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One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.

Welcome to the real Africa— told through food, memory, and truth.

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🔵 African Recipes & Cuisine

Dive into flavors from Jollof to fufu—recipes, science, and stories that feed body and soul.

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🔵 African Proverbs & Wisdom

Timeless sayings on love, resilience, and leadership—ancient guides for modern life.

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🔵 African Folktales & Storytelling

Oral legends and tales that whisper ancestral secrets and spark imagination.

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🔵African Plants & Healing

From baobab to kola nuts—sacred flora for medicine, memory, and sustenance.

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🔵 African Animals in Culture

Big Five to folklore beasts—wildlife as symbols, food, and spiritual kin.

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🔵 African History & Heritage

Journey through Africa's rich historical tapestry, from ancient civilizations to modern nations.

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About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

Red Carpet Cornrows | How to braid simple cornrow hairstyles

Red Carpet Cornrows

Braids are making appearances both on and off the red carpet but braids are nothing new. Cornrows are a traditional African style of hairstyle dating back thousands of years where the hair is braided to the scalp. Learn how to braid red carpet cornrows hairstyles.

Cornrow hair good vibes

Red Carpet Cornrows | How to braid simple cornrow hairstyles

The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. There are countless traditional cornrow African styles, ranging from intricate turns and coils to the simple line style.

How to braid a simple cornrow hairstyle

The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows.


Note: If you are cornrowing the hair needs to be detangled with water or a leave-in conditioner in order to create neat cornrows.

1.   Uses a comb to create the size section you want, smaller sections will make smaller rows of cornrows, and larger sections will produce bigger cornrows.

2.   Divide the hair section into three equal parts.

3.   Begin to braid the small section of hair.

4.   As you continue to braid the hair, add hair from the section you are braiding into the cornrow. Add hair evenly for a uniform look.

5.   Continue to braid the section of hair, adding more hair into the cornrow as you work your way toward the end making sure pull your fingers through the hair to detangle.

Cornrow Braiding Originated in Africa

Cornrows are a traditional African style of hairstyle dating back thousands of years where the hair is braided to the scalp.

Cornrow hairstyles in Africa also cover a wide social terrain: religion, kinship, status, age, ethnicity, and other attributes of identity are expressed in hairstyle.   

As Peters, J. C. stated in Braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, and hair wraps An African continuum, "Hieroglyphs and sculptures dating back thousands of years illustrate the attention Africans have paid to their hair. Braids were etched into the back of the head of the majestic sphinx."

Today, fishtail braids create a beautiful bohemian vibe rocked by festival goers and outdoor music concerts worldwide. The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. French, Dutch and Swiss braids all have their roots in Africa.

More commentary about Africa

Now you know how to braid simple cornrow hairstyles and facts about African cornrow hairstyles. Cornrow hairstyle dates back to prehistoric Africa cornrow styles are still popular in modern today.

With cornrows, the hair is braided very close to the scalp to produce a raised row. In America, the term cornrows are used because they are reminiscent of rows of corn in cornfields. In the Caribbean, cornrows are known as canerows indicative of rows of sugarcane in sugarcane fields.

  With nimble fingers a young teenage girl, cornrows the hair of her sister in the village of Cestos in Rivercess County Liberia.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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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.