Posts

Showing posts from September 13, 2015



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.

Behind a Family of Elephants

Image
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 Sam

South African Herbal Medicine Nature's Gift To The World

Image
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 h

Africa's 10 Favorite Food Dishes

Image
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 steame

Goliath Frogs Big As Newborn Babies

Image
The biggest frogs in the world weigh as much as a newborn baby, African Goliath frogs on average weigh 6-8 pounds. They measure about 13-16 inches in length, which is about the same  width  as a laptop computer. Goliath frogs are found in very small regions of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in Africa. African Goliath frogs are the largest frogs in the world; as big as a newborn baby. The goliath frog is the largest living frog on earth living in or near fast-flowing rivers and streams in West African rainforests. The frogs are considered endangered amphibians due to overhunting and its small habitat environmental range being destroyed. The Goliath Frog's scientific name is Conraua goliath and is known as the Giant Slippery Frog. The world's largest frog is known only from southwestern Cameroon from the region of Nkongsamba, and south to Monte Alen in mainland Equatorial Guinea.  The goliath frog is part of the Central African bushmeat trade and exported to the

African Fiery Peri-Peri Seafood Stew Recipe

Image
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 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.  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 havi

Origin of the Sun African Folktale

Image
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,  grabbed  him by his arms and legs and

African Food Bobotie Recipe

Image
When it comes to African food most of the world, know very little about African food dishes. These are just a few of African foods you must try discover African dish such as bobotie. African food recipe ingredients for bobotie are found at your local grocery store. African Food Bobotie Recipe Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Cook bobotie South African dish while eating and exploring through Africa one country at a time. Chic African Culture food kitchen staff recipe for South African bobotie has ground beef, apricot jam, bananas, apples, curry powder, onions and tomatoes. African Food Bobotie Serves 4  African food  Total time from start to finish 1 hour Ingredients 2 pounds ground beef 2 medium onions finely chopped 2 large tomatoes finely chopped 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon apricot jam 1/2 banana sliced 1 large apple finely chopped 2 tablespoons curry powder 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar Salt to t

Indigenous Healing People and Plants

Image
Indigenous Healing People and Plants About 27 million people buy indigenous healing plants, medicine and visit indigenous healers in South Africa in a year. African Indigenous Healing In Zulu societies, the Sangoma is a highly respected indigenous healing person and Nyanga is the esteemed herbalist. Men and women take up the profession after a long training period in Southern African society. The Traditional Healers and Indigenous Healing Organization organizes about 69,000 traditional health practitioners in South Africa to promote African Traditional healing as a holistic healthcare practice. Traditional indigenous medicines use herbal, animal, and mineral materials for physiological and symbolic purposes. Twenty-seven million South Africans use traditional medicine in one form or another because pharmaceutical drugs are too expensive or traditional methods are considered an appropriate tradition. The traditional indigenous medicine trade in South Africa is a lar

Nature Holds Many Secrets | Hurricanes, Angry African Ancestors

Image
Eastern coasts of Caribbean, United States, and South America, are in danger of being blasted by hurricanes wind and rain during hurricane season from June through November. But, why? The scientific reason why is because of Africa’s Sahara desert dust storms and the transition of thunderstorms off the west coast of Africa. The waters in the North Atlantic Ocean are typically at their warmest while the Sahara is at its hottest from July through October, so the chances of a hurricane are highest during these months. African legend, the paths hurricanes follow. Hurricanes are gigantic weather systems using convection, the movement of hot and cold air, to create dangerous storms. They are rotating heat engines powered by the warmth of tropical waters having three main parts, the eye, the eyewall, and rainbands. Hurricanes cannot form just anywhere in the world due to the need for hot and humid air. They normally form close to the equator and move west or northwest. Hurrica

African Proverbs for Men About the Wrong Woman in Their Life

Image
Wisdom and warnings against the wrong woman in your life quotes explain to us that sometimes it is hard to know if you are being taken for granted in a marriage and sometimes it is very obvious. African Proverbs for Men About the Wrong Woman in Their Life. Wisdom and warnings against the wrong woman in your life African proverbs and sayings with love from your ancestors. Good palm wine and a pretty wife are two sweet poisons to a man . Even the best of women have still a devil's rib in her. Under a glove, the ugliest hand is hidden. Where there is much learning, there is much fun too . A relative's slap hurts more than a stranger's. Choose a wife to please yourself, not others. Smoke and a scolding woman drive one out of the house . There is some peace from a barking dog, but never from a foolish woman. When you love a woman beyond measure afterward, it brings hatred. See the mother, and then marry the daughter. There is n

Woman's Worth African Proverbs

Image
A Woman's Worth Igbo Proverbs teaches a woman’s character is much more than just what women display for others to see, excellences of thought and values are the most important assets a woman owns. Proverbs about African women are the index of our lives. Proverbs from Africa contain the heart of truth and practical lesson because they are drawn from real-life examples of a woman's character. What are African proverbs? African-Proverbs are old but familiar sayings that give time-honored truthful advice wrapped up in a simple and memorable saying. Woman's Worth African Proverbs She who fears the sun will not become Queen. The eagle does not hunt flies. It is not always the one who speaks the loudest who wins the dispute. A diamond does not lose its value due to lack of admiration. The tree does not fall at the first stoke. The way a Queen acts affects the entire village. Who spends much will soon beg. It is better to weep with the wise than to sing with the fool.

Imbuya Spinach Vegetable Soup

Image
Imbuya Spinach Vegetable Soup Imbuya Spinach Vegetable Soup African Recipes by Chic African Culture  Soup is liquid comfort with fresh spinach, sautéed onions, peppers and spices create a flavorful spinach vegetarian soup recipe. Imbuya spinach soup is African comfort food at its best. Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 20 min Total time: 35 min Imbuya Spinach Vegetable Soup Ingredients 4 handfuls spinach  2 medium chopped onions 1 medium chopped red bell pepper 1 medium chopped green bell pepper 4 medium chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon allspice ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon tamarind paste 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon salt ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups vegetable stock Directions Except spinach, sauté vegetables in olive oil, add spices and stock, simmer 15 minutes, add spinach, simmer 5 additional minutes. Serve warm. Did you know Imbuya, in the Tswana language is African spinach. Imbuya is a t

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.

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

Support African History and Culture

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet are dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing African history and heritage celebrating 14 years of service in 2021. Share and support in the pride of being part of an important cultural and educational resource.



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

More LOVE from Africa to Read About