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Sheedi: The Afro-Pakistani Community That’s Kept its African Roots and Culture Alive

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A growing conversation on African diaspora history has turned attention to the Sheedi community in Pakistan, an Afro-Pakistani population with deep ancestral links to East Africa and a centuries-old presence on the Indian subcontinent.

The renewed spotlight follows a widely shared social media post by cultural traveler Amina Mamaty, who documented her visit to the Sheedi community during a recent trip to Pakistan. In the video, Mamaty describes the encounter as one of the most meaningful experiences of her journey.

The video reveals how African-descended communities exist far beyond the region’s most commonly associated with Black history.

African Roots, Asian Homeland

Historical accounts indicate that the Sheedi trace their ancestry to East Africa, particularly the Swahili Coast, encompassing parts of present-day Tanzania and neighboring countries.

Their arrival in South Asia dates back several centuries, linked to Indian Ocean trade routes, military service, and forced migration during the era of the transcontinental slave trade.

Today, the Sheedi are concentrated mainly in Sindh and Balochistan, where they are fully embedded in Pakistani society. They speak local languages, participate in regional traditions, and identify as Pakistani citizens, while retaining cultural elements connected to their African heritage.

Music and rhythm remain among the most visible expressions of that heritage. Drumming and dance, observers note, continue to play a central role in community celebrations, reflecting cultural continuities that have survived generations.

A Story That Resonates Across Continents

Mamaty’s reflections emphasised not only history but lived experience. She described a strong sense of communal warmth, joy, and openness, noting that the Sheedi welcomed her “like family.” Members of the community expressed hope that more people of African descent, particularly women, would visit and engage with their story.

For global audiences — including Africans and people of African descent in the diaspora — the Sheedi narrative challenges narrow ideas of where African identity exists. Scholars say it highlights the Indian Ocean dimension of the African diaspora, which is often overshadowed by transatlantic histories.

Relevance for Africa and the Diaspora

For African countries such as Ghana, which has positioned itself as a hub for diaspora reconnection through initiatives like the Year of Return, the Sheedi story reinforces the idea that African heritage is both global and interconnected. It also underscores the importance of recognising lesser-known diaspora communities whose histories complicate simplistic views of migration, identity, and belonging.

As interest continues to grow online, cultural historians suggest the Sheedi community’s visibility may encourage deeper academic research, cultural exchange, and tourism, while contributing to broader conversations about Africa’s global legacy.

Sights and Sounds

The Little Train Everyone Talks About: Inside Accra’s AnC Kiddie Ground

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Sometimes the biggest adventure in Accra comes on a little train.

At AnC Kiddie Ground in East Legon, children aged two to eight can spend an hour swapping screens for slides, inflatables and a miniature train ride that has become the park’s standout attraction.

Tucked inside the grounds of AnC Mall, the outdoor play area offers families a simple way to give young children room to run, laugh and explore in a supervised setting.

Unlike many indoor play centres, Kiddie Ground combines open-air play with a covered space that keeps activities going even when the sun is high.

The rides are designed with younger children in mind, while on-site staff help ensure play remains safe, giving parents a little more peace of mind as little ones climb, bounce and race between attractions.

The train ride adds an extra layer of excitement, carrying children on a cheerful circuit around parts of the play area and often becoming the highlight of the visit.

It is the kind of experience that turns an ordinary afternoon into a memorable outing.

For families planning birthdays, the venue has also become a practical option for toddler and children’s parties, with enough space for group celebrations alongside the regular play activities.

Entry starts from GHS20 per hour, making it an accessible stop for parents looking for a short but energetic family outing without leaving the city.

For visitors discovering Accra, AnC Kiddie Ground offers a glimpse into the city’s growing family-friendly leisure scene—proof that sometimes the smallest attractions create the biggest smiles.

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Travel

The Cheaper Side of Europe: Seven Cities Where Your Travel Budget Goes Further

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For many Ghanaian travellers, Europe often feels like a dream with a hefty price tag. Images of London’s expensive hotels, Parisian cafés and Rome’s tourist-packed streets have created the impression that exploring the continent requires a fortune.

Yet a growing number of budget-conscious travellers are discovering that some of Europe’s most rewarding destinations cost less than half as much as its famous capitals.

The difference can be dramatic.

A day in London typically costs around €120 for accommodation, meals and activities. Paris averages €110, while Rome comes in at roughly €95.

Those figures can quickly stretch the budget of anyone planning a week-long holiday.

Where the Savings Begin

Eastern and Southeastern Europe tell a different story. In Budapest, Hungary, visitors can expect to spend around €35 a day, while Skopje, North Macedonia, averages just €25.

Belgrade, Serbia, sits at about €35, Warsaw, Poland, around €40, and both Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bucharest, Romania, average roughly €25–30 daily. Tirana, Albania, is another standout at around €30.

Those prices cover the essentials that matter most to travellers: a place to sleep, local meals and activities that make a trip memorable.

More Than Just Lower Prices

The appeal goes beyond saving money. Budapest is famous for its historic thermal baths and grand riverside architecture. Sarajevo blends Ottoman and European influences in a city shaped by resilience and history.

Tirana has become known for colourful streets, lively cafés and nearby mountain escapes, while Warsaw combines restored old-world charm with a modern cultural scene.

For travellers from Ghana and elsewhere, these destinations offer the chance to experience Europe without feeling pressured to rush through attractions or overspend on basic expenses.

Making European Travel More Accessible

With airfares often taking the biggest share of an international travel budget, choosing a more affordable destination can make the rest of the trip significantly easier to manage.

Money saved on accommodation and food can be redirected toward longer stays, local experiences or visits to multiple cities.

As more travellers look beyond Europe’s best-known capitals, the continent’s lesser-publicised destinations are gaining attention for offering rich culture, impressive history and better value.

The cheapest trip is not always about spending less—it is about getting more from every euro.

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Sights and Sounds

Inside Splash Social Center: Accra’s Laid-Back Pool Escape Off Spintex Road

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A great afternoon in Accra doesn’t always require a long drive or an expensive getaway.

Sometimes, it is hidden just off one of the city’s busiest roads, where the soundtrack shifts from traffic to music and the biggest decision is whether to dive into the pool or order a cold drink first.

Tucked off Nii Martey Tsufu Street, which runs parallel to Spintex Road, Splash Social Center has carved out a reputation as a relaxed meeting spot where families, friends and weekend visitors can cool off without leaving the city.

The centre’s biggest draw is its spacious, well-maintained swimming pool, large enough to comfortably accommodate around 30 swimmers.

Nearby, a dedicated children’s pool gives younger visitors a safer place to splash about while trained lifeguards keep watch, making it a practical choice for family outings.

The experience extends well beyond the water. An on-site restaurant and bar serve refreshments throughout the day, while a resident DJ keeps the atmosphere lively with music that encourages guests to linger a little longer.

As daylight fades, the venue takes on a different energy, hosting evening events that transform the space into a social hub for Accra’s nightlife crowd.

For visitors planning a trip, entry is refreshingly straightforward. A GHS 50 admission fee includes access to the swimming pools and changing room facilities, allowing guests to settle in for an afternoon of swimming, dining and unwinding.

In a city known for its energetic pace, Splash Social Center offers something refreshingly simple: a clean, welcoming place where cooling off and catching up with friends go hand in hand.

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