Informal education has been the practice of indigenous communities in Africa as long as people have lived there. The tradition of African education has long been closely intertwined with the daily life of the African people with the idea that children "learnt what they lived".The philosophy of traditional African education suggests that one’s education cannot be separated from the everyday life and the “curriculum” is thus considered “a way of life” with the ultimate goal being to create a "complete individual, a lifelong learner".The knowledge and practices that are important to the community are generally passed down through the sharing of memories and participation in cultural activities. Their education system serves as “the information base for the community, which facilitates communication and decision-making.
Papyrus also grew along the river banks which Egyptians turned into paper to write and keep records on. Further away from the Nile was the desert or the “red land.” The red land was a natural barrier against enemy invaders. The geographic features of Ancient Egypt also contributed its economy and religion.