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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

FOOD PROVERBS

Senegal Street Photography

Street photography is the tradition of capturing human life in public places. In Velingara Senegal, street photography highlights the humanity of city life in Africa's Senegal with spontaneous actions and the natural everyday life of people in their own day-to-day rhythms.


Senegal Street Photography, Traveling in Mbour Senegal, Africa photo by Sanchez Grande Photography
Traveling in Mbour Senegal photo by Sanchez Grande Photography

21 Interesting facts about Senegal


The population of Senegal is 15,020,945 by July 2018 estimates.

Senegal is named after the Senegal River. Senegal’s population with electricity is 55% and the economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture.

Senegal is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.


Going home from the market in Senegal.


Senegal has a population of over 13 million ranking 69th on the world’s most populous countries.

Senegal's nationality is Senegalese using both the singular and plural form.

Senegal's capital is Dakar, which was home to the Dakar Off-Road Rally until 2009 when the race moved to South Africa.

Sisters braiding hair in Senegal


There are 11 regions in Senegal comparable in function to county seats, Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, and Ziguinchor.

The Dutch established a slave port on the island of Goree in 1588 and years later in 1659, it became a key slave trading port.

During the Seven Years War 1756–1763, Britain took over French posts in Senegal forming the colony of Senegambia.

Slaves, ivory, and gold were exported from the coast during the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1960, Senegal exerted its independence from under French rule as an independent nation.


The 40-year reign of Senegal's Socialist Party came to a diplomatic end in the 2000 elections.

Senegal’s Patriotic Symbol the African Renaissance Monument is to symbolize the achievement of Africa but some have serious issues with the nudity and symbolism of the 164-foot statue.

The statue depicts a very muscular man, holding a baby in one hand, leading a voluptuous woman with one exposed breast and supple thighs with the other.

Climbing the 216 steps to the African Renaissance Monument you would not immediately discern that local African artists feel unfairly denied the chance to work on a project of national pride.

Located in the Senegalese capital of Dakar the African Renaissance Monument cost millions to create, $27 million dollars to be exact.

The Senegalese Ex-President, unable to pay the $27 million price tag on the work, gave real estate to North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Project, which later sold the land at profit in exchange for the statue.

Thies pronounced as chess is a region of western Senegal and is the is the third largest city in Senegal.

Languages of Senegal may not surprise you since Senegal was once a French colony, the official language is French, and the other major languages are Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, and Mandinka.

Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, and it is the indigenous language of the ethnic grouping of the Wolof people.

Wolof is the most widely spoken language in Senegal even though the official language is French, by most Senegalese.

Republic of Senegal Motto: "Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi” "One People, One Goal, One Faith"


African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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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.

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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.