Africa Factbook

Child Marriage Explained Child marriage is defined as marriage before the age of 18 and applies to both boys and girls, but the practice is far more common among young girls. Out of the 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage in the world, nine are in Africa. Too many African families practice child marriage simply because early marriage is the only option they know. Girl Summit photo by DFID UK Department for International Development Between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Out of the 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage in the world, nine are in Africa: Niger, 75 percent; Chad and Central African Republic , 68 percent; Bangladesh, 66 percent; Guinea, 63 percent; Mozambique, 56 percent; Mali, 55 percent; Burkina Faso and South Sudan, 52 percent; and Malawi, 50 percent. If current levels of child marriages hold, 14.2 million girls annually or 39,000 da

West African Folktale Why Mosquitoes Buzz Only In Beautiful Ears West African Folktale Why Mosquitoes Buzz Only In Beautiful Ears A long time ago, when the world was much quieter and younger than it is now, people told and believed many strange stories about wonderful things which none of us have ever seen.  In those very early times, in West Africa, there lived a Mosquito and a beautiful ear ready for marriage.  There were all sorts of living things courting the beautiful ear professing their undying love.  Ear had a difficult time making a decision, then along came mosquito. “I want you to be my wife”, said Mosquito. Ear said “marry you, are you serious? You are a tiny weak mosquito and will be dead before the week is over, I will never marry the likes of you!” Mosquito was really hurt by all that Ear said. It was very embarrassing to be talked to like that in front of all the other living things.  They began whispering and snickering to each other as mosqu

Seychelles Giant Coconut and Aliens Seychelles alien sea coconut. Alien gardeners look as if they cultivated the Sea Coconut, single seeds weigh in around 33 - 66 pounds. Seychelles giant coconut plants maybe the missing link between ancient alien gardeners and Earth visitations. Seychelles Sea Coconut is endemic to the Seychelles and looks like a meld of Alien art and science . Seychelles is a collection of islands in the Indian Ocean. The largest island on the Seychelles is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population of Seychelles and the site of its capital city Victoria. Sea coconuts occur naturally only on the islands of Fond Ferdinand, Vallée de Mai, Anse Marie-Louise Praslin and Curieuse. It is also found in the Praslin National Park and the Curieuse Marine National Park. The sea coconut population consists of a total of 8,282 mature trees, of which most are found within three subpopulations 1,440 in the Vallée de Mai, 1,380 in Fond Ferdinand, 1,750 on C

Africa’s top 20 most important agricultural products are in order, Livestock, Maize, Cassava, Cotton, Coffee, Rice, Peanuts, Bananas, Sorghum, Fish, Sugarcane, Cocoa, Millet, Non-root Vegetables, Beans, Palm Kernels and Oil, Timber, Wheat, Sweet Potatoes, and Tea Leaves. African Agriculture Products Number of  African Countries  Dependent Livestock 41 Corn (Maize) 35 Cassava 28 Cotton 27 Coffee 25 Rice 23 Peanuts 21 Bananas 20 Sorghum 19

Gumboot Dancing in Africa. Strolls, Step Shows, Stomping the Yard in Africa Gumboot Dancing history performed in South Africa by dancers wearing wellington boots. Top Shayela gumboot dancers of South Africa The History of Gumboot Dancing Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Step in the name of love; today gumboot dancing is more popular than ever across the world especially in African American college Fraternities and Sororities Thebe Ya Tlhajwa Secondary High School Koffiekraal South Africa Gumboot Dance  During the apartheid era gold mining was big business in South Africa. Black miners worked underground in terrible conditions, digging for gold for low wages. They carried out the most dangerous dirtiest jobs in the mines and the safety of the workers during the time was not a high priority.  Small mining villages which later grew into larger settlements, towns and cities grew up around the gold mining industry. One of th

Palm Tree Art. The Hyphaene Petersiana tree is locally known in the African country of Botswana as the Mokolwane Palm. The Mokolwane Palm is a tree that produces the leaves used in the internationally popular Botswana traditional basket weaving art. Botswana Palm Tree Art Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Mokolwane Palm Tree grows from Central Africa to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa in dry sandy areas, often away from rivers. There are a series of small villages alongside the West Side of the Okavango Delta Botswana that create the woven art. The around 68,000 sq km or 17 million acre Okavango Delta marshlands and plains are home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large animals, such as lions and cheetahs, white and black rhinoceros, and the endangered African wild dog. Women were walking greater distances every year, frequently a full day's journey, to find young Mokolwane Palms to harvest in order to create their woven

In Africa drinking cow, goat, sheep, and camel milk are usually consumed raw or unpasteurized.  Milk and fermented products are important nutrient-dense foods having vital sources of proteins in the diets of African people.  The practice of milk fermentation in every African region shows similar types of naturally fermented milk products that are regularly prepared by different ethnic groups of people. Drinking Cow, Goat, Sheep and Camel Fermented Milk in Africa Cows and camels, goats and sheep contribute to a rich and diverse dairy industry to create traditional fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and drinkable sour milk. Milking a goat Depending on the breed, a cow’s (cattle) milk fat makeups about 3 to 4 percent of the solid content, and protein about 3-4 percent.  Goat milk has about 3-4 percent protein, is easier to digest and has more fat and calcium than cow’s milk.  Sheep’s milk has 5-7 percent milkfat and 4-6 percent protein and is higher in calcium than goat and

Love is beautiful in every language African Proverbs Collection of African proverbs about love, Love is beautiful in every language. Love is beautiful in every language African Proverbs Wisdom of love African proverbs gathered by the ancestors. Ancient African Proverbs About Love One who loves should not hate - African Proverb   Let your love be like the misty rains, coming softly, but flooding the river - Malagasy Proverb   When troubles befall a person, then he finds out those who love them - African Proverb   Children are the reward of life. - African Proverb   If you are ugly you must either learn to dance or make love. - African Proverb   The gazelle gives birth to its kind. - The Democratic Republic of Congo African Proverb   You don’t pursue two partridge at the same time. - The Democratic Republic of Congo African Proverb   Water enters your bottle when it loves you. - Liberian African Proverb   A leopard of authority never fights by strength - Liberian

Zambian Bean and Cabbage Fritters Recipe Besides corn, cabbage and beans are major crops in the everyday lives of Zambians. Zambian bean and cabbage fritters are an easy simple dish to make as a snack or appetizer. Zambian Bean and Cabbage Fritter Recipe Ingredients  1 can soybeans washed and drained 2 cups cooked shredded cabbage 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 large egg 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 teaspoon salt Vegetable oil for frying Directions  Mix all ingredients well, roll into small size balls and fry until golden brown. Serve as a snack or appetizer.  Zambia did you know. Under Zambian law, defaming the head of state is a criminal offense that carries a jail sentence of up to three years. Ex-president of Zambia Mr. Levy Mwanawasa who passed away August 19, 2008, was called a "cabbage" in The Zambian newspaper the post by Fred M'membe in February 2002. The term cabbage is another word for the term slow-witted.

Fermented beverages are a significant part of people’s diets in Africa. Ibwatu is a fermented drink made from grain and is a natural energy drink. Ibwatu African Energy Drink Fermented beverage Ibwatu is consumed in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) region and Zambia. Popular similar drinks are Zimbabwe’s chikubu and togwa and South Africa's mahewu drink.  Locals distinguish Ibwatu plants through their leaves, stems, and root. The roots of the plant are a rich as a source of amylolytic enzymes. Rhynchosia heterophylla or Ibwatu roots is a perennial shrub native to Tanzania, Zaire, and Zambia. The plant also grows in the Sudano-Zambezian Region. The ingredients of traditional production Ibwatu are sugar, water, starch, and roots of the Ibwatu plant. Maize or corn is the most widely used source of starch however, other plants are used depending on the region such as sorghum, finger millet, cassav

Island of Mauritius coat of arms Dodo birds Mauritius is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean and  home to some of the world's rarest plants in the world and the Dodo bird.   Mauritius coat of arms The Republic of Mauritius is an island off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Dodo is an extinct flightless bird that became isolated on the African island of Mauritius. The Dodo is frequently used as a mascot on Mauritius by clubs, teams, and businesses. Moreover, the Dodo makes an appearance on the Mauritius coat of arms.  The first recorded mention of the Dodo was by European sailors around 1598. Naturally, no photographs exist of the Dodo bird, its appearance is only known by written literature, and illustrations. Wild and domesticated animals hunted the bird and more importantly their eggs. It is widely accepted that the last Dodo was spotted between the years of 1658-1680. The Dodo bird A team from Oxford University and the Natura

Use breadfruit as a potato substitute for French-fries, select a firm to the touch breadfruit. French-fried breadfruit has a taste similar to potatoes. The breadfruit flesh is firm and creamy white or pale yellow. Breadfruits are large, cantaloupe-sized fruit, usually yellow-green in color, with hard, starchy white flesh similar to a potato. Skin texture ranges from smooth to rough to spiny. Breadfruit is enjoyed and grows throughout Tropical Africa. Homemade Breadfruit French-Fries Serve fresh hot breadfruit fries with ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, cheese chili, the choices are endless. Tip: Treat breadfruit as you would a potato. Use breadfruit as a potato substitute for French-fries, select a firm to the touch breadfruit. Use breadfruit as a potato substitute for French-fries, select a firm to the touch breadfruit. Ingredients        Peeled breadfruit 1 whole    Vegetable oil: 2 cups for frying Salt: desired amount Directions In a large frying pan add oil u