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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

FOOD PROVERBS

Every Strength Is A Weakness, Every Weakness Is Strength

Every Strength Is A Weakness, Every Weakness Is Strength African Proverbs

Better fifty enemies outside than one within

How African proverbs are perceived among African people

African Proverbs are a force and have the power to change behavior because the truths portrayed in them are so simple and undeniable that the morals and advice they have, people feel obliged to conduct their lives in the manner prescribed in the African proverbs simply because they are from the wise elders of old. Many African Proverbs convey the truth, every strength is a weakness, and every weakness is strength.

African Cosmos

35 Every Strength Is A Weakness, Every Weakness Is Strength African Proverbs

You are not a loving person; you don't remember good deeds.

Everyone is proud of himself, no one sees himself as ugly.

Good can come out of evil. 

That which is meant to be yours will come your way.

Laugh with them, but it’s not good for you.

A farmer who has a big cutlass may try to fell a big tree with it, or strike it against any stick; but pretty soon, he will find himself with a broken cutlass.

Being greedy for more, you can miss all.

The school of an arrogant principal is unpopular.

Even though I’m lost in Africa I’m home.

The hasty rat misses its hole.

Suffering, it is by you our wealth began.

The danger lies on ease things.

One who gives to earn praise will impoverish himself.

What was withheld as secret thought will come out through a slip of tongue. 

You can be punished as you do sin on the spot. But for others it can come later. 

Even sweet things have their limits.

Who I am

What will small birds overlook, the bigger ones will carry.

Proud people who claim to be self-sufficient are left alone in time of need. 

Days look alike but yet they are not the same. 

If you refuse to work in a far away field, you will find yourself obliged to dwell there.

Productivity in work is better than the mislead use of strength.

When the chiefs are fighting against each other, the little ones are the greatest loosers. 

When the people are numerous, there will be found somebody who is troublesome.

It is when you are in difficulty that you will know who is really your friend.

Foolishness precedes cleverness, cleverness follows.

The one who takes no advice will get hurt with small matters. 

I see, I see, and in the end the tree falls on you and you die. 

The  hen cannot lay eggs of crocodiles, and crocodiles can not lay eggs of hens.

African proverb

More African Proverbs from the motherland.

  1. Your Attitude African Proverbs
  2. What is an African Proverb
  3. Do not invite evil to sit at your table then cry
  4. Mean Coworkers African Proverbs
  5. Having Faith African Proverbs

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

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.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

Loading revolutionary recipes...
African woman farmer

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.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

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.