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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

Christmas & New Year Across Africa

Holiday traditions, recipes, and celebrations

Christmas across Africa

Merry Christmas in African Languages

Traditions
Krampus dessert

Krampus's Favorite African Dessert

Recipes
New Year fireworks in Africa

How Africa Celebrates New Year

Celebrations
Black eyed pea casserole

New Year's Black Eyed Pea Casserole

Luck & Prosperity

FOOD PROVERBS

African Food Proverbs

Culinary wisdom passed down through generations

African food sayings and proverb

Best Ten African Food Sayings & Proverbs

Culinary Wisdom
Meat stew representing animal wisdom

Honoring Animal: African Wisdom of Thankfulness

Gratitude
Diverse hands placing food on shared table

Bring Something to the Table

Community
Lemon varieties representing spice of life

6 African Proverbs That Will Spice Up Your Cooking

Transformation

Zulu King Goodwill is a monarch who holds no formal political power, fulfilling the spiritual and ceremonial needs of the South African Zulu nation.

The capital of KwaZulu-Natal is Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal province stretches from Port Edward in the south to the borders of eSwatini and Mozambique to the north. North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is renowned for its beaches and also known as the place where the Zulu King, Shaka, was buried.

KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy specifically provided for in South Africa's Constitution that was created in 1994 when the Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu and Natal Province were merged. KwaZulu-Natal is the home to the Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu who receives an income from the government for his position. 

The Zulu royal family consists of the reigning monarch of the Zulus of South Africa, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu son of Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon. His wives Sibongile Winifred Dlamini married 1969, Buthle MaMathe, Mantfombi Dlamini,, daughter of Sobhuza II of Swaziland and sister of Mswati III, married 1973. Also his 27 children, and relatives.

Zulu King Goodwill

A condition for this marriage was that she become first wife, which determines the king’s successor. Thandikela Jane Ndlovu, Nompumelelo Mchiza, married 1992 and Zola Zelusiwe Mafu, married 2004.

King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is a monarch who holds no formal political power but fulfills the spiritual and ceremonial needs of the Zulu nation. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu salary is in the range of $6 million a year to cater to the needs of his royal household. 

Zulu King Goodwill denies inciting South Africa’s anti-immigrant attacks in 2015 by supporting xenophobic hatred in South Africa after he was accused of hate speech March 2015 that has left as many people dead and forced thousands from their homes.


KwaZulu-Natal is the home to the Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu

List of Zulu chieftains and kings from earliest recorded history up to the current.

Mnguni

Nkosinkulu

Mdlani

Luzumana

Malandela kaLuzumana, son of Luzumana

Ntombela kaMalandela, son of Malandela Zulu kaNtombela, son of Ntombela, founder and chief of the Zulu clan from around 1709.

Gumede kaZulu, son of Zulu, chief of the Zulu clan.

Phunga kaGumede, son of Gumede, chief of the Zulu clan up to 1727.

Mageba kaGumede, son of Gumede and brother of Phunga, chief of the Zulu clan from 1727 to 1745.

Ndaba kaMageba, son of Mageba, chief of the Zulu clan from 1745 to 1763.

Jama kaNdaba, son of Ndaba, chief of the Zulu clan from 1763 to 1781.

Mkabayi kaJama, daughter of Jama

Senzangakhona kaJama, son of Jama, chief of the Zulu clan from 1781 to 1816.

Shaka kaSenzangakhona, son of Senzangakona, king from 1816 to 1828.

Dingane kaSenzangakhona, son of Senzangakhona and half-brother of Shaka, king from 1828 to 1840.

Mpande kaSenzangakhona, son of Senzangakhona and half-brother of Shaka and Dingane, king from 1840 to 1872.

Cetshwayo kaMpande, son of Mpande, king from 1872 to 1884.

Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, son of Cetshwayo kaMpande, king from 1884 to 1913.

Phumuzuzulu kaDinuzulu, son of Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, king from 1913 to 1933.

Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaPhumuzuzulu, son of Solomon kaDinuzulu, king from 1948 to 1968.

Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, son of Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, king since 1971.


Zulu Nation

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

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The African Gourmet is preserved as a cultural resource and is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives.

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

Working Hands of Africa

The labor and love that feeds a continent

Hands holding African fruit

African Culture & Traditions

Harvest & Heritage
Hands preparing fufu

How Fufu Explains Politics

Food & Power
Farming hands in Africa

Slow Food Disappearance

Farming & Tradition
Hands with plantains

The Universal Plantain

Cooking & Community

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.