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.

Tallest Tribe in Africa the Dinka of South Sudan

Tallest Tribe in Africa is the Dinka Tribe of South Sudan

Chic African Culture

Dinka also called Jieng, live in the savanna country in South Sudan. Dinka are among one of the tallest tribes in Africa.

Tallest Tribe are the Dinka Tribe of South Sudan

Tallest Tribe are the Dinka Tribe of South Sudan

By Chic African Culture

The Dinka are primarily pastoralists. Because of the vast geographic area they occupy, the Dinka exhibit great diversity of dialect. The definition and boundaries of ethnic groups depend on how people perceive themselves and others. 

Language, cultural characteristics, and common ancestry may be used as markers of ethnic identity or difference, but they do not always define groups of people in Africa. Language differences have served as a partial basis for ethnic classification and as symbols of ethnic identity. Such differences have been obstacles to the flow of communication in a state as linguistically fragmented as Sudan.

The Sudan was the largest country in Africa until 2011 when Sudan and South Sudan became two separate countries. Before the war caused institutions to collapse in southern Sudan, the Dinka were not only farmers and herders, but also law court judges and high public officials and physicians.  Today various Dinka tribes preserve their cattle, but many have lost their herds, which were killed in fighting or abandoned during the civil war. Dinka have been among the most deeply affected by the Sudanese civil war.

Cattle has always been the focus of Dinka culture. Cattle stood at the heart of virtually every important tradition and ceremony in Dinka cultural life from music, myths, legends, and folklore, cattle are one of the most important animals. Dinka are one of South Sudan’s largest and noblest tribes. 

Supermodel Alek Wek is a famous member of the Dinka tribe
Supermodel Alek Wek is a famous member of the Dinka tribe

Dinka Supermodel Alek Wek

Alek Wek is one of the world's foremost supermodels from the Dinka ethnic group in South Sudan but fled to Britain in 1991 to escape the civil war in Sudan. Alek came to New York from London in 1996 and went on seventeen appointments a day for about six weeks. 

Alek says "I don't see myself as different or exotic, I'm just Alek". The BBC followed Wek and her mother to her mother’s childhood home in Sudan as a part of its Africa Lives documentary series in 2005. 

In the documentary, the family sets out to track down Wek's long-lost aunt after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended the war in Sudan. "When I returned to New York, I was so moved by those memories and the many changes that occurred in my life—losing my father in the war, being separated from my family at age twelve for two years, and rising to supermodel superstardom. I wrote my memoir, ALEK: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel in 2007. I never imagined it'd become a best-seller, nor that it would be translated into 10 languages, but I'm so happy that my story has resonated with so many people around the world."


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


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.

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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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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.

Chic African Culture

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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