Mozambique in Africa

Officially the Republic of Mozambique, it is a former Portuguese colony located in Southeast Africa.

Mozambique in Pictures

Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture

The historical sites of Mozambique from the Fort of São Sebastiãoto the Polana Church, to Sailing in Ilha de Moçambique and shopping in the numerous markets in Xai-Xai makes the African country of Mozambique a popular tourist destination.

 

 The Fort of São Sebastião also known as the Tower of São Sebastião is a 16th century military design on the Island of Mozambique.

 
 

Market and cafe in the popular tourist town of Xai-Xai, Mozambique 


 

Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique

 

 African fabric blowing in the breeze of Mozambique



Sailing in Ilha de Moçambique (The Island of Mozambique), Mozambique



Market in Xai-Xai which is a popular city in the south of Mozambique.

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte is located on the most eastern tip of the Island of Mozambique.



Avenida Dos Continuadores on Mozambique Island connects the 16th century castle to the wharf. In 1991 Mozambique Island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



Locals out for a stroll on Ibo Island, Mozambique.

Did you know?
In Mozambique 45 percent of the population is younger than 15.

Maasai Cattle and Children Are Maasai Treasures

Maasai tribes feel that their society has been given less thought and respect than that of wild animals. Cattle and children are an important aspect to the Maasai people.

The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands. Maasai own large herds of cattle, sheep, and goats which they follow around seasonally in search of new grazing grounds and water sources. Traditionally Maasai tribes have been an independent tribe.

Cattle and children are an important aspect to the Maasai people. Cattle play a central role in the life of the Maasai. Cattle represent food and power; the more cattle a Maasai has, the richer he is and therefore the more power and influence he will have within his tribe.

Individual, families, and clans established close ties through giving or exchange of cattle. While the Maasai traditions have undergone some changes in the past few decades, their strong social traditions remain intact.

Here's a quote from the Maasai Association; "When a lion attacks a cow, the authorities from wildlife and conservationist organizations would bury their heads under the sand. When a Maasai warrior kills a lion because of killing his cow, the authorities would ferry security personnel to arrest the warrior. In other words, it is acceptable for a lion to kill a cow but not acceptable for a warrior to kill a lion. Lions are more important than the Maasai cows."

The Maasai live in Kraals arranged in a circular fashion. The fence around the kraal is made of acacia thorns, which prevent lions from attacking the cattle. It is a man's responsibility to fence the kraal.
The Inkajijik which is the Maasai word for a house, are loaf-shaped and made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and cow's urine. While women construct houses. Traditionally, kraals are shared by an extended family.

The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people, fierce protectors their tribe, their cattle, and their grazing lands. The Maasai struggle to keep their traditional way of life; it is the wildlife parks that present the biggest problem to the Maasai.

The largest tracts of land that have been taken and protected for the wildlife has been taken from the Maasai's traditional grazing lands. The Maasai feel that their society has been given less thought and respect than that of wild animals.

The Maasai prayer "Meishoo iyiook enkai inkishu o-nkera" translates to "May Creator give us cattle and children.” Cattle and children are the most important aspect of the Maasai people.

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There many lies and myths about Africa and African people that are debunked but are still believed to be true.

Africa is Dangerous.

Africa is a continent with revolutions, child soldiers, and stolen children making the news almost every day, it is no wonder the myth about Africa being a dangerous place is a common. "If it bleeds it leads" of course, as we all know bad news sells papers, therefore you do not get to hear about the good things that happen in Africa unless you seek the positive stories out on your own.

Given the size of the continent, it is not hard to see that there are many perfectly peaceful and safe places in Africa as well as places to avoid, just like any area across the world. There are people in every African country going to work every day, worshiping at church services, laughing with friends and family and watching their kids play soccer on the weekends.

Africa is Full of Diseases.

Diseases takes millions of lives every year in Africa because the lack of access to childhood immunization programs and basic health care, not because the continent is infested with illnesses such as Ebola. Successful immunization programs have made huge strides in reducing polio and measles on the African continent, AIDS is prevalent all over the world not just in Africa.

All African Politicians are Corrupt.

Corrupt politicians are not certainly unique to Africa. Legacies of nepotism politics and corruption have proven difficult to overcome all over the world. Corruption is a global phenomenon and instead of exposing corruption, stakeholders empower corrupt politicians and officials in order to make money off the backs of the poor.

Africa as well as the world must get it right and support equality. Mo Ibrahim is a successful Sudanese cell phone entrepreneur who is responsible for supplying cell phones to Africa. He sold his company in 2005 with a profit of $640 million. Since 2006, Dr. Mohamed "Mo" Ibrahim $100 million foundation funds an annual prize for the most honest African leader.

According to the foundation, the winner gets $5 million spread over 10 years, then $200,000 per year after that for life, plus another $200,000 per year to direct to any cause he or she wants. Past winners of the Ibrahim Prize are Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique in 2007, Festus Mogae of Botswana in 2008, In 2009, 2010 and 2013 there was no winner, Pedro Verona Pires of Cape Verde in 2011 and in 2012 the foundation awarded Archbishop Desmond Tutu a one-off $1 million special prize for his lifelong commitment towards "speaking truth to power."

Africa is Backwards Everyone Walks Around Naked.

The idea that technical innovation is lacking in Africa is laughable to anyone who has spent a little time there. Cell phones are in fact being used in hugely innovative ways throughout Africa.

Kenya has established a highly effective mobile banking system, opening up rural areas to credit in ways that has revolutionized small businesses. Africa's fashion today represents a blend of modern design and traditional African patterns with of vibrant colors.

Artists such as Kenyan-born Fiber Artist Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga, Keto Couture- Mrs. Kenny Okorie, Ghanaian Fashion Label Kaela-Kay. There are of course smart beautiful hot African fashion magazines like Zen Magazine, ARISE, New African Woman, FabAfriq and AfriPOP!

There Are Wild Animals Roaming All Over Africa.

Africa's wildlife is basically confined to national parks and reserves, including Nairobi's rhinos. Keeping what remains of Africa's wildlife safely in reserves and national parks also helps protect farmers from wildlife destroying crops and eating their cattle.

That's not to say you'll feel like you are driving around a large zoo when on safari, national parks and protected areas are often larger than many European countries. Five most famous National Parks in Africa are the

Maasai Mara National Reserve (Masai Mara in Tanzania) is located in south-west Kenya. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular ecosystems.

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya has nearly 150,000 visitors from across the world come annually to witness the wildebeest migration and river crossings. With the wildebeest migration in July – October, this is the best time to see this incredible movement of the wildebeest migration. Serengeti National Park was established in 1951, making it Tanzania's oldest national park. The park is arguably one of the most famous in the world and covers 5,700 square miles of grassland, riverine forest, woodlands, and savannah.

It is famed for its spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and its part in the impressive annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other animals. It was listed in 1981 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and hosts an average 90,000 visitors each year. Established in 1925, Virunga National Park is Africa's oldest national park and is often considered the crown jewel of parks on the continent. It lies in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, it was created to protect mountain gorillas stretching over 3,000 square miles with forests, savannas, and active volcanoes and the Rwenzori Mountains. Virunga National Park is known for being the African continent's most biologically diverse protected area and is home to endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla and the okapi.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to a multitude of birds, butterflies and endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Some 300 wild gorillas live in the park, accounting for nearly half the world's population. The park also boasts more than 160 species of trees but the main tourist attraction is gorilla tracking, which generates a steady stream of revenue for the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve in 1898 and is home to a vast number of species, including more than 500 types of bird and more than 100 reptiles. It also boasts a huge diversity of trees and flowers.

Kruger National Park is also known for big game, as well as more than 255 recorded archeological sites. Several rivers traverse the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo.

History of Krobo Ghana People and Beads

There are five types of Krobo beads made in Ghana, recycled antique beads, recycled transparent beads, fine powder brads, painted beads, Bodom beads.

Krobo Tribe People Glass Beads

After learning about Ghana's Krobo people and beads follow step by step directions to make a beautiful endless, no-clasp Ghana glass beaded necklace.

Krobo Tribe People of Ghana

The Krobo people are a large ethnic group in Ghana. They are the largest group of the seven Dangme ethnic groups of Southeastern Ghana. The Ga-Adangbe people of the Krobo Mountain were originally wanders. 

Krobo Mountain was a natural fortress that would defy the ascent of an army against the tribe. The people are supposed to consist of emigrants from the coast neighborhood of Ningo, Shai and Ada. The bulk of the people are today are primary trading in Krobo beads, printed cloth and employed in farming work, particularly in the growing of coffee, cocoa, and palm oil.

This district contains large and important towns, the chief of which are Odumase, Sra, Kpong and Akuse. An excellent trade road now exists from Accra through Aburi, Akropong, Odumase, Pong, Akwamu, to Anum in the Peki country. Both the Ga and Adangme languages are spoken throughout the district, and the elements of English and the vernacular are now being taught in the schools exclusively.

A range of mountains from the Aquapim country traverses the Krobo district from south-west to northeast, and isolated peaks are dotted about the country. The chief of these is the Krobo Mountain, Mount Yogaga, Mount Noyo, and Mount Lovolo. 

The town of Odumase, the residence of the king and an important city to the Krobo people is almost surrounded by mountains. The land of the Krobos is historically occupied two major mountains-Krobo Mountain and Akwapim Mountain. The Krobo Mountain is the spiritual and physical home of the Krobo people. 

Krobo Tribe People Glass Beads

There are five types of Krobo beads, recycled antique beads, recycled transparent beads made from old glass bottles, recycled glass beads pounded into a fine powder and then fired in a kiln for 25 - 30 minutes, the fourth is painted beads painted with pounded glass mixed with paint. 

Bodom beads are made from termite hill clay and are made for chiefs and queen mothers. The Krobo people believe the type of bead you wear shows how important and how wealthy you are.  All beads are polished by hand 10 -15 minutes using sun and water rubbing beads against each other. The beads are then strung on twine and sold in local and foreign markets, traded throughout the world and sold online.

Ghana Krobo People Beads

How to Make Ghana Glass Beaded Necklace

Necklaces are the most eye-catching pieces of jewelry. Their size, combined with brilliant colors, makes them easy to see and admire. In spite of this, they are the easiest jewelry projects, requiring only scissors, cord, and jewelry glue.

You will need a good pair of scissors to be able to make clean cuts and heavy cording since Ghana glass beads are heavier than most beads.  Silk is the traditional beading cord but nylon and polyester cords are replacing silk. They have nearly the same strength and longer life. 

A number or a letter defines cord size. The size used is dependent on the size of your beads, with larger, heavier beads requiring a stronger cord. We recommend using FireLine beading wire for the heavy Ghana glass beads.

How to Make a Ghana Glass Beaded Necklace

Let’s begin the tutorial for making an endless, no-clasp glass beaded necklace

Start by measuring the length for your necklace, the typical over the head necklace is 35 inches long.

Place a piece of tape on the other end of the thread. This will keep the beads from sliding off the end.

Feed the Ghana glass beads onto the FireLine until you have 35 inches beaded.

Pull the threads to tighten up the necklace.

Tie a knot. We use a Surgeon's knots. To tie this knot cross the cord on the leftover the cord on the right. Then wrap the cord on the right side over the cord in your left hand and bring it back up through the middle.

The surgeon's knot has one additional pass-through on the first half of the knot. While still holding the cord from the last step, pass it over and around the other cord one more time. With this, you have made a total of two wraps around the cord. Finish the surgeon's knot by bringing the right side of the cord over the top of the left and then wrapping it around and through the middle of the knot. Pull-on each side of the cord to secure the base of the knot.

Put a few drops of jewelry glue on the knot.

Feed the loose ends of the thread through a few beads then trim. Add a tassel or a cute dangle bead and you are done!

Below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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What are cowpeas, what is bitter leaf? 

Cowpeas originated in Africa. The cowpea is also commonly referred to as black-eyed pea however; the bean is a variety of the cowpea. Cowpeas are an important staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpeas are a valuable source of vegetable protein, vitamins as well as valuable income. 

Bitterleaf is a widely used cooking vegetable throughout Africa. Bitter leaf has a strong odor and a bitter taste. Yoruba people call bitter leaf Ewuro and the Igbo tribe Onugbu. The bitter leaf grows in a large range of biological zones in Africa, produces many leaves, and is drought tolerant. Here is an easy recipe for Spicy Vegetarian Cowpeas and Bitter Leaf Stew.

Spicy Vegetarian Cowpeas and Bitter Leaf Stew

Spicy Vegetarian Cowpeas and Bitter Leaf Stew Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups dry cowpeas or black-eyed peas

2 scallions, chopped

3 handfuls of chopped bitter leaf

1 potato, chopped into large chunks

3 cloves whole garlic

1 red chili pepper

5 cups water

Dash salt

Directions

Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with soft bread.

The top 10 most spoken languages in Africa in order are; Arabic, Kiswahili (Swahili), Hausa, English, Amharic, French, Oromo, Yoruba, Igbo and Zulu.

There are thousands of languages spoken in Africa; over 2,000 in fact.

Below is a list of African countries and their languages compiled by the World Factbook. Every language is a temple, in which the soul of those who speak it is enshrined. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

List of African countries and languages spoken

 

Algeria

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects: Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)

 

Angola

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other   African languages

 

Benin

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

 

Botswana

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

 

Burkina Faso

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

 

Burundi

Kirundi 29.7% (official), Kirundi and other language 9.1%, French (official) and French and other language 0.3%,   Swahili and Swahili and other language 0.2% (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area), English and English and other language 0.06%, more than 2 languages 3.7%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est.)

 

Cabo Verde

Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

 

Cameroon

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

 

Central African Republic

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

 

Chad

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

 

Comoros

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

 

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

 

Congo, Republic of the

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

 

Côte d'Ivoire

French (official), 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken

 

Djibouti

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

 

Egypt

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

 

Equatorial Guinea

Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) 32.4% (1994 census)

 

Eritrea

Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages

 

Ethiopia

Oromo (official working language in the State of Oromiya) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official working language of the State of Sumale) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official working language of the State of Tigray) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official working language of the State of Afar) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic (2007 est.)

 

Gabon

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi,   Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

 

The Gambia

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

 

Ghana

Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other (includes English (official)) 36.1% (2000 census)

 

Guinea

French (official), Each ethnic group has its own language

 

Guinea-Bissau

Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

 

Kenya

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

 

Lesotho

Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

 

Liberia

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence

 

Libya

Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq)

 

Madagascar

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

 

Malawi

English (official), Chichewa (common), Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chilomwe, Chinkhonde, Chingoni, Chisena, Chitonga, Chinyakyusa, Chilambya

 

Mali

French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peul/foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, unspecified 0.6%, other 8.5%

 

Mauritania

Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya (a variety of Arabic)

Omo Valley tribes in Ethiopia

 

Mauritius

Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, the official language, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

 

Morocco

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of   business, government, and diplomacy)

 

Mozambique

Emakhuwa 25.3%, Portuguese (official) 10.7%, Xichangana 10.3%, Cisena 7.5%, Elomwe 7%, Echuwabo 5.1%, other Mozambican languages 30.1%, other 4% (1997 census)

 

Namibia

Oshiwambo languages 48.9%, Nama/Damara 11.3%, Afrikaans 10.4% (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), Otjiherero languages 8.6%, Kavango languages 8.5%, Caprivi languages 4.8%, English (official) 3.4%, other African languages 2.3%, other 1.7%

 

Niger

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

 

Nigeria

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

 

Rwanda

Kinyarwanda only (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, Kinyarwanda and other language(s) 6.2%, French (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, English (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, Swahili (or Kiswahili, used in commercial centers) 0.02%, other 0.03%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)

 

Sao Tome and Principe

Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4% shares - sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

 

Senegal

French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

 

Seychelles

Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

 

Sierra Leone

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)

 

Somalia

Somali (official), Arabic (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English

 

South Africa

IsiZulu (official) 22.7%, IsiXhosa (official) 16%, Afrikaans (official) 13.5%, English (official) 9.6%, Sepedi (official) 9.1%, Setswana (official) 8%, Sesotho (official) 7.6%, Xitsonga (official) 4.5%, siSwati (official) 2.5%, Tshivenda (official) 2.4%, isiNdebele (official) 2.1%, sign language 0.5%, other 1.6% (2011 est.)

 

South Sudan

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

 

Sudan

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie

 

ESwatini Former Swaziland

English (official, used for government   business), siSwati (official)

 

Tanzania

Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages

 

Togo

French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

 

Tunisia

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)

 

Uganda

English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and maybe taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

 

Western Sahara

Standard Arabic (national), Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

 

Zambia

Bembe 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.2%, unspecified 0.4%

 

Zimbabwe

English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Did you know?
Click languages are a group of languages found only in Africa in which clicks function as normal consonants. In all click languages, clicks form only a portion, though sometimes the main portion of the total number of consonants of the language. Clicks are used extensively in the vocabulary of Khoisan languages, and they are the initial sounds in approximately 70 percent of the words.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. Deadliest routes for refugees
2. Cooking with shea butter oil
3. Worst serial killers recorded in history are women
4. Indigenous healers and plants used
5. Night running illness or magic
6. What is back to Africa

What are gizzards?
A gizzard is a stomach like organ that birds use to grind their food before they digest it. Gizzards are a good source of protein, high in iron and zinc but are high in fat and cholesterol.

Classic way to prepare gizzards in Africa.

Stewed Gizzards Nigerian Gizdo Recipe Nutrition Facts
Calories 620
Fat 25g
Saturated Fat 3.5g
Sodium 1630g
Protein 41g

Nigerian Gizdo Recipe

African Recipes by African Gourmet 

Dodo gizzards or Gizdo is a popular Nigerian stew made with a delicious combination of gizzards and fried plantains. 

 Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 45 min Total time: 1 hour 5 min

Ingredients

1 pound chopped chicken gizzards

2 yellow plantains, diced

1 white onion, chopped

1 bunch green spring onions, chopped

2 large red tomatoes, diced

1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped

1 hot pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

2 cups chicken broth or water

1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

In a large stewing pot add oil and sear plantains, add remaining ingredients and simmer 45 minutes. Serve over rice.

About Benin Language, Ethnic groups, Flag and Economy

There are thousands of languages spoken in Africa; over 2,000. The top 10 most spoken languages in Africa in order are; Arabic, Kiswahili (Swahili), Hausa, English, Amharic, French, Oromo, Yoruba, Igbo and Zulu. 

The languages spoken in Benin are French the official, Fon and Yoruba are most common in the south of Benin, and tribal languages there are at least six major ones in north Benin.

The Republic of Benin location in Africa

L'Aube Nouvelle, The Dawn of a New Day is the African County Benin national anthem. 

There are 10 million people living in Benin

The population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west.

Benin ethnic groups are:

Fon and related 39.2 percent

Adja and related 15.2 percent

Yoruba and related 12.3 percent

Bariba and related 9.2 percent

Peulh and related 7 percent

Ottamari and related 6.1 percent

Yoa-Lokpa and related 4 percent

Dendi and related 2.5 percent

Other 1.6 percent

Unspecified 2.9 percent

Major religions in Benin are:

Catholic 27.1 percent

Muslim 24.4 percent

Vodoun (Voodoo) 17.3 percent

Protestant 10.4 percent

Other Christian 5.3 percent

Unspecified 15.5 percent

Benin major agriculture products are:

Cotton

Corn

Cassava

Yams

Beans

Palm Oil

Peanuts

Cashews

Livestock

Benin major export partners are:

Bangladesh 18.1 percent

India 10.7 percent

Ukraine 9 percent

Niger 8.1 percent

China 7.7 percent

Nigeria 7.2 percent

Turkey 4 percent

Benin major import partners are:

Thailand 18.1 percent

India 15.9 percent

France 8.5 percent

China 7.5 percent

Togo 5.9 percent

Netherlands 4.3 percent

Belgium 4.3 percent

Benin’s flag is bands of yellow on top, red at the bottom with a vertical green band on the side. The green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage. 

From Cisterns to Clouds: Africa’s Ancient Water Wisdom and Today’s Fog Harvesting

How historic water-retention practices—from stone cisterns to zai pits—inform the science of capturing water directly from fog in coastal deserts like the Namib.

Fog is the Namib’s main freshwater source—nature’s airborne reservoir.

What is Fog Harvesting?

Fog harvesting is the practice of collecting freshwater from fog. Vertical mesh nets face the wind; as fog passes through, droplets collide with fibers, coalesce, and drip into a gutter, feeding storage tanks. It’s low-energy, low-maintenance, and ideal where rainfall is scarce but fog is frequent—like the Namib coast.

Science in one line: When warm air meets the cold Benguela Current along Namibia’s coast, tiny droplets form a dense fog; mesh captures those droplets as usable water.

Then and Now: Africa’s Water-Retention Playbook

Historic Method	How It Works	Modern Echo in Fog Harvesting
Stone-lined cisterns & impluvia	Courtyards and catchments channel rare rains/dew into underground tanks, reducing evaporation.	Fog nets act as vertical “roofs,” channeling micro-droplets into storage with minimal loss.
Terracing & contour bunds	Slows runoff, increases infiltration, stabilizes soil moisture on slopes.	Fog sites use wind-aligned rows and gutters; terrain matters for airflow and collection.
Zai pits (Sahel)	Planting pits concentrate water, organic matter, and seeds to kickstart growth in drylands.	Point-source watering from fog tanks targets seedlings/plots with minimal waste.
Qanats/foggara (North Africa)	Subsurface tunnels tap aquifers and move water with gravity—no external energy.	Fog systems are passive too: wind + gravity, no pumps required for capture.

Why the Namib is a Fog Goldmine

The Benguela Current brings cold, nutrient-rich water up the West Coast of Southern Africa from the Antarctic. Cold ocean + stable high-pressure air = frequent, dense coastal fog. A few kilometers inland, rain is still rare, so fog is the primary freshwater input for ecosystems and adaptable species.

Bio-inspired bonus: The Namib “fog-basking” beetle angles its body into the wind so droplets condense and run to its mouth—nature’s micro fog catcher.

How a Fog Harvester Works (Down-to-Earth)

1. Frame: Two posts with crossbar; think soccer goal.
2. Mesh: Polypropylene or HDPE netting (~35–65% shade rating) tensioned on the frame.
3. Gutter: U-shaped channel under the mesh to catch drips.
4. Tank: Food-safe container with lid and first-flush filter.
5. Orientation: Perpendicular to prevailing fog winds.

• Rule of thumb: Taller/wider meshes catch more, but wind loading rises quickly.
• Site selection: Fog belt ridges and coastal slopes outperform flats.
• Maintenance: Clean mesh, clear gutters, secure anchors before windy seasons.
• Water quality: Simple sand/char filters + UV/boil for drinking.

Where Fog Nets Make Sense

• Coastal deserts with cold currents (Namib, Skeleton Coast).
• Uplands where moist air is forced over ridges (orographic fog).
• Drylands with frequent morning fog but chronic rainfall deficits.

Fog net = mesh + wind + gravity. Low energy, high ingenuity.

Benefits and Limits

• Pros: Zero fuel, community-scale, modular, complements gardens and wildlife water points.
• Limits: Only works where fog is frequent; wind can damage frames; water yield varies by season and site.

Climate connection: Fog belts depend on ocean temperature, upwelling, wind, and pressure patterns. See Four Dimensions of Climate Change in Africa.

Why This is Old Wisdom, New Tools

Fog nets are a 21st-century expression of an old African logic: slow, store, and steward scarce water. From cisterns to zai pits, communities built systems that stretch every drop. Fog harvesting adds a coastal chapter—turning airborne moisture into a reliable trickle that supports gardens, wildlife, and resilience.

Explore More on The African Gourmet

• Namibia’s Desert Coastlines — context for the Namib’s fog belt.
• Rainfall in Africa — why dry is not the same everywhere.
• Four Dimensions of Climate Change in Africa — change drivers that shape fog and drought.
• Antarctic Lands in Africa — a fun link to cold currents and southern oceans.

Have you seen fog harvesting in action or tried a small DIY setup? Share your notes and photos in the comments—your field tips help other readers in dry places.

Why African Healers Smear White Chalk During Ceremonies

White ritual chalk signals purity, protection, and a bridge to ancestral realms.

Across the continent, white ritual chalk—often a soft white clay such as kaolin—appears on faces, arms, and torsos during healing, divination, and initiation. While names and details differ by culture, the core meanings echo: purification, spiritual protection, and ancestral connection.

What is the “white chalk” used by healers?

Most commonly it is a naturally occurring white clay or mineral pigment (frequently kaolin), ground into a fine powder and mixed with water. Names vary by region and language—examples you may hear include efun (Yorùbá), pemba/mpemba (Kongo traditions), or white clay known in some Nguni communities as umcako. In other places, healers may also use ground shells or limestone-based chalk for similar ritual purposes.

Why do healers apply it?

1) Purification and spiritual clarity

White marks a state of ritual cleanliness. Before calling on spirit helpers or the ancestors, healers “cool” the body and mind, symbolically removing disorder and preparing a clear path for healing work.

2) Protection and boundaries

Patterns on the skin—lines, dots, or crosses—can act as a spiritual “shield.” These markings set boundaries for the ceremony, signaling a protected space where harmful forces are kept out and the vulnerable (the sick, the initiate) are held safely within.

3) Ancestral connection

In several Central and Southern African cosmologies, white is associated with the realm of the spirits and the honored dead. The pigment visually affirms an ongoing relationship with ancestors and invites their guidance. (Explore more about ancestral prayer and offerings.)

4) Initiation, identity, and status

During rites of passage, distinctive designs can signal an initiate’s stage, the healer’s role, or a lineage’s style. The body becomes a living canvas that “speaks” to those who can read it.

5) Healing symbolism

White is often linked with coolness, light, and balance—qualities invoked to counter heat, agitation, and illness. This symbolism complements the use of indigenous plant medicines and prayer.

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How it’s used in ceremony

• Marking the healer or patient: stripes, dots, and bands on the face and chest.
• Consecrating space and tools: dusting altars, gourds, drums, or divination objects.
• Drawing sacred signs: simple emblems or cosmograms on the ground to open a rite.

Practical note: Ritual chalks and clays are used topically. Avoid ingestion unless guided by a qualified practitioner. Test a small patch of skin first if you’re sensitive.

White in African sacred symbolism

Color meanings vary across cultures, but white frequently stands for purity, beginnings, peace, and the presence of spirit. In some traditions, white also signifies the “cool” energy that calms and restores—an important counterpoint to the “hot” energies of conflict and illness. For related symbolism, see Akan sacred days and ritual order and this guide to creating prayer spaces.

Did You Know?

• Many healers keep white clay on their altars alongside water, candles, shells, and family relics—key elements of a simple ancestral shrine.
• In several traditions, white body markings are refreshed at key moments of a ceremony—opening, invocation, and closing—to “seal” each phase.
• Some communities pair white with other ritual colors (red, black, yellow) to balance energies and signal different phases of healing.

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Respectful practice & learning more

Because meanings are community-specific, it’s best to learn from elders or recognized practitioners of that lineage. If you’re building your own practice at home, start with humble offerings and prayer, keep your space clean, and approach every symbol with respect. You can also explore indigenous healers and the plants they use or learn about Dagara cosmology to see how elements and ritual language shape healing.

Related reads

Say a Prayer to the Spirits of the Ancestors

Offerings, altars, and respectful approaches to ancestral devotion.

Indigenous Healers and Plants Used

Medicinal plants and traditional healing methods across Africa.

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Africa’s healing traditions are diverse, living, and locally rooted. White chalk on the skin is one small, luminous sign of a much larger conversation between people, place, and spirit.