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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

Why the Sea Is Salty | African Folktale Meets Science

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Why the Sea Is Salty | African Folktale Meets Science

Why the Sea Is Salty | African Folktale Meets Science

Unbelievable but true—this African tall tale carries a hint of science. Many folktales exaggerate life lessons, yet the story of Why the Sea Is Salty holds a surprising truth about ocean salt and the cycle of water on Earth.

African folktale Queen Fuma learns why the sea is salty through magic millstones and ocean salt myth.

The Folktale of Queen Fuma and the Magic Millstones

Queen Fuma ruled the sea, but her greed drove her to steal two magic millstones from her brother, Prince Noka, ruler of lakes and rivers. These were no ordinary stones—they could grind out anything their owner desired.

But Queen Fuma did not know how to use them. Frustrated, she wept: “If only I could move the stones, I would make my people rich and happy.”

Two mysterious women appeared, offering help. They touched the stones and they began to grind—gold, rest, and happiness poured out. Fuma, dazzled by the gold, demanded more and more until the helpers grew weary. When the queen refused to let them rest, the stones began to grind warriors instead of wealth. The warriors rose and destroyed Queen Fuma’s kingdom.

African myth shows woman grinding salt at the bottom of the sea after Queen Fuma’s fall.

One survivor, seeking power, took the stones aboard a ship, forcing a woman to keep grinding. “Rest? No!” he shouted. “Grind salt, if you can grind nothing else!”

She obeyed until the ship sank beneath the waves—and the stones sank too, still grinding salt to this day. That is why the sea is salty.

Shipwreck showing African folktale origin of sea salt with millstones grinding under the ocean.

Science Behind the Folklore

This African folktale captures a real scientific truth: seawater is salty because of minerals and salts washed from the land into the ocean. Over millions of years, rivers have carried dissolved sodium, chloride, and other ions from rocks and soils to the sea. When water evaporates, the salts remain—just like Queen Fuma’s eternal millstones grinding beneath the waves.

In a way, the folktale mirrors the hydrological and geochemical cycles—where nature, time, and chemistry shape Earth’s salty seas.

Read Next in African Science Folklore

The African Gourmet logo representing African folktales and science storytelling

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

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🍚 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.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.