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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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African Folklore Why is the Rabbits Nose is Slit

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📁 Short African Stories

Why is the Rabbits Nose is Slit African Folklore Story



 “Long, long ago, when the world was quite young, the Lady Moon wanted someone to take a message to Men. She tried first one creature and then another, but no! They were all too busy, they couldn’t go. At last she called the Crocodile. 
He is very slow and not much good, but the Lady Moon thought she would pinch his tail and make him go quickly. So she said to him: ‘Go down to humans at once and give them this message: “As I die and, dying, live, so also shall you die, and, dying, live.”


“Know how the Moon is sometimes big and round like she is now in the sky. Every night she gets smaller and smaller until there’s no more Moon: she is dead. 

 Then one night a silver horn hangs in the sky thin, very thin. It is the new Moon that grows, and grows, and gets beautiful and golden and so it goes on, always living, and growing, and dying, and living again.


“So the Lady Moon pinched old Oom Crocodile’s tail, and he gave one jump and off he started with the message. He went quickly while the Moon watched him, but soon he came to a bend in the road. 

 Round he went with a great turn, for a Crocodile’s back is stiff like a plank, he can’t bend it; and then, when he thought he was out of sight, he went slower and slower. He was so lazy!

Ever wonder why rabbits have a slit in their nose? The African folktale Why the Rabbits Nose is Slit explains the mystery.


“All of a sudden, there was a noise and there was the Little Rabbit. ‘Ha! Ha! Ha!’ he laughed, ‘what is the meaning of this, where are you going in such a hurry, Oom Crocodile?”


“‘I can’t stop to speak to you, Rudo,’ said Oom Crocodile, trying to look busy and to hurry up. ‘The Lady Moon has sent me with a message to humans.’
“‘And what is the message, Oom Crocodile?”


“It’s a very important one: “As I die and, dying, live, so also shall you die and, dying, live.”


“Ha! But that is a stupid message. And you can’t even run, Oom, you are too slow. You can only go slowly, but I go fast like the wind. Give the message to me and I will take it.”


“Very well,’ said the lazy Crocodile, ‘but you must say it over first and get it right.”


“So Rudo said the message over and over, and then he was off like the wind. Here he was! There he was! And you could only see the white of his tail and his little hind legs getting small in the distance.


At last he came to humans, and he called them together and said: ‘Listen, a wise creature comes with a message. Lady Moon sent me to tell you: “As I die and, dying, perish, so shall you also die and come wholly to an end.”


Then the humans looked at each other and were scared and said, what shall we do? What is this message that the Lady Moon has sent? “As I die and, dying, perish, so shall you also die and come wholly to an end?”


But Rudo did not care to answer any questions. He danced away on his hind legs, and laughed and laughed to think how he had cheated humans.


Then he returned again to the Moon, and she asked “What have you said to humans?’
“O, Lady Moon, I have given them your message: “Like as I die and, dying, perish, so also shall you die and come wholly to an end,” and they are all stiff with fright. Ha! Ha! Ha!’ Rudo laughed at the thought of it.
“‘What! Cried the Lady Moon, what! Did you tell them that? Child of the devil’s donkey! You must be punished.”


Lady Moon was very angry. She took a big stick and went to hit Rudo but when he saw the big stick coming near, one, two, three, he ducked and slipped away, and it caught him only on the nose.


Oh my but it was sore! Rudo forgot that the Moon was a Lady. He yelled and screamed; he jumped high into the air; he jumped with all his four feet at once; and—scratch, scratch, scratch, he was kicking, and hitting and clawing the Moon’s face till the pieces flew.


Then he felt better and ran away as hard as he could, holding his broken nose with both hands.


And that is why to-day he goes about with a split nose, and the golden face of the Lady Moon has long dark scars.


Yes, fighting is a miserable thing. It does not end when the fight is over. Afterwards there is a sore place so long and even when it is well, the ugly marks remain to show what has happened. The best thing is not to fight at all.

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.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.