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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

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Shetani Devil’s Bridegroom African Folklore

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📁 Short African Stories

The Shetani or Devils bridegroom is a Southern African Folklore story to warn women against being too fussy in the choice of a husband. 


The Shetani Bridegroom African Folklore

There was once a girl, Asa, who refused to marry, her parents, too, discouraged all wooers who presented themselves, as they said they would not give their daughter to any common man.

A festival was taking place in Asa’s village, and men came from the whole countryside to take part. Among the dancers, there appeared a tall and handsome young man, wearing a broad ring like a halo round his head, who drew all eyes by his grace and noble bearing.
The Shetani or Devils bridegroom is a Southern African Folklore story to warn girls against being too fussy in the choice of a husband.

Asa fell in love with him at first sight, and her parents approved of him. The dancing went on for several days, during which time she scarcely took her eyes off him. 

 But, one day, as he happened to turn his back, she caught sight of a second mouth behind his head, and said to her mother, “That man is a Shetani!" Her parents would not believe it. “Nonsense!” they said.

The suitor presented himself to Asa’s family and the marriage took place.

After spending some days with the bride's parents, the couple left for their home. However, her brothers, knowing the husband to be a Shetani, felt uneasy, and followed them, without their knowledge, keeping in the bushes alongside the path.

When they had gone some distance the husband stopped and said, "Look back and tell me if you can still see the smoke from your father's hut." Asa looked, and said that she could. They went on for another hour or two, and then he asked her if she could see the hills behind her home. She said yes and again they went on. At last, he asked her again if she could see the hills and found that she could not turned to her and said “I am a Shetani my dear wife now climb up into this tree and weep your last tears, for you must die!"

But, her brothers, watching their chance, shot him with poisoned arrows, and he died. Asa came down from the tree and the brothers took her home.

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.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.