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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

Kibera slum is 617 acres or 2.5 square kilometers, a little smaller than New York’s Central Park. Only about 20 percent of Kibera has electricity and 10 percent of Kiberans have access to clean water. Sadly, there is currently no sewage system in the slums of Kibera.

Kibera slum in Africa is 617 acres or 2.5 square kilometers

Kibera (Key-bear-a) is a Nubian word meaning Forest or Jungle. Kibera is one of Africa’s largest slums. Fifteen densely populated villages make up this slum. Residents of Kibera are officially squatters and do not own, rent or otherwise have lawful permission to use the land, the land belongs to the government of Kenya. However, this does not stop slumlords from charging rent when families move into vacated shacks.

Little girl in the Slums of Kibera Kenya Africa

Generations have lived in Kenya’s largest slum of Kibera, one of Africa’s largest squatters settlements. Kibera slum is well for its crime, overcrowding, poverty, and lack of proper sanitation.

The majority of Africa’s 400 million city-dwellers live in slums

Every second, two people are added to cities around the world. This population surge is particularly rapid in Africa. The region has the largest urban growth rate in the world, with populations increasing 5 percent annually. In some cities, the annual growth rate exceeds 10 percent. These populations are projected to double within the next decade.

Issues of Kibera slum in Kenya

The majority of Africa’s 400 million city-dwellers live in slums with high population density and poor basic services. Slum dwellers often lack access to clean water and safe sanitation. Under these conditions, waterborne diseases spread rapidly. In the Kibera settlement of Nairobi, Africa’s largest slum, more than 18 percent of children die before their 5th birthday.

Life in the Slums of Kibera Kenya Africa

Mbagathi Hospital, a Kenyan health facility is one of Nairobi Kenya busiest hospitals, located on the edge of Kibera, Africa’s largest slum. The hospital has health services for nearly 9,800 HIV patients, supporting the supply of critical life-saving HIV treatment and community outreach.

African slums

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

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Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

The African Gourmet is preserved as a cultural resource and is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives.

Cited and trusted by leading institutions:
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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

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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.