🌿 Share this page

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.

Start Exploring Here

🔵 African Recipes & Cuisine

Dive into flavors from Jollof to fufu—recipes, science, and stories that feed body and soul.

Explore Recipes →

🔵 African Proverbs & Wisdom

Timeless sayings on love, resilience, and leadership—ancient guides for modern life.

Discover Wisdom →

🔵 African Folktales & Storytelling

Oral legends and tales that whisper ancestral secrets and spark imagination.

Read Stories →

🔵African Plants & Healing

From baobab to kola nuts—sacred flora for medicine, memory, and sustenance.

Discover Plants →

🔵 African Animals in Culture

Big Five to folklore beasts—wildlife as symbols, food, and spiritual kin.

Meet Wildlife →

🔵 African History & Heritage

Journey through Africa's rich historical tapestry, from ancient civilizations to modern nations.

Explore History →
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 is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

View citations →

Your mental strength will be tested

The African proverb A chicken’s prayer does not affect a hawk teaches that a truly strong person shows their true strength when things get difficult. 

Imagine a really tall tree. When the weather is calm and sunny, it stands tall and strong, right? That's easy. But what happens during a strong storm? Moments of comfort in the quote are like those sunny days. Things are easy, life is good, and everyone is happy. Times of challenge and controversy are like storms. These are tough times with problems and disagreements.

Your mental strength will be tested

A truly strong person shows their true character when things get difficult. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

A strong person faces those challenges head-on, even if it means making tough decisions or standing up for what they believe in, even if it makes them unpopular.

Think about it like this: Easy times are like a test with easy questions. Everyone can do well then. Challenging times are like a difficult test. That's where you really see who truly understands the material.

The African proverb teaches that true greatness is measured by one’s ability to stand strong during the controversy and learn from past adversities. Resilience in the face of challenges reflects a person's character and strength.

Swahili proverb

At one time or another, your mental strength will be tested African Proverb

If we believe in ourselves, then we realize that wavering on our principles and standards would be harmful to our mental and physical selves. 

In addition, if we love ourselves, we certainly want what is best for ourselves. This is not being self-centered; this is realizing you matter. people who want to make you change your stand on your principles and values are taking you into a dangerous place trying to change the very definition of what is normal, thereby changing the definition of moral self-preservation.  

But we absolutely should not help them in their destructive task on this issue or on any issue that affects our spirituality and our soul connectedness.

It is simply not what the African proverb a chicken’s prayer does not affect a hawk teaches us to behave during difficult times when morality is tested. 

Dua la kuku halimpati mwewe is a Swahili proverb for A chicken's prayer doesn't affect a hawk. 
Just like a chicken's hopes or wishes don’t change what a hawk does, weaker people or groups cannot stop or challenge those who are stronger or have more power.

The Swahili proverb "Mnyama haogopi laana ya kuku" translates to: "An animal does not fear the curse of a chicken." This proverb teaches that weak individuals or groups cannot challenge those who are stronger or hold more power. It highlights the futility of wishing for a different outcome.

Swahili proverb

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.

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

Read More

African Ancestors and Atlantic Hurricanes: Myth Meets Meteorology

Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa

Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area (2025 Update)

African Proverbs for Men About the Wrong Woman in Their Life

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

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

Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe

Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase and Meaning

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

African Wrestling Traditions: Dambe, Evala & Senegalese Laamb Explained

Korean vs African Cuisine: Fermentation, Fire & Flavor Bridges - The African Gourmet

Kei Apple Recipes: Traditional African Fruit Cooking & Folk Science

Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra): Origins, Uses, Nutrition & Recipes

Before You Buy Land in Africa: 8 Critical Pitfalls Every Diaspora Member Must Avoid

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

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.