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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

Despite the name Sweetbreads are not sweet. Sweetbreads are offal meats or organ meats the thymus and pancreas from veal and lamb, beef and pork.

Pumpkin Sweetbread Bredie Stew Recipe

Sweetbreads refer to a type of offal meat, which includes organ meats from animals such as veal, lamb, beef, and pork. Specifically, sweetbreads are derived from the thymus gland and pancreas of these animals. The term sweetbread can be attributed to the historical use of the word sweet as a way to describe the tender and delicate nature of these organ meats. 

Sweetbreads are highly regarded in culinary traditions around the world for their unique texture and flavor. When properly prepared, they have a creamy and smooth consistency with a slightly nutty and earthy taste. Due to their rich flavor profile, sweetbreads are often featured in gourmet dishes and can be prepared in various ways, including sautรฉing, braising, or even deep-frying.

Pumpkin Sweetbreads Bredie Stew Recipe

Total time from start to finish 50 minutes

Sweetbreads are available from respectable butchers.

Ingredients
2 pounds veal sweetbreads soaked for two hours and rinsed well
1 cup canned puree pumpkin
1 cup any sliced mushrooms
1 small onion diced
1 cup sliced tomatoes
11/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon butter
11/2 cup cream
4 cups water

Directions 
To prepare sweetbreads, first remove all the fat and then boil them in salted water for 20 minutes. Once cooked, remove any skin and cut the sweetbreads into medium-sized pieces. In a separate pan, melt a tablespoon of butter and add flour, onion, and tomatoes. Pour in water and cream and stir until it reaches boiling point. Add the sweetbreads, pumpkin, mushrooms, salt, and a pinch of pepper, then let it simmer for 15 minutes. Serve while hot.
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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Bokmakiri is a type of soft goat's milk cheese made in South Africa


Bokmakiri Goat Cheese Broccoli Soup


This broccoli soup with Bokmakiri goat cheese is easy to make soup that uses just a few ingredients and is full of tasty flavor.

Bokmakiri Goat Cheese Broccoli Soup


Ingredients


1 cup of goat cheese

2 cups broccoli florets

2 cups whole milk

2 tablespoons of a solid fat like bacon grease, butter or lard

¼ teaspoons sea salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions


Melt fat; add dry ingredients gradually the liquid then add broccoli. When at boiling point and just ready to serve add cheese. Any kind of cheese may be used for this purpose.

Our Favorite Online and Print Edition African Fashion Magazines: Highlighting Modern African Perspectives In the vibrant world of African fashion, magazines continue to serve as powerful platforms for celebrating the continent's creativity, cultural depth, and global influence. 

As of November 2025, the original list remains largely accurate, with most publications actively evolving in the digital space. However, the landscape has expanded significantly with new online-first titles that emphasize accessibility and innovation. These additions reflect the shift toward digital media, where African fashion is increasingly shared through interactive platforms, social media integrations, and global collaborations.

 
Haute African Fashion Magazines
Haute African Fashion

While this growth is exciting, it's important to acknowledge the digital divide in Africa, which persists as a major barrier to equitable access. Despite mobile phone ownership reaching over 80% across the continent, only about 45% of adults have internet-enabled devices, with stark disparities along lines of gender, income, location, and education. 

Women, rural residents, and low-income groups face the highest hurdles—data costs can consume up to 12% of average monthly income in some countries, and smartphone affordability exceeds 120% of earnings for the poorest 20%. 

This limits exposure to online fashion content. Initiatives like Kenya's public Wi-Fi hotspots and digital skills training programs are bridging gaps. Infrastructure is essential to ensure these magazines reach all corners of Africa. 

Below is an updated list, blending the originals (noted as such) with key online additions. Each magazine is uniquely focused on modern African fashion and culture. Many more exist—explore digital archives and social feeds to discover your favorites.

Zen Magazine Africa (Original: Online) A vibrant, Africa-based global online magazine promoting fashion, travel, models, African heritage, and cultural arts. Founded in 2010, it remains a staple for networking events and high-quality editorials, with active social channels and a focus on diaspora connections.

ARISE (Original: Print/Digital Hybrid) Africa’s pioneering international style magazine, spotlighting achievements in fashion, music, culture, and politics. Though less frequently updated in print, its digital legacy endures through archives and events like ARISE Fashion Week, offering a positive portrayal of the continent's global impact.

New African Woman (Original: Print/Digital) A colorful lifestyle bi-monthly celebrating Black beauty and culture with an indigenous twist. It delivers in-depth coverage of fashion, beauty, health, parenting, and women's accomplishments. Under &HER Media Group since 2019, it's thriving with 2025 features on sustainable design and empowering stories like Lagos Fashion Week's Earthshot Prize win.

FabAfriq (Original: Print/Digital) A unique lifestyle magazine challenging stereotypes about Africa and Black origins through culture, fashion, and success stories. Launched in 2010, it continues quarterly editions with bold visuals, including the 2025 Legacy Issue honoring female corporate leaders in energy and tech.

AfriPOP! (Original: Online) Dynamic and celebratory, offering a front-row seat to modern African pop culture, fashion, and art. It curates global conversations for Afropolitans, though updates have slowed—its archives remain a fun, insightful resource for emerging trends.

New Online Additions: Fresh Voices in Digital African Fashion These platforms have surged in 2025, leveraging social media, newsletters, and apps for wider reach amid the digital shift.

FashionGHANA (New: Online) The world's most popular African fashion magazine for creatives and trends, per global rankings. For over a decade, it has showcased cultural aesthetics to modern chic, with 2025 highlights debunking myths around African prints and covering diaspora influencers.

Glitz Africa (New: Print/Digital) A high-end celebrity and lifestyle brand from Ghana, publishing quarterly issues on fashion, beauty, and empowerment. It hosts events like Glitz Africa Fashion Week and the 2025 Female CEO Summit, blending trends with advocacy for women-led enterprises.

Afrostyle Magazine (New: Print/Digital) An African-inspired, multicultural editorial celebrating fashion, art, and heritage. Its 2025 Nairobi edition features fusions like "Kween Crossing" and "Nago Ancestry," with exclusive past issues available online for global readers.

DN-Africa (New: Online) A premier digital authority on African fashion, ranked among 2025's top platforms. It covers global icons, runway mavens, and innovations like AI in design, emphasizing visibility and influence in the digital era.

Nataal (New: Online) A bold platform for contemporary African creativity, with 2025 features on North African aesthetics, Lagos fashion weeks, and artists like Sokari Douglas Camp. It mixes visuals, essays, and podcasts for an immersive experience.

MOYI Magazine (New: Online) An Afro-lifestyle title exploring art, architecture, beauty, food, and travel. Its 2025 editions highlight exhibitions like Kehinde Wiley's power portraits, positioning African design on the luxury global stage.

Noir Magazine (New: Print/Digital) Created by Senegalese designer Sarah Diouf, this bi-annual uses a sleek black-and-white aesthetic to showcase Africa's most creative fashion. It spotlights sustainable practices and diaspora talents in 2025 issues.

Couture Africa (New: Print/Digital) Focused on haute couture and luxury, with free digital archives of past print editions. 2025 content dives into bridal styling and emerging designers, bridging traditional weaves with modern silhouettes.

These magazines not only highlight fashion but also weave in narratives of resilience, innovation, and unity—proving Africa's influence on global style is unstoppable. As the industry grows, addressing the digital divide will ensure more voices, from rural artisans to urban creators, contribute to this rich tapestry. Discover, subscribe, and share! Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
Republic of Benin achieved independence in 1960 The West African Country French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975.

Explanation of the Republic of Benin Crest

Crest Two horns (cornucopias) with corn in the ear and filled with sand

The shield is broken into four quadrants:

(1) Somba Castle

(2) Star of Benin

(3) Palm Tree

(4) Ship

The shield is supported by two leopards which are the national animal of Benin, the motto below the shields states Fraternitรฉ, Justice, Travail meaning Brotherhood, Justice, Work and the anthem of Benin: L'Aube Nouvelle (French) meaning The Dawn of a New Day.


More About the people of 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 has a youthful age structure with almost 65% of the population under the age of 25. Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.

With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many parents send their children, usually girls to work in wealthy households as domestic servants a common practice known as vidomegon. Male children are sent to work in mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries. It is believed traffickers are taking advantage of the families’ poverty and exploiting the traditional system of vidomegon.

Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders.

Talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualou; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved.

Chic African Culture The African Gourmet Logo

Kipchoge Kip Keino played rugby before taking up athletics and ran in the 1968 Olympics. Keino’s was Sports Illustrated 1987 Sportsman of The Year.


Kipchoge Kip Keino 1968 Olympics
Kipchoge Kip Keino running in the 1968 Olympic Games.

Sports Illustrated 1987 Sportsman of The Year in Track and Field

Kipchoge Kip Keino was Sports Illustrated 1987 Sportsman of The Year in Track and Field. Kipchoge Kip Keino the first chapter in Kenya’s success story in distance running. Kip Keino born January 17, 1940 in Nandi Hills, Kenya

Keino, played rugby before taking up athletics. Keino’s father, a long-distance runner himself, encouraged his son in the sport. Keino is a four time Olympic winner in 1,500, 5k and steeplechase fields. Keino won a bronze, two silver and gold in 1968. 

At the 1968 Olympics, he competed in six distance races in eight days. Kip Keino beat the favored Jim Ryun in the Olympic in Mexico City by 1,500 meters in 1968 the widest margin of victory in that event in Olympic history.

After finishing his sporting career in 1973, Keino lived on a farm in Western Kenya where he heads a charitable foundation for orphans and became president of the Kenyan Olympic Committee. Sports Illustrated 1987 named him Sportsman of The Year in Track and Field category. 

Keino and his wife took in many orphaned children while having seven of their own. Keino says: “I’m just a simple man with simple dreams that used my God-given talents to help make a difference and create a better future for our children.” 

The Kipkeino foundation endeavors to play a leading role in promoting a solid social culture by contributing to the educational, economic and social needs of the society. “We come into this world with nothing…and depart this world with nothing… it’s what we contribute to the community that is our legacy.” - Kip Keino

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

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Kenya has one of the most culturally diverse populations in Africa. Kenyan tribes include, the Kikuyus, also known as Gikuyu, Luhya, Luo tribe, Kalenjin, the Kamba tribe, also called the Akamba, Kisii, Maasai, and the Meru.

List of Kenya Tribes
Kenyan Culture

Tribes of Kenya Eight Interesting Facts

Kenyan Tribes Facts Capital: Nairobi Area: 580,367 sq. km (slightly more than twice the size of Nevada) Population: 45 million.
There are over 40 Kenya tribes; indigenous tribes of Kenya fall into three ethnic groups, namely: the Bantus, the Cushites and the Nilotes.
The Maasai largest tribe in Kenya

Largest tribes in Kenya

Kikuyu

The Kikuyus, also known as Gikuyu or Agikuyu, make up Kenya’s largest ethnic group around 22%.The Kikuyu tribe is a Bantu tribe that neighbors the Embu, Mbeere and Meru tribes around Mount Kenya. 

Kikuyus speak the Kikuyu language, and most of them live around the fertile central highlands and Mount Kenya where they mainly grow tea and coffee. The Kikuyu tribe dominates leadership and politics in Kenya.

 

Luhya 

Luhyas are Kenya's second largest ethnic tribe making up around 14% of the population. The Luhya tribe, also known as the Abaluhya, Baluhya, or Abaluyia, are neighbors to the Luo, Kalenjin, Maasai and Teso tribes.

Although considered one tribe, the Luhya consist of over 18 small tribes, each speaking a different dialect of the Luhya language. The Bukusu and Maragoli are the two largest tribes within the Luhya tribe. 

Traditional bullfighting is a popular sport with some of the Luhya tribe. Luhyas are mainly agriculturists, growing sugarcane and other crops; most of the sugar eaten in Kenya is produced in Mumias, a Luhya land.

 

Luo

Luo tribe is a subgroup of the larger Luo society that is spread across Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Congo and Ethiopia. The Luo tribe is the third largest community in Kenya and makes up around 13% of the population. Luo people as an initiation to manhood remove six teeth from the lower-jaw.

The Luo community is a significant player in the Kenyan political scene. The late father of Barack Obama was from the Luo tribe. Fish and ugali are the staple foods of the Luo tribe.

 

Kalenjin

Kalenjin is the fourth largest community in Kenya making up around 12% of the population. The Kipsigi’s are the largest of the Kalenjin group. Kalenjin’s are famously known as Kenyan running tribe. Many legendary Kenyan long distance runners are Kalenjin’s, they continue to dominate the marathon scene to this day.

 

Kamba

The Kamba tribe, also called the Akamba are the fifth largest tribe in Kenya making up about 11% of Kenya's total population. Kamba people are gifted dancers, singers, woodcarvers and basket weavers. The Kamba men and women hold high seats in politics and leadership Kenyan political landscape.

 

Kisii

The Kisii tribe are also known as the Gusii tribe. The Kisii live in the highlands in Nyanza, Western Kenya between the Luo and Luhya tribes. The Kisii are the sixth largest ethnic group, comprising about 6% of Kenya’s population. They are farmers and raises livestock on their densely populated farmlands. Classic Kisii foods are ugali, cassava, and matoke.

 

Meru

The Meru lives on the northeastern slopes of Mount Kenya and make up about 6% of Kenya’s total population. The name Meru refers to both the people and the location. The Meru are agriculturalists and coffee, tea and cotton are the most commonly grown cash crop. 

The Meru tribe is divided into subtribes, Igemebe, Igoji, Imenti, Miutuni, Muthambi, Mwimbi, and Tigania. The Chuka and Tharaka are considered part of the Meru tribe but they have different oral histories and traditions. 


Other Groups of Kenya

African 15% and non-African 1% including the Maasai. The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands. A majority of the Maasai population live in Kenya and small portions of Tanzania. 

The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people who adhere to traditional communal land; the concept of private ownership was a foreign concept to the Maasai people. Traditionally, the Maasai diet consisted of mainly meat, milk and blood from cattle. Maasai people drink blood only on special occasions.



Kenya is five times the size of Ohio slightly more than twice the size of Nevada.
The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa.
Glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak.
More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15. Kenya in 1967 was the first sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program.

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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 rรฉcolte d’ignames serait comme le jour de sasemence, mรชme les chรจvres ne sรฉraient pasautorisรฉes ร  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.

Most of Ethiopia's estimated 71 million sheep and goats are raised by small farmers who used them as a major source of meat and household income. When food prices rise, as seen during the 2011 drought, poor households are forced to choose between selling livestock to maintain current consumption levels or risk malnutrition to protect future income sources.


Ethiopia has Africa’s largest livestock population


Ethiopia has Africa’s largest livestock population
Ethiopia has Africa’s largest livestock population

With an estimated 52 million cattle, 36 million sheep, 35 million goats and 5 million camels in 2009, Ethiopia has Africa’s largest livestock population. Pastoralist communities are highly dependent on income from livestock to pay for food, health services, and school fees. 

When food prices rise, as seen during the 2011 drought, poor households are forced to choose between selling livestock to maintain current consumption levels or risk malnutrition to protect future income sources.

Almost the entire rural population is involved in some way with animal husbandry, whose role included the provision of draft power, food, cash, transportation, fuel, and, especially in pastoral areas, social prestige. In the highlands, oxen provided draft power in crop production. In pastoral areas, livestock formed the basis of the economy.

Ethiopia has great potential for increased livestock production, both for local use and for export. However, the expansion was constrained by inadequate nutrition, disease, a lack of support services such as extension services, insufficient data with which to plan improved services, and inadequate information on how to improve animal breeding, marketing, and processing. 

The high concentration of animals in the highlands, together with the fact that cattle are often kept for status, reduces the economic potential of Ethiopian livestock.

Most of Ethiopia's estimated 71 million sheep and goats are raised by small farmers who used them as a major source of meat and cash income. About three-quarters of the total sheep flock is in the highlands, whereas lowland pastoralists maintain about three-quarters of the goat herd. Both animals have high sales value in urban centers, particularly during holidays such as Easter and New Year's Day.



Did you know?
Almost half of the agricultural workers in sub-Saharan Africa are women


Facts About Animals of Africa
Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=


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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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.

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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:
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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

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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.

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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.

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