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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

AfricaRice and the Birth of NERICA: New Rice for Africa Thrives in Sub-Saharan drylands

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AfricaRice and the Birth of NERICA: New Rice for Africa Thrives in Saharan Drylands Rice is a staple food across Africa. Its growing importance is reflected in the food security policies of many nations, with West Africa leading rice production in Africa . Coumbayel Coulibaly holds a calabash of high-yielding NERICA rice. In 1992, the Africa Rice Center — with support from CGIAR, the Gatsby Foundation, IFAD, Japan, the Rockefeller Foundation, UNDP, and the World Bank — began developing a new rice variety suited to African conditions. The result was New Rice for Africa (NERICA) , a hybrid created by crossing hardy African rice with high-yield Asian rice. Designed for the African climate , NERICA now includes 18 upland (dryland) varieties that grow well in rain-fed fields across sub-Saharan Africa. Rice remains a critical food for African families and central to food security planning . There are 39 rice-producing countries on the continent, but local farmers...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Age of Discovery, Portugal and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

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The Portuguese brought the first slaves in the year 1444 from Northern Mauritania in Africa. Age of Discovery, Portugal and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Born around 1394 Infante Dom Henrique de Avis also known as Henry the Navigator or Prince Henry is looked upon as a significant patron of the Age of Discovery. His father King John I conquered Ceuta in 1415. Ceuta is a small Spanish territory that lies just 18 miles from Gibraltar in North Africa. Prince Henry wanted to expand the business opportunities of Portugal at the same time destroy the operational base of the dreaded and feared Barbary pirates. There was extensive trade in gold and salt across the Sahara Desert that Prince Henry wanted to control. Prince Henry began an agenda to seek out direct sea trade routes to gain access to the gold trade in West Africa. In 1460 Henry the Navigator died but the exploration of Africa by Europeans continued, the Age of Discovery lived on. The Portuguese brought the first s...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Facts about cowpeas

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18 Cowpea facts, Cowpeas are commonly referred to as black-eyed pea or niébé. Read cowpeas also known as black-eyed peas listing of facts.   Cowpeas Black-eyed peas listing of facts.  1. Cowpea is an important staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in arid Savannahs of West Africa and the Sahel.  2. Cowpeas are a valuable source of vegetable protein, vitamins as well as valuable income.  3. Western and Central Africa is the leading cowpea producing regions in the world producing around 64 percent of the estimated 3 million tons of cowpea seed produced each year.  4. Nigeria is the world’s leading cowpea producing country; Senegal, Niger, Ghana, Mali, Cameroon and Burkina Faso are significant also significant producers.  5. Niébé is a variety of cowpea grown by many women small farmers, throughout West Africa.  6. Black-eyed peas get their name from their characteristic appearance of a black dot in the middle of a cream colored bean....
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Contemporary Art from Ghana and Zimbabwe

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Modern Fine art from Ghana and Zimbabwe Take a personal tour of a contemporary installation of Ghanaian and Zimbabwean Art. As Ghana celebrates fifty years of independence in 2007, the San Diego Museum of Man is collaborating with artists from Ghana and Zimbabwe to highlight artistic expressions of paintings and sculpture from accomplished African artists. Fifty years ago, independence movements started to sweep across the African continent, bringing to the newly independent nations the promise of political, economic, and cultural freedom from their colonial rulers. As Ghana celebrates fifty years of independence in 2007, the San Diego Museum of Man is partnering with artists from Ghana and Zimbabwe to showcase artistic expressions paintings and sculpture from accomplished African artists. Guest Curators Kwamina Ewusie, Peter Swaniker, and Joe Kinsella have selected a number of artists to participate, and the exhibit will feature their first-person narratives to describe their w...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Seth Dei a renowned Ghanaian Art collector

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Through the Canvas: The Story of Ghana's Art Legacy in Seth Dei's Collection Seth Dei: The Business Visionary Preserving Ghana's Artistic Soul Contemporary Ghanaian art from one of West Africa's most significant private collections The Masterpieces That Tell Ghana's Story Ablade Glover's "Market Scenes" Among the crown jewels of Dei's collection are Ablade Glover's vibrant market scenes—thick impasto paintings that capture the energy of Ghanaian daily life. These works don't just decorate walls; they preserve the rhythm of Accra's markets in bold, passionate strokes of color that seem to move with the chaos and beauty of Ghanaian commerce. El Anatsui's Early Works Before El Anatsui became an international art superstar with his bottle cap installations, Seth Dei was collecting his earlier wooden scul...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

What is African Art

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African Art What is African art? If the answer seems self-evident it is not. What is African Art Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Art plays an essential role in the lives of the African people and their communities and people across the world.  What is African art? If the answer seems self-evident it is not.  What is African art? What is meant by ‘African’ is just a matter of geography or ethnicity?  Africa is a diverse continent of many cultures and African art falls under many headings as well. African art was once regarded as primitive art in museums. Each African artist has their own uniqueness providing a positive glimpse into the talent of Africa’s artists and their continuing inspiration on art and culture thru the world. South African artist Marcus Neustetter created Chasing Light in 2010 as a digital projection. Chasing Light has been presented as laser and glow stick ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Famous Yoruba African Sculptor Olowe of Ise

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Yoruba carvings. Olowe of Ise was born about 1875 in Efon-Alaiye, a town in eastern Yorubaland that was once a kingdom and one of the most important centers of Yoruba carving. Famous Yoruba African Sculptor Olowe of Ise The details Olowe of Ise early life and training in sculpture are not known. Olowe moved to Ise at a young age to serve the King as a court messenger. Yoruba carvings of Olowe of Ise Olowe of Ise descendants claim he was self-taught, but it is likely that he learned the Yoruba canon and perfected his carving skills during an apprenticeship.  Eventually he became a master artist at the King's palace, and as his fame grew, other Yoruba kings and wealthy families commissioned him to carve architectural sculptures, masks, drums and other objects for their palaces. Among the Yoruba such elaborately carved and decorated bowls were prestige objects used to offer kola nuts to guests or to deities during religious worship.  Olowe was an innovative and virt...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 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.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.