Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

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.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Sobek God of the Nile River

Sobek, God of the Nile River, is an Ancient Egyptian crocodile symbolling power, virility and fertility.

Nile River God Sobek is protector of the Nile River feared and loved by the Ancient rulers of Crocodilopolis also known as the Egyptian Faiyum region. Sobek is first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts, which are the oldest sacred texts in the world.

Nile River God Sobek is protector of the Nile River feared and loved by the Ancient rulers of Crocodilopolis also known as the Egyptian Faiyum region.

Nile River God Sobek

Sobek appearance is that of a man with the head of a crocodile and an elaborate sun disk headdress. Sobek was worshiped as the creator of the world who arose from the fertile Nile River waters and created the order in the universe. Sobek rescued Horus’ four sons by gathering them in a net from the waters where they arose in a lotus bloom.

Sobek is the God of the Nile because he controlled the waters and the fertility of the soil. He is known under several titles; Lord of the Waters, SBK and Protector of Faiyum. He is also patron of the Military because of his strength, power and prowess.  Ancient Egyptians both loved and feared crocodiles, their depiction of Sobek was a means to appease these ferocious creatures.

He gained celebrity status during the Middle Kingdom when the 12th Dynasty King, King Amenemhat III revered Sobek. Live crocodiles were kept in pools at temples built to honor Sobek. The Egyptian Faiyum region was the center of Sobek worship. 

Did you know?

Crocodiles and alligators, what is the difference; Crocodiles have a longer, more V-shaped head then alligators, Alligators have shorter, wider heads that are more U-shaped, the fourth tooth of a crocodile sticks out when its mouth is closed, Crocodiles tend to have a lighter appearance than alligators, Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators and Crocodiles in the wild are found all over the world while alligators are only found in the USA and China.


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

  1. Deadliest routes for refugees
  2. Cooking with shea butter oil
  3. Worst serial killers recorded in history are women
  4. Indigenous healers and plants used
  5. Night running illness or magic
  6. What is back to Africa

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

Exploring the Rich Waterways of Africa

Image
Around 5% of mainland Africa is covered by water, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays, straits, gulfs and other bodies of water.  Africa is home to some of the world's largest rivers and lakes, such as the Nile River and Lake Victoria. While up to 60% of Africa is classified as desert or drylands, a total volume of around 626.4 million cubic miles (2.616 billion cubic kilometers) of water surrounds Africa. The water resources of Africa play a vital role in supporting the continent's ecosystems, as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for drinking water, agriculture, energy generation, industry and commerce. Water is life Exploring the Rich Waterways of Africa: A Look at the Number and Diversity of Lakes and Rivers on the African Continent. Two oceans border Africa. The five major oceans of the world are the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. There are two oceans that border Africa - the Atlan
Learn More

African Food Culture from Jollof to Injera

Image
From Jollof to Injera: A Journey Through African Food Culture Africa is a vast continent larger than Europe, Antarctica, and Australia combined. Africa is also larger than North and South America combined.  With a continent that large with a diverse range of cultures and food no most popular food is the favorite food throughout Africa.  The ingredients and recipes of the cuisine varies greatly from region to region in Africa. However, if we must choose, five of the most popular African dishes are Jollof rice, Tagine, Injera, Bobotie and Ndolé. Jollof Rice is a spicy and flavorful dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices. It is a staple dish in West Africa and is often served with chicken, beef, or fish. Tagine is a slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, and spices that is a popular dish in North Africa. It is typically served with couscous or bread. Injera is a sourdough flatbread that is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine. It is typically served with stews or curries
Learn More

Rising Above the Dust the World of Evala Wrestling

Image
Rising Above the Dust Exploring the Grueling Traditional World of Evala Wrestling. Evala is traditional wrestling that is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, agility, and skill. The Evala Wrestling Festival is an annual cultural festival that takes place in the northern region of Togo, particularly among the Ewe tribes of the Agni and Kabye people.  The Evala Festival is usually held during the months of June and July and is a celebration of strength, endurance, and bravery among young Agni and Kabye men.  Wrestling is a popular sport in Togo, particularly among the Kabye people, who are known for their strength and physical prowess.  There are many reasons why wrestling is so popular in Togo. Wrestling has been a part of the culture of many West African societies for centuries, and it is often seen as a rite of passage for young men.  Basic rules of traditional Evala wrestling. Matches are typically contested between two wrestlers of similar weight and age. The object
Learn More

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
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. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

More LOVE from Africa to Read About

Tasting African History Through Street Food African proverbs are to speech what salt is to food What is a person from Africa called