For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.
There is a web of superhuman activity within the powerful spirit world of the Yoruba
Yoruba ancestral memories
There is a web of superhuman activity within the powerful spirit world of the Yoruba, this is the true story of how the world was created according to the Yoruba’s of West Africa.
Creation of the World
Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture
9-13-2017
Ritual practices and the cosmological ideas, the true story of how the world was created.
The entire world was filled with water when
God decided to create the world. God sent his messenger Obatala to perform the
task of creating the world. Obatala brought along his helper, a man named
Oduduwa as well as a calabash full of earth and a chicken. Then they began
their descent to earth from a rope.
Along the way, they stopped over at a feast
where Obatala got drunk from drinking too much palm wine. Oduduwa, finding his
master drunk, picked up the calabash and the chicken and continued on the
journey.
When Oduduwa reached the earth, he sprinkled
earth from the calabash over the water and he dropped the chicken on the earth.
The chicken then ran around spreading the earth in every direction he moved
until there was land. Oduduwa had now created earth from what used to be water.
Later when Obatala got out of his drunken
haze, he discovered that Oduduwa had already performed his task and he was very
upset. God however gave him another task to perform – to create the people that
would populate the earth.
And that was how the world was created in a
place now called Ile-Ife.
Did you know?
The ancient Saworoide drum of the Yoruba people is more than a drum for entertainment. Sacred drumming is deeply ancestral as it is the heartbeat conveying important messages to the Yoruba community.
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She Feeds Africa
Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.
60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.
The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.
What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?
We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.
How is content selected for the archive?
Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.
What geographic scope does the archive cover?
The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.
Can researchers access the full archive?
Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.
How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?
Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.