Oil, Music, & Savannah Spirit
The painting shows people joyfully celebrating with bright colors and strong strokes.
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome back, wander seekers and story chasers. The Around the World journey continues with “Oil, Music, and Savannah Spirit,” a chapter that moves to the heartbeat of West and Central Africa.
From Nigeria’s oil rich coasts to Rwanda’s rolling hills and the rhythms of Senegal’s spirit echoing across borders, this leg of the journey connects nations shaped by energy, art, and endurance. Together, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal remind us that Africa’s strength isn’t just found in its land or resources. It’s found in the creativity, warmth, and rhythm of its people.
Here, every drumbeat, every sunrise, and every story adds another note to the continent’s song. One of resilience, beauty, and boundless spirit.
Hand drawn flag of Namibia
NAMIBIA
Official name: Republic of Namibia
Pronunciation: nuh-mi-bee-uh
Capital: Windhoek
Official language: English
Location: In Southern Africa on the Western coast in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa
Climate: Predominantly arid
Most known for: Vast desert landscapes
Fun fact: It’s difficult to choose the most interesting fact for Namibia but in 7 Interesting Facts About Namibia, I think I have to go with how “More than 40% of the country is under conservation management.” This article is an fascinating read.
Recent news article: Global Indigenous Leaders Gather in Namibia to Preserve Culture and Biodiversity
My knowledge: I’m not familiar with Namibia
Hand drawn flag of Niger
NIGER
Official name: Republic of Niger
Pronunciation: nai-jr
Capital: Niamey
Official language: Hausa
Location: In Western Africa in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, and Benin
Climate: Predominantly semi-arid
Most known for: One of the top producers of uranium
Fun fact: The country is named after Niger River and even has a dinosaur named after it, Nigersaurus. To learn more about this species, check out Paul Sereno’s Paleontologist web page which explains more about the Nigersaurus.
Recent news article: Niger Publishes Gibberish as Data on Bureau of Statistics Website
My knowledge: I don’t know any further information
Hand drawn flag of Nigeria
NIGERIA
Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Pronunciation: nah-jee-ree-uh
Capital: Abuja
Official language: English
Location: In Western Africa along the coast in Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon
Climate: Predominantly Tropical
Most known for: Being Africa’s Most Populous Country
Fun fact: With butterflies being popular, did you know that Nigeria has a great variety of butterflies? Nigeria is known to have over 1,000 different species of butterflies. Click here to read more about the 11 Magnificent Butterflies of Nigeria through Google Arts & Culture.
Recent news article: Positive Economic Momentum in Nigeria, Now Time to Bring Home the Gains
My knowledge: I am unfamiliar with Nigeria
Hand drawn flag of Rwanda
RWANDA
Official name: Republic of Rwanda
Pronunciation: ruh-waan-duh
Capital: Kigali
Official language: French, English, Swahili while Kinyarwanda is the national language
Location: In East Africa close to the equator in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi
Climate: Tropical highland
Most known for: The natural beauty of being a mountainous region. That’s how it got its nickname of being “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” To learn more, click here, to read Google’s Arts & Culture piece “Rwanda: The Land Of A Thousand Hills.”
Fun fact: There are Car-Free days in Rwanda. It’s an initiative to encourage healthy living by closing down streets.
Recent news article: Bank Group lauds Rwanda’s momentum on transformative Muvumba Dam Project
My knowledge: I don’t know any additional information
Hand drawn flag of São Tomé and Príncipe
SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE
Official name: Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Pronunciation: saw toy-MAY and PRIHN-sih-pay
Capital: São Tomé
Official language: Portugese
Location: Off the coast of the Western coast along the equator slightly above the equator
Surrounding countries: Near Equatorial Guinea and Gabon
Climate: Tropical
Most known for: It’s cocoa production
Fun fact: Known for being the “African Galápagos” due to high number of unique species
Recent news article: UNESCO enhances heritage protection from climate risks in São Tomé and Príncipe
My knowledge: I’m not at all familiar with São Tomé and Príncipe
Hand drawn flag of Senegal
SENEGAL
Official name: The Republic of Senegal
Pronunciation: seh-nul-gaal
Capital: Dakar
Official language: French
Location: Along the Western coast of Africa in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau
Climate: Tropical
Most known for: It’s rich culture of music and dance as well as for hospitality
Fun fact: Having a pink lake called Lac Rose. For more information on Lake Retba, read here.
Recent news article: Senegal’s New Deal Technologique Horizon 2034: Building digital sovereignty and economic transformation
My knowledge: I’m not familiar with Senegal
From oil fields to open plains, and from city beats to coastal rhythms. this stop in our Around the World series, reminds us that energy isn’t only found in resources. It’s found in people, in their art, resilience, and the way they continue to move, build, and create even when the world shifts beneath them.
If there’s one thing this journey taught me, it’s that travel isn’t just about where you go, it’s about how deeply you listen. Every place has its own rhythm, and sometimes the best thing we can do is slow down long enough to hear it.
As we wrap up this part of the journey, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re from, have lived in, or visited Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, or Senegal, share your experiences below. And if you’re new here, make sure you’re following along. The next stop in our Around the World adventure is already waiting.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
