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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

FOOD PROVERBS

Farming African Proverbs

Farming African proverbs and the difference between agriculture and farming.


Farming in Ethiopia Africa

If the day of harvesting or eating yams is the same as the day of planting yams, even goats will not be allowed to eat the yam peels. English language 


Nenye etedugbe enyetefagbe la anye gbowoha madu tetsro o. - Ewe language

Ikiwa siku yakuvuna magimbi ingekua kama siku ya ku panda, basi hata mbuzi wasinge ruhusiwakula maganda. - Swahili language 

Si le jour de récolte d’ignames serait comme le jour de sasemence, même les chèvres ne séraient pasautorisées à manger ses pelures. - French language 

Planting seeds in Africa

Farming African proverb explained

Due to changing conditions in many African societies from rural agrarian populations into blue-collar urbanites, this kind of proverb is well placed to educate people to be humble and not forget their humble backgrounds even when they become very successful people later on in life.

They should be kind to others who may not be fortunate enough to benefit from the joys of modern life. They should have open minds and open hearts in sharing and helping others in need. 

One billion people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, which kills more people every year than Malaria, Ebola, Tuberculosis and AIDS combined.


Farming African Proverbs

Agriculture is divided into two different types; industrialized agriculture and subsistence agriculture. Subsistence agriculture occurs when farmers grow food crops to feed themselves and their families. In subsistence agriculture, farm output is targeted to survival and is mostly for local requirements with little or no surplus trade. 

Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. The impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, public health, and rural communities make it an unsustainable way to grow our food over the long term.

Farming is divided into nine classifications according to what is grown and how it is grown.

Arable - Crops.

Pastoral- Animals.

Mixed - Crops and animals.

Subsistence - Grown just for the farmer and his family.

Commercial - Grown to sell.

Intensive - High inputs of labor or investment usually small.

Extensive - Low inputs of labor or capital.

Sedentary - Permanently in one place.

Nomadic - The farmers move around to find new areas to farm.

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

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Desserts

Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

The African Gourmet is preserved as a cultural resource and is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives.

Cited and trusted by leading institutions:
Wikipedia
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University of Kansas
Cornell University SRI Program (Madagascar resource)

Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

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

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

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

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

How is content selected for the archive?

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

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

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

Can researchers access the full archive?

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

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

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