Don't set sail on someone else’s star.

<br>Don't set sail on someone else’s star.



Chic African Culture Blog

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. African tech startups raise billions of dollars annually, seven African start-ups were included in the World Economic Forum 2021 cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers.

African Culture is World Heritage

Appreciate Africa through African art, food, proverb sayings, folklore, biographies, spirituality and African living history.

Cocoa Production and Cocoa Supply Chain

Farmers in Africa grow over 70 percent of the world’s cocoa and Olam International Limited is a major player in the global cocoa business. OLM cocoa footprint is crucial to ending the deforestation of Africa's cocoa grown countries.



Drying cocoa beans in the sun in Ghana
Drying cocoa beans in the sun in Ghana Olam processing

About Cocoa Farming and Cocoa Supply Chain


Cocoa farming is an industry that is largely invisible to shoppers, yet essential to feeding the world’s sweet tooth. Cocoa processing, the process of turning raw cocoa beans into powder, liquor, and butter is a major step in creating the candy bars that line store shelves and Olam International Limited is a major player.

In December 2014, Archer Daniels Midland Company today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its global cocoa business to Olam International Limited for $1.3 billion. Olam was established in 1989 in Nigeria by Indian conglomerate Kewalram Chanrai Group. Olam International Limited operates in part by growing and selling cocoa beans. The Company has operations across approximately 20 platforms in over 70 countries.

Olam is one of the world’s largest suppliers of cocoa beans and a globally leading processor of cocoa powders, cocoa masses, and cocoa butters. Olam has been accused in the past of deforestation by purchasing cocoa grown illegally in national parks and other protected forests in the Côte d’Ivoire.

From seed to pod cocoa tree processing
Cocoa seedlings and shade tree seedlings grown in a nursery.
Cocoa seedlings planted, shade trees planted.
Ripe cocoa pods harvested from trees.
Pods broken, cocoa beans and pulp removed.
Cocoa beans fermented under banana leaves.
Well fermented cocoa beans dried, either in the sun on raised mats or in solar dryers.
Cocoa beans put into sacks for transport.
Weighing and checking at buying the station.
Farmers compensated individually or through co-operatives, premiums paid.


The report accused Olam of endangering wildlife by purchasing cocoa beans linked to deforestation; these types of illegally grown cocoa beans are called dirty beans. However, on Olam website, it states, “Our goal is to achieve 100% traceable and sustainable cocoa volumes from our direct origination supply chain by 2020.”

Olam also states, “We work hand-in-hand with partners, customers, governments, NGOs and through joint initiatives to create the necessary conditions for every person whose life revolves around cocoa production to prosper.”

Africa produces around 70 percent of the world cocoa crop, it is the heart of Olam cocoa bean sourcing operations and they are the leading exporter of cocoa beans from the African continent. Olam chocolate bean footprint covers Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. In Ghana in 2016, Olam provided shade trees to increase ground cover and support forest conservation.


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

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

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Dagara Cosmology. In the Burkina Faso Dagara Cosmology tradition, there are two terms both pointing to the same Earth, Tingan and Tenbalu; Tingan is male, and Tenbalu is female. What is Your Dagara Cosmology Sign. Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture. Dagara Cosmology. The Burkina Faso Dagara Cosmology tradition is similar in thought to string theory where it is the theory of everything. Every particle in the universe contains a vibrating string which leads to other dimensions, nothing dies; instead, Tingan and Tenbalu are continually reshaping into other forms of matter. Dagara Elder Malidoma Patrice Somé explains in Dagara Cosmology, the masculine and the feminine have little to do with biology.  The masculine is Tingan similar to fire with an endless propensity to consume . The feminine is Tenbalu because of its nurturing and caring instinct.  Earth is therefore a man and a woman with an endless capacity to generate and regenerate, to give a
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Red Clay African Himba Tribe

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Red Clay African Himba Tribe Himba tribe of Africa covers their skin and hair with a creamy mixture of fat and red clay called otjize paste   African beauty African Himba covers their skin and hair with a creamy mixture of fat and red clay.  There are worldwide variations on what is physically appealing, the sight of traditional Himba women orange-red clay skin and long red clay covered plaits of hair have become a beautiful iconic image of Africa. The pastoralists Himba tribe live in northwestern Namibia and Angola. Women wear short skirts made of goat skins, sport rich orange-red clay skin and long red clay covered plaits of hair.  Himba women spend hours creating the iconic hairstyles. Himba women, as well as Himba men, are famous for covering themselves with otjize paste, a cream mixture of fat and ochre pigment clay.  Himba women fiercely maintain their traditions, including their intricate hairstyles that change depending on age and whether or not they are married
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South African Beef Curry Recipe

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Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe South African beef curry recipe is a South African food recipe to share around the world while learning about South Africa rainbow nation food history and favorite recipes of Black African, Colored mixed race ancestry, White, and Indian. South African Beef Curry Recipe When it comes to quick and satisfying slow cooker crockpot meals South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe is at the top of the African food dinner recipe list. Use your slow cooker for this simple South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe, it is full of apricot jam, spices and tender beef to serve with rice and grilled bread. How to Make Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture By Chic African Culture African food recipe South Africa food is one of the most diverse on the African continent. South African apricot beef curry is an easy delicious slow cooker dinner recipe to make on a weeknight. South Afr
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Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa

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African Country by Size List. Africa Which are the top twenty largest, smallest, and territorial country in Africa by land area? 1. The continent of Africa is the world’s second largest based on land area and population just after Asia. 2. Top five largest countries of Africa are Algeria, Congo Democratic Republic of the, Sudan, Libya and Chad. 3. Top five smallest African countries and territories are Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Saint Helena and Mayotte. African Country from largest to smallest Area sq mile Area sq km Algeria 919,595 2,381,740 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 905,568 2,345,410 Sudan 718,723 1,861,484 Libya 679,362 1,759,540 Chad 495,755 1,284,000 Niger 489,191 1,267,000 Angola 481,354 1,246,700 Mali 478,767 1,240,000 South Africa 471,011 1,219,912 Ethiopia 435,186 1,127,127 Mauritania 397,95
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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

Support African History and Culture

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet are dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing African history and heritage celebrating 14 years of service in 2021. Share and support in the pride of being part of an important cultural and educational resource.


Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

Chic African Culture

Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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