Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

View citations →

Start Your African Journey

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

DR Congo Festival of African Dance

Explore More Content

📁 African Art

Popular in This Category

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Gungu Festival masks, dances and songs are seen as African art in America.

African dances, songs and masks are sacramental, ritualistic, and an important piece of the traditional culture and art of the peoples of Africa.

Festival culture of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

African masks, dances and songs have spiritual significance

African masks, dances and songs have spiritual significance at the DR Congo Festival of African dance. DR Congo Gungu Festival is African art. Masks and headdresses are used in dances, marriage ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, and other special events. 

The National Gungu Festival, FESMAG, is an annual gathering that embraces the musical and dance cultures of the DR Congo. In the 1980s the Democratic Republic of the Congo became well known in the African music world known as Congolese music or rumba. 

Masks have always been important to the peoples of Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo  the Gungu Festival first took place 1925-1960 under the name Saga or Luvidi Pende to observe the independence of the Kingdom of Belgium in the capital of the territory of Gungu.

From 1986-1998 the festival returned under the name Festival Gungu, but once again the festival became inactive. However, in 2008 the festival was once again renamed the Socio-Cultural Festival Gungu and is now known as the Gungu National Festival. 

The National Festival Gungu or FESNAG is held in Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga province in the southeast of The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The National Festival Gungu aims to promote and make known to the Congolese people diversities of cultures of different communities of the DRC.

 Artists from all 11 provinces of the DRC, from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Congo, Mali, and international artists participate in the festival. The National Festival Gungu is usually 3-7 days spent enjoying traditional songs and dances. 

From July 19 to 22, 2014 the 14th festival took place in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, the theme was "National cohesion, consolidation of peace and the fight against violence against women in the region by the traditional culture." This year’s event is scheduled for July 13-15, 2015 in Gungu, Kikwit in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The theme for this year’s festival is “The permanence and revival of cultural values, a catalyst for development."

At the DR Congo Festival of African Dance.


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

  1. Historical African Country Name
  2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
  3. How many countries does Africa have?
  4. Roots of Africanized Christianity Spiritual Songs
  5. Paying Money To Tour Slums in Africa
  6. Awesome Kenyan Woman
  7. Land is Not For Women in Sierra Leone

  8. African Kente Cloth Facts
  9. Accra the Ghanaian Capital Ultimate Mall Experience


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

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.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

Africa × World: Editor's Picks

Cross-continental food, science, history, and cultural exchanges from the archive

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.