Africa Factbook

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable is used in bread, french fries, roasted veggies and is the second most important starchy root crop worldwide. Cassava is very versatile root vegetable and is used the main ingredient in bread, fries, roasted veggie stews and soups, chin-chin, fritters, sweet cakes and fufu. All About Cassava Portuguese traders introduced cassava into Africa from Brazil in the 16th century. Currently, about half of the world production of cassava is in Africa. The plant is known under many names: ubi kettella, kaspe, manioca, rumu, yucca, mandioca, aipim, manioc, tapioca and cassada. Cassava was introduced into Africa by Portuguese traders Cassava is cultivated in around 40 African countries, stretching through a wide belt from Madagascar in the Southeast to Senegal and to Cape Verde in the Northwest. Around 70 percent of Africa's cassava output is harvested in Nigeria, the Congo and Ta

Ever wonder why your stomach growls when it is hungry? As the Folktale from Liberia Africa explains to us, the first meeting of hunger and stomach is an interesting tale. Ever wonder why your stomach growls when it is hungry? How Hunger First Got Into Stomach Folktale from Liberia They say that long ago hunger never catches the stomach of the people. But, all this is spoiled now. As the elders say, one day there was a great celebration in a distant town and Hunger invites Stomach to go with him. Before they start, Hunger cooks plenty of food and asks Stomach to eat. Hunger insists that he get on Stomach and be carried to the play since he provided a fine meal for the both of them. Stomach refuses, and there is a big fight between the two. In the end, Hunger wins the fight and mounts Stomach. When they arrive at the play, Stomach asks Hunger to get off, but Hunger refuses and holds tight. He even succeeds in creeping inside of Stomach. Stomach is furio

King Lion and his family sits waiting for the perfect meal to come along, Wildebeest. Lions hunt Wildebeests to this day because of a wrong done to Lion by the Wildebeest. Lions hunt Wildebeests to this day because of a wrong done to Lion by the Wildebeest. Why Lions Hunt Wildebeest African Folklore Story King Lion feels that his subjects dislike him therefore, as a test, he withdraws to his house and has word sent out by his servants that he is sick unto death.   The animals hasten to King Lion's house to show their sympathy except Wildebeest. It is announced that Lion is dead. Rabbit says “King Lion is dead, and that it would be well for all the animals to mourn his death loudly.” Wildebeest declares that he intends to kill Lion's wife now that the King is dead. Wildebeest kidnaps Lion's wife, but Lion chases them and kills Wildebeest. King Lion declares that all Lions are to hold Wildebeest as their enemies, and to this day Lions

Ujeqe is versatile African steamed dumpling and goes well with any soup, stew, BBQ, curry or side dish. Ujeqe is made similar and tastes like Chinese,  Vietnamese and Indian steamed buns. Ujeqe Steamed Zulu Dumpling Recipe Ingredients 2 1/2 cups bread flour 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 large eggs 1 sachet instant yeast 1 cup warm water 1 teaspoon white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions In a bowl add water, yeast and sugar, let stand 3 minutes. In a large bowl, sift dry ingredients together. Beat eggs into yeast mixture and stir gradually into the dry mixture. Add enough additional water if needed to make a stiff dough that doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl. With damp hands, shape dough into a semi-flat circle, and place into a greased steamer. Steam until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Dumpling is done when a knife stuck into the center comes out clean. Serve with any dish!

There is no better source of wisdom than people who have lived a long time; it is not beneficial for anyone to ignore elderly knowledge and experience as Mufono discovers in the African Folktale of Mufono seeks wisdom from the should be dead.  Mufono Seeks Wisdom from the Should Be Dead African Folktale The animals of the forest meet, and agree to build one big village and live together. Jumo, a man with one eye, one ear, one arm, and one leg, comes out of a river claiming to be the son of the Seffa River People and talks the animals into making him their king. Mufono consults his parents As the newly crowned king, Jumo understands to get complete power; he must kill anyone older than himself. The king therefore decrees everyone kill their elders after the great feast of Kepi.  Mufono does not trust in the wisdom of the king and hides his parents in the forest.  Next, the king decrees that the animals work for him on his farm across the river, some distance fr