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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Here: Explore Africa’s Living Knowledge

Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

Antongil Bay Humpback Whale Watching in Madagascar

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📁 Wildlife of Africa

Humpback Whales

Africa's Madagascar Antongil Bay is the most important breeding place for humpback whales in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Africa's Madagascar Antongil Bay is the most important breeding place for humpback whales in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Antongil Bay Humpback Whale Watching in Madagascar

Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture

Go whale watching in Madagascar.

Humpback whale watching
Humpback whale watching

In 1997, the 2,175 sq km, 840 sq. mile or 537,600 acre Masoala National Park which is located on the Masoala peninsula in the northeast of Madagascar was created.  

The Masoala peninsula is enclosed by the Indian Ocean in the east and Antongil Bay in the west. Today the Masoala can only be reached by boat, hiking or bike riding through miles of wilderness. Masoala is a multipart protected area having four land tracts and three marine.

One important area is Antongil Bay, the largest bay in Madagascar. Antongil Bay is a refuge for humpback whales that gather in the bay during mating season feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. 

Swimming with Humpback Whales
Swimming with a Humpback Whale

Every year between June and September, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Antongil Bay Madagascar to breed and nurse their calves.  Mothers and calves swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appear to be signals of love one reason for the bond is females nurse their calves for almost a year. Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which travel for great distances through the Bay. 

Whale songs are a series of moans, howls, cries, and other noises are rather intricate sounds that can last for hours. It is most likely that humpback whales sing to communicate with others and to attract prospective mates.


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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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Cross-continental food, science, history, and cultural exchanges.

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.