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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 Here: Explore Africa’s Living Knowledge

Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

African Proverbs- May the ancestors impart knowledge to you

Proverbs of African people are the index of our lives.

African Proverbs- May the ancestors impart knowledge to you

Proverbs from Africa contain the essence of moral truth and practical lesson; they are drawn from real life and are generally the fruit of philosophy grafted on the stem of experience.

African proverbs express the ageless wisdom of the African culture.

Those who derive fun watching lunatics, out to have one as a child or relation to know the pains of it.
 A man who is trampled to death by an elephant is a man who is blind and deaf.
 Don't look where you fell, but where you slipped.
 One does not become great by claiming greatness.
 Rain beats a leopard's skin, but it does not wash out the spots. 

Clever sayings in the language of proverbs are passed down for generations in the African culture.

A fowl does not forget where it lays its eggs.
 The fish that can see that its water is getting shallower, cannot be stranded.
 The dog's bark is not might, but fright.
 What forgets is the ax, but the tree that has been axed will never forget.
 It is little by little that a bird builds its nest. 

African traditions express wisdom in an interesting way through proverbs cherished throughout the world.

A loose tooth will not rest until it's pulled out.
 Do a good deed and throw it into the sea.
 Time never gets tired of running.
 We are what our thinking makes us. 
A good swimmer is not safe against drowning.
African proverbs


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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

African Studies

African Studies
African Culture and traditions