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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

Tortoise and Crab African Short Story Folktale

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Tortoise and Crab African Short Story Folktale Tortoise and Crab is a true African short story folktale shaped by the tongues of African elders. Everyone knows that Tortoise and Crab are enemies and this short Animal African folklore explains why the hatred runs deep. Tortoise and Crab Short Story African Folktale Everyone knows that Tortoise and Crab are enemies. One morning on the seashore they decided to fight to see which was the stronger, but, as both of them are protected by a hard shell, neither could succeed in injuring the other. Finally, they came to an agreement that they were equal in strength. “We are so well protected by our armor,” said Tortoise, “that no one can harm us.” “And thus,” said Crab, “we are the strongest creatures in the world.” But at this moment, a boy passed by and picked them both up.  The tortoise was boiled in a pot and his shell was made into ornaments while Crab was cooked in a stew for the boy’s supper.  Sin...

Favorite South Africa Recipe Bunny Chow Recipe

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Vegetarian South African Bunny Chow Recipe Favorite South African Recipe Traditional South African fast food recipe for vegetarian bunny chow has nothing to do with nutrition for rabbits. A traditional bunny chow or bunny if you are in Durban in South Africa where the dish originated is made with mutton, chicken, beans, curry, and vegetables. Bunny is made by taking 1/2 loaf of bread hollowing it out and filling it with your choice of spices, meats, and vegetables. Bunny Chow is made to be eaten with your hands and rarely is Bunny Chow served with a fork. Favorite South Africa Recipe Bunny Chow Recipe Bunny Chow is one of Durban's best Indian food recipe Mom's Bunny Chow Recipe Culture and food of South Africa would not be complete without including the favorite South African food recipe Bunny Chow. In South Africa, Bunny Chow is the South African fast food bread bowl and is a common dish. Mom's Bunny Chow Recipe  ...

African Hot Peppers Making Shito Pepper Sauce

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List of hot peppers from Africa and how to make Shito hot pepper sauce. Hot peppers that originated from Africa, Devil's Rib from Ghana, the African Cheeky, Fatali, Pettie Belle and Piment Curry hot-peppers from Mauritius.  Hot peppers that originated from Africa Devil's Rib An extremely hot habanero chili from Ghana. They are slightly ribbed and turn from a shiny green to bright red as they ripen. The plants are sprawling bushes that can be grown either in the ground or large pots. Cheeky Sea Spring Seeds selection from the Ghanaian landrace kpakpo shito, the small, roundish fruit are about 20 mm in diameter and change from lime green to orange to red as they mature. They are very hot, and their deep lobes make them look somewhat like the cheeks of a vagabond, hence the name. The plants are a tidy bush and can grow unsupported, making them perfectly suited for small or large pots and grow bags. Fatali A Habanero relative, this prolific plant ca...

She Feeds Africa – The Unseen Majority

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She Feeds Africa – The Unseen Majority She Feeds Africa – The Unseen Majority The story of the continent’s food is, first and last, a woman’s story. Market day in Ghana – the end of a week that began long before sunrise. Every morning, before the village roosters finish their argument with the dark, she is already walking to the field. Hoe on shoulder, baby on back, seeds in a tin tied to her waist. She is the arable farmer and the pastoralist. She clears, plows, plants, weeds, harvests, threshes, winnows, stores, processes, cooks, and – when there is surplus – carries it miles to market on her head. If the rain fails, she still has to feed the house. If the rain comes too hard, she still has to feed the house. Seven days a week, sun or harmattan, with or without a man beside her – if she does not work, nobody eats. 60–80 % of Africa’s food is grown by women Less than 20 % of registered farmland is owned by women 1 % of agricultural...

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.

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

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:
Wikipedia
Emory University African Studies
University of Kansas
Cornell University SRI Program (Madagascar resource)

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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Ugali vs Fufu — What’s the Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples?

Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa

Beware of the naked man who offers you clothes African Proverb

African Olympic Power: Top 10 Countries with the Most Gold Medals | The African Gourmet

Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe

Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase and Meaning

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.