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A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Ten Democratic Republic of Congo African Proverbs

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📁 African proverbs

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All company is not good company. 

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


Intelligence is like fire, people take it from others.

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

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


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


A small mistake can bring great damage.

The less important person is the one bringing many problems.

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

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

Unity finished the greatness of the forest.

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

Girls face the same issues that women face. 


More War Democratic Republic of Congo African Proverbs

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


War African proverbs.

War cry rings louder than a mothers cry. 

All are not soldiers that go to the wars. 

 A growing youth has a hyena in his belly. 

 A fart cannot be dispelled with a fan. 

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

A hungry belly has no ears. 

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

All are not warriors that blow the horn of war. 

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

A bad thing never dies.


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


More African Proverbs from the motherland.

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

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

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

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

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

The Deeper Recipe

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

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

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.