The African Gourmet: African Cuisine, Folktales and Cultural Stories

Africa School Children Statics Education is a fundamental human right: Every girl and boy in every country is entitled to it. Quality education is critical to development both of societies and of individuals, and it helps pave the way to a successful and productive future. When all children have access to a quality education rooted in human rights and gender equality, it creates a ripple effect of opportunity that influences generations to come. Video of photos of every day African-school-children, in this photo gallery, view Africa as she is for her beauty, flaws, laughter and loves. Africa School Children Statics Burkina Faso literacy rates, age 15 and over can read and write, total population 36%, male 43% female 29.3% (2015 est.) Ethiopia literacy rates, age 15 and over can read and write, total population 49.1% male 57.2% female 41.1% (2015 est.) There are no statics on the Somalia literacy rates, age 15 and over can read and write. Somalia is complicated by a large ...

African Food, Bread Recipe Ablo is a traditional Benin and Togo steamed fermented bread recipe. Ablo African Steamed Bread Recipe Ablo steamed bread African food recipe takes a few days to complete in order for the dough to ferment giving ablo a unique sourdough flavor. After fermentation, the ablo is wrapped in cornhusks and steamed. Ablo African Steamed Bread Recipe Ingredients Lukewarm water 3 cups white cornmeal ½ teaspoon salt1 tablespoon vegetable oil Directions In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal and salt with just enough warm water to form stiff dough. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth. Set in a warm place for two days to ferment. Using prepared fresh or dry corn-husks brushed inside with oil, place dough in the middle of husks making sure the husk is curling around the dough. Place a second husk over the first and tie the ends with string or fold under the ends. Use a food steamer to cook aboloo or steam, tightly covered, over briskly boiling water f...

Killer African Asteroids Asteroid 1193 Africa and other asteroids are studied by astronomers who want to understand how to protect the earth, the history and inner workings of the solar system. Studying earth’s geological past is important to understanding the development of the planets. Asteroid 1193 Africa is the main belt asteroid. What is the main belt asteroid? Main belt asteroids are small rocky bodies largely in orbit between Jupiter and Mars that are too small to be called planets. It is estimated that there are around 100,000 to 1 million undiscovered asteroids on similar Earth crossing orbits.   Asteroid 1931 HB later named 1193 Africa is a main belt asteroid Asteroid 1931 HB later named 1193 Africa is the main belt asteroid discovered by a U.K. astronomer, Cyril V. Jackson at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg South Africa on April 24, 1931. Jackson discovered 72 asteroids and 3 comets. Jackson was an expert Astronomer who named Asteroid 1193 after Afr...

Igbo African proverbs express the ageless wisdom of the Igbo African culture. Clever Igbo sayings in the language of proverbs are passed down for generations in Igbo culture. A soft word causes anger to turn back; a humble heart helps settle quarrels. Igbo Proverb.  All About Igbo People and African Proverbs.  Nigeria is a country with a long past. The history of the peoples that constitute the present state dates back more than 2,000 years. Three dominant alliances are the Hausa in the northern kingdoms of the savanna, the Yoruba in the southwest, and the Igbo in the southeast. Igbo people live primarily in southeastern Nigeria who speaks the Igbo language. Except for the northeastern groups, the Igbo live in rainforest regions. The Igbo may be grouped into the following main cultural divisions: northern, southern, western, eastern or Cross River, and northeastern. Nigeria, between the 1550s and the 1850s had become a major area for the slave trade thus many Igbo tribal p...

African proverbs about love of trees Yesterday afternoon I went to the park, looked at every tree, and named a reason why I love each one inspired by African proverbs on the love of trees. African tree proverbs Proverbs For the Love of Tree African tree proverbs are simple, unique pearls of wisdom.  Wisdom is wealth; trees are more precious than money in the sense of shelter, pleasure, and gifts of life they give freely to the world.   --------------------------------------------- A person who is always looking at the top of trees will never discover the beauty of its roots. Trees that bear sweet fruit always have a stick under it. Though a tree grows so high, the falling leaves return to the root. Unexpected rainfall allows friends and enemies to seek shelter under the same tree. Around a flowering tree, there are many insects. Those who master the art of climbing trees with their teeth are in a better position to know the trees w...

African Towns with Palindromic Names African Towns with Palindromic Names Palindromes aren’t just wordplay — some African towns have names that read the same forward and backward. From historic trading posts to remote villages, these places carry unique stories behind their mirrored names. Angola Iai — A small settlement in southern Angola; its name reflects the local Mbundu language rhythm and is surrounded by savanna landscapes. Burkina Faso Ibi — A rural community in the heart of Burkina Faso, known for farming and traditional Mossi culture. Chad Madaradam — A remote desert outpost with Sahelian nomadic heritage, located near ancient caravan routes. Madagascar Anahanahana — A long palindromic name belonging to a village on Madagascar’s lush east coast, surrounded by tropical forest and rice fields. Mali Lellel — A village in western Mali with Fulani and Bambara cultural roots, known for cattle herding. Morocco Akka — An oasis town in southern Moro...

Wild orchids in Southern Africa are prized for their beauty and traditional food practices. Orchids are not only used for food but are also beautiful, fascinating, and important indicators of environmental health and biodiversity conservation. Orchids are threatened by habitat loss, overcollection, invasive species, climate change, and diseases.  Therefore, protecting and studying these remarkable plants and their interactions with their pollinators and other organisms is essential. Orchids are a treasure of nature that deserves our admiration and respect. Chikanda is a Zambian dish made from boiled orchid tubers and ground nuts and eaten as a snack or dessert. It has medicinal benefits but also faces conservation threats due to overharvesting. Southern Africa is home to a diverse family of attractive, beautiful flowers, including the orchid, whose blooms are colorful and sweet-scented, attracting bees and butterflies. The orchid is a member of the Orchidaceae family; wild orchids ...

Smoked fish is what South Africa is eating for dinner! Smoked fish is what South Africa is eating for dinner. Don’t worry, smoking fish at home may sound scary, but it's no more complicated than grilling. Almost any fish can be smoked, fatty fish, such as snoek and salmon are brined and smoked easily. Recipe for Smoked Snoek South African Style Fish Ingredients. Two large pieces of snoek 4 cups warm water 2 cups brown sugar 2 cups salt Smoked Snoek Rub 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon ground paprika 1 tablespoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground cloves Directions. Brining the snoek In a large shallow dish add water, brown sugar and salt; stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Add fish, place covered in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Snoek rub Add all ingredients together mixing well. Remove fish from the brine and coat with spice mixture. Coat fish in the rub mixture and place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Smoking sn...

Nguvu Means Strength in Swahili — Make Natural Nguvu Healing Oil Nguvu (pronounced “ngoo-voo”) means strength in Swahili. This all-natural African-inspired healing rub has been used for centuries with the warming power of pepper, mustard, and ginger plants to improve blood flow and soothe sore muscles. It’s a rugged, handmade gift that says, “I care about your strength.” A Gift With Strength — Perfect for Manly Holidays Whether you’re celebrating a dad, brother, partner, or mentor, this natural rub is a unique gift idea. It’s perfect for occasions that honor men and their well-being: Father’s Day — Classic, heartfelt, always appreciated. International Men’s Day (Nov 19) — Celebrate men’s health and positive masculinity. National Brother’s Day (May 24) — Surprise your brother with a strength-inspired gift. Husband Appreciation Day (Third Saturday in April). National Son’s Day (March 4 & September 28 — celebrated twice in the U...

Women game rangers to the rescue of animals. Illegally taking animals from the wild threatens many species with extinction, poaching in Africa is a major issue. Training of female game rangers Female game rangers on the front lines stopping poaching in Africa Poachers sometimes kill or capture animals to sell them locally or for the global trade in wildlife. Wildlife trading is a major black market that has increased as food, jewelry, decor, or traditional medicine. Poaching has devastating consequences for wildlife. In some instances, it is the primary reason why an animal faces a risk of extinction. The beautiful but deadly serious Black Mamba anti-poaching unit is a South African ranger group consisting mostly of women, brave women. Since it was first created in 2013, the 26 member unit has arrested six poachers, shut down five poacher camps, and reduced snaring by 76 percent in the Balule Private Game Reserve. July 31st ...

African elephants are living natural history Elephants are intelligent creatures and continue to roam across much of Africa’s Samburu County Mount Kenya where the 1966 movie born free was filmed. Cinnamon, Celery, and cousins from  the Spices family of elephants in Kenya Samburu National Park Behind a Family of Elephants On September 15, 2015, Google released street view imagery of Kenya including the Samburu National Reserve, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Google street view in partnership with Save the Elephants and the support of the Samburu County governor Moses Lenolkulal allow internet users to take a virtual safari to promote wildlife conservation. The mission is to let internet users follow the stories of the elephant families in the park. The route follows one of the roads through the 65 sq mile or 165 sq km central Kenyan reserve. "We hope that by bringing Street View to...

South African herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the art and science of using herbs for promoting health and preventing and treating illness and has been Africa’s primary form of medicine since the beginning of time.  South African Herbal Medicine, Nature's Gift To The World Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture [ Nyanga South African Herbalists ] The herbal medicine field and practitioners are found throughout the world, from New Orleans, to Oregon, to Florida and Mississippi, across the ocean to Great Britain to India and China. Modern day practicing of herbal medicine is not unique to Africa, the world recognizes the gift of healing nature provides. Nyanga South African Herbalist treating a young woman for ear pain.  South African herbal medicine practitioners are called Nyanga. They seek the nature of the illness and its cure by meditating or going into a trance in order to get advice from a God or spirit. Nyanga's are not witchdoctors ...

When it comes to African food most Americans know very little about her food dishes. Africa's 10 favorite food dishes, there is no better way to understand the culture of Africa than through food. Have you tasted dessert hertzoggies or Egusi Stew? From Cameroon Smoked Bonga Fish Stew to Bunny Chow, these are just a few of Africa’s top ten superb traditional foods. Visiting Africa; do not leave the mother continent of Africa without tasting her 10 favorite food dishes.   Senegal Soupou Kandia Seafood Okra Soup Soupou Kandia is an African Seafood Okra Soup West African recipe. Families have lived off seafood from the Atlantic Ocean for generations in Senegal. Senegalese fish from pirogues or canoes made from hollowed tree trunks or from the shore with nets and poles. Chadian Steamed Honey Cassava Buns Chadian steamed honey cassava bun recipe has as many variations as to the fillings and the preparations. A tasty filling of sweet honey to compliment the delicate soft steamed b...

African Goliath Frogs — The World’s Largest Frogs The Goliath frog ( Conraua goliath ), also called the Giant Slippery Frog , is the largest living frog on Earth. These amphibians live along fast-flowing rivers and streams in the rainforests of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Adult Goliath frogs can weigh 6–8 pounds (2.7–3.6 kg) — about as much as a newborn baby — and grow to 13–16 inches (33–40 cm) long. They have long, muscular hind legs, shorter stout front legs, and fully webbed feet. Their eyes can reach 2.5 cm across. The frogs are endangered due to overhunting for the bushmeat trade and export as exotic pets. Habitat loss from deforestation is also a major threat. Despite their giant size, Goliath frog tadpoles are no bigger than those of other frogs — they experience most of their rapid growth in the first 75–90 days of life. Did you know? Goliath frogs are sometimes exported to the U.S. for exotic pet trade and even ...

Peri peri is Swahili for pepper pepper. The Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew is a classic African dish with shrimp, smoked fish, palm oil, spicy peri-peri sauce, and a variety of vegetables. African Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew Recipe Ingredients 1/2 pound raw shrimp 2 filets of any smoked fish 1 onion finely chopped 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped 1 tablespoon palm oil 2 cups water 1 tablespoon peri-peri sauce 1 chopped hot pepper 1 bay leaf Salt to taste Directions In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion with palm oil until soft. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft; add sardines and simmer for 10 minutes more. Serve over rice. What is peri-peri? Peri Peri or Piri piri is a hot pepper sauce used in cooking or as a condiment used in the same way as hot sauce. Peri peri is Swahili for pepper pepper. Who Are the Swahili in Africa? The Swahili see themselves as neither African nor Asian, but as having their own ...

Origin of the sun African folktale Where did the sun come from? Origin of the sun African folktale; the sun did not always light the entire earth, the sun was once a man. People will say the Sun was formed in an interstellar cloud of dust and gas but the true origin of the Sun is told is this African Folktale. Origin of the Sun African Folktale Long Long long ago Sun was a man.  Light came from one of his armpits.  Over the earth, there was only a very dim light. Why? Because the light shone only near the place where Sun lifted his arms in his small village.  Two old women from a neighboring village finally had enough of being hungry since there was not enough light for crops to grow, so they put their heads together and came up with a plan.  The old women sent some children from their village to sneak up on sun early one morning while he slept. The children quietly crept on tiptoes towards the  sleeping  sun,  gra...