Africa Factbook

MTV African Music Awards MTV African Music Awards 2009 MTV ( MusicTelevision ) collaborated with the Telecommunications Corporation Zain Nigeria to produce the first annual African Music Awards aka the “MAMA’s” in 2008. MTV African Music Awards 2008 The historical program debuted in Abuja, Nigeria in the velodrome (cycling stadium) on November 22, 2008. The star-studded music awards program featured Artist of the Year, Best Alternative, Best Female, Best Group, Best Hip-Hop, Best Live Performance, Best Male, Best New Act, Best R&B, Rock, Afro-Pop, Funk, and Soul music stars from many African countries. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter French Montana and Trey Songz performed at the 2014 African Music Awards and Kenyan actor Lupita Nyong’o took home

The Fon people of Benin believe twins are two separate parts of the same human being. Twins lives are marked with important ceremony divine power. Thing or two About twins beliefs and ceremony in the Beninese African Fon Culture. A Fon child is not only a member of the tribe but an ancestral lifeline to past away ancestors; they are also cultural caretakers to the future. In Fon African culture twins can gain access to the unknowable divine power. Twin Beliefs and Ceremony in African Fon Culture. One of the best parts of being twins in the Beninese African Fon culture is being treated as a precious gift. In traditional Fon society, the passage from one stage of life to another is marked with important ceremonies. There is always an emphasis on ancestry and family providing love and support passed away loved ones and to twins.   When one twin dies in Fon culture a sculptured figure, a family member cares for symbolizing the deceased as if the person was still alive. Traditional

Mit’mit’a spice recipe African herb and spice blend. There are more exciting spices in your food life than just salt and pepper. The basic art of traditional African cooking lies in the blending of herbs and spices to yield delicate distinctions in the flavor of food. Add taste to your everyday vegetables, poultry, lamb, beef, pork, BBQ and chutneys with Mit’mit’a Spice Recipe. No more excuses for serving your family and friends boring ordinary food. Just like all of The African Gourmet recipes all the ingredients for the Ethiopian Mit'mit'a spice recipe are found at your local grocery store. Ethiopian Mit’mit’a Spice Recipe Yield about 1/4 cup Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried ground piri piri pepper 1 teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon salt Directions Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store in airtight container away from light and heat. [Read: Pickled Okra

Prawn Recipe Mozambique Curried Coconut Water Prawn Recipe Mozambique curried coconut water prawn recipe is a favorite coastal recipe of Southern Africa. By Chic African Culture Mozambique curried coconut water prawn recipe is a simple African food recipe to make for a weeknight dinner.  Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Mozambique Curried Coconut Water Prawn Recipe Serves 4 : Low fat Nutrition facts: 240 calories , 2 grams fat Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds fresh prawns or shrimp, cleaned, peeled and deveined 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons good quality curry powder 2 tablespoons chopped curry leaves 1 chopped hot pepper 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 onions, chopped finely 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 tablespoon cumin 2 cups coconut water Directions In a large saucepan brown over medium heat, add oil, curry, onions, garlic, cumin, curry leaves and ginger. In a sma

Homemade North African Baklava is filled with walnuts, honey and orange blossom water layered with light phyllo pastry. For this North African baklava recipe please make sure the phyllo pastry is thawed before you begin the recipe. Culture and food of North Africa would not be complete without including Baklava. North African Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers light airy filo dough filled with chopped nuts, sweetened, with honey. Sweet Easy North African Baklava Recipe Serves 10 Baklava  Ingredients One 16 ounce package phyllo dough 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups chopped walnuts 1 cup melted butter Baklava Syrup  1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water ½ cup orange blossom honey ¼ teaspoon orange blossom water Directions Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix cinnamon and walnuts in a medium bowl set aside. Unroll phyllo cut into two equal halves. Cover phyllo with a slightly moist cloth while assembling to keep from d

From Africa to America, the world is one big flavorful kitchen African, and American kitchens If you look below the surface you will discover people of all races, ethnic origins and religious backgrounds have more in common than what is seen at first glance. From Africa to America, the world is one big flavorful kitchen. Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture 3-30-2009 Both fufu and mashed potatoes have very similar qualities Starchy foods are the body human main source of carbohydrates and play an important role in our diet.  Starchy foods have fiber, calcium, iron and B vitamins. The world over the emphasis is on starch and one main starchy side dish in Africa is fufu. What is fufu you may ask?  Well, fufu is to West Africa as mashed potatoes are to North America.  1. Prepared in similar ways 2. Filling 3. Versatile 4. Easy to make 5. Kitchen staple   Fufu is made from either boiled green plantains

Tanzanian curried coconut okra recipe is a simple African food recipe to make for a vegetarian weeknight dinner. Tanzanian curried coconut okra recipe is the favorite of Tanzania . Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe Ingredients 2 pounds fresh okra 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons good-quality curry powder 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 onion, chopped finely 2 tablespoons of butter 1/2 teaspoon paprika 2 cups of coconut milk Directions In a large saucepan brown over medium, heat the butter, curry, onions, garlic, and paprika. Cut the tips off the okra pods. Add okra and remaining ingredients to the saucepan cover tightly, and simmer 15 minutes. Serve over white rice.  How to choose good okra. Hibiscus esculentus or okra is of African origin originating from Ethiopia. Okra grows wild along the White Nile and the upper Nile country as well as in Ethiopia . Begin with good-quality fresh okra suitable for canning. The way to choose good okra is by inspecting the ok