The Marina Project in Benin could lead to a better understanding of the transatlantic slave trade. But critics say that the commodification of heritage may debase the experiences of painful pasts.
In vodun, an African religion, children are dedicated by their families to a convent and must remain there for life. The kids become the de facto property of the convent, catering to the demands of the priests and priestesses.
Angélique Kidjo, the Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter from Bénin, experienced the difficulties of being a woman in the music industry firsthand. She's channeled her international success into activism by campaigning for girls' education in Africa.
The Nigerian Islamic extremist group Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the ISIS movement on Saturday. At the same time, a regional coalition of powers is intervening to help Nigeria. The US is taking a back-seat, but is intensifying military training programs and some other forms of assistance.
For years, Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo has been performing and pushing for social change in Africa. That push for change continues in her new album, "Eve."
If all goes as planned, Haiti, yes North America's Haiti, will become the latest member of the African Union sometime in January. Haiti and Africa share a sense of history, and African countries stepped up in the wake of Haiti's earthquake, which has led some to conclude the time is right to formalize their ties.
The leaders of a military coup in Mali have issued a new constitution for the country while thousands of their supporters rally in the capital Bamako and protest foreign interference.
Tom Schnabel's DJ pick for today is vintage music from Cotonou, Benin. It's music recorded in the 1960s and 70s that has never been released in the United States before. The 2-CD set is part of a series called AfroLatin.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire happened a century ago, but the labor-safety issues that led to the disaster are relevant today.
PRI's The World talks with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo about her honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music and with legendary West African record producer Ibrahim Sylla about the differences between West African pop music and 'world music.'