Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

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. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

African Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew Recipe

Peri peri is Swahili for pepper pepper.

Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew recipe is a traditional African recipe made with shrimp, smoked fish, palm oil, hot peri-peri sauce and vegetables. 

African Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew Recipe

African Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew Recipe

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 unique civilization. 

Swahili is the culture of many groups uniquely blended together. 

Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant center for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.

Swahili was given its name by the Arabs in the 16th century, the Swahili words "Watu wa Pwani or people of the coast.” For centuries, Swahili’s were merchants between the interior of Africa to the coast, dealing mainly in ivory, and slaves from Africa and in textiles and beads from Asia. Swahili identity is unique. The Swahili see themselves as either African or Asian, but as having their own unique civilization.

In the 16th century the Omani influences on Swahili culture are significant. The Omani introduced many Arabic words into the Swahili language, perpetuated the belief that their social status and way of life was superior to that of the Swahili, therefore Arab ancestry became a marker of status. Later, Arab merchants who came in the 19th and 20th centuries married female African slaves.

In time, the Arabs and the slaves adopted the Swahili language and became "Swahili" themselves, although the differences in family linage are always recognized. Non-Muslim local inhabitants were named, "The People of the Coast", given to them by the rulers of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, who looked down on the local inhabitants and gave them this offensive name; the Swahili rarely use this name.

A number of people believe there are four groups of Swahili people; people who claim per Arab lineage, parents are original Swahili people, children born in a family where Arabs intermarried with Swahili people, and people who were born elsewhere but integrated into the Swahili culture.  

Lamu Old Town is located on Kenya's Coast Province in the Lamu District. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant center for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.  

Swahili Lamu Old Town has continuously been inhabited for over 700 years, for this reason, Lamu Old Town is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions.  

Lamu Museum and Lamu Fort develop and strengthen programs on Swahili culture in universities and colleges in Lamu in order to ensure diffusion of the Swahili culture. Lamu is one of the best East African representatives of the unique Swahili culture, resulting from interaction between the Bantu, Arabs, Persians, Indians and Europeans.


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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

Exploring the Rich Waterways of Africa

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Around 5% of mainland Africa is covered by water, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays, straits, gulfs and other bodies of water.  Africa is home to some of the world's largest rivers and lakes, such as the Nile River and Lake Victoria. While up to 60% of Africa is classified as desert or drylands, a total volume of around 626.4 million cubic miles (2.616 billion cubic kilometers) of water surrounds Africa. The water resources of Africa play a vital role in supporting the continent's ecosystems, as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for drinking water, agriculture, energy generation, industry and commerce. Water is life Exploring the Rich Waterways of Africa: A Look at the Number and Diversity of Lakes and Rivers on the African Continent. Two oceans border Africa. The five major oceans of the world are the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. There are two oceans that border Africa - the Atlan
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What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
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Rising Above the Dust the World of Evala Wrestling

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Rising Above the Dust Exploring the Grueling Traditional World of Evala Wrestling. Evala is traditional wrestling that is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, agility, and skill. The Evala Wrestling Festival is an annual cultural festival that takes place in the northern region of Togo, particularly among the Ewe tribes of the Agni and Kabye people.  The Evala Festival is usually held during the months of June and July and is a celebration of strength, endurance, and bravery among young Agni and Kabye men.  Wrestling is a popular sport in Togo, particularly among the Kabye people, who are known for their strength and physical prowess.  There are many reasons why wrestling is so popular in Togo. Wrestling has been a part of the culture of many West African societies for centuries, and it is often seen as a rite of passage for young men.  Basic rules of traditional Evala wrestling. Matches are typically contested between two wrestlers of similar weight and age. The object
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Using Amen and Ashe or Ase

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Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase Ashe to Amen learn about the custom of using the words Ashe and Amen historically. Where did the word Amen and Ashe come from why is it said and what does it mean? In Judaism, 3,500 years old and Christian religions 2,000 years old, Amen, means may it be so. In the African Yoruba language among the Yoruba people whose culture is as old as time, Ashe or Ase means may it be so. Ase or Ashe means power, commandment, and authority, the ability to make whatever one says happen from the spiritual to the physical realm. In the Yoruba language, Ashe is omnipresent spiritual energy. Followers of Judaism and Christian religions use the word Amen. It is the word utilized to end prayers as an affirmation for the requests to be provided by God. Yoruba is as old as time, Ashe refers to the life force within all living things, the spark that animates life. It is used as a term used in the same manner as Amen at the end of appeals and prayers as an affirmati
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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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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.

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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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