Black History Buff: Uncovering Untold Stories

• Definitions | Bonkó Enchemiyá: The Code Hidden in the Beat

  What if every drumbeat was a message in plain sight?In this episode of Black History Buff: Definitions, we break down bonkó enchemiyá—the coded drum language of Cuba's Abakuá brotherhoods. But this isn’t just history; it’s a key to understanding how Black communities across time and continents have used music as resistance, refuge, and revolution.From the streets of Havana to the basslines of hip-hop, we explore how sound becomes cipher, how rhythm becomes rebellion—and how the oppressor always hears noise while the community hears truth.Featuring reflections on reggae, jazz, steel pan, and trap, this episode reveals the pattern beneath the pattern… and invites you to listen more closely.Help Me Make This Show Great - by letting me know About:•⁠ ⁠Pronunciation: Did I mispronounce any names, places, or terms? Teach me the right way. Your cultural expertise matters.•⁠ ⁠What's Missing? What important detail or perspective did I leave out of this story? Your knowledge fills the gaps.•⁠ ⁠Cultural Context: How would your community or family describe this differently? Help me understand the full picture.How to Contribute:Email voice recordings to: [email protected] voice messages at: https://www.speakpipe.com/Black_history_buff30-90 seconds is perfectLeave a comment right here.My Promise:Your contributions will help improve future episodes, help all of us to learn more and might be featured in upcoming episodes.It takes a village thank you for helping to make this one better xThe Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:Membership benefits include:Early access to new episodesBonus episodes and contentBe part of the creation of new episodes Guest membershipsGet featured In Episode End credits Ad Free Episodeshttps://www.patreon.com/BlackhistorybuffJoin my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistoryFind me on Social Mediahttps://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuffBuy me a Coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcastThank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. Stay Blessed,King Kurus, The Black History BuffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Fela Kuti: The Musician Who Carried Death in His Pouch

  In this episode, we delve into the life of Fela Kuti, the revolutionary musician who transformed the landscape of music and politics in Nigeria. The story begins in 1969 when Fela, a Nigerian jazz musician, meets a Black Panther in Los Angeles. This pivotal moment set the stage for his evolution into Africa's most dangerous artist, a title he earned by weaponizing rhythm and challenging military dictators through his groundbreaking genre, Afrobeat. Fela's journey from a trained classical musician in London to a political figure with the declaration of the independent Kalakuta Republic showcases how he fused West African rhythms with American funk, resulting in a sound rich in political urgency. Witness how Fela became more than just a musician; he was a voice against oppression, facing police raids and government persecution. On Patreon you'll find exclusive content that explores pivotal moments in his life, we're reminded that music is not merely entertainment but a potent tool for change. This episode addresses mature themes such as political violence and personal tragedy.The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:Membership benefits include:Early access to new episodesBonus episodes and contentBe part of the creation of new episodes Guest membershipsGet featured In Episode End credits Ad Free Episodeshttps://www.patreon.com/BlackhistorybuffJoin my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistoryFind me on Social Mediahttps://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuffBuy me a Coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcastThank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. Stay Blessed,King Kurus, The Black History BuffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Why Cities Are Secretly Destroying Our Gut Health - The Truth All Black People Need To Know

  The largest gut microbiome study ever conducted in Africa has revealed a disturbing truth about what urbanisation is doing to Black bodies worldwide. Published in Nature journal, this groundbreaking research followed 1,801 women across Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa and the findings should concern every member of the Black diaspora.In this episode, King Kurus breaks down how the move from rural to urban living is literally killing beneficial bacteria that have protected African populations for millennia. But this isn’t just a modern problem. It’s the continuation of a colonial pattern that began with the systematic destruction of traditional food systems over a century ago.We explore the historical connection between colonial economic extraction in places like Uganda, the forced urbanization of African populations, and today’s “food deserts” that plague Black communities globally. From the loss of Treponema bacteria to the rise of gut-related diseases, this episode connects cutting-edge science to the long arc of African history.Whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, this story affects you. Discover why geography shapes gut health, how traditional diets protected our ancestors, and what we can learn from rural African communities that still maintain microbial diversity urban populations have lost.Key topics covered:The AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project findingsColonial food system destruction and its lasting effectsThe science behind gut bacteria and healthWhy traditional African diets matter more than everThe connection between urbanization and diseaseWhat this means for Black communities worldwideHost: King KurusSources: Nature journal, University of the Witwatersrand, Stanford University, historical colonial recordsThe Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:Membership benefits include:Early access to new episodesBonus episodes and contentBe part of the creation of new episodes Guest membershipsGet featured In Episode End credits Ad Free Episodeshttps://www.patreon.com/BlackhistorybuffJoin my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistoryFind me on Social Mediahttps://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuffBuy me a Coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcastThank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. Stay Blessed,King Kurus, The Black History BuffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' - Does Labour Secretly Hate Black People?

  When British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK risked becoming an "island of strangers" without tougher immigration controls, the backlash was immediate. Critics immediately drew parallels to Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech. Now Starmer claims he "deeply regrets" the phrase and had no idea about the historical connection.But King Kurus isn't buying it. In this powerful episode, he traces the pattern of how British politicians from both major parties have weaponized immigration rhetoric against Black and Brown communities for over 75 years - then claimed ignorance when called out.From the moment the Empire Windrush docked in 1948, Labour MPs were writing letters warning about "coloured people" damaging Britain's social fabric. Government officials even seriously considered diverting the ship to force Caribbean passengers into manual labor in East Africa. The Windrush generation was never invited - they pushed through closed doors, not open ones.King Kurus explains how a series of immigration laws from 1962 onwards systematically stripped away the rights of Black and Brown Commonwealth citizens, culminating in the 1981 British Nationality Act that abolished birthright citizenship. This legal foundation enabled what became the Windrush scandal, when Theresa May's "hostile environment" policies targeted the very people who had been told they were British.Through the concept of "the spirit of the law," this episode reveals how politicians craft neutral-sounding policies designed to exclude while maintaining plausible deniability. It's the same playbook whether it's "swamped by different cultures" in 1978 or "island of strangers" in 2025.This is essential listening for understanding how racist rhetoric gets recycled across generations - and why we can't fall for the same tricks over and over again.Content Warning: Discussion of racism and discriminatory policiesKing Kurus is the host of the Black History Buff podcast, bringing daily stories that matter to our community with historical context and unflinching analysis.The video referenced in the episode is this one https://youtu.be/2AJSgmxnzFI?si=LQzorwIH7vGn1wggThe Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:Membership benefits include:Early access to new episodesBonus episodes and contentBe part of the creation of new episodes Guest membershipsGet featured In Episode End credits Ad Free Episodeshttps://www.patreon.com/BlackhistorybuffJoin my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistoryFind me on Social Mediahttps://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuffBuy me a Coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcastThank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. Stay Blessed,King Kurus, The Black History BuffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• What Are Griots? | Black History Buff: Definitions

  In this episode of Black History Buff: Definitions, we explore the word Griot, a term deeply rooted in West African history and culture.You’ve likely heard the word in conversations about storytelling, oral tradition, or African heritage, but what does it actually mean? And why does it matter?This short, accessible episode defines the role of the Griot, explains its historical context, and introduces its lasting influence in Black communities around the world.Whether you’re brushing up on your knowledge, teaching others, or simply curious about the origins of Black cultural expression, this episode gives you a clear, foundational understanding of a powerful tradition.Perfect for learners, educators, and anyone looking to enrich their cultural vocabulary, one definition at a time.Stay curious. Stay proud. Stay blessed.The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:Membership benefits include:Early access to new episodesBonus episodes and contentBe part of the creation of new episodes Guest membershipsGet featured In Episode End credits Ad Free Episodeshttps://www.patreon.com/BlackhistorybuffJoin my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistoryFind me on Social Mediahttps://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuffBuy me a Coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcastThank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. Stay Blessed,King Kurus, The Black History BuffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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