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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

All company is not good company. 

Ten African Proverbs from the 12th largest country in the world, the Democratic Republic of Congo.


Intelligence is like fire, people take it from others.

The basket that was used to carry a gift to a neighbor will bring back another gift.

The person who pursues two things will miss all of them.


Congolese woman
After her house was burned down a Congolese woman clears land for a new home.


A small mistake can bring great damage.

The less important person is the one bringing many problems.

She prepares a good meal, but the husband says there is too much salt.

The rain said I have warned you through lighting to mend your homes.

Unity finished the greatness of the forest.

People love you when you succeed but when you are poor you smell bad.

Girls face the same issues that women face. 


More War Democratic Republic of Congo African Proverbs

The Congolese people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have endured decades of civil war and political turmoil. 


War African proverbs.

War cry rings louder than a mothers cry. 

All are not soldiers that go to the wars. 

 A growing youth has a hyena in his belly. 

 A fart cannot be dispelled with a fan. 

A hundred years cannot repair a moment's loss of trust. 

A hungry belly has no ears. 

Don’t water the fields of others, while your own are dry. 

All are not warriors that blow the horn of war. 

An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow. 

A bad thing never dies.


Despite war in the Democratic Republic of Congo there are still people able to contribute positive energy to the world coming out the other side whole and well. Congolese people are children of light, not darkness.


More African Proverbs from the motherland.

  1. Your Attitude African Proverbs
  2. What is an African Proverb
  3. Do not invite evil to sit at your table then cry
  4. Mean Coworkers African Proverbs
  5. Having Faith African Proverbs

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

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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.

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

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.