Chic African Culture Blog

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.

Why the Sea is Salty Tall Tale

Unbelievable But True African Tall Tale

Some tall tale stories are exaggerations of actual events but why the sea is salty African tall tale is true.

The African tall tale folklore story why the sea is salty explains the age-old question of how salt made its way into the seven seas.

Why the Sea is Salty Tall Tale

Why the sea is salty African folktale of the greedy Queen Fuma
Salty Sea

Fuma, queen of the sea, stole two magic millstones from her brother Prince Noka of the lakes and rivers.

Ordinary millstones grind corn into flour, but the Queens would grind out whatever the owner wished. However, Queen Fuma did not know how to make the magic millstones work.  She tried and tried, but they would not stir.

"Oh, if I could only move the millstones," she cried, "I would grind out

so many good things for my people. They should all be happy and rich."

One day Queen Fuma was told that two strange women were begging at the shore to see her.

"Let them come in," she said, and they were brought before her.

"We have come from a land that is far away," said the stranger.

"What can I do for you?" asked the queen.

"We have come to do something for you," answered the stranger.

"There is only one thing that I wish for," said the queen, "and that is

to make the magic millstones grind, but you cannot do that."

"Why not?" asked the stranger. "That is just what we have come to do. That is why we stood at your shore and begged to speak to you."

Then the queen was a happy indeed. "Bring in the millstones," she called. "Quick, quick!"

Old woman grinding salt at the bottom of the sea is why the sea is salty African folklore. "Rest? No. Grind on, grind on. Grind salt, if you can grind nothing else."
Fuma is a wicked Queen

The millstones were brought in, and the stranger asked, "What shall we grind for you?"

"Grind gold and happiness and rest for my people," cried the queen.

The women touched the magic millstones, and how they did grind!

"Gold and happiness and rest for the people," said the stranger "Those are good wishes."

The gold was so bright and yellow that Queen Fuma could not bear to let it go out of her sight. "Grind more," she said to the stranger. "Grind faster! Why did you come to my shore if you did not wish to grind?"

"I am so weary," said the stranger. "Will you not let me rest?"

"You may rest for a little while but not too long!” cried the Queen, "and I mean no longer!

Queen Fuma said “Now you have rested. Grind away. You should be weary who is grinding out yellow gold!"

"She is a wicked queen," said the stranger. "I will grind for her no more! The stranger then began to grind out hundreds and hundreds of strong warriors to fight Queen Fuma and punish her for her cruel ways."

The millstones ground faster and faster. Hundreds of warriors sprang out, and they killed Fuma and all her men.

"Now I shall be queen," cried the strongest of the warriors. She put the stranger and the magic millstones on a ship to go to a far-away land.

"Grind, grind," he called to the stranger.

"But I am so weary. Please let me rest," she begged.

"Rest? No. Grind on, grind on. Grind salt, if you can grind nothing else."

Night came and the weary stranger was still grinding. "Will you not let me rest?" she asked.

There at the bottom of the sea are the two millstones still grinding salt, for there is no one to say that they must grind no longer. That is why the sea is salt.

Shipwreck

"No," cried the cruel warrior. "Keep grinding, even if the ship goes to the bottom of the sea."

The stranger ground and it was not long before the ship sank to the bottom of the sea, and carried the cruel warrior with it.

There at the bottom of the sea are the two millstones still grinding salt, for there is no one to say that they must grind no longer. That is why the sea is salt.


More short folklore stories from Africa to make you fall in love with myths and legends again from the motherland.

  1. Why the bunny rabbit has wiggly slits for a nose
  2. Love Takes No Less Than Everything Marriage Folklore
  3. Hunters Attack Cowards Tell the Story
  4. One Do Wrong All Get Punished
  5. Mighty Little Hedgehog

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

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.

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Using Amen and Ashe or Ase

Image
Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase Ashe to Amen learn about the custom of using the words Ashe and Amen historically. Where did the word Amen and Ashe come from why is it said and what does it mean? In Judaism, 3,500 years old and Christian religions 2,000 years old, Amen, means may it be so. In the African Yoruba language among the Yoruba people whose culture is as old as time, Ashe or Ase means may it be so. Ase or Ashe means power, commandment, and authority, the ability to make whatever one says happen from the spiritual to the physical realm. In the Yoruba language, Ashe is omnipresent spiritual energy. Followers of Judaism and Christian religions use the word Amen. It is the word utilized to end prayers as an affirmation for the requests to be provided by God. Yoruba is as old as time, Ashe refers to the life force within all living things, the spark that animates life. It is used as a term used in the same manner as Amen at the end of appeals and prayers as an affirmati
Learn More

South African Beef Curry Recipe

Image
Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe South African beef curry recipe is a South African food recipe to share around the world while learning about South Africa rainbow nation food history and favorite recipes of Black African, Colored mixed race ancestry, White, and Indian. South African Beef Curry Recipe When it comes to quick and satisfying slow cooker crockpot meals South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe is at the top of the African food dinner recipe list. Use your slow cooker for this simple South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe, it is full of apricot jam, spices and tender beef to serve with rice and grilled bread. How to Make Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture By Chic African Culture African food recipe South Africa food is one of the most diverse on the African continent. South African apricot beef curry is an easy delicious slow cooker dinner recipe to make on a weeknight. South Afr
Learn More

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
Learn More

Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe

Image
Tanzanian curried coconut okra recipe is a simple African food recipe to make for a vegetarian weeknight dinner. Tanzanian curried coconut okra recipe is the favorite of Tanzania . Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe Ingredients 2 pounds fresh okra 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons good-quality curry powder 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 onion, chopped finely 2 tablespoons of butter 1/2 teaspoon paprika 2 cups of coconut milk Directions In a large saucepan brown over medium, heat the butter, curry, onions, garlic, and paprika. Cut the tips off the okra pods. Add okra and remaining ingredients to the saucepan cover tightly, and simmer 15 minutes. Serve over white rice.  How to choose good okra. Hibiscus esculentus or okra is of African origin originating from Ethiopia. Okra grows wild along the White Nile and the upper Nile country as well as in Ethiopia . Begin with good-quality fresh okra suitable for canning. The way to choose good okra is by inspecting the ok
Learn More

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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.