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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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Giraffes bear a single young

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📁 Wildlife of Africa

African giraffe fact one, the world’s 97,000 giraffes live free on only one continent, Africa.

Chic African Culture

Below are 30 animal facts about Africa’s and the world’s tallest animal, the giraffe.

The giraffe

30 Africa Giraffe Animal Facts

By Chic African Culture

1. The giraffe is native to more than 15 African countries in central, eastern and southern Africa.

2. Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals.

3. The giraffe height is up to 19 feet.

4.  Giraffe’s can weigh up to 3,000 pounds.

5. The coat of the giraffe is unique for each animal.

6. Giraffes have very long and flexible tongues that range from 18 to 20 inches.

7. The giraffe has a four-chambered stomach.

8. The giraffe has unusually elastic blood vessels with a series of valves that help offset the sudden buildup of blood and to prevent fainting when its head is raised, lowered, or swung quickly.

9. Giraffe’s horns are actually, knobs covered with skin and hair above the eyes that protect the head from injury.

Giraffes have very long and flexible tongues that range from 18 to 20 inches.

10. The giraffe's neck contains only seven vertebrae and it measures over 5 feet in length.

11. Giraffes have sloped backs because the back legs are 10 percent shorter than the front legs.

12. Giraffe’s can gallop 30 miles per hour.

13. The giraffe lives in dry savannah woodland, wherever trees occur.

14. Giraffe’s are herbivores.

15. The giraffe eats 16 to 20 hours a day.

16. Giraffe occasionally eat grass and fruits of various trees and shrubs, but their principal food source are the acacia tree.

17. Although they drink water when it is available, they can survive where it is scarce.

18. Unless they are still under the care of their mothers, males are seldom found in these herds.

19. Once old enough to care for themselves the young males’ branch off and form bachelor herds.

20. Mature males leave the herd and tend to live alone until it is time to mate.

Giraffe’s can gallop 30 miles per hour
Giraffe’s can gallop 30 miles per hour

21. A strong male will often mate with an entire herd of females.

22.Giraffe females form what is known as nursery groups helping each other out, watching the young while others feed.

23. Female giraffes tend to bond and form small herds of ten to twelve.

24. The gestation period is between 14 and 16 months.

25. The giraffe bear a single young.

26. A baby giraffe is about 6 1/2 feet tall at birth and weighs about 220 pounds.

27. A baby giraffe is called a calf.

28. A quarter of infants survive their first year of life.

29. Although few predators attack adult giraffes, lions, hyenas, and leopards take their toll on the young.

30. The Giraffes life expectancy is 28 years.

Did you know? Giraffes are easily killed and poaching continues today on some African hunting safaris.


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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
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

🍚

🍚 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.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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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.