how the older African generations survived to old age.  We shall take a look at certain herbal preparations that proved its efficacy in treating certain diseases.

Diabetes: Though little was known about this health condition decades ago,  however the older African generations prepared various medications which helped  manage and in some cases revert the conditions causing excess glucose in the blood. We now know the  blood can contain much insulin yet body cells may fail to utilize them in regulating blood sugar level. To the older generations, diabetes proved deadly no matter the type, of which they were oblivious.

Bitterleaf proved  its worth in managing diabetes. The herbal preparation required a mixture of bitter leaf juice and honey. The medication is taken two spoonful daily. Another herbal preparation for diabetes involve the use of paw paw. The fruit is first peeled then soaked for three days. One glass of the resulting water is taken three times daily. The third herbal medication for diabetes involve both Guava and scent leaf. The leaves of both plants are extracted and concocted, the concoction has immediate effect on the body glucose level.

Ulcer:  This health condition occurs when there are sores on the linings of the stomach. It is usually painful requiring quick relieves most times. Herbal preparations for this ailment was a priority ages ago because of sharp pain and discomfort associated with the condition.

The bark of Sugar cane is removed and cut into pieces. The pieces soaked in water for three days after which a glass of the water is taken three times a day.

Hypertension: This health condition is mockingly called the old man's company because it sets in as one ages. No matter how peaceful a community,  certain isolated incidents can lead to increase blood pressure among individuals of the community.  Africa's older generations had their fair share of the illness however they made provisions needed for its effective management.

Fresh leaves of waterleaf cut into pieces and then soaked for two days were effectively used in the management of hypertension. Half a glass of the liquid is taken twice before meal. Avocado leaves and Xylopia aethiopica were also used in preparation of potent medicine for hypertension.

Arthritis: In the previous parts of Forgotten Miracles we pointed out how  older generations were able to walk miles with great stamina and agility despite their age. Arthritis may not be very common among them but it does occur. Fruits of Xylopia aethiopica  and bitter leaf are mixed and ground, the paste is applied on the affected areas.

Cholera: This is common in Africa and for ages traditional medications has been used in kicking back the disease. The processed seeds of locust  bean are chewed by the patient, the extracted juice is then swallowed.

Whitlow: The treatment of Whitlow required the use of latex from paw paw plant. The latex is applied on the affected area daily, this causes the Whitlow to open leading to healing. Similar healing effect is also achieved by the use of lemon. A lemon fruit is cut open and a hole large enough to accommodate the affected finger is drilled. The affected finger is then inserted into the hole.

Yellow Fever: This is a viral infection common to Africa. The diseases is spread by an infected mosquito, the insect most at home in the tropics. This diseases has been around in Africa for a long time, each generation before the present one  had herbal mixtures specifically prepared for treating yellow fever. The symptoms of this disease including headache, fever, jaundice vomiting, muscle pain, nausea and fatigue. Coming across an infected person may be common in certain parts of Africa however succumbing to it is rare.

African peach, a plant highly medicinal has been used for ages in treating yellow fever. The root of the plant is soaked in water for three days, then the water is taken thrice daily.

Pile: This health condition results from swollen hemorrhoids inside the anus. It is very common in Nigeria. Pile is among health conditions widely and commonly treated using traditional medications. There are many different herbal preparations used in treating pile with resounding success. The powdered root of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides  and juice of scent leaves are taken twice a day for one week. This treatment also helps in easing the pain until full recovery is attained. Another herbal preparation effective in treating pile is the use of lizard eggs. Four table spoons of palm oil are heated till a color change is noticed. Three lizard eggs are added to the oil and allowed to boil till they burst. The oil is brought down from the fire and stirred  till uniform mixture is achieved. The mixture is applied on the tip of the protruding anal part. The treatment continues for a week.

FORGOTTEN MIRACLES (A look into Africa's rich herbs and food part2)

FORGOTTEN MIRACLES continues as we explore the traditional way of eating and the foods eaten.

Banana

Igbo: unele
Hausa : Ayaba
Yoruba: Ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ wẹ́wẹ́
Zulu: Ibhanana
Swahili: Ndizi
Oromo: muuzii
Akan: kwadu

Banana has been around for centuries now. It is a delicacy enjoyed by both old and young. In Africa it is hard to see one who does not enjoy the fruit. The fruit in time past was served with different other fruits creating a combination with  great health benefits. These combinations often supplied a good amount of nutrients ordinarily the body might not get through regular dishes. One example of such serving is groundnut and banana, both complementing each other nutritionally. Ground provides a good protein pack while banana throws in vitamins and minerals, all not denatured through extensive heating.

Banana has a good nutrient pack especially vitamins and minerals. Its content includes carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc. Banana  has a nice energy value and thus a good number of fingers can keep the body charged for hours.

Maybe unknown to the Africans of old, banana is anti-depressant. It was  hardly heard suicide surfaced regularly within older African generations. Depression is at the top of causes of suicide and while the western world’s older generation viewed suicide an escape route, Africans of the same generation hardly contemplated suicide. What we eat define us, though we might not scientifically link low suicide number in Africa to food, we still know scientifically food plays a role in mood swing.

Banana play critical role in regulating bowel movement. It also regulates blood pressure thus reducing risks leading to stroke. We might think precolonial Africans were relatively happy having no worrisome issues. The truth is the reverse. There were tons of problems to deal with such as protecting settlements from invaders and slave raiders, unfavorable climatic conditions relative to crops out in farms. The book Things Fall Apart listed a few things potent enough to induce worrying. Okonkwo kept worrying about his son's unmanly behaviors, he worried about Ikemefuna after he was murdered and when the white men came worries doubled. Eating right and natural played a very critical role in decreasing blood pressure leading to overall healthy body.

Men bent while working hard for long hours is a common view in old Africa, this might be a catalyst to European interest in slave trade. Long hours of work require stronger bones. Banana offer a great deal of minerals required in bone strengthening. Banana is an instant energy giving food. Older generations must have taken breaks from farm work to snack on it thereby rejuvenating the body’s spent energy. It is also a healthy brain food capable of reducing menstrual pain. It also protects against ulcer.

CUCUMBER

Igbo: kukumba
Hausa: kakamba
Yoruba: kọkunba
Swahili: tango
Zulu: ikhukhamba

The crunchy fruit nutritional content afforded the plant a lot of possibilities. It is a fact that Africans of old walked miles and miles to farms and remote markets. They do these everyday of the week while in some cases three to five times each week. The mileage covered is a great way of exercising while requiring strong joints for such daily tasking.  Cucumber provides excellent bone strengthening properties leading to reduction of arthritis occurrence. Another way the fruit helps keep arthritis away is through its ability to aid weight loss. Obesity is a major health issue in America and Europe, however the disease is gaining pace in different parts of Africa. The major causes of Obesity in Africa are the increase dependence on unhealthy processed foods and reduction in mobility due to increase in car ownership. While these two factors were minimal or even absent decades ago, a return to healthier foods such as cucumber can help weight reduction.

Modern science suggets cucumber might be very helpful in dealing with stress. Some phytochemicals found in the vegetable may help keep stress related diseases  away.

Cucumber protects the digestive system. It is a high alkaline food capable of providing adequate protection to body cells. An interesting finding  on cucumber centers on the health of the kidney as one ages. The kidney tasked with regulating blood pH slowly relinquishes this ability as one ages. Most of the foods available are more acidic than cucumber thus stressing an aged kidney. Cucumber may provide the needed aid in increasing the pH of the blood. Also a three year study according to  Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, and Ceglia L. in the article Alkaline diets favor lean tissue mass in older adults found in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (2008; 87(3):662-665.) showed a reduction in aging and wastage of muscles linked to cucumber intake.

Cucumber protects the brain from slow degeneration. Alzheimer disease though common in western countries of the world has failed to take footing among Africans. The number of sufferers of the disease is low and even lower decades ago. Cucumber contains many phytochemicals which protects brain cells as one ages.

WATERMELON

Zulu: ikhabe
Xhosa: ujodo
Igbo: anyụ
Hausa: guna
Yoruba: elegede

Watermelon is native to Africa originating primarily from west Africa. The fruit has been around for ages. From the plates of ancient Egyptians to the City states of the old Hausa kingdoms the fruit dominated the dishes of old. This is not surprising since watermelon contain a high amount of water and a good source of rehydrating the body.
The fruit contains carbohydrates, Vitamins, proteins, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc.

Watermelon has anti-inflammatory properties. It contains compounds that probably play different roles in reduction of cancer risks. There are studies suggesting watermelon may help decrease the risk of tumor growth. Again we see another plant which plays a role in protecting and strengthening of  muscles. We have established the fact what we eat defines our overall health. It takes good energy and healthy muscles to survive under the blistering sun in Africa for long hours tending the fields. A poor diet will spell doom for such worker in the field since the body lacked essentials and energy required for such conditions. The present African generation lack the stamina to survive for short periods in the fields. Only a small percentage might still garner up strength similar to those the older generations exhibited.

Watermelon provides protection not only for muscles but for the skin also. Though we might say Africa today posses more radiant skins yet at what cost. The inflow of creams of different chemical formulations into African markets can provide a superficially glimmer on the skin but below this the skin suffers. Watermelon provided the older generations better radiant skin and also protection from the harsh Ultra violet rays of the skin. It is worthy to note that these men spent hours under the fierce bite of the sun in open fields laboring yet their skin never lost its beauty to diseases.

Watermelon also provides Specific benefits to the heart. It contains various compounds which help keep the heart healthy. Lycopene found in watermelon can help lower blood pressure and also contributes to the well-being of the heart.

FORGOTTEN MIRACLES (A look into Africa's rich herbs and food part1)

The story grandparents tell portray an African community of real aged men. Men whose hair are grey with age and wisdom. Though bent with age, the men of those days took care of themselves without much help from their relatives. The story of 85 year old men in time past actively participating in farm work pervades all African society. This picture though unbelievable by today’s standards was the truth in African communities many decades ago. Today the present generation gape when they see a 90 year old man or woman, how come such decay? China and Japan have high rate of aged people of outstanding age because of high acceptance of traditional medicine and foods. They kept the knowledge of herbs and nutritional foods safe passing it from generations to generations. Africa was not short of foods, medicinal herbs and plants in the past however much of the knowledge on how to use them is lost. Sparrowlite will be looking at these plants in the series  forgotten mirracles.

Avocado pear. 
Igbo : Ube bekee.
Swahili : Parachichi
Yoruba : piha onyibo
Zulu: ukwatapheya
Oromo: abukaadoo
Shona: yekotapeya

 Avocado pear is a non-native plant . It was brought to Africa during pre colonial days where it took a strong root among both young and old. In the past, fruits of avocado were served in Africa as snack or whole meal .
 Avocado is super packed with nutrients such as caloris, potassium, sodium, dietary fibre, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, B3, B1, phosphorus, folate, carbohydrates, protein, iron, zinc

A food is said to be balanced diet when it contains all the essential nutrients. cleverly called Heaven's gift, Avocado is the best of the best in terms of nutritional package. The coming of Europeans afforded our fathers the chance of adding healthy foods to their already healthy recipes. Eaten alone, the fruit sustains one easily because of its high fibre content and at the same time supplies a good value of essentials. Avocado is packed with more potassium than banana revered for its potassium content. Potassium is highly needed in the body for many of its processes. Blood pressure, water level and many electricity dependant processes in the body rely on certain potassium concentration to function properly. Did I tell you potassium is needed for nerve coordination? Oh yes! Impulses moving around your body require potassium. Avocado contain 35% calcium more than banana. Avocado helps decrease accelerated aging. Old men still waxing strong was once a common view in Africa, however this trend is shifting towards the left due to increase acceptance of processed foods. Avocado is packed with anti-oxidants which help maintain the body immune system. It contains oleic acid which makes it a food for the heart.
Avocado can be served in so many ways  without compromising its nutrient package.

SCENT LEAF
Igbo: nchuanwu
Hausa: daidoya
Yoruba:effirin
Zulu: Iboza
Akan: Nunum

The plant is native to Africa. It is an essential ingredient in many dishes of Western Africa. The reliance on this plant in cooking many western African dishes stemmed not only because of its enticing aroma and taste but also for its potency as a drug. Scent leaf was used for many ailments with proven efficacy in the past. Then it was solely relied upon in the olden days due to the yet to surface state of modern medicine.The use of scent leaf recorded infinitesimal cases of side effects.

African fathers of old knew the right dosage for every ailments requiring scent leaf. A little of this knowledge is retained today though its disappearance is certain unless documentation is taken serious.

The plant contains carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, flavonoids, tannins, sapronins, phenolics, alkaloids, fibre.

The importance of scent leaf can not be over emphasized since it has proven its worth since the earliest documented history of Africa. Scent leaf has anti-bacteria and anti-fungal properties. The plant steamed for few minutes is used in treating catarrh. The patient is held over the steam under a blanket in a way he inhales the scent leaf steam as he breathes. This medication is practiced among the Igbo people in Nigeria and the process was superficially described in Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'.  Scent leaf reliefs catarrh in quicker time once inhaled as steam. Another well known medication involving scent leaf is the treatment of stomach disorder. The juice is also used for treating cholera, stomach pain and diarrhea. The use of the plant for this purpose is not restricted to Africa. In eastern Imphal villages in Manipur Asia, the plant is used in different medicinal preparations for treatment of stomach disorders.

In many homes in villages across Africa, scent leaf  serve as an insect repellent with high efficiency. In these homes the plant majorly serves as mosquito repellent.

One of the major uses of the plant during the old days was in malaria treatment. The plant juice is extracted by squeezing the leaves and then taken. However it is worthy to note that most times for such cases the plant juice was blended with the juice of other plants such as Gongronema latifolium before ingested. Malaria though prevalent in those days  close to 90% of West African forests thrived, the indigenous people survived easily. A comparison of health status of those days and that of today can be deduced from the sudden deaths of early west African European settlers. What sustained the natives were medicinal leaves and herbs of which scent leaf proved important in treating malaria.

There are many preparations of scent leaf for medicinal purposes.
The plant scent leaf was also utilized as an anti-convulsant. The practice of squeezing the juice of scent leaf into the mouth and face of a convulsing child is still in use today in many parts of Africa especially in Nigeria. Another medication involving scent leaf that lived to this day is its use in child delivery. The plant is used by midwives to cure a newborn baby's cord. The plant is first crushed or squeezed and then placed over the cut cord to facilitate quick healing and also as an antiseptic. The antiseptic properties of the plant was well utilized by older people in western Africa for cleaning of wounds and for treating skin related diseases such as ringworm.

PINEAPPLE
Igbo: Ọkwụrụ bekee
Hausa : àbàrbáá
Yoruba: ope oyinbo
 Zulu: uphayinaphu
Swahili: mananasi

Apart from the sweet juice people look for nothing else in pineapple. Even among the juice lovers a good percentage is allergic to the berry. Many people know little about the other uses of pineapple apart from its refreshing juice. Clearly few with this knowledge grew close to their fathers and grandfathers.

The berry is highly nutritive containing carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc an high water content. The leaves of pineapple serve as anti-helminth medication. Fresh juice of  the berry is used in the treatment of indigestion. To an extent the juice is used to treat  cough. Pineapple is also effective in treating gastric irritability and jaundice.

A very interesting fact is the use of the plant as an abortifacient especially the green unripe fruit. Traditionally it is used to induce mensuration or abortion. Another interesting fact is the effect of pineapple on bone growth. Traditionally the plant has proven the test of time satisfying both thirst and nutritional needs of Africans.

THE BENIN WALL(The wall greater than China's great Wall)

The great Wall of China built across the Northern borders of China has drawn visitors from far and near. The wall built in the 7th century BC covered an area of 21,196 km and can be seen from space. This magnificent protective edifice was not the only one to tower across a vast land area. The ancient Benin kingdom occupied the area now known as western Nigeria built a like wall.

The need for a wall is to deter invaders allowing the defenders either enough time to organize their army or to evacuate the city. The size of the wall can be used to determine the level of civilization and the population of a kingdom. Large scale construction means the civilization has enough manpower and resources for such expensive task.

The building of this great Wall in Benin began sometime in 800AD. The growth in the kingdom's population required a stronger fortification. The wall was constructed using ramparts combined with moats, it stretched over an area of about 9,900 miles. Dikes were dug in the inner area and the earth removed was used in building the outer wall. The entire wall was constructed as a system of dikes and large mounds of earth protected from rain and nature by thatches, leaves and other plant materials placed on the top. It took over 600 years for the wall to be completed. Just like the walls of China was not even in height, the Benin wall had a peak height of about 20meters in some areas. At such height invaders found it a daunting task climbing over the wall. Areas of the wall not so tall was steep, invaders were easily picked out by arrowis or spears before they can laboriously reach the wall's summit.

According to Fred Pearce, the Benin wall took about 150 million hours of digging during construction. He also said the building of  the wall required more materials than the great pyramid of Cheop in Egypt. The Benin wall was four times longer than the great Wall of China.

The Benin kingdom saw the rise of many great kings (Obas) during her powerful days. The Obas between AD 800 and into the 15th century made series of contributions to the wall. Oba Oguola who ruled Benin around 1280 to 1295 made the first large scale contribution to the wall. Oba Ewuare is considered by many as the greatest ruler of Benin kingdom. He commissioned and completed  3200km length of the entire 16,000km wall.

The wall allowed nine points of entry while sentries kept watch on the wall. Enemies were seen before they reached the wall thus buying time for soldiers to be organized and dispatched.
The large outer wall was not the only one constructed. smaller walls were constructed within the city to protect the palace and administrative buildings.
The Benin kingdom at this time was amongst the most fortified places on Earth. Such was the fortifications that any who approached her doors must first get permission from soldiers guarding the walls and gates. This means that all who came and left were processed.

There was peace within the wall. The wall proved important in preventing not only invaders but slave raiders roaming Africa at this time. It protected the people until the British destroyed most of the wall 1897  during the punitive expedition, a testament of the ills Africa, her identity and cultures suffered in the hands of Britain.

Abubakri III, The African king who reached America before Christopher Columbus.

In 1492 Columbus and his crew reached America. Europe went frenzy when he came back with report of a shinning land. This was it, Europe officially reached America. Popular history left clues suggesting Columbus might not be the first person outside America to set foot on the continent. The Norsemen of Europe left traces of habitation at Newfoundland, suggesting a Norse community existed in America some 500 years before the famed Columbus voyage.

Prior to Columbus another voyage reached America, this time the sailors came from Mali. King Abubakri II, the ninth Mansa of the Malian empire ruled when the empire was at the height of its wealth and strength. Abubakri II was an intelligent man, he loved mysteries and one that baffled him most was the end of the Atlantic ocean.

 The Mansa spent his lazy hours contemplating what lay beyond the Atlantic ocean. The king needed to do something to surpass the names of his great ancestors, especially Sundiata himself. This was his chance to cure boredom and surpass his current worth.

 At this time the empire of Mali was sufficiently rich, rich enough to support an expedition across the Atlantic. He began a meticulous plan to sail across the Atlantic to find whatever lies there. He enlisted the best sailors Africa boasted of, he sought the best ship builders and engineers of the time and then enlisted hundreds of navigators.

When the entire flotilla proved ready, the great King came down to the port town of Niang and addressed the fleet one last time. The flotilla carried rich presents of gold and enough provisions to last months. Their order was to find what lies at the other side of the Ocean.

This first expedition proved catastrophic. The whole flotilla except a few sailors made it back to Mali failing to reach their goal. The Emperor did not find the news amusing. He devoted a lot of physical and mental strength the past months to give up. This time the Mansa will sail with the rest. More ships were built with better enhancements. Gold presents larger than the ones the first voyage carried were assembled.

Before the voyage began Mansa Abubakri III gave the throne to Mansa Musa who later became the most famous of all Malian Mansa'. This time the fleet reached America led by the richest African emperor of the age. Apart from the gifts the fleet engaged in trade with the red Indians. The mingling of both cultures led to exchange of relics. The African figurines left behind by the visitors serve as evidence of African presence in America before the coming of Columbus. Also monuments were erected in honor of the African visitors years before Columbus arrived America.

Though our great Mansa never returned to Mali, African interest in America continued to foster for many years. Trade continued between the red Indians and Malian Madingos until the fall of Malian empire. During this time the Europeans were gaining foothold in America, such European success led to annihilation of so many Indian villages reducing there openness and contact with outside world. The glorious days of glorious contact with the other side of the Atlantic ocean came to a close.
According to Ivan Van Sertima , there is an enormous prove of African contact with the red Indians of America many years before the so called Columbus expedition. It is clear Malians reached the now highly beloved American continent many centuries ago, however they were not the first to reach the continent. The Norsemen, Chinese and Japanese probably reached America before the Malians did.  Columbus made mention of the native stories of African gold merchants in his journal. The American native told of  rich African merchants arriving in boats filled with gold.

                   Afro-Olmec excavated in America
Carvings of African priests on walls during the Columbian Augustine culture are found in America. The collosal Olmec stone heads excavated in America bore African resemblance, another prove of an African-indian contact. Sure, Columbus took over from the success of others.

Afro-Olmec excavated in America

The Atlantis of Africa ( The Nok civilization).

The renowned lost city of Atlantis is a well known discussion among archeologists, divers, occults and the world at large. The city of Atlantis located on an island whose pinpoint location is still a debate is believed to have exceeded the civilization of its time at all angles. Without warning some mysterious fate befell the majestic civilization, everything went under the sea and became lost to time.
Some distance from the present day Kaduna city and stretching into Jos in Nigeria (covering about 30,000 miles) lies the African version of Atlantis. One might argue a difference exists between the European Atlantis and African Atlantis since the later was not lost to the sea.

British archaeologist Bernard Fagg, beginning in 1943 spent years in Taruga village discovering terracotta artifacts of different types. His extensive work may be the only means of getting a glimpse of what this civilization was like. Fagg conducted soil analysis of the area where these terracotta artifacts were excavated, the result placed a civilization 2518 years ago at the location. Having a civilization in the area at such age (500BC) did not prove too much surprise rather later discoveries surprised all.

The art involved in the level of expertise in terracotta making was too advanced, more advance for people of that age living in the Taruga region. Apart from Egypt's rapid advancement in arts, archeologists and the world at large believed Africa's civilization happened very slowly. The terracotta arts were well carved with baked earth, the art splendid and more advanced than any in East or central Europe except a few of the time.

Another discovery which got Fagg more amazed were iron furnaces. These furnaces proved the ancient Nok civilization knew iron and excellently worked with iron. It is now clear the ancient Nok people were skilled blacksmiths and artisans. Fagg deduced after careful observation that the civilization must have boasted enough population to support such advancement in  art. Fagg went ahead to make more discoveries, some of the terracotta artifacts were arranged or placed in a way suggesting worship. Most of these carvings are now seen as objects of worship. Fagg concluded using found clues such as iron smelting, arts and religion,a thriving society well advanced once flourished in the northern part of Nigeria especially the area surrounding Taruga and Samun Dukiya areas. In his own writing he wrote "It was the product of a mature tradition,............with the probability of a long antecedent history, of which as yet, no trace has been found." Fagg was greatly intrigued by his findings that he wrote strongly about the lost civilization of Africa.
 The bell he rang drew more archeologists to the site and more discoveries were made. Apart from ancient Egypt, the Nok civilization was a towering one in sculpturing. The ancient Nok civilization also excelled in tool making especially those requiring iron. If we look at the process development of ironworks, there is a chain of learning. The use of iron and iron tools were introduced to other regions of Africa from North Africa progressively. The discovery of Ironworks wrought as early as 500BC in areas the Nok civilization once stood suggests West Africa independently began blacksmiths (There might have been an exception on the movement of iron from North Africa to other parts of Africa). We can come to the conclusion West Africa had skilled and intelligent populace centuries ago.

Agriculture thrived  during the Nok civilization. Grain might have been the chief crop due to adverse climatic conditions of Northern Nigerian. Less annual rainfall allowed for cultivation of drought resistant crops such as millet and cow pea. They planted fruit trees and harvested the fruits during harvest seasons.

The excavated figures certainly shows what everyday Nok citizen might have looked like. The well folded-hair designs of female Nok head may suggest elaborate interest in beauty and hair-making. Some of the figures were adorned with well made necklaces and beads. These are pointers to the fact the Nok society embraced beauty as a fundamental aspect of their society.

Like Atlantis, the sudden decline and demise of this once prosperous civilization remain a mystery. We are left to imagine a cause likely not to be known.  The Nok civilization which thrived about 2518 years ago left only artifacts as evidences of a once prosperous nation.

These discoveries made were halted for a time due to the sudden abandoning of the site. The area which once sparked curiosity was left unattended rather looters and criminals continued the excavation. They sold whatever came out of the ground to black marketers, this is a testament of Africa's irresponsible leaders. Many terracotta from this region have been illegally shipped to other countries. Many are found in world renowned museums were they are illegally placed on display especially in Britain.