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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

It Is OK For Black Men To Cry

African men, all men are supposed to be strong and never cry, but manhood and tears are not mutually exclusive. In fact, crying is healthy.


Many view crying as being a sign of weakness and a black man should never show weakness. But, the unavoidable truth is that black men do sometimes feel sad. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, either way it is OKAY for black men to cry. 


According to WebMD, having a good cry can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. In fact, some psychologists even suggest that we may be doing ourselves a disservice by not tearing up regularly.

It Is OK For Black Men To Cry
It Is OK For Black Men To Cry
Dr. Stephen Sideroff, a clinical psychologist says, "Crying activates the body in a healthy way, letting down one's guard and one's defenses and crying is a positive, healthy emotion. The same thing happens when you watch a sad movie, it touches you, and you cry that process of opening into yourself is like a lock and key."

If you are embarrassed about crying in front of someone, identify a safe space to cry in your day-to-day environment so you can gain the physical, spiritual and emotional rewards of crying without fear of judgment.

It is emotionally and spiritually important to express emotions freely without feeling embarrassment. Black men, let your tears come, let them water your soul for tears are words the heart cannot express.

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How Are You Feeling Today? Find an African Proverb or Story to Match Your Mood

How Are You Feeling Today?

Type or tap a mood. Your storyteller returns a proverb, mini-folktale, recipe, cooking activity, and a cultural note.

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Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

African Gourmet Newsletter

Light African snack spicy popcorn

Join The African Gourmet Newsletter

Join our African Gourmet Newsletter to get new folktales, recipes, and history every month.

Includes a light snack idea every month 🍊

African Studies

African Studies
African Culture and traditions