Crocodile thought himself to be the smartest person in the room but as we shall soon see in this African Folklore he was wrong.

Thinking yourself to be the smartest person in the room is usually a big mistake.

Smartest Person in the Room African Folklore

Crocodile and a Gazelle lived together with their wives and families in the same town.

One day the Crocodile said, "My good friend Gazelle, let us go and buy some drums in the Oko country."

"All right," replied the Gazelle; but where are we to get the money from?"

"I have the money!” answered the Crocodile.

They started out on their shopping trip and when they walked a little way Crocodile snarled.

"Wait here! I must return to our town, as I have forgotten something."

The Crocodile returned to town, went to the Gazelle’s wife and said, "My friend has sent me for his children."

Mrs. Gazelle gave them to him, and putting them into a bag, he returned to the place where he left the Gazelle.

They started again, and when they had traveled a long distance the Crocodile saw some honey in a hole in one of the trees, whereupon he said to the Gazelle: "Wait for me here while I go to eat the honey, but you must not undo the bag and look inside!"

The Gazelle was left to guard the sack, which he quickly untied and looking in, he exclaimed: "Why, my children, what is going on here!" He put the bag on his back and hurried home, gave his children back to his wife, and went to the Crocodile's house and said, "My friend has sent me for his children."

Mrs. Crocodile gave them to him. Gazelle put the children in the bag and returned quickly to the spot where the Crocodile had left him.

After a time the Crocodile arrived, licking the honey off his lips, and picking up the bag, away they went again on their shopping journey.

By and by they reached Oko country and picked out two beautiful hand-carved drums.

When Crocodile went to pay for them, he whispered to the drum maker "Don't undo the bag now, there are some gazelles in it for payment for your drums."

As they were returning home, they tried the drums. The Crocodile beat a tune and

sang, "Stupid people go on journeys." For the Crocodile thought,

the Gazelle had helped to sell his own children for drums. The Gazelle then beat a tune and sang: "At the place where they ate the honey they left their bag of wisdom."

The Crocodile did not know he had exchanged his own children for drums for he thought himself smarter than anyone else. On their way home, they played and sang in many towns, and received money and presents for their entertainment.

On reaching their town the Gazelle hurried to his house and sent off his wife and children to hide in the woods.

Crocodile went to his house and looking around, he asked his wife, "Where are my children?" His wife answered, "Why you sent the Gazelle for them and now you ask

'Where are the children?

"The Crocodile went in a great rage to the Gazelle's house, but the Gazelle ran away, and as he was escaping, he cried out, "I am the wise Gazelle who outwitted crocodile who thinks himself smarter than everyone else!"

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

Getting to Know Africa

Historical African Country Name
Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
How many countries does Africa have?

The Central African Republic War Crimes Trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo in court

The trial began on November 22, 2010. The International Criminal Court (ICC) on June 21, 2016, sentenced former Congolese vice-president, 58-year-old Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo to 18 years in prison and he was criminally responsible pursuant to Article 28(a) of the ICC Rome Statute for the crimes against humanity. 

The crimes were murder, rape, and the war crimes of murder, rape, and pillaging committed by the MLC troops in the Central African Republic from on or about October 26, 2002, to March 15, 2003.

His arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2008. As a military commander, he was held responsible for two counts of crimes against humanity, murder and rape, and three counts of war crimes, murder, and rape and pillaging. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC). He effectively acted as a military commander and had effective authority and control over the MLC troops.

The attack against the civilian population, in particular, in Bangui, Boy-Rabé, Point Kilomètre, Point Kilomètre 22 and Mongoumba, was carried out on a large scale and targeted a significant number of civilian victims. It was alleged he knew that MLC troops were committing crimes and did not take all necessary and reasonable measures within his power to prevent or repress their commission.

Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Sylvia Steiner read a summary of the decision. Ms. Steiner indicated that the Chamber found the crimes of murder, rape, and pillaging to be of serious gravity. Also, two aggravating circumstances applied to the crime of rape: it was committed against particularly defenseless victims, and with particular cruelty. The crime of pillaging, which the majority of the Chamber considered to be the particular cruelty with which the crime was committed.

The ICC said in a statement, “In light of his conviction, Mr. Bemba was sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: 16 years of imprisonment for murder as a war crime; 16 years of imprisonment for murder as a crime against humanity; 18 years of imprisonment for rape as a war crime; 18 years of imprisonment for rape as a crime against humanity; and 16 years of imprisonment for pillaging as a war crime.

The Prosecutor undertook a detailed analysis of the information received from the Government of the Central African Republic and also requested and obtained additional information from various sources. After reviewing the information received, the Prosecutor found that the conditions required by the Rome Statute for launching an investigation was satisfied.

The sentences imposed would run concurrently. The entire time Mr. Bemba has spent in detention in accordance with an order of the ICC, since 24 May 2008, will be deducted from his sentence. The ICC Trial Chamber III is composed of Ms. Steiner of Brazil, Judge Joyce Aluoch of Kenya and Judge Kuniko Ozaki of Japan.

On June 8, 2018, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court decided by a majority to acquit Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo from the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The appeals Chamber found errors that affected the decision of Trial Chamber III convicting Bemba Gombo. The Chamber considered it was appropriate to reverse his conviction and enter an acquittal.

The Appeals Chamber concluded, by a majority, that Trial Chamber III had erroneously convicted Bemba Gombo for specific criminal acts that were outside the scope of the case and that the proceedings in relation to these acts must be discontinued.

The Appeals Chamber also found that Bemba Gombo cannot be held criminally liable under Article 28 of the ICC Rome Statute for the remaining crimes committed by MLC troops during the Central African Republic operation and that he must be acquitted thereof because the Trial Chamber had made serious errors in its finding that Bemba Gombo had failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures to prevent or repress the crimes of the MLC troops.

On September 17, 2018, Trial Chamber VII sentenced Bemba Gombo to one-year imprisonment and fined him $337,215.00 or EUR 300,000 for offenses against the administration of justice. The time spent in detention was deducted and, accordingly, the sentence of imprisonment is considered as served.

The Presiding Judge,  Christine Van den Wyngaert of Belgium, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji of Nigeria, Judge Sanji Monageng of Botswana, Judge Howard Morrison of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Judge Piotr Hofmański of Poland. The Office of the Prosecutor; Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor, James Stewart, Deputy Prosecutor and Helen Brady, Senior Trial Lawyer. The Defense Counsel Peter Haynes, Lead Counsel, Kate Gibson, Associate Counsel, and Kai Ambos, Associate Counsel. Legal Representatives of the Victims, Marie Edith Douzima-Lawson.

To date, no compensation has been given to the victims or the victims of families. Injustice, war crimes, crime, and punishment are a few of the massive human rights issues affecting billions of people around the world. When governments, companies, and private industries are able to make a profit off crime, is justice actually blind?

 

Crime and Punishment African Proverbs

Poverty is the companion of injustice.

Crime eats its own children.

A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountaintop.

The greatest crime in a desert is to find water and keep silent about it.

Death is nothing and pain is nothing, but cowardice is crime, and disgrace, is the greatest punishment.

Shantytowns may generate crime, but mansions profit.

Like rotten mangoes, crime leaves a foul smell.

Corn can't expect justice from a court composed of chickens.

Did you know? The International Court of Justice, which has its seat in The Hague, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The Hague is a city on the western coast of the Netherlands and the capital of the province of South Holland.

Rabbit recipe

Rabbit meat is white meat high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol.

African rabbits live in more than 25 African countries in West, East, South and Central Africa. Rabbit habitats include meadows, woods, forests, grasslands, deserts and wetlands. There are over 30 different breeds of rabbits; some are good for meat production some for fur production and some for both.

Old Fashioned Zomo Rabbit Stew Recipe

African Recipes by African Gourmet 

Old fashioned Zomo Rabbit Stew recipe is a traditional tasty game meat rabbit stew recipe from South, East, Central and West Africa.

Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes Total time: 1 hour 50 min

Ingredients

1 large rabbit cut into 8 pieces

2 cups sliced carrots

2 chopped onions

1 large tomato diced

1 large bell pepper diced

2 large Irish potatoes diced

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon red pepper

1 hot pepper sliced

2 bay leaves

Juice of one lemon or 1 tablespoon vinegar

4 cups of water

Directions

In a large pot add rabbit, water and lemon or vinegar and bay leaves. Simmer together slowly until rabbit is tender 1 hour.  Add remaining ingredients simmer 30 minutes longer. Serve with rice.

Did you know?
Rabbits are the most productive of domestic livestock animals taking only takes 6 months to grow into adulthood. Their gestation period is only 30 days. Female rabbits can average 30 births per year.

What is the Food Like in Africa?

African cuisine is as vast and diverse as the continent itself. With 54 countries and thousands of ethnic groups, each region has its own flavors, traditions, and cooking methods. From ancient foodways to modern global influences, African food reflects both history and the future of the continent.

In North Africa, Mediterranean influences shine through couscous, tagines, olives, and citrus. West Africa is famous for bold, spicy dishes such as jollof rice, egusi soup, suya, and breads like Benin’s ablo bread. East Africa blends indigenous ingredients with Indian and Arab spices, giving us dishes like Ethiopian injera with wot or coastal samosas. Southern Africa features maize-based staples, game meats, and flavorful stews such as bobotie and chakalaka, often paired with traditional drinks like Zulu sorghum beer.

Like French, Italian, Caribbean, or American cuisine? You will love African food. It’s an adventure across flavors—nutty groundnut stews, grilled fish by the ocean, tangy fermented breads, and street foods bursting with spice and color.

Because of Africa’s growing cities and global connections, you’ll also find American fast food chains, European cafés, and fusion dishes blending old and new. But at its heart, African cuisine remains rooted in community—shared meals built around staple grains, fresh produce, and flavorful sauces.

Generalizations cannot capture African food. Every dish tells a story of geography, trade, colonization, resilience, and creativity. To taste African food is to taste both tradition and transformation.

Southern African Tilapia Stew Recipe

Serves: 4  |  Time: ~35 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets (about 450 g / 1 lb), cut into large chunks
• 2 teaspoons South African smoke seasoning blend (or 1 tsp smoked paprika + 1/2 tsp ground coriander + pinch clove)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 thumb-size piece ginger, grated
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes, 14 oz)
• 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup fish or vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (optional, for creaminess)
• 2 cups spinach or Swiss chard, roughly chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Lemon wedges and chopped cilantro, for serving
• Cooked pap/sadza, rice, or steamed yams, for serving

Directions

1. Pat the fish dry. Season with half the smoke seasoning, a little salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. Warm the oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds.
3. Add bell pepper, curry powder, turmeric, and the remaining smoke seasoning. Stir 30–60 seconds to bloom the spices.
4. Stir in tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes until they break down.
5. Pour in stock (and coconut milk, if using). Simmer 3–4 minutes to slightly thicken.
6. Nestle the tilapia into the sauce. Cover and gently simmer until the fish flakes easily, 6–8 minutes.
7. Fold in spinach/chard to wilt, 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
8. Serve hot with pap/sadza or rice. Garnish with cilantro.

Tip: For smokier depth without a blend, add a dash of liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika. For heat, add a chopped Scotch bonnet (use carefully).

Queen Nzinga Mbande was a military strategist and powerful 17th-century female African ruler of the 

Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms.

Queen Nzinga was one of the most women rulers of 17th century Africa fighting against the slave trade. Born in 1583, Queen Nzinga Mbande was the 17th-century queen of the Ndongo Kingdom and the newly established Matamba Kingdom.

In 1617, Mbandi Ngola Kiluanji, king of Ndongo, dies. His son, Ngola Mbandi, takes power and becomes the new king. However, he does not have his father's personality or his sister's military intelligence. 

Her brother King Ngola Mbande realized the Portuguese established a settlement in the same year invading Mbundu land in order to imprison its people into slavery.

In 1626, Princess Nzinga became Queen of the Mbundu succeeding her brother King Ngola Mbande. European slave traders on the coast of southern Africa upset the political, social, economic and cultural landscape of the kingdom Ndongo and the entire region. 

In the same year, the Matamba Kingdom was established after Queen Nzinga and her Mbundu citizens were forced from their ancestral lands by raiding Portuguese slave traders.

In the newly established Matamba Kingdom, Queen Nzinga established a Mocambo settlement offering sanctuary to runaway slaves and those who experienced oppression by the Portuguese, Dutch, and other colonial and African powers. Mocambo is a Mbundu word of the Bantu people living in Angola's North-West area; Mocambo means hideout.

A figure of the African resistance to colonialism, Queen Njinga marked the history of 17th century Angola. Outstanding and skilled strategist negotiator, she defended her country relentlessly until her death, in 1663, at the age of 82 years. 

However, before her death, Queen Nzinga converted to Christianity, adopted the name Dona Anna de Souza, and made the Matamba Kingdom a formidable military state that dealt with the Portuguese traders on an equal footing.

Queen Nzinga became a sensation in Europe following the 1769 publication of Jean Louis Castilhon’s book, Zingha, Reine d’Angola, in Paris. 

Queen Nzinga is remembered in Angola for her war strategy and political intelligence, a statue of her was placed in Kinaxixi square in the heart of Luanda Angola in Southern Africa in 2002. Queen Nzinga statue was dedicated by President Santos to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Angola’s independence.

Africa's Western Sahara fight for freedom has been a 40 year battle with no resolution in sight. The disputed territory is on the northwest coast of Africa bordered by Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria. 

Fighting for Land, Oil, and People of Western Sahara

Western Sahara has a population of around 554 thousand people. After Spain withdrew from Western Sahara in 1976, Morocco seized the area in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal.

War broke out in the same year due to the Frente Polisario people's party contesting Morocco's self-proclaimed rule over the territory. 

Since 1979, the Frente Polisario has been recognized by the United Nations as the representative of the people of Western Sahara. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic led by President Mohamed Abdelaziz is in exile in Algeria. About 95,000 Sahrawi refugees continue to be sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria, which has housed Sahrawi refugees since the 1980s.

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara or MINURSO was initiated in 1985 and established by Security Council resolution 690 on April 29, 1991. 

MINURSO provided for the sole and exclusive responsibility for monitoring ceasefires, verifying the reduction of Moroccan troops in the territory, overseeing exchanges of prisoners of war, identify and register qualified voters.

In August 1994, MINURSO began the process of identifying potential voters in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. In May 1996, the Secretary-General suspended the identification process but the military component remained to monitor and verify ceasefires.

Read Next: 50 Facts about Africa for Kids

The identification process was finally completed in 1999, however, aspects of the identification process, the appeals process itself, the return of refugees and other crucial aspects of the MINURSO plan remains in dispute by the Frente Polisario people's party and the Government of Morocco. 

Over 20 years later, the United Nations continues talks with the parties to seek a resolution, Western Sahara remains a hotly disputed territory in West Africa for land, oil, and people to this day.

Africa’s Western Sahara Disputed Territory

Western Sahara’s former names are Rio de Oro, Saguia el Hamra, and Spanish Sahara. 

This African folklore story is a very quick read and explains do not believe all you hear.

Leopard Boils his Mother's Teeth African Story teaches to have common sense before acting. Even very smart people sometimes lack common sense, but in this Short African Story, Leopard has no sense by literally believing everything Gazelle says.

Leopard had no common sense

Short African Folklore Story - Have Common Sense Before Acting 

So the elders say, one day a Gazelle bought some corn at the market, and while he was boiling them at home, the Leopard paid him a visit and asked him: "Sister Gazelle, what are you cooking on the stove?"

The Gazelle replied, "I am boiling my mother's teeth."

"Really!" exclaimed the Leopard "let me taste them." So the Gazelle gave him some of the cooked corn, and the Leopard thought the food so good that he went home and pulled out all his mother's teeth, and put them to boil on the stove.

The Gazelle, passing the house, called in, and seeing the pot on the fire, asked the Leopard what he was cooking. "I am cooking my mother's teeth, but they don't get soft," answered the Leopard.

The Gazelle laughingly said, "I meant corn, and you have pulled out and are boiling all your mother's teeth!" The Leopard was so angry at what he had foolishly done but before he could chase the Gazelle, it ran away laughing at the Leopard for his foolishness in mistaking corn for teeth.

Links to more African Folklore

African folklore teaches lessons with ancient words of wisdom.

Baboon Shepherd African Folklore

The Bird That Made Milk African Folklore

Why Some Souls Are White and Others Black African Folklore

Legend of Deepest Darkest Africa African Folklore

Rabbit Angered Moon African Folklore

Nkasa Tree Test for Witches Truish African Folklore

Short African Folklore Story

Accept your body African proverb lesson is similar to the sculpture Bronskvinnorna or The Women of Bronze in Växjö, Sweden. The sculpture is a visual of body dysmorphic disorder. Body dysmorphia is when you have a distorted body image of any part of your body, and you see yourself as ugly or disfigured obsessing over your appearance.

Accept your body African proverbs teach life is good at any weight 

The Bronskvinnorna sculpture was the reaction from the artist to the accelerating body weight fixation of our time. Fat non-acceptance, muscular women, underweight men and women all can fall under the body dysmorphia disorder. 

However, this sculpture reminds us, along with African proverbs of body acceptance and being proud of ourselves ant anny weight. Body acceptance, African proverbs, teach all people have equal value.

Many of us go through life feeling less than loving toward our own bodies. We believe we are not attractive enough, flawed in one way or another.

Learning to accept, appreciate, and even love every aspect of our bodies African proverbs teach us we are free to enjoy richer, more intimate relationships when we first love ourselves.

Accept Your Body African Proverbs

You will then learn your measure, when you spend a night with yourself.

Look at a person’s deeds, not whether they are tall or short.

One can be kept well by a hundred, not a hundred by one.

Who dies inside has lost.

The load that the mule will not carry, you yourself should not carry.

Although there are many roads, there is only one that is the straightest.

The thorn which is sharp is so from its youth.

A person’s values are not nullified by passing storms.

Who today is humiliated easily, tomorrow will be lost.

Fear and shame are father and son.

Until one dies, others will not be satisfied.

A small fire destroys a big forest.

A bird hanging between two branches will get pain on both wings.

A light heart lives long.

A calabash is first cleaned from the inside.

Everything would be right if it were not for the buts.

A house can’t be built for the rainy season that is past.

A full cup is hard to carry.

As pus inflames the finger, negative thoughts inflames the mind.

In everyday life, African proverbs inspire with ancient words of wisdom to accept iur bodies and ourselves from the inside out.

1. African Proverbs Are Often Difficult To Understand
2. Mean Coworkers African Proverbs
3. Proverbs are the official language of the African Nation
4. Monday Morning African Proverb Quotes
5. Prepare the Mind for Elevation

African Mstafeli also known as Soursop fruit can be eaten fresh when fully ripe or mixed with milk to make a delicious exotic fruity shake.

Mstafeli Soursop Milk Drink Recipe

Ingredients

2 very ripe soursop fruits peeled, deseeded and mashed

4 cups cold whole or skim milk

5 ice cubes

Sugar to taste

Directions

In a blender add all ingredients, mix well and enjoy!

Did you know?

The Soursop fruit grows in humid tropical and subtropical areas of 15 African countries; Zanzibar, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Reunion, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.

DIY African Kente Cloth Phone Case Designs

Instead of buying another mass-produced phone case, create a DIY African Kente cloth print for your iPhone. Kente’s bold colors and historic meaning let you carry African art in your pocket while protecting your device.

What Is Kente Cloth?

Kente cloth is handwoven by the Ashanti of Ghana and the Ewe of Ghana and Togo. It is the most recognizable African textile, made from interwoven silk or cotton in brilliant, symbolic patterns.

Meaning Behind Kente Patterns

• The Golden Stool – Symbol of absolute Ashanti power, believed to have descended from the heavens.
• Fathia Nkrumah – Honors the wife of Ghana’s first president.
• Baako Mmu Man – “One man cannot rule a country.”
• Nsatea – “All fingers are not equal.”
• Nnuatoma – “Measure everything you do.”

Color Symbolism in Kente

• Black – Africa and ancestral connection
• Red – Blood of forefathers
• Yellow – Gold and wealth
• Green – Forest and life

Free Kente Phone Case Templates

Use these printable patterns to make your own. Print on paper or fabric and slide into clear cases to instantly customize your phone with African heritage style.

Did You Know? Each Kente pattern is more than decoration — it’s a story. Wearing or displaying Kente shows heritage, social status, and personal values.

African Country Names You’re Saying Wrong
What Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa
About African Healers and Witchdoctors
Africa’s Extreme Temperatures

Ginger Carrots

Ginger dishes made with ginger, onion and garlic combinations are popular in Northern African cuisines.

Glazed Carrots with Orange and Ginger African Recipe

Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture

3-6-2016

Glazed carrots with orange and ginger recipe are a tasty favorite North African dish.

All About the spice ginger

Ginger is used for its warming properties, unique taste and aroma. It contains gingerol, a compound that is thought to relax blood vessels, stimulate blood flow and relieve pain.

Ginger is commonly used as a digestive aid, this makes it a helpful spice for morning sickness. Ginger is high in antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it may be useful in fighting heart disease and arthritis.

Ginger can also be used in relieving the common cold. By adding a few slices to hot water with lemon and honey, ginger helps to ease congestion and cleanses the body.

Glazed Carrots with Orange and Ginger Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups grated carrots

1/2 cup orange juice

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 small diced onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add carrots and ginger; cook, stirring often, until soft. Stir in orange juice, pepper and salt; simmer 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm as a side dish.

Chic African Culture Glazed Carrots with Orange and Ginger African Recipe Testimonial

Carrot Love

Glory Vegetable loving Mema
Absolutely fabulous, I have to admit, I was skeptical but this recipe is easy and very versatile. Some people shun Americanized hybrid dishes but it's very flavorful. My family loves this recipe we've probably made this 6 times in the past year and every time they ask for more.

Glazed Carrots with Orange and Ginger African Recipe Star Rating

Madagascar's 62 mile high Tsingy Razor Spiked Forest is over 200 million years old and was once covered by the sea.

The Tsingy Razor Spiked Forest, also known as the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, was first discovered by Western explorers in the 20th century. The park is located in western Madagascar and covers an area of around 1,575 square kilometers. 

The unique razor-spiked limestone formations found in the park were created over millions of years through a process of erosion and sedimentation. The area was once covered by a shallow sea, and over time the buildup of dead marine organisms created a thick layer of limestone. The limestone was then gradually eroded by rainwater and other natural forces, creating the distinctive razor-sharp peaks and gorges that can be seen in the park today. 

The Tsingy Razor Spiked Forest is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The park is particularly famous for its lemurs, with 11 different species living in the area, including the Decken's sifaka and the crowned lemur. 

The park is also home to numerous bird species, reptiles, and insects, as well as a variety of plant life, including baobab trees and orchids. The age of the Tsingy Razor Spiked Forest is difficult to determine with precision, but geological evidence suggests that the limestone formations were formed during the Jurassic period, around 200 million years ago.

Tsingy forest

The Tsingy limestone forest is a unique geological formation located inside the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar. 

The term tsingy refers to the sharp, pointed limestone formations that are found in this area. These formations are formed through a process called karstification, which involves the dissolution of limestone over time due to the effects of water and acidic substances. The Tsingy limestone forest is characterized by its jagged peaks, deep gorges, and interconnecting canyons. 

The area is also home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to Madagascar. Some of the unique species found in the Tsingy limestone forest include the Decken's sifaka, a type of lemur, and the Madagascar fish eagle. The forest is known for its challenging terrain, with steep cliffs and narrow crevices that require special equipment and techniques to navigate. 

Tsingy de Bemaraha is a Strict Nature Reserve since 1927. Strict Nature Reserves are protected areas set aside for nature conservation and research established by law on government-owned lands. Tsingy is located in the Melaky Region of Mahajanga Madagascar on 375,600 acres or 152,000 hectares of land. 

During the Late Cretaceous Period, India broke away from Madagascar. Madagascar is around 587,041 sq km or 226,657 sq miles in size which is the world's fourth-largest island.  Madagascar’s isolation in the Indian Ocean is the reason 90% of its animal and plant life is found only on its island. There are well over 70 varieties of lemur, 30 types of chameleons and countless undiscovered plant species. Madagascar was one of the last major regions on earth colonized. 

Tsingy limestone forest inside Tsingy de Bemaraha has 62 miles or 100-meter tall razor spiked limestone hills which are dotted in-between with sinkholes, caves, the deep red-orange Manambolo River. According to UNESCO, 11 species of Lemur; 6 bird species; 2 amphibian species; 17 reptile species as well as a species of rodent, the Red Forest Rat, only exists in the Tsingy de Bemaraha reserve of Madagascar. Due to its unique geological features and biodiversity, the Tsingy limestone forest was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990. 

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

South African special occasion dish, Melayu Cape or Cape Malay Pickled Fish gets its flavor from ten herbs and spices along with a 24-hour soak in a spicy curry brine.

Cape Malay Pickled Fish

Cape Malay Pickled Fish Recipe

Ingredients:

2 pounds filleted yellowtail or any firm white fish

2 cups white-wine vinegar

1 cup water

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3 tablespoons ground curry powder

1 teaspoon ground paprika

1 teaspoon salt

5 whole black peppercorns

5 whole coriander seeds

4 large onions finely sliced

6 dried bay leaves

2 hot peppers

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Fry fish in hot oil until cooked and drain on paper towel. Combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and spices in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the onions, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes. 

Drain the pickling liquid into a clean saucepan and bring to the boil. Mix a little of the pickling liquid into the flour to form a thin paste, stir into the sauce and simmer lightly for two minutes to thicken slightly. 

Layer fish and the pickling mixture in a serving dish. Allow to cool then cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. Serve with vegetables, rice and baked bread.

Did you know? During Apartheid years, the Coloreds as Cape Malayan people were known as had a midpoint position between blacks and the whites in South African society. The current Cape Malay population is small, less than 300,000 people most of who are Muslim.