tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37912615862594305102024-03-18T05:48:41.223-04:00Africa FactbookThe history of Africa is deep. Read and discover delicious recipes, funky art, games and epic history while learning to love ancient and modern Africa in good and challenging times. Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.comBlogger1984125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-58083035911635325532024-03-17T00:30:00.045-04:002024-03-17T00:30:00.263-04:00Cairo Name Origin’s<h2 style="text-align: left;">The city of Cairo has an interesting history behind its name. Its name is derived from the Arabic word al-Qāhirah which translates to The Victorious.</h2><p>Cairo's name is derived from the Arabic word al-Qāhirah, which means The Victorious. It was named after the city's establishment in 969 CE during the Fatimid Caliphate, signifying the region's conquest. Cairo is home to the world's oldest functioning university, Al-Azhar University, founded in 970 CE. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNSUR8_8MNI2wDV0AfbIjfGz6ahydeAuyJTOEweHgSrb6Z0cUaLOfXLYdjYBewo9jsB68wilJXRsj2Yla7Gef6UOhexCtxwxlHj7GVTwEJXKupWjuwxQgYV3LzTTZ3S9fsz5SQa92q3LImCA9RUQL08w8E_3GrcXkLBMfDlGTeFpra-stCubWGHnLU3iM7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNSUR8_8MNI2wDV0AfbIjfGz6ahydeAuyJTOEweHgSrb6Z0cUaLOfXLYdjYBewo9jsB68wilJXRsj2Yla7Gef6UOhexCtxwxlHj7GVTwEJXKupWjuwxQgYV3LzTTZ3S9fsz5SQa92q3LImCA9RUQL08w8E_3GrcXkLBMfDlGTeFpra-stCubWGHnLU3iM7" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, has a population of over 20 million people. It is interesting to note that approximately 95 percent of this population resides within a distance of 12 miles or 20 km from the Nile River and its delta. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Nile River has been a lifeline for the people of Egypt for thousands of years, providing water for irrigation, transportation, and other purposes. The delta region of the river is particularly fertile and supports a large number of people engaged in agriculture and fishing. However, vast areas of the country still remain sparsely populated or uninhabited, with much of the population concentrated in urban areas such as Cairo and other major cities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city on the African continent and has stood for more than 1,000 years on the same site on the banks of the Nile. Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the outskirts of Cairo, there are six communities of people known as the Zabaleen, which translates to garbage people in Arabic. These communities have developed a unique way of survival by collecting and recycling trash.</div><div><br /></div><div>They have become experts in separating different types of waste such as plastic, metal, and paper. The Zabaleen then sell the recyclable materials to local factories to be processed. Despite facing challenges such as poor living conditions and lack of recognition, the Zabaleen have been able to build a sustainable and self-sufficient system of waste management that benefits both the environment and the local economy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know?</div><p>Mall of Arabia in Cairo, Egypt is the largest shopping mall in Africa, covering 2.8 million square feet; it boasts luxurious hotels, cinemas, gyms, casinos, and international brands, along with a hypermarket, food court, family entertainment center, and bowling alley. A hypermarket is a retail store that combines a department store and a grocery supermarket.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-15288653100838158422024-03-10T00:30:00.065-05:002024-03-10T00:30:00.144-05:00Aso Rock Dwellers<h2 style="text-align: left;">Aso Rock is one of Nigeria's most well-known natural landmarks with mystical dwellers.</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcWK7AiKcnmha96kKSph1Pg-8d8E0Lw6WgpTdQC0fLo5Z2uPQezCvy7LUkKshYVp-RMVh7gkWC__5qVEN5V7ktN6SaTfWS0G4oYAxKkPGTW3Hnd075tCZ7AhvSPA-YQSJ9Rk1VeC5UX-Xlizh8bPSIfsObCB9znthBKCNL6-5qaTxPuOa4iP-sDT5q1-g/s419/aso%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Aso Rock Dwellers" border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="419" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcWK7AiKcnmha96kKSph1Pg-8d8E0Lw6WgpTdQC0fLo5Z2uPQezCvy7LUkKshYVp-RMVh7gkWC__5qVEN5V7ktN6SaTfWS0G4oYAxKkPGTW3Hnd075tCZ7AhvSPA-YQSJ9Rk1VeC5UX-Xlizh8bPSIfsObCB9znthBKCNL6-5qaTxPuOa4iP-sDT5q1-g/w320-h241/aso%20(1).jpg" title="Aso Rock Dwellers" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aso Rock Dwellers</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Aso Rock is located near the Presidential Complex and the Nigerian National Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. Aso Rock is a single massive rock formation. It is not a collection of rocks but a singular geological formation composed primarily of granite. Aso Rock is known for its rock dwellers, imposing size and unique appearance, making it one of the notable natural landmarks in Nigeria.</p><p>Aso Rock is a monumental granite formation in Abuja, Nigeria, serving as a symbol of the city and a cultural landmark. Aso Rock is a beloved icon because of its profound cultural and symbolic significance to the Nigerian people. The rock's sheer height and geological prominence make it a significant natural landmark in the region.</p><p>Aso Rock is composed of granite. Granite is an igneous rock formed from the slow crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface. It primarily comprises quartz, feldspar, and mica minerals, giving it its characteristic speckled appearance. </p><p>The area around Aso Rock in Abuja, Nigeria, is home to various plants and animals. Despite the rocky terrain and dry climate, various plant species like acacia, baobab trees, grasses, and shrubs thrive in the region. Birds such as doves, pigeons, and raptors can be seen flying above, while lizards, including agamas and geckos, bask on the rocks. Some small mammals like squirrels and bats also inhabit the area, along with insects such as butterflies and beetles. </p><p>More important is the legend of people living inside Aso Rock. Aso Rock is a place where reality and myth intertwine, creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. Aso Rock dwellers, it is whispered among the locals, hold sway over the fate of the nation's politics, their whispers echoing through the corridors of power in the nearby Aso Villa complex. Some say that the decisions made by the nation's leaders are influenced by the subtle guidance of these enigmatic beings, who observe the affairs of mortals from their hidden sanctuary within the rock. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-39761119754514243542024-03-03T00:30:00.015-05:002024-03-03T00:30:00.145-05:00Libya was under Italian control from 1911 to 1943<p>Italy ruled over Libya for over three decades, from 1911 to 1943, under the leadership of important figures like Mussolini, Victor Emmanuel III, and Italo Balbo. This long period of control significantly impacted the country's history, society, and politics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcwF8_sSAbc-PjeYdgnlC39tPHcpOetCHOWYTN2AvdD8tm0O5tDyTNEAF2jpbr-qLqoJSYe8ogV-YzA5YaviNnxQWPzvHtmQFsAtef4gvkOdWQBBSwlxJIgANqPtHAPm49NxsofyALlhbVWKRHYAaD_b1fbJUC8IVVmUb5l4_2jjckIvo65yEK0T1OLp_/s600/lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gurgi Mosque" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcwF8_sSAbc-PjeYdgnlC39tPHcpOetCHOWYTN2AvdD8tm0O5tDyTNEAF2jpbr-qLqoJSYe8ogV-YzA5YaviNnxQWPzvHtmQFsAtef4gvkOdWQBBSwlxJIgANqPtHAPm49NxsofyALlhbVWKRHYAaD_b1fbJUC8IVVmUb5l4_2jjckIvo65yEK0T1OLp_/w240-h320/lib.jpg" title="Gurgi Mosque" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gurgi Mosque</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Serving as the King of Italy from 1900 to 1946, Victor Emmanuel III played a significant role in endorsing and overseeing Italy's colonial ventures, including the occupation of Libya. His support for Mussolini's regime facilitated the implementation of colonial policies in North Africa.</p><p>As the leader of Fascist Italy from 1922 to 1943, Mussolini pursued an expansionist agenda that included the conquest and colonization of Libya. His authoritarian rule and aggressive foreign policies shaped Italy's approach to colonialism and influenced events in Libya during this period.</p><p>Italo Balbo was an Italian aviator and politician who served as Governor-General of Italian Libya from 1934 to 1940. Under his administration, Libya experienced significant infrastructure development and modernization efforts, albeit accompanied by continued repression and exploitation of the local population.</p><p>The Italian colonial administration in Libya implemented repressive policies aimed at subjugating the local population and exploiting the territory for economic gain. These policies included land expropriation, forced labor, heavy taxation, and the suppression of cultural and religious practices. The harsh treatment of Libyans by Italian authorities fostered widespread discontent and resentment, providing fertile ground for resistance.</p><p>Omar Mukhtar was a prominent Bedouin sheik who came to symbolize the spirit of resistance against Italian colonial rule in Libya during the early 20th century. He was a charismatic leader who organized and led various armed resistance groups collectively known as mujahideen. </p><p>These groups employed sophisticated guerrilla tactics to harass Italian forces and disrupt their control over the territory. Mukhtar's forces were particularly effective in carrying out hit-and-run attacks on Italian convoys and supply lines, which severely undermined their ability to maintain a stronghold in the region. </p><p>Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, Mukhtar and his followers held out against the Italian occupation for over two decades, inspiring other Libyans to join the cause and resist foreign domination.</p><p>Did you know?</p><p>Italy ruled over Libya from 1911 to 1943, enforcing the Italian language, education, and favorable Italian policies. As a result, Libya is made up of Arab, Berber, and Italian influences.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-72840677491235731202024-02-25T00:30:00.087-05:002024-02-25T00:30:00.141-05:00Stolen Colonial Artifacts Have No Soul<h2 style="text-align: left;">Stolen Colonial Artifacts convey an artificial connection to Africa.</h2><p>While stolen colonial African artifacts may have physical characteristics associated with Africa, they lack a deeper meaningful connection to the continent spiritually because they are stolen pieces of Africa's soul. In other words, they may share a racial or physical attribute with Africans but have little or no cultural, historical, or experiential ties to Africa because the artifact's value lies in the spiritual connection to higher powers of the African spiritual universe. </p><p>Despite the different ways Africa is represented in diverse fields, such as cultural artifacts, this does not equate to a complete understanding of the African continent's land, people, and history. Looking at African artifacts does not comprehensively grasp the continent's complexities. When viewing the over 1,000 Benin Bronzes stolen by Germany, one is viewing the psychical bronze statues, not the spiritual. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfua1INt7MlePDXwRTbk2hEBVaYRSY5XyPyQL_ymVPqG_QvVJkZiohOBS64rqn55zwtbvqTQ1kV6zxUy-6zSP3MVxH9zR7E_sUyjVGJjf4BLqZhNdMdUgYMFgU-jia7hPwBkOfAHzIAqutgwAWR0dabSLrm70ZqUQUphsokyM85blomwOPCxfW23UwwWfe" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Benin Bronze Art" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="306" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfua1INt7MlePDXwRTbk2hEBVaYRSY5XyPyQL_ymVPqG_QvVJkZiohOBS64rqn55zwtbvqTQ1kV6zxUy-6zSP3MVxH9zR7E_sUyjVGJjf4BLqZhNdMdUgYMFgU-jia7hPwBkOfAHzIAqutgwAWR0dabSLrm70ZqUQUphsokyM85blomwOPCxfW23UwwWfe" title="Benin Bronze Art" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benin Bronze Art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Stolen African Spiritual Artifacts</h2><p>Throughout the colonial era, European powers frequently acquired and transported a wide range of art and artifacts from numerous regions of Africa to Western countries. This practice involved the collection of objects such as masks, sculptures, textiles, and other cultural items, which were often considered valuable and significant representations of the diverse cultures and traditions throughout the continent. </p><p>Due to these collections, many of these items were permanently removed from the communities in which they originated, and they have since been the subject of ongoing debates and discussions regarding cultural heritage, ownership, and repatriation.</p><p>During the seizure of the Kingdom of Benin as part of the British Punitive Expedition beginning January 2, 1897, British forces engaged in widespread looting of its cultural heritage, which included the famous bronze artworks of the Kingdom of Benin.</p><p>The arrows and spears the Chibok townsmen had used against the British were then collected and sent to London, where they are held in storage today. However, curator labels available online about the background of the items at the British Museum, which holds around 73,000 African objects, make no mention of how the spears got there nor of the Chibok's resistance of colonization. </p><p>While these artifacts may have African origins, they were often acquired without the consent or understanding of the cultures they came from. As a result, they may be displayed in museums or private collections without a genuine connection to Africa beyond their physical presence.</p><p>The lack of context or appreciation for the cultural significance of these artifacts can mean that they retain nothing of Africa except their origins. They may be treated as mere curiosities or art objects divorced from their cultural and historical contexts.</p><p>Many museums have initiated processes for repatriating cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. This involves returning items that were acquired through colonial or unethical means. Repatriation aims to right historical wrongs and restore a sense of ownership and dignity to the communities from which the artifacts originated.</p><p>Museums increasingly use digital platforms to make collections accessible to a global audience. This includes digitizing artifacts and providing information about their cultural and historical significance online, making them accessible to source communities and the public.</p><p>The examples provided all share a common feature of shallow engagement with African elements, whether in a business setting, fashion, entertainment, or the handling of cultural artifacts. Although Africa's visual and aesthetic aspects are present, there's often a lack of a more profound comprehension, respect, or connection to the continent's diverse cultures, histories, and traditions.</p><p>Stolen colonial African artifacts may possess physical features that are commonly associated with Africa, but they do not hold any authentic spiritual connection to the continent. This is because these artifacts are essentially stolen pieces of Africa's soul and, as a result, lack any meaningful cultural, historical, or experiential ties to the African people. The value of these artifacts lies in their spiritual significance to the higher powers of the African spiritual universe, which is what makes them such a vital part of African heritage and culture.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-35989705549557665872024-02-18T00:30:00.001-05:002024-02-18T00:30:00.298-05:00Tunisian Farmers Egg Recipe<p>Shakshuka, a delectable dish hailing from North Africa, particularly Tunisia, has captured the hearts and palates of egg enthusiasts worldwide. Beyond its exquisite flavors, shakshuka's history dates back centuries. Learn the origins of shakshuka with a step-by-step guide to prepare this flavorful dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.</p><p>The very name shakshuka finds its roots in the Arabic word shakshek, meaning to shake. This aptly describes the cooking process of gently shaking the pan while poaching eggs in a luscious tomato sauce.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMJpGpT80rxkRoHKj0ymsZ2daptkKP6CTDzHlit0VQVpUsO1MuWVogktO11ATDdAZd7dCDjNQwbeX4ULFYPrNMpZQOcSrT3JbrUB0KOpJKKOCPLG1O2K6tXHV40Cv_ybf-9uPBLtsbdPMBxwYRqHFaluxPb6Rc83hMhNGwUGtI_EmjmqeSH-qR9Qrlg/s500/1E9FEEC2-8C40-421D-85CF-C8F4C9CD0F3A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="North African Shakshuka Egg Recipe" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMJpGpT80rxkRoHKj0ymsZ2daptkKP6CTDzHlit0VQVpUsO1MuWVogktO11ATDdAZd7dCDjNQwbeX4ULFYPrNMpZQOcSrT3JbrUB0KOpJKKOCPLG1O2K6tXHV40Cv_ybf-9uPBLtsbdPMBxwYRqHFaluxPb6Rc83hMhNGwUGtI_EmjmqeSH-qR9Qrlg/w320-h320/1E9FEEC2-8C40-421D-85CF-C8F4C9CD0F3A.jpeg" title="North African Shakshuka Egg Recipe" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">North African Shakshuka Egg Recipe.</p><p><br /></p><p>Shakshuka is a delicious breakfast dish that originated in Tunisia and was enjoyed by farmers and workers as a nutritious meal to help them get through a hard day's work. Over time, it has become popular all around the world, with each culture adding its own unique twist to the recipe. Today, shakshuka is loved by many for its rich and satisfying egg and tomato flavors.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">North African Shakshuka Egg Recipe</h3><p>Ingredients:</p><p>4 eggs</p><p>2 tablespoons olive oil</p><p>1 onion, diced</p><p>1 red bell pepper, diced</p><p>2 cloves garlic, minced</p><p>1 teaspoon ground cumin</p><p>1 teaspoon ground paprika</p><p>1/2 teaspoon ground chili powder</p><p>1/2 cup crushed tomatoes</p><p>Salt and pepper to taste</p><p>Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped</p><p><br /></p><p>Directions:</p><p>Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing until they soften (approximately 5 minutes).</p><p>Stir in minced garlic, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Cook for an additional minute to release the flavors.</p><p>Pour in crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.</p><p>Create small wells in the sauce and carefully crack the eggs into them. The number of wells depends on your desired servings.</p><p>Cover the pan with a lid and let the eggs cook in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny or solid, based on your preference.</p><p>Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove the pan from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.</p><p>Serve shakshuka with crusty bread or pita on the side for dipping and scooping up the flavorful sauce and eggs.</p><p>Feel free to personalize your shakshuka by adding ingredients such as diced tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese, or olives. Let your culinary creativity shine as you tailor this classic Tunisian farmer's and workers' dish to suit your taste.</p><p>As you set out on the culinary journey of preparing the African Gourmet's favorite Tunisian farmer egg recipe, shakshuka, take a moment to relish the delightful flavors and history that come with this beloved dish. Whether you choose to have it for breakfast, brunch, or any meal, shakshuka is a colorful, flavorful, and hearty dish.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-88293556922995522472024-02-11T00:30:00.001-05:002024-02-11T00:30:00.155-05:00South African Curry Fishcakes<p>South African Curry Fishcakes are a delectable dish that seamlessly blends the rich fishing tradition with love for the vibrant South African food scene. Each savory bite is connected to the love for fishing with the aromatic allure of curry in this South African culinary delight. Our recipe is designed to provide a serving size that will cater to a group of four individuals.</p><p>South African Curry Fishcakes is a delicious dish where fishing and curry come together to create a perfect combination.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx288NgihgkDC-H6dhBYNnEKrlXbj7UXmjs76h4Q0qxh8cmdk6QjsAnxHTDaaRb1oq9PtLlUJn6I6umPspouAemItkF5fJPox8Trjlt2XF9353N4tS6y-SmL5Z2D0kBQJ1Ky1gFkgruyoYzgsjre_j0lW_9-oIoIf9AWP0DdKOKa3blMIoMW-8VUlEba8A/s800/fish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="South African Curry-Infused Fishcakes" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx288NgihgkDC-H6dhBYNnEKrlXbj7UXmjs76h4Q0qxh8cmdk6QjsAnxHTDaaRb1oq9PtLlUJn6I6umPspouAemItkF5fJPox8Trjlt2XF9353N4tS6y-SmL5Z2D0kBQJ1Ky1gFkgruyoYzgsjre_j0lW_9-oIoIf9AWP0DdKOKa3blMIoMW-8VUlEba8A/w320-h240/fish.jpg" title="South African Curry-Infused Fishcakes" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>South African Curry Fishcakes</p><p>Ingredients</p><p>1 cup canned and drained salmon</p><p>2 tablespoons ground coriander</p><p>2 cloves crushed garlic</p><p>2 teaspoons grated ginger root</p><p>1 teaspoon brown sugar</p><p>1 teaspoon grated lemon rind</p><p>2 teaspoons red curry paste</p><p>1 cup of crushed pineapples </p><p>1 beaten chicken egg</p><p>1 cooked and mashed potato</p><p>Oil for frying</p><p><br /></p><p>Directions</p><p>Mix salmon, coriander, garlic, ginger, sugar, lemon rind, and curry paste in a bowl. Add pineapples, beaten egg, and mashed potato; mix well. Shape into cakes and refrigerate until firm. Fry cakes in oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve with a green salad and a side of french fries.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-43282831987711563592024-02-04T00:30:00.001-05:002024-02-04T00:30:00.152-05:00Why Does Polio Still Exist in Africa?<h2 style="text-align: left;">Polio persists in Africa due to inadequate healthcare, limited access in rural areas, conflicts, and vaccine belief systems.</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMl55pxIC8xT3gXOylxLaW51m40ItZ4rnutHlIWAXgaQP3bxSMpVP0ZbSo8mGYlHErOojgtDJr0me_5PFpcoDIsQgQfvtZQNwvbYo6ZZ4Bt5VsM76km5weqYYXNT2d4CGBB4lSCi8M-MjRlTDb7UlHpUuPwMS0jVAcsa_FRLsRRc-vncUgbtB9491wjir/s733/Polio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Polio persists in Africa" border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMl55pxIC8xT3gXOylxLaW51m40ItZ4rnutHlIWAXgaQP3bxSMpVP0ZbSo8mGYlHErOojgtDJr0me_5PFpcoDIsQgQfvtZQNwvbYo6ZZ4Bt5VsM76km5weqYYXNT2d4CGBB4lSCi8M-MjRlTDb7UlHpUuPwMS0jVAcsa_FRLsRRc-vncUgbtB9491wjir/w262-h320/Polio.jpg" title="Polio persists in Africa" width="262" /></a></div><br /><p>The CDC issued a travel alert about polio in Africa, specifically in Benin, on August 31, 2023. But why does wild polio still exist in Africa when in the United States, wild polio has been eliminated with no cases occurring in the country since 1979.</p>
<span style="background-color: mediumpurple; font-size: 20px;">‗</span>
<p>Did you know that despite years of efforts to eradicate polio in Africa, the disease still persists? Unfortunately, several deeply complex challenges make it difficult to completely eliminate polio from the continent.</p><p>Polio's persistence in Africa is attributed to multifaceted challenges. Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to remote areas, and socioeconomic disparities impede effective vaccination campaigns. Additionally, political instability in some regions hampers consistent healthcare delivery. </p><p>Cultural beliefs play a significant role in polio non-vaccination, as the local population may hold misconceptions such as the vaccine is a trick of the devil or have cultural practices that influence their perception of vaccines. Vaccination programs to eliminate polio from Africa must encompass the body and mind.</p><p>As recently as the 1950s, polio was a common disease in the United States. Polio is a very dangerous disease caused by a virus. Some children and adults who get a serious case of polio become paralyzed. This means that they are unable to move parts of their bodies. They may even die from the disease.</p><p>Serious cases of polio cause severe muscle pain and sometimes make the person unable to move one or both legs or arms and may make it difficult to breathe without the help of a machine. Mild cases of polio may last only a few days and may cause the person to have a fever, sore throat, stomachache, and headache.</p><p>There are no drugs or other special treatments that will cure people who get polio. There are two variants of polio vaccines: the widely recommended live oral polio vaccine, known as OPV, and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). OPV involves administering weakened but still live polio virus through oral drops, while IPV utilizes a killed polio virus administered as a shot. A regimen of 3 or more doses of either OPV or IPV provides protection against polio for at least 90 out of every 100 individuals.</p><p>Vaccine-derived poliovirus is a well-documented strain of poliovirus mutated from the strain originally contained in OPV. Some circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses have evolved to behave more like the wild virus, making it easier to spread to unvaccinated individuals. This is the reason why the </p><p></p><blockquote>Per the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/index.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fncird%2Finvestigation%2Fpolio%2Fpublic.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>, Good hand-washing practices can help prevent the spread of this disease. Because the virus that causes polio lives in the feces of an infected person, people infected with the disease can spread it to others when they do not wash their hands well after defecating. People can also be infected if they drink water or eat food contaminated with infected feces.</blockquote><p></p><p>Polio still exists in Africa because some countries in the city and rural areas don't have enough good healthcare, making it hard to give vaccines to everyone. Also, in some areas, it's tough to reach people, and not everyone can easily get to a doctor. Problems like wars or political issues in some places make it difficult to have regular healthcare. Some people may not want the vaccine because they believe in different vaccine treatments or have different beliefs. </p><p>How sick people get with the disease and how much they recover differ for each person. Most people who are paralyzed by polio will have some weakness in an arm or leg for the rest of their lives. Many of these people will be seriously disabled.</p><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-40353403665994207052024-01-28T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-28T00:30:00.160-05:00The Problem With Oral History<p>Oral history in Gabon faces challenges intertwined with the impact of colonialism. Colonial powers disrupted local narratives, imposing their perspectives and erasing indigenous voices. The legacy includes gaps, distortions, and loss of cultural nuances in Gabon's oral history. The forcing of colonial narratives leads to biased oral history and written accounts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTPqlxQuR6jiYvsMxGZNWXRbEO2KhJGg3HfBRB6HFOuvKhkiEpfBC0fsTQgwvWB-Fa27j42KwmsJ1gWWhyiOEBua6zc6_YSl49UslsqLe34DIXMDoiI_Qx-PtqwOB6DYnryqy_16xE5mvEwIKsr2AtcvQ3oOhNPUT72t87k-VwdVqanYE8Pbg9d5EIYYa/s584/gabon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oral History" border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="584" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTPqlxQuR6jiYvsMxGZNWXRbEO2KhJGg3HfBRB6HFOuvKhkiEpfBC0fsTQgwvWB-Fa27j42KwmsJ1gWWhyiOEBua6zc6_YSl49UslsqLe34DIXMDoiI_Qx-PtqwOB6DYnryqy_16xE5mvEwIKsr2AtcvQ3oOhNPUT72t87k-VwdVqanYE8Pbg9d5EIYYa/w320-h298/gabon.jpg" title="Oral History" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>Navigating Oral History, Colonial Shadows, and the Resilience of the Indigenous People in Gabon</h3><div>In 1492, Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sponsored by Spain, embarked on his first voyage across the Atlantic. On October 12, 1492, he reached the Americas, making landfall in the present-day Bahamas.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before Columbus, around 1440, Portuguese traders arrived in the coastal areas of Gabon. It was in this West African region where Portuguese traders were most active in enslaving the Mpongwe and numerous other tribes. During this period, Gabon also got its name in a general way to designate the river of that name and all the adjacent territory. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before Portuguese traders arrived in the coastal areas of Gabon, it was written in a book by Robert H. Milligan that the Mpongwe society was divided into three classes. The largest class was made up of slaves. Then, there was a middle class comprised of those who were free but had some slave ancestry. Finally, there was a minor aristocracy of pure non-slave Mpongwe descent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note: Per Milligan, in his book The Fetish Folk of West Africa, during an interview with a Mpongwe woman, it was stated, 'Domestic slavery is rarely attended with the usual horrors of European enslavement. Mpongwe slaves were serfs rather than slaves. Until the advent of the white slaver, they were rarely sold or exchanged. Mpongwe slaves were sometimes taken for debt and sometimes stolen from other tribes." </div><div><br /></div><div>The local trade networks of the Duma, Nzebi, Mpongwe, and Mbete started interacting with European traders. However, the specific names of these networks were not widely written about or documented. From the 1760s onward, the trade dynamics shifted, with a significant emphasis on the slave trade for about a century. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ5yY4HH5MjWFFbZsoSXDM_ZqXugmNifhoVhS2QdP9HG72w5-noZGIrB5SJIAYalrI_IgyZv2XkKxK72fFmsiYFvMBHWUfVZNjX5bD0XrVGMk8aSThxZUS4nbTXM-gsoq7wnE3KIR6K8Nnd1gJm13E9X5ZzT9Ol_N8Fzc2DH58YXaC5hzKD6dvbft25vB/s500/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oral History" border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ5yY4HH5MjWFFbZsoSXDM_ZqXugmNifhoVhS2QdP9HG72w5-noZGIrB5SJIAYalrI_IgyZv2XkKxK72fFmsiYFvMBHWUfVZNjX5bD0XrVGMk8aSThxZUS4nbTXM-gsoq7wnE3KIR6K8Nnd1gJm13E9X5ZzT9Ol_N8Fzc2DH58YXaC5hzKD6dvbft25vB/w320-h240/boat.jpg" title="Oral History" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In Gabon's forgotten oral history before colonialism, the Fang people, mainly in Gabon's interior, were known as fierce fighters with a fascinating history of fighting against the Portuguese. Their social structure, traditional beliefs, and oral traditions have been integral in shaping the collective consciousness of the Fang community. However, in written documentation, the Fang were described as an interior tribe that consisted of mere bush animals. The Fang people belonged to the orders of lower animals, cannibals.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the past, many African kingdoms in Gabon took part in the slave trade, but the Fang people were different. Unlike other kingdoms around them, they did not get involved in this challenging aspect of history. The powerful Fang people showed remarkable strength and independence by avoiding the pressures and temptations of the slave trade. This special choice highlights the Fang's strong commitment to keeping their culture intact and staying independent.</div><div><br /></div><div>French is the official language of Gabon, an African country. French became the official language of Gabon due to the country's colonial history. Gabon was a French colony from the late 19th century until gaining independence in 1960. Adopting French as the official language reflects the enduring influence of colonial rule. While this has facilitated communication and administrative functions, it presents challenges for preserving and transmitting oral history. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many indigenous communities in Gabon have rich oral traditions, but the imposition of a foreign language hinders the seamless passing down of oral cultural narratives. The linguistic shift poses difficulties in maintaining the authenticity and nuances of oral history, as the French language does not fully capture the depth and cultural specificity inherent in the indigenous languages.</div><div><br /></div><div>Colonial powers, propelled by imperial aspirations, negatively impacted Gabon's oral traditions. The imposition of foreign narratives and disruption of local languages and dialects resulted in the distortion and erasure of indigenous voices. The colonial era and beyond brought forth many challenges, including cultural appropriation, loss of linguistic nuances, and the imposition of biased perspectives that persist in shaping historical accounts.</div><div><br /></div><div>The far-reaching oral history of many African tribes will remain unknown. Amidst the turmoil of colonialism and its far-reaching impacts, the Fang people emerged as guardians of a remarkable and distinctive oral narrative, not as cannibals but as fierce fighters. Despite their many challenges and obstacles, the Fang maintained their autonomy and independence narrative to future generations.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-87476691845136439532024-01-20T00:30:00.144-05:002024-01-20T00:30:00.139-05:00Making a Fruit Recipe from Kenya<p>Starting can be intimidating if someone in your household is new to cooking Kenyan fare. However, it doesn't have to be complicated. For some adults, cooking may be a new task if they typically dine out or get takeout. If you're a parent, this is a perfect time to teach your kids from Kenya how to prepare meals.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Begin Making a Fruit Recipe from Kenya</h3><p>The first thing to know as a new cook is always keeping your hands clean. You need to wash your hands before, during, and after you start cooking any meals. The steps for proper handwashing are wet, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse, and dry. Scrub your hands for the required 20 seconds.</p><p>Introducing children to the naturally sweet flavors of Kenya through a non-cooking recipe is a beautiful idea to limit TikTok screen time for children and teens. This recipe provides an opportunity for kids to engage in hands-on activities. One popular and easy-to-make option is Mango and Avocado Salad. This colorful and nutritious dish is simple enough for kids to assemble, showcasing some of the delicious fruits commonly found in Kenya. </p><p>Kenyan mangoes are renowned for their succulent sweetness and vibrant flavors, thriving in the country's warm and tropical climate. Similarly, Kenyan avocados, known for their creamy texture and rich taste, are prized both locally and internationally, making them key players in the country's agricultural bounty.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4grec8OnjP-977pb2PzxIlAJqbDwt2zL5o4QC67sdfIRNr5o7XkMnAvha6qVW9XolnbR_z2UP0kjksW3CtG6SOZL-rpmx6p3H6LH-idmIHQDwN845jAwTQ6KeWXK8xPuVTzJOGs4G7PZ5X40Bzp3hGHkd5jmU2pEGOm5E7xcKDSyZTgPpUsfVFz0KLn4J/s600/Mango_Avocado.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mango and Avocado Salad" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4grec8OnjP-977pb2PzxIlAJqbDwt2zL5o4QC67sdfIRNr5o7XkMnAvha6qVW9XolnbR_z2UP0kjksW3CtG6SOZL-rpmx6p3H6LH-idmIHQDwN845jAwTQ6KeWXK8xPuVTzJOGs4G7PZ5X40Bzp3hGHkd5jmU2pEGOm5E7xcKDSyZTgPpUsfVFz0KLn4J/w320-h320/Mango_Avocado.jpg" title="Mango and Avocado Salad" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Firsttimmers Keyan Mango and Avocado Salad</h2><p>Ingredients:</p><p>1 ripe mango, peeled and diced</p><p>1 ripe avocado, peeled and diced</p><p>1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped</p><p>Juice of 1 lime</p><p>Salt and pepper to taste</p><p><br /></p><p>Directions:</p><p>To make a delicious Kenyan Mango and Avocado Salad, instead of scrolling through Instagram, involve your kids in the preparation process. Adults can handle the cutting part for their safety, while kids can focus on the assembling. Start by guiding the children in peeling and dicing the mango and avocado. Further, guide the kids in chopping the cilantro, adding freshness to the salad.</p><p>Afterward, combine the diced mango, avocado, and cilantro in a large bowl. Kids can squeeze the juice of a lime over the salad, which adds a zesty flavor and helps keep the avocado fresh. Sprinkle salt and pepper according to taste. Then, gently toss the ingredients to coat them in lime juice, cilantro, and seasonings.</p><p>Finally, serve the vibrant Mango and Avocado Salad from Kenya in colorful bowls. This recipe introduces kids to Kenya's flavors and encourages them to explore fresh, healthy ingredients interactively. Enjoy the delightful colors and tastes of this simple Kenyan-inspired fruit dish.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-89742371595921745662024-01-19T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-19T00:30:00.141-05:00Value of Old Trees<p>The Sunland baobab in South Africa and the Great Basin bristlecone pine tree named Methuselah in the USA are the oldest trees in Africa and the USA, respectively. Trees play a valuable role in maintaining a balanced and diverse ecosystem.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrV2-rQzIsaOvBZ2V0VOAgmR1CEgdtfnnJnIM9xW2r07i9P1ZnWmKPDcdiGjQ8UNMuT7TFaIGgC3Ri_z43ZBJRd-319M7vsA7z-JypjLCF1af5uKeoBEVFWTydYkc-dNMp3svVaa52SIy6CAGLgWQtjCJUe1bqHkFDICExA2q8mwu_kCQ8mIcUBj7t4d2/s600/Baobab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="baobab" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrV2-rQzIsaOvBZ2V0VOAgmR1CEgdtfnnJnIM9xW2r07i9P1ZnWmKPDcdiGjQ8UNMuT7TFaIGgC3Ri_z43ZBJRd-319M7vsA7z-JypjLCF1af5uKeoBEVFWTydYkc-dNMp3svVaa52SIy6CAGLgWQtjCJUe1bqHkFDICExA2q8mwu_kCQ8mIcUBj7t4d2/w320-h213/Baobab.jpg" title="baobab" width="320" /></a></div><p>Bristlecone pines and baobab trees are types of trees that are famous for living for a really long time. They are known to survive for thousands of years, which is much longer than most other trees. Old trees are valuable educational resources, offering insights into the history of the environment and its changes. For instance, studying the growth rings of ancient trees provides valuable information about past climate conditions and ecological events.</p><p>The Sunland baobab is an extraordinary tree that is estimated to be around 6,000 years old. It is considered one of the oldest known trees in the world and has managed to survive for thousands of years, witnessing the growth and evolution of the world around it. To put this into perspective, the Sunland baobab was already over a thousand years old when the Great Basin bristlecone pine tree named Methuselah was just a tiny seedling.</p><p>What makes the Sunland baobab even more unique is that it has a large hollow trunk that can accommodate up to 15 people at a time. This massive hollow space inside the trunk is so large that it has been turned into a bar with a seating area for visitors. </p><p>It is an incredible sight to see the inside of this ancient tree, which has been transformed into a cozy and welcoming space where visitors can enjoy drinks and snacks while taking in the breathtaking view of the tree's interior. The bar inside the Sunland baobab is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates nature and wants to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this ancient tree.</p><p>The oldest tree in the USA is a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree named Methuselah, located in the White Mountains of eastern California. Methuselah is estimated to be over 4,800 years old, which means it has been alive since well before the start of recorded history. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9-fsDmUFLEX6QEYK751dV2cFegxA_KVeJIqHzCkE5asfn8gtO-UL-hCpVZHkROXSk9xvLUTydMGeMsqG41XTfvgrUyTzqdkKitpUadwEj-kC7gmEeucuRJyHwAjg3VCNXOFOAeqyURKkYukQ4tKOdpxTjHz6139pcOAnbKq8C9VRN443diuQwZNzJz5j/s585/bristlecone_pine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bristlecone pines" border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9-fsDmUFLEX6QEYK751dV2cFegxA_KVeJIqHzCkE5asfn8gtO-UL-hCpVZHkROXSk9xvLUTydMGeMsqG41XTfvgrUyTzqdkKitpUadwEj-kC7gmEeucuRJyHwAjg3VCNXOFOAeqyURKkYukQ4tKOdpxTjHz6139pcOAnbKq8C9VRN443diuQwZNzJz5j/w320-h320/bristlecone_pine.jpg" title="Bristlecone pines" width="320" /></a></div><p>Bristlecone pines survive in harsh environments, withstanding extreme temperatures, high altitudes, and even droughts. Methuselah is located in the Inyo National Forest and sits in a remote area between California's Sierra Nevada range and the Nevada border. </p><p>However, Methuselah's exact location is kept secret by US Governmental agencies to protect it from damage, but visitors can still see other ancient bristlecone pines in the area. These trees are a fascinating and vital part of natural history, reminding us of the natural world's incredible resilience and adaptability. </p>Bristlecone pines and baobab trees have unique and distinctive appearances. Bristlecone pines are known for their twisted and gnarled trunks, while baobab trees are recognized for their swollen trunks that store massive amounts of water. It is reported the taste of baobab filtered water has an earthy, woodsy taste as Baobab trees, especially when mature, have a fibrous and spongy bark that absorbs and filters water.<div><br /></div><div>Old trees provide unique habitats for a plethora of species. Hollows, crevices, and decaying wood in ancient trees offer shelter and breeding grounds for various organisms, including insects, birds, and fungi. This fosters biodiversity and contributes to the overall health of ecosystems. <p>These trees, surviving in harsh environments for thousands of years have weathered storms, faced extremes, and stood the test of time, teaching us the value of perseverance in the face of challenges. Their branches and roots intertwine with countless species, showcasing the intricate web of life. Trees encourage a greater understanding of how all living beings are interconnected and dependent on each other for a balanced and thriving world.</p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-46795286932307809212024-01-18T00:30:00.113-05:002024-01-18T00:30:00.129-05:00Ramen Noodle with Diced Peppered Chicken<h2>Pepper chicken spiced ramen noodle stir fry is popular in West Africa.</h2><p>In recent times, the popularity of Ramen noodles in Africa has been on the rise, mirroring the increasing demand for this dish across the globe. If you are a fan of this delicacy, you might want to try our recipe, which combines the rich flavors of succulent chicken and flavorful ramen noodles, to give you a mouth-watering experience. The aroma of this dish is simply irresistible, and with our recipe, you can be confident of a meal that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMn6VGemE10/YQnltCA_7II/AAAAAAAAh9Q/1neQMJFdbMgkaT5kW5MZjS1lrN8Ihz-JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Ramen%2BNoodles%2Bwith%2BPeppered%2BGoat%2BMeat.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ramen Noodles with Peppered chicken" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMn6VGemE10/YQnltCA_7II/AAAAAAAAh9Q/1neQMJFdbMgkaT5kW5MZjS1lrN8Ihz-JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Ramen%2BNoodles%2Bwith%2BPeppered%2BGoat%2BMeat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Five main facts about chicken.</p>
<p>1. Chickens can fly top speed up to 9 miles per hour.</p>
<p>2. Chickens have four color receptors, which allows them to see a wider range of colors than humans can.</p>
<p>3. Chicken meat is unique in flavor and palatability.</p>
<p>4. The pineal gland, or 'the third eye', helps chickens sense daylight, even if they can't see.</p>
<p>5. Studies indicate that chickens experience Rapid Eye Movement (REM) in their sleep, suggesting that they can dream just like humans.</p><br />
<p>Five Ramen Noodle Facts</p>
<p>The birthplace of instant noodles was in Osaka Ikeda a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan where there is a museum dedicated to ramen noodles.</p>
<p>In 1958, Momofuku Ando invented Chicken Ramen, the world's first instant ramen noodles.</p>
<p>The noodles in ramen noodles are made from wheat flour.</p>
<p>Ramen noodles are fried then dried before packaging.</p>
<p>Ramen noodles are a college staple, you can eat Ramen noodles 3 times a day for one semester and it will cost you around $2.73 per week a meal for 15 weeks totaling $40.95.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlaSfpBi4I/YQniqOjaf1I/AAAAAAAAh9I/qV1mtJ2kg9IRYZKqMASoVuKBF_uV2jRjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Ramen-Noodle-Peppered-Goat-Meat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramen Noodle with Peppered Chicken" border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlaSfpBi4I/YQniqOjaf1I/AAAAAAAAh9I/qV1mtJ2kg9IRYZKqMASoVuKBF_uV2jRjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h214/Ramen-Noodle-Peppered-Goat-Meat.jpg" title="Ramen Noodle with Peppered Chicken" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2>Peppery Ramen Noodle with Diced Peppered Chicken</h2>
<p>Ingredients</p>
<p>1 pound chicken, diced in small pieces</p>
<p>2 red onions, diced</p><p>4 green onions, diced</p>
<p>2 teaspoons minced garlic</p>
<p>2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger</p>
<p>2 teaspoons sea salt</p>
<p>1 Maggie seasoning cube</p>
<p>5 dried hot peppers of your choice</p>
<p>Juice of one lemon</p>
<p>3 packages of ramen noodles, and seasoning packets saved for another recipe</p>
<p>2 cups vegetable broth</p>
<p>2 tablespoons vegetable oil</p><p><br /></p>
<p>Directions</p>
<p> First, heat up the oil in a large sauté pan. Use an electric coffee or spice grinder to grind the chili peppers into a hot paste. Marinate your chicken with lemon juice, salt, Maggie cubes, and ground hot peppers for 20 minutes in a large Ziploc bag. </p><p>In your hot sauté pan, fry minced garlic and ginger, then add half the chicken; cook the meat until it is done.</p><p>In a boiling pot of water, add the ramen noodles, cook for 2 minutes, then add noodles and broth to the sauté pan and cook for one minute. Add the chicken on top of your bed of noodle ramen.</p><p>More easy African breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.</p>
<ol> <li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2009/03/curried-tanzanian-coconut-okra-recipe.html">Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2021/03/ethiopian-breakfast-egg-recipe.html">Ethiopian Scrambled Egg Breakfast</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2018/01/senegalese-chicken-vermicelli-recipe.html">Senegalese Chicken Vermicelli</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2015/05/chadian-steamed-honey-cassava-buns.html">Chadian Steamed Honey Cassava Buns</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2021/07/nigerian-breakfast-fried-akara-and-ogi.html">Nigerian Breakfast Fried Akara and Ogi</a>
</li>
</ol><br /><img alt="Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdzMC7eD8Ss/XBu_aqf9YII/AAAAAAAAW_E/nwgCJSa9ZmUBHI7v-bvWxA89k6WOL5A3ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Logo%2BAG%2BLogo.jpg" style="height: 128px; width: 128px;" /><script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "http://schema.org/",
"@type": "Recipe",
"name": "Ramen Noodle with Diced Peppered Chicken",
"image": "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMn6VGemE10/YQnltCA_7II/AAAAAAAAh9Q/1neQMJFdbMgkaT5kW5MZjS1lrN8Ihz-JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Ramen%2BNoodles%2Bwith%2BPeppered%2BGoat%2BMeat.jpg",
"description": "Spiced ramen noodle stir fry recipe made with peppery chicken is a West African favorite meal.",
"prepTime": "PT30M",
"cookTime": "PT20M",
"totalTime": "PT50M" ,
"recipeInstructions": "First, heat up the oil in a large sauté pan. Use an electric coffee or spice grinder to grind the chili peppers into a hot paste. Marinate your chicken with lemon juice, salt, Maggie cubes, and ground hot peppers for 20 minutes in a large Ziploc bag. In your hot sauté pan, fry minced garlic and ginger, then add half the chicken; cook the meat until it is done. In a boiling pot of water, add the ramen noodles, cook for 2 minutes, then add noodles and broth to the sauté pan and cook for one minute. Add the chicken on top of your bed of noodle ramen.",
"recipeIngredient": [
"1 pound chicken, diced in small pieces",
"2 red onions, diced",
"4 green onions, diced",
"2 teaspoons minced garlic",
" 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger",
"2 teaspoons sea salt",
"1 Maggie seasoning cube",
"20 ground hot peppers of your choice",
"Juice of one lemon",
"3 packages ramen noodles, seasoning packets saved for another recipe",
"2 cups vegetable broth",
"2 tablespoons vegetable oil"
]
}
</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-52483524054702129732024-01-17T00:30:00.030-05:002024-01-17T00:30:00.137-05:00Trees That Bleed - Kenyan Mninga Wood <p>Pterocarpus angolensis, also known as the bloodwood tree, dragon blood tree, or Mninga in Kenya, is a large, unique tree highly valued in East and Southern Africa. The tree is so named because it bleeds when cut and is also highly resistant to fire. Mninga tree's red sap holds antimicrobial properties, supporting ancestral beliefs in the bloodwood tree's magical healing qualities.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglslQDDI2xwk9oFMF61B7uchKUTqGuoKIL6LcWdT3yviw8yN4x6KLUtSKv2cF1vl3_RwWT1VLVe2g1L262ezKGlTTxnQLjyk0qyztRUd5pLmhgjEug5V8D9tAtLRQPCvHV7FN92Z0pSYirPp4be9_phV1fEu2g8KXhLp7VNOxNpm3akwepdbzXqai0rGzE/s648/bloodtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bloodwood tree" border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglslQDDI2xwk9oFMF61B7uchKUTqGuoKIL6LcWdT3yviw8yN4x6KLUtSKv2cF1vl3_RwWT1VLVe2g1L262ezKGlTTxnQLjyk0qyztRUd5pLmhgjEug5V8D9tAtLRQPCvHV7FN92Z0pSYirPp4be9_phV1fEu2g8KXhLp7VNOxNpm3akwepdbzXqai0rGzE/w296-h320/bloodtree.jpg" title="blood wood tree" width="296" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Mninga Tree Red Sap </h2><p>Typical plants have a tannin content that ranges from 12 to 20 percent. However, the bloodwood tree is an exception, as its red, viscous sap contains an astonishing 77% tannin. The red sap is produced by the Mninga tree because of its high tannin concentration. Tannin is a naturally occurring chemical commonly found in wine and known to have various uses in industries such as medicine, textiles, and leather production.</p><p>The Mninga tree is known for its red sap, used for centuries as a natural dye to color fabrics and other materials. The sap is also used in traditional cosmetics because it provides a natural reddish tint to the skin. The red coloration of the sap acts as a deterrent to herbivores. Some animals associate bright or unusual colors with toxicity, deterring them from consuming parts of the tree.</p><p>The Mninga tree, an indigenous tree species of East and Southern Africa, is believed to possess magical healing powers due to the resemblance of its sap to blood when the tree is cut. The sap is thick and red in color, which has led to the locals' belief that it can heal wounds and cure diseases. The belief in the healing powers of this tree is deeply ingrained in the local culture, and it continues to be revered as a symbol of health and well-being. The red sap scientifically does contain antimicrobial properties, so the belief in the magical healing properties of the tree by our ancestors is not far reached.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Uses for the Mninga Tree</h2><p>The bark of young twigs on the Mninga tree is smooth, grey, and covered with hairs, while the bark on older branches and stems is dark grey, rough, and often fissured. The tree produces plentiful, pealike flowers that are orange-yellow in color, very sweetly scented, and grow in large, branched sprays. The heartwood of the Mninga tree can range from light brown to dark reddish-brown, with purplish or golden wavy streaks, while the sapwood is typically pale yellowish.</p><p>Mninga wood is a type of wood that has a very unique and beautiful look. It has a reddish-brown color and a distinctive pattern, making it perfect for making high-quality furniture, coffins and decorative items. The tree's heartwood is especially valuable because it can be used to make beautiful wood carvings, bowls, and other items. Artisans and craftspeople love to work with Mninga wood because it has a natural color and pattern that is truly special.</p><p>The Mninga tree has been an essential medicinal plant in traditional African medicine for centuries and is still widely used today. When boiled, the bark of the Mninga tree can be utilized as an astringent to treat minor cuts and wounds.</p><p>Pterocarpus angolensis, native to southern Africa, has many names depending on the region. The tree is known as Mninga in Kenya. Pterocarpus angolensis also grows well in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It is a protected tree in South Africa called Muninga or Kiaat. When the bark is slashed, a blood-red juice oozes out and congeals, and for this reason, the mninga is called the bloodwood tree, the tree that bleeds. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Mninga Wood Prices are Moderate for Imported Hardwood.</h2><p>Mninga wood is renowned for its exceptional hardness and durability. The cost of imported hardwood is influenced by market dynamics, production expenses, and global trade conditions. The geographical origin of the hardwood plays a pivotal role. Transportation costs, including shipping and customs duties, significantly impact the final price. </p><p>The production process involves various stages, from harvesting to processing and transportation. Sustainable forestry practices, adherence to environmental regulations, and responsible sourcing can contribute to higher production costs but ensure the long-term availability of hardwood resources. Imported hardwoods may also face currency exchange rate fluctuations, affecting the final price in the importing country. </p><p>Economic conditions, global demand, and geopolitical factors can influence exchange rates, impacting imported hardwood costs. The demand for Mninga wood in international markets has contributed to its economic significance. Its unique qualities have positioned it as a premium hardwood, and its export has become an essential component of Kenya's forestry-related economy.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-26545987179346962712024-01-16T00:30:00.168-05:002024-01-16T00:30:00.128-05:00Oyo Empire Prisoners of War Labor<div>
During the Oyo Empire, prisoners of war were routinely utilized to enhance
Oyo's economic, political, and military power. This practice of POW-forced
labor was temporary and came to an end once hostilities were over. African
empires and kingdoms, on the other hand, did not generally participate in
chattel slavery within their traditional societies but rather for economic
business purposes.
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu-WUuGnHgPfPVZI3wCSFkj6cL2xtk4ZteeGH0opwB3Vk2NYSDRZxuVX2TYSgkxH6KHrMCRW0DJXOTOLjGVLf66XXD4glPXgYIwsAzks7XKTlzRD_weIV9B5rHgMKlEXoCO8CIk2YAxsdi_1Bb3YNQEBYs-Xlmh2OVeBzVoL3Dd9ZXu4H-6ciuGXWCLQc/s1024/0xJRJPDhiqANT3z3dfa6--1--livk1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu-WUuGnHgPfPVZI3wCSFkj6cL2xtk4ZteeGH0opwB3Vk2NYSDRZxuVX2TYSgkxH6KHrMCRW0DJXOTOLjGVLf66XXD4glPXgYIwsAzks7XKTlzRD_weIV9B5rHgMKlEXoCO8CIk2YAxsdi_1Bb3YNQEBYs-Xlmh2OVeBzVoL3Dd9ZXu4H-6ciuGXWCLQc/s320/0xJRJPDhiqANT3z3dfa6--1--livk1.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">POWs and the African Oyo Empire</h2>
<div>
The European-style slave trade chattel slavery occurred in Africa between
the 1550s and the 1850s. Chattel slavery is one of the most widely
recognized forms of slavery that has been practiced throughout history. It
is characterized by the ownership of individuals as property, which can be
bought, sold, or inherited. This system gained prominence during the
transatlantic slave trade, where Africans were forcibly brought to the
Americas.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The Oyo Empire, a powerful West African state from 1400 to 1899 AD, had a
unique labor system primarily based on capturing and utilizing Prisoners of
War (POWs). Although the Oyo Empire did not practice chattel slavery in
their traditional societies, many POWs were subjected to forced labor. Oyo
was in the savanna, slowly moving to the coast of Africa through its
military dominance. It drew its military strength from its cavalry forces,
establishing dominance over the adjacent Nupe and the Borgu kingdoms.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Individual Dahomey, Nupe, and the Borgu soldiers were enemies only so long
as they were armed and the captor's only rights over prisoners were to keep
them from returning to the battle. Capturing individuals from rival factions
during warfare not only served as a means of asserting dominance but also
provided a potential labor force.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Unlike chattel slavery, where people were considered property and were
bought and sold, the use of POWs for labor was a result of the dynamics of
warfare. POWs are individuals captured during armed conflicts, and their
captivity is often temporary, intended to end with the cessation of
hostilities.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The Oyo Empire was a West African state known for its formidable military
and organized political structure, which allowed it to capture and
assimilate neighboring territories, expanding its wealth and influence in
the region. The Oyo Empire's impressive military played a crucial role in
expansion and defense.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The military was organized into a standing army, which was composed of
professional soldiers, and a reserve force, which was made up of citizen
soldiers and POWs. The standing army consisted of cavalry, infantry, and
archers, making it a versatile fighting force.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The Oyo Mesi, a council of military leaders, held significant influence and
helped in decision-making, such as when POWs are typically repatriated or
released once a conflict concludes. This council was responsible for
ensuring that the military was well-organized, well-trained, and
well-equipped, which allowed the Oyo Empire to maintain its position as a
dominant power in the region for centuries.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Like many other societies, the Oyo Empire recognized the economic value of
utilizing captured individuals for labor. POWs contributed to the Oyo
Empire's economic activities, such as agriculture, construction, and other
forms of labor that benefited the empire. POW laborers provided food for the
empire from their work on Oyo royal farms.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The use of POWs for labor serves as a form of social and political control.
It allowed the Oyo Empire to subjugate conquered peoples and reinforce their
dominance over rival states by utilizing the captured population for the
benefit of the empire.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The region's history was significantly impacted by the Oyo Empire, which had
a strong military and well-organized political system. However, their labor
practices were not similar to chattel slavery as they were primarily
influenced by the dynamics of warfare; however, in the coming centuries,
things changed.
</div>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Oyo Kingdom as Brokers and Traders in Chattel Slavery
</h2>
<div>
In the past, Oyo POWs were enemies only so long as they were armed, and the
captor's only rights over prisoners were to keep them from returning to the
battle lines. Oyo's cavalry pushed southward along a natural break in the
forests known as the Benin Gap, the opening in the forest where the savanna
stretched to the Bight of Benin and thereby gained access to the coastal
ports. This force was mainly recruited from Muslim slaves, especially Hausa,
from farther north.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The expansion of Oyo in the mid-sixteenth century was closely linked to the
increase in chattel slave exports across the Atlantic. Oyo experienced a
series of power struggles and constitutional crises in the eighteenth century
directly related to its success as a major slave exporter.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
Chattel slavery, a European-style slave trade, took place in Africa from the
late fifteenth century to the 1850s. Nigeria was significantly impacted by
this type of slavery, which was at its peak between the 1550s and the late
1800s. By the 1800's Oyo governed much of southwestern Nigeria and neighboring parts of the modern Republic of
Benin.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Britain declared the slave trade illegal in 1807 and sent its navy to West
African waters to enforce the ban. Britain's action led ultimately to British
intervention in Nigeria, which had become a significant area for the slave
trade.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Throughout the whole trade, more than 3.5 million slaves were shipped from
Nigeria to the Americas. Most of these slaves were Igbo and Yoruba, with
significant concentrations of Hausa, Ibibio, and other ethnic groups.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
In the eighteenth century, two governments, Oyo and the Aro confederacy, were
responsible for most of the slaves exported from Nigeria. The Aro Confederacy
continued to export slaves through the 1830s. Still, most slaves in the
nineteenth century were a product of the Yoruba civil wars that followed the
collapse of Oyo in the 1820s.
</div>
<p style="background-color: #98FB98;">
The African Oyo Empire employed Prisoners of War labor as slaves for economic
gain from POWs captured during armed conflicts to reinforce dominance.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2021/06/dangerous-erupting-volcanoes-of-africa.html">Dangerous Erupting Volcanoes of Africa</a><img alt="Dangerous Erupting Volcanoes of Africa=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4yhHYISBJs/YLwuAGQ9vFI/AAAAAAAAhxM/mQEm3MoWbpc5SIeYVidJvXgwQ_UUB77zwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h296/Volcanologist%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BInternational%2BOrganization%2Bfor%2BMigration%2Bon%2BMount.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.theafricangourmet.com/2016/11/top-20-largest-countries-in-africa.html">Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa</a><img alt="Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa=" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSRXrI5jrl0/WC8upcld2BI/AAAAAAAARa0/EP9YPlkh3WMbtomvyDwfSHcKn84AogOXgCLcB/w294-h320/Africa%2Bmap.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2018/04/what-is-african-proverb.html">What is an African Proverb</a><img alt="What is an African Proverb=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMyBND89dto/XWQ_dyKGotI/AAAAAAAAeI4/CP9IjQzOvAQ3FlMXcp5QF8kegCRA-5GQACLcBGAs/w320-h320/Words%2BAfrican%2BProverbs%2BSayings.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2019/04/african-water-spirit-mami-wata.html">African Water Spirit Mami Wata</a><img alt="African Water Spirit Mami Wata=" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-guQaUH9KO9I/XL8_mP7hmgI/AAAAAAAAcxM/7nIwGvGOWNEO8EILeexSquL-8slAXUllACLcBGAs/w320-h203/Mami%2BWata%2BMammy%2BWater.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2021/06/ancestors-are-guardian-angels.html">Ancestors are Guardian Angels </a><img alt="Ancestors are Guardian Angels=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlbQ3p5Mvyg/YMVyOv3CEwI/AAAAAAAAhyM/k4jgycAJknwSFPJX5OvNpybyKXmvvclZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h289/Ancestors%2Bare%2BGuardian%2BAngels.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
</ol>
<br />
<img alt="Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdzMC7eD8Ss/XBu_aqf9YII/AAAAAAAAW_E/nwgCJSa9ZmUBHI7v-bvWxA89k6WOL5A3ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Logo%2BAG%2BLogo.jpg" style="height: 128px; width: 128px;" />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-10212659993199135462024-01-15T00:30:00.109-05:002024-01-15T00:30:00.184-05:00African Countries Larger Than Texas<p>23 African countries are larger in landmass than Texas, the second-largest U.S. state. In order, they are Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Libya, Chad, Niger, Angola, Mali, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Madagascar, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Burkina Faso, Gabon, Malawi, Senegal, Guinea and South Sudan.</p><p>Each of the 23 African countries mentioned possesses its distinct history, culture, and political landscape. Grasping the expansive size of the African continent can be visually challenging. To illustrate, envision Texas as the second-largest U.S. state. Now, extend that mental image to encompass Africa—a vast landmass comprising 23 countries larger than Texas. This comparison emphasizes the considerable scale and diversity within African nations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq14pxfDJO1znDL93Lb1TtXC7e-ZYU2xO_SjTo39oWeVnJwy_cW4XU65KehNbpMg__SLaXU-nDNRsGv0C2qVov14HnjZ0iHR5AOL7RsdAPIc1pMpElSUIyJZ92uE__-Xduf8_JQPd8GGjdq1elQbfeqVa3SJkpHuP385r1fYbuYHMq5QsF3zCcdKt_ZKyX/s985/emphasizing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="985" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq14pxfDJO1znDL93Lb1TtXC7e-ZYU2xO_SjTo39oWeVnJwy_cW4XU65KehNbpMg__SLaXU-nDNRsGv0C2qVov14HnjZ0iHR5AOL7RsdAPIc1pMpElSUIyJZ92uE__-Xduf8_JQPd8GGjdq1elQbfeqVa3SJkpHuP385r1fYbuYHMq5QsF3zCcdKt_ZKyX/s320/emphasizing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">African countries that surpass the land area of Texas.</h2><div>Imagine a country in North Africa that is so large it surpasses even the considerable size of Texas. That's <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/10/african-countries-with-six-or-more.html" target="_blank">Algeria</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moving to Central Africa, picture a country with dense rainforests and vast expanses, larger than Texas. That's the Democratic Republic of the Congo.</div><div><br /></div><div>Head to northeastern Africa and envision a country with diverse landscapes, including deserts and the Nile River, larger than Texas. That's Sudan.</div><div><br /></div><div>In North Africa, picture a country with expansive deserts and a Mediterranean coastline surpassing the size of Texas. That's Libya.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visualize a landlocked country in north-central Africa, larger than Texas. That's Chad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Move west to a country known for its diverse landscapes, including the Sahara Desert, larger than Texas. That's <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/09/around-25-percent-of-africa-is-desert.html" target="_blank">Niger</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Head to southwestern Africa and picture a country with vast coastlines and diverse ecosystems, exceeding Texas in size. That's Angola.</div><div><br /></div><div>Envision a landlocked country in West Africa, known for its historic cities and vast expanses, larger than Texas. That's Mali.</div><div><br /></div><div>Picture the southern tip of Africa, which includes diverse terrains, from savannas to mountains, larger than Texas. That's South Africa.</div><div><br /></div><div>Move to East Africa and picture a country with highlands and the Great Rift Valley, larger than Texas. That's Ethiopia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine a country on the eastern coast of Africa, home to Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti, larger than Texas. That's Tanzania.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visualize a country in southwestern Africa, known for its deserts and unique landscapes, larger than Texas. That's <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2020/11/where-in-africa-is-desert.html" target="_blank">Namibia</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Picture a country in Southeast Africa with coastal plains and inland plateaus, larger than Texas. That's Mozambique.</div><div><br /></div><div>Envision a landlocked country in Southern Africa, home to Victoria Falls, larger than Texas. That's Zambia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Move to the Indian Ocean and picture a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, surpassing Texas in size. That's Madagascar.</div><div><br /></div><div>Picture a country in Central Africa with diverse landscapes, including rainforests and mountains, larger than Texas. That's Cameroon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Head to West Africa and imagine a country with coastal plains and forested interiors, larger than Texas. That's Côte d'Ivoire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visualize a landlocked country in West Africa, known for its savannas and historical sites, larger than Texas. That's <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/10/the-mighty-moro-naba-burkina-fasos.html" target="_blank">Burkina Faso</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Picture a country on the west coast of Central Africa with dense rainforests and a small population, larger than Texas. That's Gabon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Envision a landlocked country in Southeast Africa with a large lake and high plateaus, larger than Texas. That's Malawi.</div><div><br /></div><div>Move to West Africa and picture a country with a mix of coastal areas and inland plains, larger than Texas. That's Senegal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine a country in West Africa with diverse landscapes, including mountains and coastal lowlands, larger than Texas. That's Guinea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visualize a country in East-Central Africa, known for its rivers and swamps, larger than Texas. That's South Sudan.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The African continent is home to diverse cultures, languages, and ecosystems. The landmass spans over 30 million square kilometers (11 million square miles) and comprises 54 countries, 23 larger than the state of Texas in the United States. Understanding the continent's vastness is crucial in appreciating its unique history and significance on a global scale.</div><div><br /></div><div>This article on Africa's visually complex sheer size aims to provide a quick understanding of Africa's landmass size. The comparison to Texas, one of the largest U.S. states, is a relatable reference point for understanding the sheer magnitude of Africa's landmass, emphasizing its global significance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know?</div><div>Imagine the North African county home to the Saharan winds weaving tales in the sands; smaller than Texas but looks are deceiving. That's Mauritania. While Texas is larger than Mauritania in terms of landmass, the <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/11/why-maps-fail-to-tell-whole-story-of.html" target="_blank">visual distortion of map projections</a> creates an illusion that Mauritania appears larger than its actual size.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-58647906006079090032024-01-14T00:30:00.208-05:002024-01-14T00:30:00.124-05:00Eating With Your Hands is Environmentally Friendly<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Eating Funge with your hand instead of utensils is eco-friendly because
traditional eating methods of eating with the right hand reduce plastic waste.
</h2>
<div>
Use Funge in place of your fork and spoon to experience Angolan cuisine's rich and diverse flavors. Opting to eat Funge with meals instead of using a
fork and spoon is environmentally friendly because the traditional eating
method of eating with Funge involves using hands or a small piece of Funge
itself to scoop up the food. By avoiding using disposable utensils, especially
those made of plastic, you contribute to reducing plastic waste.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fobXMv38ZIEMCXEKKct1-4t2dP3WD_Hp0TdVfMH8Zw0ajkNywDRNgWydrA2XK2eU99KXe8TrJ2d1xYy7MrUsdlxXdWBYtDcF4JLCEg195oI2vFCTYAIKQUmY4g35pfHIqVZtaxLi-DEkAHlavvGcPsFxzZxRcbqwo4GpBtDXZv-1aCeXFcC7PwaYC9-o/s600/Made%20with%20two%20simple%20ingredients.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Funge" border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="600" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fobXMv38ZIEMCXEKKct1-4t2dP3WD_Hp0TdVfMH8Zw0ajkNywDRNgWydrA2XK2eU99KXe8TrJ2d1xYy7MrUsdlxXdWBYtDcF4JLCEg195oI2vFCTYAIKQUmY4g35pfHIqVZtaxLi-DEkAHlavvGcPsFxzZxRcbqwo4GpBtDXZv-1aCeXFcC7PwaYC9-o/w320-h167/Made%20with%20two%20simple%20ingredients.jpg" title="Funge" width="320" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funge</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Embracing traditional eating habits is a mindful and eco-friendly approach.
</h2>
<div>
Funge is a traditional and authentic side dish commonly served with classic
Angolan stews. The dish is made by cooking cassava flour in boiling water
until it reaches a stiff or firm dough-like consistency. The final product's
texture is similar to mashed potatoes but has a much firmer, sticky,
and denser texture.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
It is worth noting that Funge is not to be confused with fufu, another popular
African dish made using starchy vegetables such as yams, plantains, or
cassava. The main difference between fufu and Funge is that fufu is
traditionally pounded while Funge is boiled.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The term Funge itself is derived from the Kimbundu language spoken in Angola. Funge refers to a starchy, dough-like dish typically made from cassava or maize flour in Kimbundu. Kimbundu is a Bantu language spoken by the
Kimbundu people, who are native to Angola. It is one of the most widely spoken
languages in the country. Over time, as Portugal established colonies in
Africa, including Angola, cultural exchange led to incorporating
African dishes, such as Funge, into Portuguese cuisine.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Portuguese is the official language of Africa's 7th largest county of Angola.
In 1483, the Portuguese arrived at the world's most expensive capital city, Luanda, Angola. Portuguese food, culture, and language still
significantly influence Angolans. Angola's name is derived from the Portuguese
from the title Ngola held by kings of the Ndongo. Ndongo was a kingdom in what
is now northern Angola.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_9MdVpEBg98/YD1_q_vHdMI/AAAAAAAAhRk/Gg2C3TbXYFUSjlAp7MjZm9wGsfD17tB3ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Funge is an authentic side dish for classic Angolan stews" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="320" height="302" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_9MdVpEBg98/YD1_q_vHdMI/AAAAAAAAhRk/Gg2C3TbXYFUSjlAp7MjZm9wGsfD17tB3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h302/image.png" title="Funge is an authentic side dish for classic Angolan stews" width="320" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making funge</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Funge is made with two simple ingredients: cassava flour and water.
</h2>
<div>
<div>Ingredients.</div>
<div>1 1/4 cups cassava flour (cassava flour is gluten-free) </div>
<div>1 teaspoon sea salt</div>
<div>2 cups water</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>Instructions.</div>
<div>
Boil water in a large pot. In a large bowl, add salt and cassava flour and
mix the ingredients together well. Add this mixture to the boiling water and
keep stirring well with a wooden spoon until smooth. Reduce
the heat and cover for 15 minutes. To ensure the Funge is ready,
wait until it has solidified slightly. Too much water and your Funge will be
thin; too little water and the Funge will be too thick. Stirring constantly
until thick paste forms. Funge is eaten by squeezing small pieces lightly to
form a ball with the dough to scoop sauce. Use Funge in place of your fork
and spoon.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Eating Funge with hands instead of utensils is eco-friendly.
</h2>
<div>
The production of utensils, especially those made of metal or plastic,
requires significant energy inputs. Individuals contribute to energy
conservation by forgoing utensils and aligning with environmentally conscious
practices.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Eating Funge with soups and stews and eliminating utensils aligns with
sustainable and environmentally friendly practices by minimizing waste,
reducing resource consumption, preserving local culture, and contributing to
energy conservation. Embracing such traditional eating habits is a mindful and
eco-friendly approach.
</div>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org/",
"@type": "Recipe",
"image": "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fobXMv38ZIEMCXEKKct1-4t2dP3WD_Hp0TdVfMH8Zw0ajkNywDRNgWydrA2XK2eU99KXe8TrJ2d1xYy7MrUsdlxXdWBYtDcF4JLCEg195oI2vFCTYAIKQUmY4g35pfHIqVZtaxLi-DEkAHlavvGcPsFxzZxRcbqwo4GpBtDXZv-1aCeXFcC7PwaYC9-o/w320-h167/Made%20with%20two%20simple%20ingredients.jpg",
"name": "Eating Funge with hands instead of utensils is eco-friendly",
"description": "A traditional eco-friendly hand eaten African dish made with cassava flour and water, served as a staple in Angola Africa.",
"cookTime": "PT20M",
"totalTime": "PT35M",
"recipeYield": "4",
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "5",
"bestRating": "5",
"worstRating": "1",
"ratingCount": "12"
},
"keywords": ["Funge", "African cuisine", "cassava flour", "traditional", "staple food"],
"recipeCategory": "Main Course",
"recipeCuisine": "African",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "The African Gourmet"
},
"url": "https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2024/01/eating-funge-is-environmentally-friendly.html",
"prepTime": "PT15M",
"cookingMethod": "Boiling, Stirring",
"suitableForDiet": "GlutenFreeDiet",
"estimatedCost": "1",
"recipeIngredient": [
"1 1/4 cups cassava flour",
"1 teaspoon sea salt",
"2 cups water"
],
"recipeInstructions": [
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Boil water in a large pot."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "In a large bowl, add salt and cassava flour. Mix ingredients together well."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Add the flour mixture to the boiling water. Keep stirring well with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the Funge has solidified slightly."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Stir constantly until a thick paste forms."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Funge is ready when it can be squeezed into small pieces to form a ball with the dough. Serve and enjoy with your favorite sauce."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"text": "Use Funge in place of your fork and spoon."
}
],
"nutrition": {
"@type": "NutritionInformation",
"calories": "150 calories per serving",
"proteinContent": "2g",
"carbohydrateContent": "35g",
"fiberContent": "3g",
"sugarContent": "0g",
"fatContent": "0g",
"saturatedFatContent": "0g",
"transFatContent": "0g",
"cholesterolContent": "0mg",
"sodiumContent": "240mg"
}
}
</script>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-20703181771034069192024-01-13T00:30:00.010-05:002024-01-13T00:30:00.133-05:00Minor Planets Named After African Figures<p>Cyril V. Jackson was a famous astronomer who named many of his 72 discovered minor planets, including asteroids and comets, after cities, people, and tribes of Africa. </p><p>Born on December 5, 1903, in Leeds, England, in 1911, when Jackson was eight, his family moved to <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2009/12/king-of-zulu.html" target="_blank">South Africa</a>.</p><p>In 1922, while enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand, his job was to find minor planets and comets and map the whole southern sky. In April 1929, he discovered his first minor planet, which he called Catriona. </p><p>He discovered three comets, two of which can still be observed today, and 72 minor planets, including asteroids and comets.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk8BVSPodbCgzHwwwT2e9EAQi3lAVb2TBgxBnc7wZmeBZJjPsEdbdmy4ifjzbGJaot1yyzTYnjgeeuz0Yn6EMl-avMH7fgYMlGMRZmCumxtvkPaSWNfjIp86qhB8SATyXxNYFu2BoNoN_G3ikXhS2idL_oAkgFI9LjwrUkly05YJfzfhvp0sZpoOYFDVJ/s965/19091.63.jpg"><img alt="Africa" border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="965" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk8BVSPodbCgzHwwwT2e9EAQi3lAVb2TBgxBnc7wZmeBZJjPsEdbdmy4ifjzbGJaot1yyzTYnjgeeuz0Yn6EMl-avMH7fgYMlGMRZmCumxtvkPaSWNfjIp86qhB8SATyXxNYFu2BoNoN_G3ikXhS2idL_oAkgFI9LjwrUkly05YJfzfhvp0sZpoOYFDVJ/w320-h320/19091.63.jpg" title="Africa" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Astronomer Cyril V. Jackson named seven minor planets after famous African figures. </h2><p>1. The main-belt asteroid 1246, named Chaka, was founded on July 23, 1932, in Johansaberg, South Africa. Asteroid 1246 is named for Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the famous king of the <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/08/from-shaka-zulu-general-to-ndebele.html" target="_blank">Zulu Kingdom</a> from 1816 to 1828, who revolutionized warfare in Southern Africa.</p><p>2. 1467 Mashona is an outer main-belt asteroid discovered on July 30, 1938, by Cyril V. Jackson in Johansaberg, South Africa. The northern part of present-day Zimbabwe, particularly in the Mashonaland and Mashonaland Central provinces, is known for its significant gold deposits and is believed to be the location of King Solomon's gold mines.</p><p>3. Main-belt Asteroid 1367 Nongoma, discovered July 3, 1934, in Johansaberg, South Africa, is named for the capital city of the Kwa-Zulu homeland. CM Ndabababa is the incumbent Mayor of Nongoma Municipality, one of the five local municipalities in the <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2023/09/scattering-of-southern-african-of.html" target="_blank">Zululand </a>District Municipality. The municipality comprises three traditional authorities: Mandlakazi, Usuthu, and Matheni.</p><p>4. 1196 Sheba is a Main-belt Asteroid discovered on May 21, 1931, by Cyril V. Jackson. The queen of Sheba was the queen of Egypt and Ethiopia. The queen is said to have embarked on a journey to meet King Solomon to test his wisdom. </p><p>5. Main-belt Asteroid discovered on July 2, 1935, 1357 Khama is named after Khama III, who was chief of Bechuanaland, now Botswana, who allied himself with <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2021/11/french-and-english-africas-official.html" target="_blank">British colonizers</a> and converted to Christianity in 1860.</p><p>6. 1505 Koranna was discovered on April 21, 1939, by Cyril V. Jackson in Johansaberg, South Africa. This main-belt asteroid is named after the Koranna tribe, a colonial name for a member of the Kora people described by J. Barrow in 1801 as a very formidable tribe of people.</p><p>7. 1506 Xosa, today spelled Xhosa, was discovered on May 15, 1939, by Cyril V. Jackson in Johansaberg, South Africa. This main-belt asteroid is named after the South African Xhosa tribe that traditionally makes <a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2018/05/sunscreen-lotion-for-african-skin.html" target="_blank">ingceke sun-cream</a> which is a mixture of water and clay to protect themselves from the burning rays of the sun and is used as skin ointment to treat rashes and eczema. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs1GqF01OkoCxM05-dg2aoKacAYxFTB8f4jDL-w5OEE5KJ5KCgMHKhxZ0dIQWyTMKgD5BHclkSGMCShRvVle6u7dgPvdHCOvDEGRTCuBx39J5ij2uRNL10nPZB8jENiqlAke4Ynfi8d28tHRuDBpY36b-HjRna3ZezUJ3GawWQperUHktqZz0iKUb8hVz/s705/cvJackson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="astronomer Cyril V. Jackson" border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs1GqF01OkoCxM05-dg2aoKacAYxFTB8f4jDL-w5OEE5KJ5KCgMHKhxZ0dIQWyTMKgD5BHclkSGMCShRvVle6u7dgPvdHCOvDEGRTCuBx39J5ij2uRNL10nPZB8jENiqlAke4Ynfi8d28tHRuDBpY36b-HjRna3ZezUJ3GawWQperUHktqZz0iKUb8hVz/w276-h320/cvJackson.jpg" title="Cyril V. Jackson" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyril V. Jackson</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 style="text-align: left;">Life of astronomer Cyril V. Jackson</h2><p>During World War II in 1939, Cyril V. Jackson joined the Union Defence Force in North Africa and Italy. He served as Captain in the intelligence forces at Roberts Heights in Pretoria. After the war, he became the director of the Yale Observatory from 1945 to 1952, specifically the Yale-Columbia Southern Station. He worked at Mt. Stromlo Observatory in Australia from 1951 to 1963 but left briefly due to a dispute before eventually returning.</p><p>In his career, he worked in various positions, and his last job was from 1963 to 1966 as the Director of Yale-Columbia Southern Station in El Leoncito, Argentina. During the 1950s, before he retired, he purchased a farm called Hilltop in the Haenertsburg district, now known as Northern Province. He built a small observatory on top of a hill and retired there in 1966. Sadly, he passed away in February 1988 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.</p><p><br /></p><p>Did you know?</p><p>2825 Crosby is a main belt asteroid discovered on September 19, 1938, by Cyril V. Jackson. It was named after American singer, radio personality, and film actor Harry Lillis Bing Crosby.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-79061983514006212492024-01-12T00:30:00.021-05:002024-01-12T00:30:00.207-05:00CAR Pole of Inaccessibility Challenges<p>The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is farthest from any coastline. The term Pole of Inaccessibility describes a location that is challenging to reach due to its remoteness and lack of easily navigable terrain. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDltecO9P5mzM0nxmivsCIMhdlIDbkuIsEwyQ7XMdxBoAiB8tQp75HpawF5nz3-0o0qmhHyAiP3wKC24qGDp3MF4fpL1jf-QIOzATLCXa1vUEttnvXxiQcI4C62dsoPPF-QqEiXWBewzDGVxROYFKZ03XaTlVle0fZFhgbTVnJUkmUK8b1nB_IebaC6hz/s1000/Central%20African%20Republic's%20Pole%20of%20Inaccessibility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Congo Basin rainforest" border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDltecO9P5mzM0nxmivsCIMhdlIDbkuIsEwyQ7XMdxBoAiB8tQp75HpawF5nz3-0o0qmhHyAiP3wKC24qGDp3MF4fpL1jf-QIOzATLCXa1vUEttnvXxiQcI4C62dsoPPF-QqEiXWBewzDGVxROYFKZ03XaTlVle0fZFhgbTVnJUkmUK8b1nB_IebaC6hz/w320-h212/Central%20African%20Republic's%20Pole%20of%20Inaccessibility.jpg" title="Congo Basin rainforest" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Security and the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility</h2><p>The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is situated deep in the Congo Basin rainforest, close to the town of Bayanga. Its coordinates are approximately 2.64° N latitude and 17.43° E longitude. However, the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is not just difficult to reach due to its distance from the ocean. Crime and war also play a significant role in making this area inaccessible.</p><p>The complex layers of CAR’s current conflicts were preceded by decades of military coups and outsourced governance, both of which had been preceded by disastrous colonization. Near Bayanga, on the border with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies Obo, a town under siege. </p><p>The communities in the far southeastern corner of the Central African Republic are unfortunately considered lawless, teaming with human rights abuses. Violence, reprisal killings, looting, and human rights abuses are common by armed groups such as Russian mercenaries, possibly from Wagner, Joseph Kony, and his Lord’s Resistance Army, Séléka, anti-Balaka armed group, Union for Peace, and 3R. </p><p>The Bayanga Congo Basin rainforest areas are so remote that they are often referred to as Africa’s Pole of Inaccessibility, meaning it’s one of the toughest places on the continent to reach because of the rainforest terrain, crime, and war.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Traveling to the Central African Republic Pole of Inaccessibility</h2><p>With that said, if you plan on visiting The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility, it will take some planning. Taking Ethiopian Airlines, you would need to fly a three-hour flight from Miami International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. Next, you fly from Newark Liberty International Airport to Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport, a 10-hour flight. Then, you fly a six-hour flight from Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport to Bole Addis Ababa International Airport. Finally, the last leg of getting to Bangui involves a four-hour flight from Bole Addis Ababa International Airport to Bangui M'Poko International Airport. The total average cost of the flight is $4,500 for one passenger. </p><p>Congratulations, your flight has landed in Bangui, the Capital of the Central African Republic. To reach the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility from Bangui, you would then need to make further arrangements for transportation to take the 10-hour trip, such as by private charter, truck, or organized expedition, to reach the 2.64° N latitude and 17.43° E longitude coordinates in the rainforest near Bayanga. </p><p>It is important to exercise caution when traveling to Bayanga, as it is located only 32 miles away from Oba. Bayanga is situated on the northern edge of the Congo Basin forest, which is known for its dense and impenetrable vegetation, crime, and war. </p><p>The area is incredibly isolated, making it challenging to access. However, for those seeking adventure, a visit may be on their bucket list. Obo is a town that is currently under siege, which means that extra precautions should be taken when visiting the area. Despite the challenges, the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is a location that is considered to be one of the most remote spots on the planet but not impossible to visit.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-85314068906300137932024-01-11T00:30:00.006-05:002024-01-11T00:30:00.132-05:00Loss of Traditional African Food Due to War and Aid<p>
The preservation of indigenous African recipes is facing a dire threat due to
ongoing clashes between armed groups, escalating attacks, and the growing
dependence on external aid in the Central African Republic.
</p>
<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCURtPtfZbuoP5KVpIYW9K04YG5nfMziJi7_Vh1G95NPEPOOOrmd0Svs2XRmaSrGloonJSh6UAOW9vsrjh9JgKOztdzN5ijlw2ctGz9ULSwmyEWwsHJt8jq77aD0vFNACxByrSqZcM56FodUVRtvggp3B2P8Sl7OZFvZ8rQIe4Bg4zznz0ESWtZH2o8LO/s892/Loss%20of%20Traditional%20African%20Recipes%20Due%20to%20War%20and%20Aid.jpg"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
alt="Cooking in CAR"
border="0"
data-original-height="838"
data-original-width="892"
height="301"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCURtPtfZbuoP5KVpIYW9K04YG5nfMziJi7_Vh1G95NPEPOOOrmd0Svs2XRmaSrGloonJSh6UAOW9vsrjh9JgKOztdzN5ijlw2ctGz9ULSwmyEWwsHJt8jq77aD0vFNACxByrSqZcM56FodUVRtvggp3B2P8Sl7OZFvZ8rQIe4Bg4zznz0ESWtZH2o8LO/w320-h301/Loss%20of%20Traditional%20African%20Recipes%20Due%20to%20War%20and%20Aid.jpg"
title="Cooking in CAR"
width="320"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sad loss of the Central African Republic's treasured African recipes and
ingredients.
</h2>
<p>
The present unfortunate situation that has befallen the Central African
Republic, especially in the Bangassou, Haut-Mbomou, and Zemio districts, is
not only a threat to the culinary heritage of its people but also poses a risk
to the cultural richness intertwined with these traditional recipes.
</p>
<p>
The possibility of losing these treasured recipes and ingredients passed down
from generations is a loss to the Central African Republic African communities
and the world at large. The intricate and nuanced flavors and aromas of these
dishes are a testament to the country's diverse cultural heritage and history,
and their disappearance would be a great loss to humanity's culinary history.
</p>
<p>
The impacts of armed conflicts are far-reaching, affecting not only the safety
and well-being of individuals but also the intangible aspects of their
heritage, such as unique and time-honored culinary practices. The clashes and
heightened insecurity disrupt the transmission of traditional knowledge from
one generation to another, leading to the potential loss of indigenous recipes
with significant cultural and historical value.
</p>
<p>
The fertile land of the Central African Republic, blessed with abundant
rainfall, fosters rich soil supporting a diverse range of crops, fruits, and
vegetables that thrive nearly year-round. Despite this agricultural bounty, a
staggering statistic reveals that one in every two individuals in the country
lacks access to an adequate food supply. This paradox arises from challenges
such as limited access to essential agricultural resources and the detrimental
effects of conflict and reliance on external aid.
</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Raise awareness about the importance of preserving indigenous recipes.
</h2>
<p>
The shortage of materials needed for farming, along with the effects of past
conflicts, has caused a decrease in the amount of land available for growing
crops. This decrease is causing problems with food security and making it
difficult to keep records of traditional African recipes. While getting help
from outside sources can help in the short term, it's not a long-term solution
for making sure people have enough food and preserving their cultural and
culinary heritage.
</p>
<p>
As the primary cash provider in the humanitarian community, the World Food
Program significantly enhances food choices and dietary diversity for the
people of the Central African Republic. This approach stimulates local
smallholder production, retail, and the financial sector. Despite these
benefits, the destruction of infrastructure has left millions in refugee camps
without the means to cultivate indigenous foods on their own land.
</p>
<p>
In such challenging times, it becomes imperative for communities,
organizations, and concerned individuals to collaborate on initiatives that
aim to document, safeguard, and revitalize these endangered culinary
traditions.
</p>
<p>
The African Gourmet and Chic African Culture raise awareness about the
importance of preserving indigenous recipes, supporting local efforts to
document them, and advocating for stability and security in affected regions,
which are crucial steps towards ensuring the survival of these invaluable
cultural assets.
</p>
<p>
In the Haut-Mbomou district of the Central African Republic, more than 80
percent of the population relies entirely on food assistance. The primary
elements of the World Food Program's food basket include staples like wheat
flour or rice, along with lentils, chickpeas, or other pulses, fortified
vegetable oil containing vitamins A and D, sugar and iodized salt.
</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Empower the Central African Republic by exchanging recipes for assistance.
</h2>
<p>
When there are conflicts and people are affected, external aid like the World
Food Program is very important to help them right away. But it's also really
important to have long-term plans that help with food security. This means we
must consider the cultural aspects of how people get their food.
</p>
<p>
Rather than solely providing aid, establishing a reciprocal exchange of
recipes for assistance would play a pivotal role in preserving traditional
recipes in the Central African Republic. This approach not only contributes to
the conservation of culinary heritage but also empowers communities through
the shared knowledge and enjoyment of food.
</p>
<p>
By recognizing the significance of indigenous recipes and actively working
towards their preservation, we can contribute to the resilience of communities
facing adversity and help safeguard the diverse culinary heritage of Africa.
</p>
<a
href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1dX4bXUEe0/Wu36TuzXjAI/AAAAAAAAVJI/2TA-IGGzfwUH9IpbvlycAIN5DOXJtksJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Best%2BFritters%2BRecipes.jpg"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
alt="Best Fried Fritters Recipe."
border="0"
data-original-height="476"
data-original-width="848"
height="180"
src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1dX4bXUEe0/Wu36TuzXjAI/AAAAAAAAVJI/2TA-IGGzfwUH9IpbvlycAIN5DOXJtksJgCLcBGAs/w320-h180/Best%2BFritters%2BRecipes.jpg"
title="Best Fried Fritters Recipe."
width="320"
/></a>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Central African Republic Manioc Recipe.</h2>
<p>
Manioc is a root vegetable also known as cassava; it is a significant staple
crop in the Central African Republic, holding great importance in the
country's agriculture. The most common product is manioc or cassava
flour, a primary ingredient in many traditional dishes.
</p>
<p>
Manioc fritters made with ground cassava flour and spices, served with
homemade soups and stews, are a beloved African traditional dish.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><b>Fried Manioc Fritters Recipe. </b></p>
<p>Serves 8</p>
<p>Prep time: 10 min</p>
<p>Cook time: 10 min</p>
<p>Total time: 20 min</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Ingredients</p>
<p>2 cups cassava flour</p>
<p>1 onion chopped finely</p>
<p>3 cloves of garlic chopped finely</p>
<p>1 chopped hot pepper pepper</p>
<p>1/4 - 1/3 cups water</p>
<p>1-2 cups oil for frying</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Directions</p>
<p>
In a large frying pan heat vegetable oil. Add all ingredients, mix well and
form small fritters, fry until golden brown about 3 minutes on each side.
Sprinkle with extra salt before serving.
</p>
<p style="background-color: #572405; color: #fefcff; padding: 15px;">
<b>Loss of Traditional African Recipes Due to War and Aid</b><br /><br />The
crisis in the Central African Republic endangers traditional cuisine, putting
the region's cultural food heritage and indigenous African recipes at risk.
</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-25827547127056674672024-01-10T00:30:00.139-05:002024-01-10T00:30:00.134-05:00You Can't Throw Shade at the Sun African Folktale<p>Chuwacki, he who stands up in the air, was the creator of the sun, the moon, and all things in the world. The folktale reminds us not all was harmonious in the celestial realm. The moon was jealous of the sun until the moon learned everything brings their own particular light to the world.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk-U1aRI_hSeF7IQcjqX6JsctYDRuYJkP5JF8Yk_vRqPuO-pyp1btcjUvhX4vgp8hoRxSssCbLnnVONN1hmLqeZ2tK3Kv-xvkkDk_mmWx0OSd48B7jYhru8GnSY9qth4WQEJrBzepl3uauroHC4N0-AVsvt7YaW8pniCNgwRC7D4dGZqnosqX94CXTZvl/s1022/1sund.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sun African Folktale" border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk-U1aRI_hSeF7IQcjqX6JsctYDRuYJkP5JF8Yk_vRqPuO-pyp1btcjUvhX4vgp8hoRxSssCbLnnVONN1hmLqeZ2tK3Kv-xvkkDk_mmWx0OSd48B7jYhru8GnSY9qth4WQEJrBzepl3uauroHC4N0-AVsvt7YaW8pniCNgwRC7D4dGZqnosqX94CXTZvl/w308-h320/1sund.jpg" title="Sun Story African Folktale" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for the sun and moon.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>You Can't Throw Shade at the Sun African Folktale</b></p><p>Long ago, when the world was young and dark, Chuwacki lived. He was no ordinary being, for he had the power to stand up in the air and fly across the heavens. He was curious and adventurous and loved exploring the vast and mysterious realm above the earth.</p><p>However, Chuwacki was also lonely and bored, for he had no one to share his discoveries and adventures with. </p><p>He wished he could see more of the world, not just the endless darkness surrounding him. He wondered what secrets and wonders lay hidden in the shadows and longed to bring some light and color to his life.</p><p>Chuwacki, a curious and adventurous being, was soaring through the air one day when he had a brilliant idea. He yearned for a way to brighten his days and nights in the darkness, and that's when he noticed something fascinating. </p><p>The air around him was full of fine dust, shimmering and twirling in the faint light of the stars. Chuwacki's curiosity was immediately piqued, and he realized that this dust could be useful for his purpose. </p><p>He decided to collect as much of it as he could in his hands, carefully sifting through the air to capture the sparkling particles. With each handful, Chuwacki's excitement grew, and he couldn't wait to see what he could create with this brilliant discovery.</p><p>Chuwacki formed two little balls from the dust and stretched them out as far as possible. He blew on them gently, and they glowed with a soft light. He was pleased with his creations, naming them the sun and the moon. He placed them in the sky and watched them delightfully as they illuminated the world below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_YIWgCYzvHa9cR65Lbafcr8XtL8N-ctOMML4pxOWRc2xrZO3hl6Hs61ZiBA8f5E7gVDliMUl83In8xXtAhJovJgjiuNklw13Ql0jXBi2_1_ypo7MKDwTEMs5bOcvbK-D-96HCTtql79K2X4FWiWNG7upSyxlihIyXuTzKllt3bTn0xwoRCUcXW3pj0I/s1024/Chuwacki.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="celestial realm Chuwacki" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_YIWgCYzvHa9cR65Lbafcr8XtL8N-ctOMML4pxOWRc2xrZO3hl6Hs61ZiBA8f5E7gVDliMUl83In8xXtAhJovJgjiuNklw13Ql0jXBi2_1_ypo7MKDwTEMs5bOcvbK-D-96HCTtql79K2X4FWiWNG7upSyxlihIyXuTzKllt3bTn0xwoRCUcXW3pj0I/w320-h320/Chuwacki.jpg" title="Chuwacki" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuwacki</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Not all was harmonious in the celestial realm.</b></p><p>One day, the moon decided to challenge the sun to a contest of brightness. The moon claimed it was just as bright as the sun, if not brighter, and deserved more respect and admiration from the earth and the sky. The sun, amused by the moon's arrogance, agreed to the contest, confident it would win easily.</p><p>The contest was simple: each contestant would have to shine as brightly as possible for one hour, and the one who produced more light would be declared the winner. The stars, curious to see the outcome, agreed to be the contest judges.</p><p>The sun went first, rising high in the sky and spreading its golden rays across the horizon. The sun shone so intensely that the earth was bathed in warmth and light, and the sky was dazzling. The sun's light was so powerful that it reached the world's farthest corners, and even the moon had to shield its eyes from the glare.</p><p>The stars were impressed by the sun's performance, and they gave it a high score for its brightness. The sun smiled, knowing it had set a high standard for the moon to match.</p><p><b>The Envious Moons Turn to Shine</b></p><p>Then, it was the moon's turn, rising in the opposite direction of the sun and casting its silvery beams into the night. The moon shone with all its might, hoping to outshine the sun and prove its worth. The moon's light was soft and gentle, reflecting on the water and the ice, creating a shimmering effect. The moon's light was also soothing and calming, lulling the earth and the sky into a peaceful sleep.</p><p>The stars were also impressed by the moon's performance, and they gave it a high score for its beauty. The moon smiled, thinking it had surpassed the sun and won the contest.</p><p>However, when the scores were tallied, the stars announced that the contest was a tie. The sun and the moon scored equally high but for different reasons. The sun's light was bright and warm, while the moon's light was beautiful and cool. The sun and the moon had different qualities, complementing each other perfectly.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2k38BWGh0Q4ir16st365u0bEOIoX7z-alrI6vE69mJe6pvWS645UyJO2Aq10neyMrUPv8PFMrKZQ8TPM3ByMhmxLnYQ2sHqBWX_CC5lvEutiaoW3B0Nk_di-4ir0AAOWDd8Aa8IZozV9PZGWrEfW7qlYBMMmyuE5dYJL-OVevI7kwEDlo2Sue_JqjETl/s512/iu2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Envious Moon" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2k38BWGh0Q4ir16st365u0bEOIoX7z-alrI6vE69mJe6pvWS645UyJO2Aq10neyMrUPv8PFMrKZQ8TPM3ByMhmxLnYQ2sHqBWX_CC5lvEutiaoW3B0Nk_di-4ir0AAOWDd8Aa8IZozV9PZGWrEfW7qlYBMMmyuE5dYJL-OVevI7kwEDlo2Sue_JqjETl/w320-h320/iu2.jpg" title="Envious Moons" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moon</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b>Not Happy with the Stars Jugment the Moon Eclipse the Sun</b></p><p>The moon, however, was not satisfied with the contest's outcome. It still felt bitter and resentful towards the sun and continued to throw shade at it whenever it could. It would mock the sun's brightness, saying it was too harsh and blinding. It would also boast about its beauty, saying it was more elegant and graceful than the sun.</p><p>The sun, on the other hand, was content and generous. It ignored the moon's insults and continued shining with kindness and warmth. It also complimented the moon's beauty, saying it was more soothing and calming than the sun.</p><p>One night, the moon decided to do something it had never done before. It decided to eclipse the sun, and to block its light from reaching the earth. It thought that this would prove its superiority over the sun, and that it would earn the admiration and praise of the stars and the people.</p><p>The moon moved slowly across the sky, until it reached the spot where the sun was setting. It positioned itself in front of the sun, covering it completely with its dark body. The moon felt a surge of power and pride, as it saw the sun's light disappear behind it. It looked around, expecting to see the stars and the people cheering and applauding for it.</p><p><b>Moon Brought Sadness, Not Happiness</b></p><p>To its surprise and dismay, the moon saw a different reaction. The stars were silent and shocked, looking at the moon with fear and anger. The people were also silent and shocked, looking at the moon with confusion and sadness. The moon realized that it had not brought joy and gratitude to the world, but rather fear and sorrow. It had not brightened the darkness but rather darkened the light.</p><p>The moon felt guilt and regret, quickly moving away from the sun, letting its light shine again. Patient and forgiving, the sun smiled at the moon and thanked it for moving away. The sun also said it understood the moon's feelings and hoped they could still be friends.</p><p>The moon, humbled and ashamed, apologized to the sun and thanked it for its understanding. The moon also said it had learned a valuable lesson and hoped they could still be friends.</p><p>And that is how the moon learned that it could not throw shade at the sun and how it learned to respect and appreciate the sun's light.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGrxaSiTJ60LlheaEF6Rc4cSUY6E8vJdwJgWG4kWVh0bnzIyDGh4fVXlu880Py8TNqwukL8oN2sUltSskAvEV3GW4oLBCKA5Omf912BF9OXSHXsXpIv9PfasYSDvPdYvVn-jNx70hGCnRLp6R2q2k_P3bLGMMM1-WvpUm4SrTsCmEK8m87ClAFgUh7vyW/s1024/Chuwackis.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chuwacki Rewards Stars" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGrxaSiTJ60LlheaEF6Rc4cSUY6E8vJdwJgWG4kWVh0bnzIyDGh4fVXlu880Py8TNqwukL8oN2sUltSskAvEV3GW4oLBCKA5Omf912BF9OXSHXsXpIv9PfasYSDvPdYvVn-jNx70hGCnRLp6R2q2k_P3bLGMMM1-WvpUm4SrTsCmEK8m87ClAFgUh7vyW/w320-h320/Chuwackis.jpg" title="Chuwacki Stars" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuwacki Prasises the Stars</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Chuwacki Rewards the Stars</b></p><p>Chuwacki, he who stands up in the air, was the creator of the sun, the moon, and all things in the world. He was pleased that the moon learned to appreciate each other and work together instead of competing and envying the sun. </p><p>He was also proud of the stars, who had judged the contest fairly and wisely. He rewarded them all by giving them a special place in the sky to shine and watch over the earth. </p><p>Chuwacki also gave them names and stories, which he taught to the people of Africa. He hoped that the people would learn from the sun and the moon and live in harmony and balance with each other and nature. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-89403813091325810702024-01-09T00:30:00.164-05:002024-01-09T00:30:00.141-05:00Instructions About the Money<p>Last night, I had a spiritual experience where I heard faint whispers from my ancestors. They spoke to me about the significance of having clean money and how it relates to genuine happiness. According to the wisdom of African proverbs, real wealth is not just about possessing a lot of money, but it is also about discovering inner contentment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwyT_Vmv4tEaXTRtlCMBYzManE-BTfXFNukcwyyYAXfLN9bESHpwotSoESUqXa8HQM7WPm8uXlHXHw10oJQdBKyiEkalGr0OUeUca_ib096lB6XDv7bso2jn5KVFE2EXs0EcweoJ_MznL2nhCbS0eFeNaSTuWoaahJZsjwKOladCaatwMyjjcUsqQ36El/s1024/A%20fall%20does%20not%20hurt%20those%20who%20fly%20low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwyT_Vmv4tEaXTRtlCMBYzManE-BTfXFNukcwyyYAXfLN9bESHpwotSoESUqXa8HQM7WPm8uXlHXHw10oJQdBKyiEkalGr0OUeUca_ib096lB6XDv7bso2jn5KVFE2EXs0EcweoJ_MznL2nhCbS0eFeNaSTuWoaahJZsjwKOladCaatwMyjjcUsqQ36El/s320/A%20fall%20does%20not%20hurt%20those%20who%20fly%20low.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Instructions About the Money African Proverbs from the Ancestors</h2><p><u>My Dad whispered to me, "Wealth comes by cultivating together."</u></p><p>Listen, my daughter, for in the collective tilling of the soil, the seeds of wealth are sown. As the sun rises over the communal fields, remember that prosperity is a garden many hands tend. Do not be deceived by the allure of solitary riches, for such treasures wither in isolation. Instead, cultivate a bond with your kin, intertwining your efforts with theirs, like the roots of a mighty baobab tree. In the shared harvest, find sustenance and the true abundance that springs from unity. Let the wisdom of our ancestors guide you, and may the currency of your endeavors be measured not just in gold but in the shared prosperity of a community whose wealth is cultivated together.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>My Grandfathers whispered to me, "Vultures haunt the yard of a wealthy man."</u></p><p>Descendant, heed the lessons carried on the wings of time. As the vultures circle the opulence of the wealthy man's yard, understand that true wealth is not in accumulating riches at the expense of others. Be cautious of ill-gotten gains, for like vultures drawn to the scent of decay, they bring ruin to the very foundation of prosperity. Instead, let your endeavors be guided by integrity, fairness, and a compassionate heart. In pursuing wealth, let not your yard be haunted by the shadows of greed, but rather be a sanctuary of shared abundance, where the fruits of labor benefit not only the one but the many. For in the legacy of genuine wealth, the yard remains free from the ominous presence of scavengers, and prosperity becomes a legacy that nourishes both the soul and the community.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye51S8qF-yUvLZa9LhUgxso6kiYazUAWBTUhARJcxnoEiiltTWZyJzAOfjddK4z2mMf2c_eUjYphwkcb09WZl7tmyceAa6XfWie3CmquP-hCGRYpwkBJDTJSKJGvhcFTcIVgg70RGAKTXxFDpOLtxz83DdWnQqbp37fjk6TUMDLlx9nu_ysviuTh3g7lA/s844/rooted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rooted" border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="844" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye51S8qF-yUvLZa9LhUgxso6kiYazUAWBTUhARJcxnoEiiltTWZyJzAOfjddK4z2mMf2c_eUjYphwkcb09WZl7tmyceAa6XfWie3CmquP-hCGRYpwkBJDTJSKJGvhcFTcIVgg70RGAKTXxFDpOLtxz83DdWnQqbp37fjk6TUMDLlx9nu_ysviuTh3g7lA/w320-h278/rooted.jpg" title="Rooted" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooted</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>My Grandmothers whispered to me, "A river that forgets its source will soon run dry."</u></p><p>Listen to the wisdom of the river when it comes to matters of wealth, my descendant. Just as a river finds its strength in remembering the source that sustains it, so too should you honor the roots of your prosperity. Do not be swayed by the currents of forgetfulness, for a wealth that neglects its origins is destined to run dry. Cherish the values and principles instilled by those who came before you, for they are the lifeblood that nourishes the abundance you seek. In the flow of your endeavors, remember the tributaries of gratitude, humility, and community, for it is in the collective embrace of these sources that your wealth shall endure, much like the perennial river that never forgets the wellspring of its existence.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>My Uncles whispered to me, "A single stick may be easily broken, but a bundle of sticks is unyielding."</u></p><p>Let the insight of the bundled sticks guide you in matters of wealth. Just as a single stick is vulnerable to the forces that seek to break it, so too is an individual's fortune susceptible to the trials of life. Yet, the bundle becomes unyielding when bound together with the strength of community, family, and shared purpose. Remember, the true wealth lies not solely in individual accumulation but in the collective resilience forged by unity. Let your endeavors be intertwined with the well-being of those around you, for in the togetherness of bundled sticks, there lies a strength that endures the storms of time. May your wealth be a shared bounty, a testament to the unyielding power that comes from standing together, much like a bundle of sticks tightly woven and unbroken.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>My Aunts whispered to me, "The oasis blooms when the collective effort waters its roots."</u></p><p>Child, envision your wealth as an oasis and let the wisdom of the oasis guide your financial journey. Just as the oasis blooms in the desert when nurtured by the collective effort of those who tend to its roots, your prosperity also flourishes when cultivated through shared endeavors. Do not hoard your resources like a solitary wellspring, for the true abundance lies in the communal waters that sustain the oasis. Water the roots of your wealth with the sweat of collaboration, compassion, and mutual support. In the collective effort to nourish the oasis, you ensure your own prosperity and contribute to the entire community's flourishing. May your wealth be a testament to the oasis that thrives through shared responsibility and the interconnectedness of all who contribute to its sustenance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK41XqRGn3CjdAQfWCcMn6X44-JkvucG3GaRw5amkP-zC7Tw9thX3bJI_Yjg69SDlLpDAaWLoZscwCUdpdNnPFeoyF4DH6yXu9jenkUESiI-8mOArvUxQCQ_V3X_TCBcOnyvPbson5LDXqMFWtYH3HhTVXjZBFHNGCRcdWKeUeHTmn-wbngOg1rXfPNj-m/s512/7y65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Celebrating Your Ancestors" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK41XqRGn3CjdAQfWCcMn6X44-JkvucG3GaRw5amkP-zC7Tw9thX3bJI_Yjg69SDlLpDAaWLoZscwCUdpdNnPFeoyF4DH6yXu9jenkUESiI-8mOArvUxQCQ_V3X_TCBcOnyvPbson5LDXqMFWtYH3HhTVXjZBFHNGCRcdWKeUeHTmn-wbngOg1rXfPNj-m/w320-h320/7y65.jpg" title="Celebrating Ancestors" width="320" /></a></div><p><b>Let's talk about celebrating your ancestors.</b></p><p>Your ancestors are the people who came before you, including your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. They're the reason why you are here today, and they have had a significant influence on your genetics and traits. It's important to appreciate and show affection towards your loved ones, whether they're still with us or have passed away. </p><p>Celebrating family-oriented holidays such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Christmas is a great way to do this. By expressing your love and gratitude, you can strengthen your family bonds and keep the memory of your ancestors alive for generations to come.</p><p>You can communicate with your ancestors whenever you feel comfortable, whether it's in the morning, before meals, or before going to bed. Dedicate some time to introspection and writing in a journal. Utilize this time to express your thoughts, questions, and concerns to your ancestors. Write down your prayers, ideas, and experiences as a way of reaching out to them. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-24937481275096496582024-01-08T00:30:00.175-05:002024-01-08T00:30:00.149-05:00No Meat Thick Rice Stew<p>West African no-meat thick rice stew is a hearty rice stew with a rich blend of fresh vegetables, brown rice, palm butter, and vegetable stock, creating a warm and nourishing soup that will make you feel right at home. If you have leftovers, fear not - this soup can be enjoyed again later, but you may consider adding a bit of vegetable broth or water to thin it out when reheating.</p><p>Palm butter is an ingredient widely used in African cuisine due to its distinctive rich, earthy flavor and creamy texture. Consider using coconut cream, peanut butter, or cashew cream if you want a substitute. However, remember that the taste may differ, and you should adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences. </p><p>However, if you can access palm butter, it is recommended to use it as it has a unique flavor that is both rich and earthy. It has a mild nutty taste with a hint of sweetness that adds a great depth of flavor to any dish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9MGArJF-GI2tIEBJJaptGtXhl0ArqtwXC-Qb6Rqvuo4MhYk5ARqBDW2bcRJyCWQziAAES4rYAvYzyZ_G_WkbPuUZvs7QzGbFH488qE5_lg2jRksFcUs6BBhLDudK_PSeRalBucCDMVpyQ7iF_VgnzWmfTttvb-fIqPdmnMhUAcq2YzsTaJ35JIKa8lx8/s1024/2%20hot%20peppers%20diced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="West African no-meat thick rice stew" border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9MGArJF-GI2tIEBJJaptGtXhl0ArqtwXC-Qb6Rqvuo4MhYk5ARqBDW2bcRJyCWQziAAES4rYAvYzyZ_G_WkbPuUZvs7QzGbFH488qE5_lg2jRksFcUs6BBhLDudK_PSeRalBucCDMVpyQ7iF_VgnzWmfTttvb-fIqPdmnMhUAcq2YzsTaJ35JIKa8lx8/w320-h213/2%20hot%20peppers%20diced.jpg" title="West African no-meat thick rice stew" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">No-Meat Thick Rice Stew from West Africa</h2><p><br /></p><p>Prep Time: 15 mins</p><p>Cook Time: 20 mins</p><p>Total Time: 35 mins</p><p><br /></p><p>Ingredients</p><p>2 cups uncooked brown rice</p><p>1 large onion chopped</p><p>3 green spring onions chopped</p><p>3 garlic cloves minced</p><p>1 large ripe tomato diced</p><p>1 large green bell pepper diced</p><p>1 large yellow bell pepper diced</p><p>1 large red bell pepper diced</p><p>2 hot peppers diced</p><p>4 cups vegetable broth</p><p>¾ cup all-purpose flour</p><p>1 small can of tomato paste</p><p>½ teaspoon salt</p><p>½ teaspoon ground black pepper</p><p>2 tablespoons unsalted butter</p><p>2 tablespoons palm butter</p><p><br /></p><p>Directions</p><p>In a large pot over medium heat, add broth and butter. Bring to a boil, then stir in rice. Cover and remove from heat. Mix well with flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with 1/2 cup of water. Melt palm butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add vegetables, and saute until slightly firm, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then add flour mixture, a few tablespoons at a time, into the pot of broth, stirring continuously to avoid clumps. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add vegetables to the broth mixture. Cook 10 minutes longer and serve as a main dish with bread or a side dish with fish or chicken.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuG11TkSrodZaXWTpgasn52ju8IoiniSYBUs1X87uZXSkU1diftsFoN-pOk6YlNNWZDYPlfnXotEr95ag_G6rp8Q7UHra8FE16IxpqEVvzqi7CEZ06IzDvrWUJSMplXTDJW9hwXexhv7JVJHIwSTe61SBc4WiA4LaQ_NNXbs2ApxUebHq0WyCRioMRcFp/s994/1w4g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cooking rice" border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="994" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuG11TkSrodZaXWTpgasn52ju8IoiniSYBUs1X87uZXSkU1diftsFoN-pOk6YlNNWZDYPlfnXotEr95ag_G6rp8Q7UHra8FE16IxpqEVvzqi7CEZ06IzDvrWUJSMplXTDJW9hwXexhv7JVJHIwSTe61SBc4WiA4LaQ_NNXbs2ApxUebHq0WyCRioMRcFp/w320-h314/1w4g.jpg" title="Cooking rice" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Eat and Enjoy No-Meat Thick Rice Stew from West Africa</h3><div>Indulge in a delicious bowl of West African thick rice stew that is both easy to prepare and fits right within your budget. This amazing dish is completely meatless, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer vegetarian meals. With its rich texture and exotic blend of flavors, this stew is sure to make your taste buds dance with joy.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-82305660131698935502024-01-07T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-07T00:30:00.174-05:00Tiny Island Big Weather Impact<p>Did you know that Gough Island's meteorological station plays a crucial role in providing valuable climate data for research? It's amazing how a tiny island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean contributes so much to our understanding of the world's climate.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Gough Island's Tiny Stature, Massive Meteorological Influence</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfpVsFhVDiARjjG_MoaQVo7Dd7mTn0SIFJ1UxeDqsQnUjyAuzX_N6S1eyDnT7_LS55oT5nPVis_fPFU4gRcF-fYTqp9u0uu66Kj1l9mIBSgxaOkIvo_zyBZfWXPm0VCBQqAfwxaIFuGHsWz7IclXaQZByXABxG4Sjh9hnwDdgPoHciSCl5CTBlwO8cmR-/s1440/Gough-Island-Expedition_2023_SAWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2023 Atmospheric and Ocean Interaction Studies metkassies team" border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1440" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfpVsFhVDiARjjG_MoaQVo7Dd7mTn0SIFJ1UxeDqsQnUjyAuzX_N6S1eyDnT7_LS55oT5nPVis_fPFU4gRcF-fYTqp9u0uu66Kj1l9mIBSgxaOkIvo_zyBZfWXPm0VCBQqAfwxaIFuGHsWz7IclXaQZByXABxG4Sjh9hnwDdgPoHciSCl5CTBlwO8cmR-/w320-h136/Gough-Island-Expedition_2023_SAWS.jpg" title="2023 Gough Island Weather Team" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2023 Gough Island Weather Team</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Gough Island and the South African Weather Service</b> <b>Backstory</b></p><p>Tristan da Cunha is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The island group consists of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough Islands. Tristan da Cunha island is around 248 miles or 400 kilometers away from Gough Island. </p><p>Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 by Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha, who christened the main island after himself. The islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa. </p><p>South Africa leases a site on Gough Island for a meteorological station. Meteorological stations on Gough Island play a vital role in monitoring extreme weather events such as storms and hurricanes. Gough Island, a British territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean, has no permanent population. It is around 1,500 miles or 2,400km from the African mainland, with no airport.</p><p>Reaching Gough involves a seven-day boat ride from South Africa. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has been part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). It has operated the weather station on Gough Island in the South Atlantic since 1956. </p><p><b>Traveling to Gough Island by Ship</b></p><p>Each year, the Polar Class 5, the South African Agulhas II, a research and supply vessel, takes an expeditionary team to Gough Island weather station to conduct meteorological observations and research for about 15 to 18 months. The island's long-term meteorological data serves as a valuable resource for climate change studies. </p><p>The ship has to cross international waters and departs from Cape Town, South Africa. The team members form part of the South African National Antarctic Programme. Each expedition team comprises one Medical Orderly, one Diesel Mechanic, one Electrical Engineer, one Communications Engineer, one Senior Meteorological Technician, two Meteorological Technicians, and three Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Field Assistants. </p><p><b>Living on Gough Island </b></p><p>In order to protect the unique ecosystem of the island, certain items are strictly prohibited. These include any animals, plants, seeds, poultry (including eggs), soil, water, and geological samples. Additionally, polystyrene beads, as well as other small pieces of plastic packaging and firearms, are also not allowed on the island. However, there are certain items that are allowed on the island. These include music, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco. </p><p>All the stations, including Gough Island, have the essential facilities to provide a comfortable stay for overwintering team members. These include bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, TV lounges, entertainment rooms, bar, library, gym, laboratories, offices, and workshops. Researchers who live on the island through the winter months gather data on cloud formations, wind patterns, and other atmospheric conditions, contributing to a better understanding of climate dynamics.</p><p><b>Working on Gough Island </b></p><p>Headed by Dr. Jonas Mphepya, the metkassies (meteorological overwintering team members), when on shift, does visual observations which includes cloud height and type, horizontal visibility, precipitation type, weather present and past and sea temperature. Formal observation is done every hour 6am to 3pm and then every 3 hours during night shift. This is done every day of the week.</p><p>The 2023 Atmospheric and Ocean Interaction Studies metkassies team comprises James Joubert Burns, Velelo Mazele, Samkelisiwe Thwala, Khuliso Collen Maphaha, Fulufhelo Brenda Khobo, and Kelcey Maewashe will fulfill a 15 to 18 months research stay.</p><p><b>Importance of Gough Island Weather Service</b></p><p>Gough Island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean and experiences a climate that is unique and isolated from surrounding regions. The island's remote location and lack of human habitation make it an ideal location for monitoring weather patterns, temperature fluctuations, and precipitation levels. </p><p>By collecting and analyzing this data, researchers gain valuable insights into regional and global climate trends, including the impact of climate change on isolated ecosystems. Additionally, the island's extreme weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rainfall, make it an important location for testing and monitoring the durability of various materials and structures.</p><p>The meteorological station located on Gough Island, operated by the South African Weather Service, has been instrumental in collecting and providing vital climate data to aid in research. The island's remote location in the South Atlantic Ocean, which is devoid of human habitation, makes it an ideal spot for gathering important meteorological and oceanographic data, which is then used by scientists worldwide to study the Earth's climate and weather patterns. </p><p>The Gough Island meteorological station has been in operation since 1956 and has been continuously collecting data on various parameters such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed, and direction, among others. Over the years, the data gathered has helped researchers make significant strides in understanding the Earth's climate, weather patterns, and the impact of human activities on the planet.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-66052298494697545852024-01-06T00:30:00.021-05:002024-01-06T00:30:00.141-05:00Amazing Dumboy and Liberian Stew<p>In Liberia, stew and dumboy is a beloved traditional dish. The stew is typically made with a rich blend of spices, vegetables, and protein, while the dumboy is a starchy, dough-like substance that is boiled and then added to the stew as a side. </p><p>This hearty and satisfying meal is often enjoyed with family and friends and is considered a staple in Liberian cuisine, much like soup and crackers are a popular comfort food in the United States.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Liberian Stews are Amazing</h2><p>Liberian stews are unlike most recipes. Liberian stews are hearty stews that combine numerous meats, fish, and vegetables in one stew. Bitter leaves alone have a bitter taste and are sold fresh or dried. The leaves are green with a robust odor and a bitter taste.</p><p>Note. There are over 200 species of bitter leaf. The leaves are used to make vegetable dishes but must be washed before eating to eliminate the bitter taste. Vernonia amygdalina, or Bitterleaf, is a widely used cooking vegetable throughout Africa.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Eat Dumboy</h2><p>Dumboy is a dish prepared using various basic food ingredients. Dumboy is a staple food in Liberia and is what mashed potatoes are to traditional American cooking. It can be made using plantains, green bananas, cassava, yams, potatoes, cornmeal, rice, and millet. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgzQ9J93Xc4/V4KljJQ28HI/AAAAAAAAQD0/CjaSdACFxAgYmGLz6bzseD3_3OSPFkcjACLcB/s1600/fufu%2Bhow%2Bto%2Bmake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dumboy and Liberian Stew" border="0" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgzQ9J93Xc4/V4KljJQ28HI/AAAAAAAAQD0/CjaSdACFxAgYmGLz6bzseD3_3OSPFkcjACLcB/w320-h302/fufu%2Bhow%2Bto%2Bmake.jpg" title="Dumboy and Liberian Stew" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumboy and Liberian Stew</td></tr></tbody></table><p>To eat dumboy, tear off a walnut-sized portion of the dumboy scoop up stew using your hands and bits of doughy dumboy. It is traditional to eat using only your right hand and no utensils. If you were to eat with your left hand, it would be both insulting and rude to those around you because usually, the left hand is reserved for bodily functions and the hand is never used for eating.</p><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Dumboy and Liberian Bitter Leaf Stew Ingredients and Directions</h2><div><br /></div><div><i>Bitter Leaf Stew Ingredients</i></div><div><br /></div><div>5 ounces of cubed beef</div><div><br /></div><div>5 ounces of pork or pork sausage</div><div><br /></div><div>2 skinless chicken thighs</div><div><br /></div><div>3 smoked fish, flaked</div><div><br /></div><div>1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp</div><div><br /></div><div>1 tablespoon minced garlic</div><div><br /></div><div>2 onions, chopped finely</div><div><br /></div><div>1/4 cup palm oil</div><div><br /></div><div>1 bunch bitter leaf, chopped</div><div><br /></div><div>Water to cover</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bitter Leaf Stew Directions</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Add all ingredients except shrimp to a large pot over medium heat. Cover ingredients with water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Add shrimp and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Now Let's Make No So Dumb Dumboy</h2><div>Have you ever wondered why Liberians named a dish dumboy? The reason is that dumboy itself has a neutral taste and lacks any specific cooking personality, allowing it to complement the flavors of the accompanying sauces and dishes. It's almost like an unfilled dumpling, with a subtle, yet tasty flavor. Additionally, the preferred consistency of dumboy can vary, ranging from a soft and stretchy texture to a firmer and more dough-like surface.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dumboy Ingredients</i></div><div><div><br /></div><div>3 green or yellow plantains</div><div>1 medium cassava root</div><div>2 tablespoons all-purpose flour</div><div>1 teaspoon salt</div><div>1/4-1/2 cup water</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dumboy Directions</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>In a large pot place the peeled and evenly cut plantains and cassava and cover with water. Boil until soft about 20 minutes. Place the salt, flour, plantains and cassava in a mixer and whip until the consistency of soft dough is achieved. Foufou should be much stiffer than mashed potatoes in texture. </div></div><div><br /></div><p style="background-color: #F2F3E5; color: black; padding: 20px;"> To eat dumboy, tear off a walnut-sized portion of the dumboy scoop up Liberian bitter leaf stew using your hands and bits of doughy dumboy.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-23157461099804476772024-01-05T00:30:00.046-05:002024-01-05T00:30:00.144-05:00Hidden GPS Navigator 1,000 miles off the West Coast of Africa <p>A mysterious and vital device called the Critical GPS Antenna is concealed in the middle of the vast Atlantic Ocean. It's located 1,000 miles off the west coast of Africa, and it does more than just help ships and planes navigate. This secret installation is actually part of a worldwide network that helps to keep the world's navigational systems like Google Maps, MapQuest and Waze running smoothly. </p><p>It's like a conductor who directs an orchestra, but instead of musicians, this antenna helps satellites communicate with each other. It's essential for many things, including global cooperation, military actions, and advanced technology. Although hidden from view, this antenna is a crucial part of our modern world.</p><p>Ascension Island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in operating the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a navigation system that uses satellites to help vehicles, ships, aircraft, and pedestrians navigate. The island's remote location minimizes interference from other signals and radio frequency noise. This isolation enhances the accuracy and reliability of GPS signal reception and transmission.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL4rw0uO8x1MWxaLqXaIyHmr8k5LisiKd4wlTnpZhins8RRacTCVXtllpdEuhB8Tko15mKfvqLvLkdb1qWHz6w8QEaPGjmBZBaiaQU9EHxaoJuYpMeDQEAOPMybavCV3SaeLcURReZevdYil70OpBCIlIAYqhTk2B53VeUBPiMg-y2eS0c8w6YhaoTEw1/s800/Ascension%20Island%20gps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ascension Island gps" border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL4rw0uO8x1MWxaLqXaIyHmr8k5LisiKd4wlTnpZhins8RRacTCVXtllpdEuhB8Tko15mKfvqLvLkdb1qWHz6w8QEaPGjmBZBaiaQU9EHxaoJuYpMeDQEAOPMybavCV3SaeLcURReZevdYil70OpBCIlIAYqhTk2B53VeUBPiMg-y2eS0c8w6YhaoTEw1/w320-h213/Ascension%20Island%20gps.jpg" title="Ascension Island gps" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Critical GPS Antenna located 1,000 miles off the west coast of Africa.</h2><p>Historically, Ascension Island has served as a crucial refueling and military outpost. Its strategic significance made it an attractive location for military-controlled operations like those involved in developing and maintaining GPS.</p><p>Ascension Island is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom around 1,000 miles or 1,610 km from the West coast of Africa. It is a sparsely inhabited island discovered and named Ascension in 1503 by Portuguese navigator Afonso de Albuquerque, who sighted the island on the Feast Day of the Ascension. </p><p>The island is in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa. Ascension has no indigenous or permanent residents and is inhabited only by persons contracted to work on the island, mainly with the United Kingdom and the US military or in the space and communications industries. </p><p>The island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in operating the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system. The others are on Diego Garcia, a British Indian Ocean Territory, Kwajalein Marshall Islands, and Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the USA. </p><p>Ascension Island is situated near the equator, making it an advantageous location for tracking satellites in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The proximity to the equator allows for better coverage and more efficient satellite communication.</p><p>Ascension Island provides a secure environment for the establishment of ground control stations. The isolated nature of the island makes it easier to control access and protect the infrastructure, ensuring the safety and confidentiality of GPS operations. The island is of volcanic origin, with its landscape featuring rugged terrain and volcanic craters. Despite its relatively small size, Ascension Island's unique topography provides suitable locations for installing GPS equipment.</p><p>In addition to GPS operations, Ascension Island hosts a NASA tracking station. This station supports space exploration missions, showcasing the island's importance in navigation and space communication. NASA and the US Air Force operate a Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension as part of the deep space surveillance system for tracking orbital debris, which can be hazardous to spacecraft and astronauts.</p><div>The GPS plays a vital role in military operations by providing accurate and real-time information about the location, movement, and activity of military personnel and assets. It enables military forces to navigate unfamiliar terrains, track targets, and coordinate operations seamlessly. From ground troops to naval fleets, GPS has become an indispensable tool for modern military operations, providing unprecedented situational awareness and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of military activities.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the world of finance, precise timing is crucial. Financial transactions, stock trading, and other financial operations often rely on accurate timing provided by GPS. GPS provides a reliable, accurate, and consistent timing source that is critical for the smooth functioning of financial markets. From high-frequency trading to foreign exchange transactions, financial firms and traders depend on GPS to ensure that their operations are executed when needed. Any discrepancy in timing can lead to significant financial losses, making GPS an essential tool for financial professionals.</div><div><br /></div><div>The location of one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in operating the GPS off the west coast of Africa is not arbitrary; it reflects the region's strategic importance in global navigation and communication. This area's stability and security are essential for uninterrupted GPS operations.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3791261586259430510.post-63794151953901330602024-01-04T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-04T00:30:00.134-05:00What Happened on January 4 in Africa<p>
Throughout history, January 4th has been significant for many events related
to African independence, the anti-apartheid movement, politics, and military
disputes. Seven pivotal events have occurred on this day, shaping the course
of these important issues.
</p>
<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmud5bChQF1qcJZ8ryze49RMKlEUQLWGKEyqoM82uy6ApMXPq91iswpC5Edb0pIg98bD8WutoZtuekNx_DB-d8NlRx_zgBuSXG6q4nhkb_TirvbEEqZtdnkjHlndGrP9iZuqPX0mmuzfiI4irtucHWmoHfO-fbdMhEdbkYY6El1I3xN-T_KGCadwRf5_i/s499/King%20of%20the%20World%20bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What Happened on January 4 in Africa" border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="499" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmud5bChQF1qcJZ8ryze49RMKlEUQLWGKEyqoM82uy6ApMXPq91iswpC5Edb0pIg98bD8WutoZtuekNx_DB-d8NlRx_zgBuSXG6q4nhkb_TirvbEEqZtdnkjHlndGrP9iZuqPX0mmuzfiI4irtucHWmoHfO-fbdMhEdbkYY6El1I3xN-T_KGCadwRf5_i/w320-h214/King%20of%20the%20World%20bw.jpg" title="What Happened on January 4 in Africa" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Seven January 4th History of Events in Africa.
</h3>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 Ghana</p>
<p>
On January 4, 1957, Ghana achieved a significant milestone in its history by
gaining independence from British colonial rule. This remarkable achievement
was made possible by the efforts of Ghana's first Prime Minister and
President, Kwame Nkrumah. He declared that Ghana's independence would only
have meaning if it was linked to the total liberation of Africa, thereby
highlighting his vision for a united and free Africa. This historic event
remains a pivotal moment in Ghanaian history and continues to inspire people
worldwide.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 South Africa</p>
<p>
On January 4, 1960, the African National Congress (ANC) orchestrated a pivotal
moment in the anti-apartheid movement by launching protests against the pass
laws in South Africa. The pass laws, part of the apartheid regime, restricted
the movement of black individuals and reinforced racial segregation. In
response to these oppressive measures, the ANC organized demonstrations as a
bold and collective act of resistance. This event became a catalyst for
heightened opposition to apartheid policies, setting the stage for future
struggles and ultimately contributing to the broader movement that sought to
dismantle the institutionalized system of racial discrimination in South
Africa.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 Kenya</p>
<p>
January 4, 2008, marked a tumultuous chapter in Kenyan history as violence
erupted in the aftermath of disputed presidential election results. The
contested outcome, marred by allegations of electoral irregularities,
triggered widespread unrest and political instability across the country.
Ethnic tensions escalated, leading to violent clashes, displacement of
communities, and loss of lives. The turmoil prompted international concern and
calls for a peaceful resolution. Eventually, mediated negotiations brokered by
former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan resulted in a power-sharing
agreement, easing tensions and laying the groundwork for political reforms.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGeq-mM09LY8gn4dgh_OpCS5pin1Q2_xcTFbZ7j6lbrXqctjOamQlP3CJXLcFgGVWmaYEESdmGqZlvKkK3jGb6WeQbR4m3vPQ60wZQcVK2HQdfCM9k_qaNuRWJwFAp-gbM6A53NyZp1-IbJWd-naoEB1wZOYKS7UUG2ZjkWBPtXAlLC1To8FJQqWGbHzX/s500/Angola%20Civil%20War.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January 4" border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGeq-mM09LY8gn4dgh_OpCS5pin1Q2_xcTFbZ7j6lbrXqctjOamQlP3CJXLcFgGVWmaYEESdmGqZlvKkK3jGb6WeQbR4m3vPQ60wZQcVK2HQdfCM9k_qaNuRWJwFAp-gbM6A53NyZp1-IbJWd-naoEB1wZOYKS7UUG2ZjkWBPtXAlLC1To8FJQqWGbHzX/w320-h215/Angola%20Civil%20War.jpg" title="January 4" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>January 4 Morocco</p>
<p>
On January 4, 1943, the Casablanca Conference unfolded as a pivotal event
during World War II, bringing together leaders from the Allied powers at the
Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco. The conference involved the broader North
African region, including Moroccan territory. President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and other high-ranking officials convened to
strategize and coordinate their war efforts against the Axis powers. One of
the key outcomes of the conference was the commitment to achieving the
unconditional surrender of the Axis and an announcement of no separate peace
agreements. Additionally, the leaders discussed post-war plans, emphasizing
the importance of establishing the United Nations and outlining their goals
for the future. The Casablanca Conference played a crucial role in shaping the
direction of the war and fostering unity among the Allies.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 Tanzania</p>
<p>
On January 4, 1964, a momentous event transpired as Tanganyika and Zanzibar
merged to establish the United Republic of Tanzania. This historic union,
orchestrated by leaders Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika and Abeid Karume of
Zanzibar, marked a significant political development in East Africa. The
merger aimed to foster unity among diverse ethnic and cultural groups within
the newly formed nation. The creation of Tanzania represented a unique
approach to nation-building, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration between
mainland Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar. This political consolidation
set the stage for the nation's subsequent socio-economic and political
development under the leadership of Julius Nyerere, who pursued a policy of
socialism and self-reliance known as Ujamaa.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 Libya</p>
<p>
The Second Gulf of Sidra incident occurred on January 4, 1989, in the
Mediterranean Sea near Libya. The conflict arose from territorial disputes
over the Gulf of Sidra, a body of water off the Libyan coast. During this
incident, a pair of Libyan MiG-23 Flogger fighter jets engaged in an
air-to-air confrontation with two U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats. The U.S. aircraft
were operating from the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. The
confrontation resulted in the successful engagement and shooting down of the
Libyan MiG-23s by the U.S. Navy F-14s. The incident marked a continuation of
tensions between the United States and Libya, which had been ongoing for
years, including the 1986 bombing of Libya by U.S. forces in response to
alleged Libyan involvement in terrorist activities. The Second Gulf of Sidra
incident highlighted the military confrontations during strained diplomatic
relations between the two nations.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>January 4 South Africa</p>
<p>
Marais Viljoen was born on December 2, 1915, and passed away on January 4,
2007. Viljoen served as the last ceremonial State President of South Africa
from 1979 to 1984; he was not an executive or head of government. During this
time, South Africa had a dual executive system where the State President had a
largely ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister, the head of government,
held more substantial executive powers. Viljoen's role as State President was
mainly symbolic, involving duties such as representing the country at official
events and performing ceremonial functions. The real political power rested
with the Prime Minister and the cabinet. It's worth noting that in 1984, the
position of State President was abolished, and P.W. Botha, who was the Prime
Minister at the time, became the first executive President of South Africa,
consolidating both roles into one.
</p><p><br /></p>
<p>More articles you will find thought-provoking.</p>
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2020/07/are-african-wax-prints-african-heritage.html">That African Fabric You're Wearing Isn’t African</a><img alt="That African Fabric You're Wearing Isn’t African=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY6mrKsgu5k/XvyiD4AMGwI/AAAAAAAAghQ/9zSBr4CSovY6XVok0Q_PRAB0M28F8t-xQCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h315/Vlisco%2Bprint%2Bdesigned%2Bby%2BPiet%2BSnel%2B1936.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2019/04/wearing-neck-rings.html">About neck elongation rings</a><img alt="About neck elongation rings=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc7zijOvxbU/XK0gZi00ytI/AAAAAAAAcnc/8K7KkRyWSPQ68Ninpa5YgJVVeOVpIX7JwCLcBGAs/w218-h320/African%2Bculture%2Bneck%2Brings.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2019/02/old-and-modern-lighthouses-of-egypt-and.html">Lighthouses of Egypt and Morocco</a><img alt="Lighthouses of Egypt and Morocco=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYSG7eL0Ql4/XGhn23-MFUI/AAAAAAAAcaI/ZtvTeQ1zxQAbO8eYX2vEfKBlxNf2w2zGgCLcBGAs/w320-h213/Cap%2BSpartel%2BLighthouse%2Bin%2BMorocco.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2018/12/epidemic-of-mental-illness-in-africa.html">Mental Illness in Africa Taboos</a><img alt="Mental Illness in Africa Taboos=" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-KOaY2V1-I/XCDptqO100I/AAAAAAAAXCI/mr09FMNz0UoXmNfOon4xTl1DVqDoHE_eQCLcBGAs/s640/Mental%2BIllness%2Bin%2BAfrica.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2019/05/african-kente-cloth-facts.html">Kente cloth inspired by a spiders web </a><img alt="Kente cloth inspired by a spiders web=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHbSo7VXhvY/WwX6pBR-pGI/AAAAAAAAVac/ldx8YN4dAxg9vmzOWn4BtqgTPYAs5leUwCLcBGAs/w320-h240/African%2BCloth.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;" />
</li>
</ol>
<br />
<img alt="Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdzMC7eD8Ss/XBu_aqf9YII/AAAAAAAAW_E/nwgCJSa9ZmUBHI7v-bvWxA89k6WOL5A3ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Logo%2BAG%2BLogo.jpg" style="height: 128px; width: 128px;" />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">African Culture is World Heritage.</div>Chic African Culturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18096781687862726035noreply@blogger.com0