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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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Kwanzaa, what the heck is it?

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What is Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is not an African Christmas celebration, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. You do not have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa.


Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles

Kwanzaa what the heck is it

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1.  The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili term, "matunda ya kwanza", which means first-fruits, Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations. 

Kwanzaa has seven symbols that represent the values reflective of a peaceable world. What are the seven principles? Kwanzaa has seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba (n-GU-zo SAH-bah). The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba
Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba

The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; Black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and success that comes from their struggle.

Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced Kwanzaa in 1966 to the Africans of the American diaspora as a ceremonial celebration to welcome the first fruit harvests in the Americas. Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa “to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to the building and reinforcing of family, community, and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community”.

What Kwanzaa is not

  • Kwanzaa is not an African Christmas celebration or a black Christmas.
  • Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas.
  • Kwanzaa is not African rather honors African heritage and culture.
  • You do not have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa as the official Kwanzaa website states, “The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world.”

What Kwanzaa is

  • People of many faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds celebrate Kwanzaa.
  • Kwanzaa is a time for all communities to gather together to celebrate ancestry, African culture, future, and past endeavors and virtues.
  • Kwanzaa can be used as a positive force in all communities.
  • Kwanzaa pays respect to our beloved ancestors and to our elders for their wisdom, knowledge, honor, and fortitude.

Nguzo Saba

What is Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba. 

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles:

Umoja (oo-MO-jah) means Unity ~ To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) means Self-Determination ~ To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (U-Jay-Ma) means Collective Work and Responsibility ~ To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (U-Ja-Ma) means Cooperative Economics ~ To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (NEE-ah) means Purpose ~To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) means Creativity ~ To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means Faith ~ To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.


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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
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.