Environmental Free War, War, and Rumors of War One major flashpoint of this conflict is the Strait of Hormuz, extending into the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, where already environmentally hazardous maritime traffic poses an inherent threat. By The Rising Firefly • 5 min read
Social The Pope Visits the Dark Continent The Pope’s message in Cameroon was consistent with his recent prior remarks, a message of peace. He has repeatedly criticized US President Trump, particularly of late regarding the war against Iran by the US and Israel. By Kasabez Maakmaah • 9 min read
Social Free Echoes Beyond Prison Walls: A Call for Global Solidarity with Djeukam Tchameni Imagine being imprisoned for your political beliefs, for challenging those in power, for organizing against the status quo, for speaking out against corruption. By The Rising Firefly • 2 min read
Social TOGO-AES Sahel 2026-2028 Alliance: African Solidarity in the Face of Asymmetrical Warfare by Zefihapi Dematepia Togo launched a revolutionary initiative on April 18th, 2026, in its economic capital, Lomé, by holding a strategic summit with the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) of Burkina, Niger, and Mali. These AES countries officially exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2025 to By The Rising Firefly • 14 min read
Environmental Free Beyond the Technological Republic: How the Global Majority is Choosing Nature by Djedka Zeshera The rift between the working class and the ruling class has never been wider. Not just in the financial disparity but in the vision for the future that the haves and have-nots hold in their minds. In our history books we read about aristocrats luxuriating in By Djedka Zeshera • 4 min read
Social Free Burkina Faso's Path to Sovereignty By Kasabez Maakmaah Part I: Democracy in Africa Burkina Faso is once again being featured on the periphery of Western media outlets. If you’ve been following the developments here, you can guess the coverage is negative. On April 2nd, 2026, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso was interviewed By Kasabez Maakmaah • 11 min read
Cultural A Bridge Between Thrones: Indigenous Leadership Alliance The Royal Office of King Nana Yaw Osam I and KEBTAH, Inc. by Nehez Meniooh A people’s cultural heritage enriches education and innovation by offering diverse perspectives and solutions, ensuring the transmission of traditions and knowledge to future generations. -From the ACCP website On April 2, 2026, a small meeting took place that quietly but profoundly contributed to a new era, By Nehez Meniooh • 4 min read
Cultural Free A Day of Mourning: The King of the Gulmu People by Firefly Productions Staff The Government of Burkina Faso announced today the untimely passing of His Highness Numbado (King) Untaamba, the beloved paramount King and traditional ruler of the Gulmu Kingdom. Known for his unwavering dedication to the unification of the Gulmu people, who span Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, By The Rising Firefly • 2 min read
Social Free Rooted in Both Worlds: A Doula's Return to the West Side On Black Maternal Health, Ancestral Practice, and Building What Our Mothers Deserved By Zetanefert Zipewtu, Founder, Our Mothers' Light Birth & Baby Village On April 17th, I will walk back into a building that raised me. New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church sits on the West Side of Chicago, By The Rising Firefly • 6 min read
Social On NASA & The Space Race Opinion Piece By Kenibashu Saikaptah Two days ago, flicking my thumb against my programming device, I came across a video with a caption that read "Artemis II has officially launched. The first human mission to the moon since 1972..." Before the video finished, I was already reciting Gil By The Rising Firefly • 4 min read
Indigenous Wisdom Free Reopening of Ancient Egyptian Temples Why are the Dogon (an indigenous West African tribe) erecting ancient Egyptian temples deep in the heart of Togo? For the Dogon people, the answer reaches back thousands of years, to a history the modern world has largely forgotten. By Djedka Zeshera • 2 min read
Environmental Return to Nature: Unveiling the Hidden Truth Behind Modern Illness by Hatnima Shemzura Throughout history, colonial powers didn’t just invade with guns and swords — they invaded with miseducation. Before physically conquering African lands and other parts of the world, the invaders studied and imitated the natural and spiritual ways of a life they found. But instead of honoring what By The Rising Firefly • 3 min read
Indigenous Wisdom There is no action that ends: A personal reflection by Christine Packard I used to believe that my actions ended when the moment passed. If I spoke a harsh word, I assumed or hoped it dissolved into the air once silence returned. If I offered kindness, I imagined it complete when the smile faded. I lived as though my By The Rising Firefly • 3 min read
Indigenous Wisdom The Point by Mersau Khentimah Has anyone succeeded in preventing the winds from blowing? Has anyone succeeded in preventing the sun from rising or setting? As it will be so from silencing The Gods and Great Ancestors. The ambition of the modern world isn’t to silence nature, that is impossible, but By The Rising Firefly • 2 min read
Environmental The Farm and its teachings on Patience and Tolerance(Suru) by Keniwuru Merutepiaou Growing up in Merita, parents are encouraged to take their children to colonial school at a very young age. One of the distinct things that happens there is, children start being discouraged from agriculture. Subtly, we are taught that farming belongs to the very poor and we By The Rising Firefly • 7 min read
Indigenous Wisdom Free Mind-Altering Substances and the Spiritual Quest: Paths of Permission, Paths of Prohibition by Ameena Ahmed Throughout human history, spiritual communities have sought methods to thin the veil between the visible and invisible worlds. Some traditions have pursued this aim through ritual intoxication, others through prayer, fasting, breath, rhythm, and disciplined consciousness. The divergence between these approaches reveals not a single spiritual truth, By The Rising Firefly • 4 min read
Social A Travelers Goal by Zebekiya Merutepiaou What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you want to live? How much money do you want to make? One could go on and on with elaborate, ambitious illusions. None of these is the actual goal in life for the seeker working By The Rising Firefly • 3 min read
Social The Dangers of Being Right By Bezsati Maheqwir Completed - SaMa’at Sometimes it's better to be wrong than to be right. Master NABA said a person who succeeds without failure or making mistakes along the way isn't a winner, and someone who may fall many times along the way isn' By The Rising Firefly • 4 min read
Social Cultural Appropriation and Spiritual Consumerism by Ibasahu Pernebsati Whiteness is not about skin color because Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a very dangerous white male oppressor, and his skin is dark in color. So don’t think this is about skin color or hating yourself, and honestly, the intellectual and emotional exercise of “hating By The Rising Firefly • 5 min read
Cultural Free The Orchard Lesson by Kemabib Dematepia I was about 10 years old on the day my elder brother and I set out with two older friends foraging for rare fruits in the jungle. After about a kilometer of trekking we located soursop, guava, rare mango and avocado trees. There was a problem; we By The Rising Firefly • 2 min read
Social The Expression of Words by Menksah Hezahadjed Words have power, especially when used precisely and within the appropriate context. My observation is that the word is often suppressed, especially when it challenges the prevailing narrative and contains truths. As the saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword”. By The Rising Firefly • 2 min read
The Initiate To Be Human Again by Netefi Khentimah Somehow, the beings whose roots stretch deep beneath the earth and whose branches reach toward the sky do not need instruction on how to be. The tree does not question its purpose. The fish in the ocean are not taught their nature or how to use their By The Rising Firefly • 3 min read
The Essence of the Revolutionary Spirit by Tehala Pernebsati Revolution as Self-Transformation In Kebtah, we have a saying: “Revolution starts with the self.” This simple quote encapsulates a powerful concept that can transform one's perspective on life. You see, society often imposes grandiose notions that we can/should “change the world” or “save By The Rising Firefly • 7 min read
Supernatural by Ameera Pernebsati Since I was a child, I have had a fascination with stories involving the supernatural. Whether it was about fictional creatures, witches, wizards, magic, mutants, superheroes, and the like, I was always drawn to anything that seemed to have more power and ability than the average human By The Rising Firefly • 4 min read
