The Cairo University, Egypt

 Despite being one of the oldest universities, Cairo University, Egypt has been ranked among the best on several occasions. Formerly known as The Egyptian University from 1908 to 1940, and King Fuad I University and Fu’ād al-Awwal University from 1940 to 1952, Cairo University was founded on the 21st of December, 1908. It is Egypt’s premier public university, with its main campus in Giza, immediately across the Nile from Cairo.  

Initially, the faculties were scattered across Cairo. However by 1929, starting with the Faculty of Arts, the faculties were moved to the main campus in Giza. It is the second oldest institution of higher education in Egypt after Al Azhar University. It was founded and funded as the Egyptian University by a committee of private citizens with royal patronage in 1908 and became a state institution under King Fuad I in 1925. The first president of Cairo University, then known as the Egyptian University, was Professor Ahmed Lutfi el-Sayed, who served from 1925 to 1941.

Lord Cromer who was the British representative in Egypt was opposed to the establishment of an institution of higher education before he retired because he feared it would lead to anarchy. Several constituent colleges preceded the establishment of the university including the College of Engineering in 1816, which was shut down by the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, Sa'id Pasha, in 1854.

 Cairo University was founded as a European-inspired civil university, in contrast to the religious university of Al Azhar, and became the prime indigenous model for other state universities. In 1928, the first group of female students enrolled at the university.

Armenian bureaucrat Yaqub Artin made the first known published reference to establishing an Egyptian university in 1894. In a report, he suggested "the existing higher professional schools could well provide the basis for a university”. Furthermore, a Syrian journalist Jurji Zaydan called for an “Egyptian college school” (madrasa kulliya misriyya) in 1900 in his monthly magazine Al-Hilal. He provided two models for this institute of higher education: the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, India, which delivered a Western-style education in the English language, or the Syrian Protestant College (now the American University of Beirut) in Beirut, run by American missionaries. 

As regards funding of the institution, large landowners, bureaucrats, members of the royal family, and journalists, lawyers, and school teachers including Mustafa Kamil, disciples of Muhammad Abduh such as Qasim Amin and Saad Zaghlul, and eventually Khedive Abbas II and Prince Ahmad Fu’ad I became involved. As Donald M. Reid writes, “Royalist partisans stressed Fu’ad’s founding role, Watanists pointed out Mustafa Kamil’s call for a university, and Wafdists emphasized the contributions of Saad Zaghlul, Muhammad Abduh, and Qasim Amin.”

Over the years, more technological advancements have taken place, the faculty of engineering In 2006, the college began implementing the credit hour system by launching the following programs: construction engineering, Computer and telecommunications engineering. In 2007 programs that were developed: mechanical design engineering, architecture engineering and construction technology and petrochemical engineering. In 2008, it introduced a program: Construction Engineering. In 2009, it introduced the Water and Environmental Engineering Program.

Notable Alumni

Abdel Khalek Sarwat Pasha (1873-1928), twice Prime Minister of Egypt.[29]

Husayn Fawzi Alnajjar, historian, political scientist, and strategist

Said Ashour, professor of history

Mohamed Atalla, engineer, inventor of MOSFET (MOS field-effect transistor), pioneer in silicon semiconductors and security systems, founder of Atalla Corporation[30]

Naima Ilyas al-Ayyubi, first female lawyer in Egypt

Gamal Aziz, also known as Gamal Mohammed Abdelaziz, Egyptian former President and Chief Operating Officer of Wynn Resorts, and former CEO of MGM Resorts International, indicted as part of the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal

Hisham Barakat, assassinated Prosecutor General of Egypt

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) 1992–1996

Eli Cohen, Israeli Mossad spy that infiltrated the highest echelons of Syrian Government and instrumental in Israeli success in the Six Day War and other successes

Taher Elgamal, designer of the ElGamal encryption system and considered “Father of SSL”

Wael Ghonim, Egyptian activist and figure of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011

Basma Hassan (born 1976), actress

Saddam Hussein (1937-2006), former president of Iraq

Yuriko Koike, former Japanese Minister of Defense and first female governor of Tokyo

Heba Kotb (born 1967), Egyptian sex therapist and tv host

Adly Mansour, Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt

Mohamed Morsi (1951-2019), deposed President of Egypt

Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League 2001–2011, and president of the Egyptian constitution amendment committee in 2013

Omar Sharif (1932-2015), actor, nominated for an Academy Award and has won three Golden Globe Awards

Magdi Yacoub (born 1935), professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Imperial College London

Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy

Ayman al-Zawahiri, former practicing surgeon in the Egyptian Army, current leader of the militant organisation al-Qaeda

Walid Muallem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria

Nobel laureates

Naguib Mahfouz, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988

Yasser Arafat, Nobel Peace Prize in 1994

Mohamed ElBaradei, Nobel Peace Prize in 2005

TOP NINE LUXURY AFRICAN FASHION BRANDS

Everyone believes Italy is the Fashion Hub. Nike, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, these are the fashion brand names that hit, they are worshipped.  

But have you ever taken your time to adore the beauties made by African designers?

They tell out tales and struggles, showcase our identity, put us back on track and change the sad narrative about Africa.

There are many Afrocentric High Fashion Brands that when you get to see their designs, you will bite your fingers for missing out on them.

Fashion in Africa had always been at the low ebb of the global interest, but over the years, many Afrocentric High Fashion Brands have been getting attention from all walks of the world, among them are:

1. Laduma Maxhosa( South Africa)

          Maxhosa Africa is a South African Knitwear brand founded in 2012 by Laduma Ngxokolo. It has been a center of attention for a while now both home and abroad.

His brand draws inspiration from the Xhosa rite of passage. Laduma wished to create a range of Knitwear that celebrates his traditional culture. He wanted to make designs that speak the values, potentials and heritage of the Xhosa. 

Seeking inspiration and creative ideas, Laduma takes simple motifs which he references from museums around South Africa, and translates them into modern patterns and designs. Laduma’s brand has garnered a huge following around the globe including several cast members of “Black Panther”, who wore Maxhosa’s designs to the world premiere of the smash hit movie. One of the major achievement of Maxhosa brand is winning the 2011 Marie Claire Prix D’Excellnce De La Mode Best Emerging Designer Award.

2. Imane Ayissi (Cameroon) 

It could be said that art runs in Imane Ayissi’s blood. Born in Cameroon to a champion boxer and ‘Miss Cameroon’ mother. He is a dancer, model, stylist, writer and he was branded as a man with many talent. He toured the world as a member of the “Ballet National du Cameroun” before working as a successful male model for the likes of Dior, Yves saint-Laurent and Valentino. 

Consequently, he decided to make a wave in his field of interest; fashion. He turned himself into a fashion household name thanks to his successful couture and Prêt -a- porter lines, which seamlessly blend African tribal art with parisian Haute couture. 

Moreover, for the first time in the history of Paris Haute couture fashion week, African style makes its first appearance on the runway of the biannual event. The designs were created by Imane Ayissi who blended European style with African flair for a catwalk collection, marking for the first time a designer from Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Lisa Folawiyo ( Nigeria)

Lisa Folawiyo has a background in Law, which she studied at the University of Lagos. She started her label “Jewel by Lisa ” in 2005 from her home, with an initial investment of #20,000. She bought 12 yards of fabric and made the first pieces with her mother.

 Having perfected the art of wearing “Ankara” (Local west African cloth) through the use of ornate embellishment, Lisa Folawiyo transformed the textile to create a highly covetable print. Garments are hand crafted by expert artisans, a painstaking process taking up to 240 hours. The results has been an international runaway success and recognition. Folawiyo’s designs have been shown at New York Fashion week and can be admired on celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o and Thande Newton. She has won different awards, some of which are ; 2012 Africa Fashion Award, one of the Eight emerging talent by WWD.

4.Katungulu Mwendwa (Kenya)

Katungulu Mwendwa brand was started by kenyan born and raised designer, Katungulu Mwendwa herself. She spent much of her childhood observing her late grandmother, who sourced materials from local artisans for curio shop.

Due to her passion for Kenya, the budding designer returned home after completing her fashion degree in London to start her own contemporary fashion line. Experimenting with innovative fabrics, traditional methods and modern techniques, her timeless casual and semi-formal designs are fast gaining an international recognition.

The goal of Katungulu Mwendwa brand is to create quality designs, working solely with fine materials and paying close attention to details for each item. Borrowing clues from traditional African cultures across the continent, subtle nuances are reflected through her work.

5. Prime Obsession (South Africa)

Even though the Prime Obsession is just a new brand in African and fashion world, the brand has already made a breakthrough in the fashion world. The design duo of Shelly Mokoena and Keneilwe Mothoa are part of a new wave of designers taking Johannesburg by storm.

Just like it is for many 21st young entrepreneurs, their career began on instagram, where they showed off series of once-off, personalized items from local thrift stores. 

6. Maki oh (Nigeria)

The brand was founded by Maki Osakwe in 2010, a Lagos -based womenswear label Maki oh has enjoyed the ultimate celebrity endorsement in the form of Michelle Obama who even invited the young designer to the White House. Osakwe’s designs are celebrated for their bold prints and liberal applications of raffia and silk fringing and made their debut at NYFW in 2017.

Furthermore, her designs have also been worn by international stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna and Hollywood actress Kerry Washington. Her designs are sold internationally through farfetch.com and in United States at the McMullen boutique in Oakland. She was named “Designer of the year ”by African fashion magazine ARISE.

7. Loza Malembho (Ivory Coast) 

She was born in Brazil and raised between Cotê d’Ivoire and United States of America, Loza Malembho started designing clothes at the tender age of 13. Following a fashion degree , she interned with Jill Stuart, Yigal Azrouel, and Cynthia Rowley, before launching her brand in 2009, formerly in New York before relocating to the Ivory Coast three years later.

Malembho’s designs fuse Ivorian tribal aesthetics with New York’s urban fashion-think tribal prints and futuristic cuts.

8. Ami Doshi Shah (Kenya)

 She led a nomadic childhood life, moving from Oman to North America to the UK (where she trained as a jeweller and silver smith) before completing jewelry apprenticeship programmes in Mumbai and Jaipur. Following a 12 years design hiatus, she founded her own label /fashion brand, “I and I ” in Nairobi. Her outsized pieces inspired by tribal talisman are made from locally sourced materials and crafted by hand. Additionally, her standout accessories are made available in her Nairobi Studio space through appointment boutique. You can't help but fall in love with her masterpiece at fist glance( love at first sight😂)

9. Lemlem (Ethiopia)

 Ethiopian supermodel and designer Liya Kebede launched this African fashion brand after a visit to her home country. It was inspired by a need to create a market workforce for the Ethiopian weavers and the core collection is made from handwoven fabric. Lemlem means “to bloom and flourish” in Amharic, the native language of Ethiopia. Therefore, it is committed to elevating artisanship and expanding production and jobs across Africa. One of the basic and Interesting features of this brand is that the clothes are woven from natural cotton, thereby making this an ethical fashion brand.

Don't you think it is high time you let go of the "Almighty sophisticated" Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and others?

It is time you started to wear what promote you, your heritage, and give you the desired sophisticated aura.

Okay, scrap that 😂😂😂

But it is high time you worship these brands instead of those European brands. This is a way to contribute to African economy, promote our culture and uphold what we stand for.

It is not compulsory, you wear the designs of the aforementioned brands, but that your friend making struggling to make name as an African designer, wear her designs.

Have you ever heard of any of these brands? Have you worn any of their designs?  

Drop your answers in the comment section.

Do you like this content? You want to suggest a topic to write on in subsequent times, hit us up in the comment section.

THE LIFE GOD GAVE AFRICA

There is a popular adage that says: If you give water, you give life. Water can be argued to be the most essential basic resources needed by all living organisms to survive. Well, we might not be able to doubt that after exploring Africa with The Moria in the content you're about to digest.

Here we bring to you, another beautiful insight into one of the prominent, efficient, enchanting and beautiful waterfall in Africa.

WLI WATER HILLS, HOEHOE, VOLTA REGION,GHANA

Wli is pronounced phonetically 'Vlee'. It is also called Agumatsa waterfalls which means  allow me to flow

It is located at Hoehoe municipality of the Volta Region, the Land of the Ewe Culture. It is approximately 280km from the Capital, Accra - Ghana. It is regarded as the  highest Waterfalls in Ghana by extension West-Africa. We're about to sojourn through the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, which features more than 200 bird species and 400 butterfly species.

What time is the best to tour Agumatsa waterfalls?

Anytime and Any-moment, you are good to go sight the natural disposition at the head North of Ghana. 

However, the Falls are most impressive from April to October. Why? 

The Wli waterfalls sits miraculously at the Northern part of Ghana where the climate between April - October is most likely a rainy season. 

The water during those times fall with a lot of vigor and the flow of water thundering down as it plunges down directly before collecting into a large pool below exactly at the foot of the mountain is always exciting and beautiful. 

Although, the hike to the upper falls is normally too slippery and treacherous during the rainiest months.

But hang on a minute, have you heard about hiking?

Hiking is a weight-bearing exercise which builds muscle mass and helps prevents Osteoporosis. 

The most exciting adventure in Wli waterfalls is to go on a hiking trip

How? Why? What is the catch? A lot of rhetorical question here now.

Keep reminiscing on that! I need to gossip another phrase here. 

Do you know Wli waterfalls is made up of 3 levels?

° The lower level: a straightforward 45minutes walk.

° The lower mountain: A 3-hours hike. You'll need some stamina and a good pair of hiking footwear, to avoid a tore-one at the end.

° The higher mountain: A 5-hours hike. It is definitely for the faint-hearted. 

 If you time your visit to the lower falls for the late afternoon, you may see the stunning sight of thousands of fruit bats taking flight from their roost to feed in the surrounding forests.

Alright! Back to hiking, Let's get a little bit deeper. 

Of what benefit is hiking to the body?

It proffers a lot of prevention from varieties of mental and physical ailments. Some are:

- It helps lower the risk of heart diseases, stroke and some form of cancer.

- it improves your blood pressure and blood sugar level.

- It helps strengthen your core

 and many much more. Did I hear you say, no wonder Africans are strong? Read the headlines again.

Beyond that, there are other interesting things to indulge in whilst exploring the Wli Waterfalls*

🌈Camping: You can stage your camp anywhere around the hills.

 🌈 Village ostrich project: A project with an NGO to create sustainable jobs income from the sale of eggs. It houses 25 animals.

ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND REFRESHMENT

🔰 A Visitor Center at Wli Waterfalls offers shaded seating, beverages, a nice gift shop and flush toilets. Artisans often display their work outside the Visitor Centre.

It is situated on the edge of the village.

Home stays can be arranged there and camping is also permitted. 

🌈They are several lodges in the area with stunning views and access to waterfall trails. Most are budget friendly.

🌈There is also a Private lodging available at two hotels in Wli Waterfalls

🌈They are basic refreshment stalls near the tourist office and car pack. 

🌈Testament from tourists attest that all the guest houses in the area offer good food.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Waterfalls provides soothing sights and sounds that helps you relax and de-stress in this congested stressful busy world. 

It's getting interesting right! You can also help lower your blood pressure and improve your physical, as well as, you mental health as you prop your feet up and enjoy the therapeutic effects of Mother Nature.

Have you ever watched ancient African or Asian films?

Do you notice monks use water to help meditate and cure varieties of ailments?

According to Scientific studies, Negative ions increases the flow of oxygen to the brain which improves mood and reduces stress and anxiety.

Keep reading! Bee with with me because, I still have more to gossip with you

Imagine this! What are the Physiological and Psychological benefits of going to Waterfalls?

Psychological Benefits:- The sound of running water aids in diminishing depression, increased mental clarity, greater emotional stability and an overall sense of well-being.

Physiological Benefits:-

⚜️ It reduces muscle tension and joint stress.

⚜️ It helps staying hydrated 

⚜️ It helps keeping the skin moisturized. The best Pedicure and Manicure. 

⚜️ It helps to keep the hair shiny etc.

I'm sure you can now agree that Africa is indeed a home of beauty😍

OVERVIEW

Most tourists make the easy walk to the lower falls which is mostly a flat trail but stunning and beautiful in setting.

The equally high and much more isolated upper falls is a special treat for those with the stamina for the challenging hike.

There are inviting pools at the base of the both falls where the hearty can take a chilly dip.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Explore Africa With The Moria is a brand set up to showcase the beauty and features of Africa and Africans. Here at EAWTM, we are much interested in exploring Africa with you from your comfort which is an evidence of our vision "To motivate Africans and non-Africans to explore, visit, know and learn more about African people, places, culture, heritage, events, arts, and all its industries" .

Yes, this is home to Africans and non-Africans. Together, let's bring Africa to the fore😊

MISSION

 Mission

To be a world class brand that promotes African heritage, beauties and potentials, and make it a continent to reckon with.

VISION

Vision

To motivate Africans and non-Africans to explore, visit, know and learn more about African people, places, culture, heritage, events, arts and all its industries