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.

Kichalundu Heaven Tree African Folktale

Kichalundu the Heaven Tree is an African Folktale teaching the beauty of life from death.



Kichalundu the Heaven Tree is an African Folktale teaching the beauty of life from death.
 Kichalundu 

Kichalundu the Heaven Tree


Kichalundu went out one day to harvest vegetables from her garden, finding the gourd patch growing very luxuriantly; she stepped on the lushest spot and sank quickly into the soil. Frantically her friends took hold of her hands and tried to pull her out, but in vain; she vanished from their sight.

They heard her crying, "The ghosts have taken me. Go and tell my father and mother," and they ran to call the parents. The whole countryside gathered about the place, and a spiritualist advised the father to sacrifice a cow and a sheep. This was done, and they heard the girl's voice again, but growing fainter and fainter, until at last, it was silent, and they gave her up for lost.

But, after a time a tree grew up on the spot where she had disappeared. It went on growing until at last, it reached the sky. The herd-boys, during, the heat of the day, used to drive their cattle into its shade, and themselves climbed up into the spreading branches. 

One day two of them ventured higher than the rest, and called out, "Can you see us still?" The others answered, "No! Do come down again!" but the two adventurous boys refused saying, "We are going on into the sky to see Kichalundu in the world above" Those were their last words, for they were never seen again.


Kichalundu the Heaven Tree is an African Folktale teaching the beauty of life from death.
 Kichalundu Heaven Tree African Folktale

 Read more about African folklore


Kichalundu Heaven Tree African Folktale


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

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

Bike Life in The Gambia

Image
Popular Bike riding routes in The Gambia Africa.  Bike riding is a popular activity in The Gambia, with many locals and tourists enjoying the experience of cycling through the country's beautiful scenery. The Gambia is a relatively small country in West Africa and its flat terrain makes it an ideal place for cycling.  There are several routes in The Gambia that are popular with cyclists. One of the most scenic is the coastal road that runs from the capital city of Banjul to the Senegalese border. This road offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and passes through several fishing villages and towns. Abuko Nature Reserve is a popular destination for nature lovers, and a bike tour is a great way to explore the reserve's flora and fauna.  The reserve is home to many species of birds, monkeys, reptiles, and other wildlife. The tour takes you through the reserve's trails and provides an opportunity to see the wildlife up close.  Fathala Wildlife Reserve is located just acros
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

Cultural Significance of the Medina of Marrakech

Image
Exploring the Timeless Charm and Cultural Significance of the Medina of Marrakech.  Medina of Marrakech was founded in 1062 by the Almoravid dynasty famous for its traditional markets. The Medina of Marrakech is the largest and most famous city in Morocco and contains many traditional markets in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.  With thousands of vendors selling everything from textiles to ceramics to food, The Medina of Marrakech is a historic walled city located in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco and is considered one of the most important cultural and historical landmarks in Morocco.  The Medina is surrounded by walls and is divided into a maze of narrow streets, alleys, and squared. It’s walls were built in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty.  The wall is made of red sandstone and stretches for about 19 kilometers, enclosing an area of approximately 600 hectares. The wall has numerous gates, including the famous Bab Agnaou, Bab Doukkala, Bab el Khemis, Bab el Robb, Bab er-Raha, and Bab A
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