Chic African Culture Blog

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. African tech startups raise billions of dollars annually, seven African start-ups were included in the World Economic Forum 2021 cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers: 54gene, mPharma, Cambridge Industries, FlexFinTx, Kuda, Moringa School and Sokowatch.

Red African Roses Growing in Kenya

Red African Roses Growing in Kenya. Rose gardens in regards to commercial flower growing in Kenya dates back decades due to rich soil and 12-hour sunlight need to grow 10 distinctive colors of roses. Roses grown in Kenya naturally come in different colors without dyes, yellow, red, white and spotted red yellow white rose combinations naturally occur in the wild of Kenya. 

That Valentine's Day rose and Mothers Day rose from your loved one probably came from Kenya since Kenya is world famous for its cut flower farms especially the roses. 

The rose is the favorite flower of 85 percent of Americans and this is probably why President Reagan in 1986 made the rose the National flower of the United States.

Red Rose from Kenya

Kenya lies on both sides of the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. Countries on or near the equator, like Kenya, benefit from good growing conditions, including 12 hours of daylight all year round. The country's rose flower power is also attributed to its sunny climate, which enables high-quality blossoms to be grown year-round without the need for expensive-to-run greenhouses.

Rainfall peaks in most areas are in November and April. Kenya is the third largest exporter of cut flowers in the world, accounting for around 35 percent of all sales in the European Union. In 2017, Australians imported more than 5.22 million rose stems between February 1 and 14, mostly from Kenya. Assuming typical bouquets of 24 roses, that is 217,500 bouquets sold in two weeks.

Horticulture has been one of the top GDP earners for Kenya contributing 1.45% in 2015. The flower industry in 2015 earned Kenya Shillings 62 billion which equals around 59 million US dollars, exporting 122,825 metric tons.

The main production areas for Kenya’s floriculture are around Lake Naivasha, Mt. Kenya, Nairobi, Thika, Kiambu, Athi River, Kitale, Nakuru, Kericho, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gichu and Eastern Kenya.  Since the start of February 2018, 5.22 million rose stems had been imported from Kenya, up by nearly 850,000 roses in the same period last year.

Every rose may have a thorn, but it also has a meaning. Sought-after through the ages for it’s simple beauty and intoxicating fragrance, whether imported from Kenya or grown in your backyard, rose colors have very different symbolic meanings.

Rose Color Meanings Growing in Kenyan Gardens

Dark Red Roses.

Similar to the common red rose, the dark red means a deep unconscious beauty. You might consider sending to someone who does not know just how special he or she really is to you.

 

Green Roses.  

The green rose, although rare, is a symbol for fertility. Abundance in not just the material things that life offers but of the intangible things such as newly formed friendships, good health of loved ones among others. Green roses are best given to those whom you wish happiness and many blessings.

 

Lavender Roses.     

Lavender is a rare color for the rose. It incites fantasies and imagination for many. Lavender roses are the perfect choice for those who want to enchant or charm someone. Tradition has it, too, that a lavender rose is used to show feelings of love at first sight.

 

Orange Roses.

The color orange, with the vivid color seemingly emanating a blazing energy, is often associated with desire, enthusiasm and interest. Like the red rose, the orange rose is also taken as a symbol for passion and excitement, an expression of zealous romance. A bouquet of this variety sends a powerful and meaningful message to the recipient. An orange rose tells someone you are interested in knowing them. The color orange, with the vivid color seemingly emanating a blazing energy, is often associated with desire, enthusiasm and interest.

 

Peach Roses.   

Similar to a warm yellow rose that sends out feelings of warm friendship and companionship, a peach rose is said to symbolize appreciation. It expresses gratitude as well, and at times, sympathy. A bouquet of bright colored - peach roses could make any person happy especially when they are at the lowest times of their lives.

 

Pink Roses.     

The color pink is the symbol for grace and elegance. Often, the pink rose is given to others as a way of saying how much one appreciates the recipient of the rose. Pink roses also convey feelings of gratitude, appreciation and happiness. A bouquet of dark pink roses may be a way of saying how much you appreciate the presence of that loved one in your life. The lighter shade of pink in roses may be a roundabout way of saying you admire the recipient for her grace, gentleness, sweetness and even the joy she brings to you life.

 

Red Roses.      

Fiery red is the color that depicts love, fire or heat and passion. Hence, a red rose being given to a lover is like saying ‘I love you” out loud. Apart from love, passion, heat, and even fire, a red rose can also symbolize beauty and perfection.

 

Roses Red and White in Color.     

Given in conjunction with each other, these two roses combine in one flower bouquet to mean unity and as one.

 

White Roses.    

The reason why the white rose is so often used for weddings, is that a white rose symbolizes happy love. This flower is great to send when you are not apologizing, but merely celebrating your love, hence its use in weddings.

 

Yellow Roses.  

Yellow evokes feelings of friendship or companionship and happiness. A yellow rose is often given to friends to represent joy and friendship. A yellow rose may also bring about the message of starting a new---the promise of a new beginning. Therefore, if you want to be friends with someone, let her know by giving her a yellow rose.

Read about plant and flower meanings as told by the ancient ancestors.

Flower Name

Ancient Floral Vocabulary

Absinth

The Bitterness and Torments of Love

Acacia

Love, pure and platonic

Acanthus

Love of Fine Arts

Althea

Exquisite Sweetness

Amaranth

Fidelity and Constancy

Anemone

Abandonment

Angelica

Gentle Melancholy

Argentine

Ingenuity

Aster

Elegance

Balsam

Impatience

Basil

Poverty

Betony

Emotion and Surprise

Bindweed

Coquetry

Bluet

Clearness and Light

Box

Firmness and Stoicism

Bramble

Injustice and Envy

Burdock

Importunity

Buttercup

Sarcasm

Calendula

Anxiety

Camellia

Constancy and Steadfastness

Carrot

Good Character

Cinquefoil

Maternal Love

Colchicum

Bad Character

Cypress

Mourning and Grief

Dahlia

Sterile Abundance

Daisy (Easter)

Candor and Innocence

Dandelion

Oracle

Darnel

Vice

Digitalis

Work

Dittany

Discretion

Elder

Humility

Ephemeris

Transient Happiness

Everlasting

Constancy

Fennel

Merit

Fern

Confidence

Forget-me-not

Faithful Remembrance

Foxglove

Adulation

Fuchsia

Amiability

Fumitory

Hatred

Geranium

Folly

Hawthorn

Sweet Hope

Heliotrope

Eternal Love

Hellebore

Wit

Hemlock

Perfidy

Holly

Defense

Honeysuckle

Bond of Affection

Hyacinth

Amenity

Hydrangea

Coldness

Iris

Indifference

Ivy

Attachment

Jasmine

Amiability

Jonquil

Amorous Languor

Jujube-tree

Relief

Larkspur

Open Heart

Laurel

Victory and Glory

Lavender

Silence

Lilac

First Troubles of Love

Lily

Purity and Majesty

Maidenhair

Bond of Love

Marjoram

Consolation

Marvel of Peru

Flame of Love

Mallow

Maternal Tenderness

Mint

Wisdom and Virtue

Milfoil

Cure and Recovery

Moonwort

Bad Payment

Myrtle

Love

Narcissus

Self-esteem and Fatuity

Nettle

Cruelty

Olive

Peace

Orange-tree

Virginity, Generosity

Peony

Shame

Periwinkle

Unalterable Friendship

Pineapple

Perfection

Pink

Pure and Ardent Love

Poppy

Sleep

Privet

Youth

Rose

Beauty and Love

Rosemary

Power of Re-kindling extinct Energy

Rue

Fecundity of Fields

Sage

Esteem

Sensitive-plant

Modesty

Solanum

Prodigality

Spindle-tree

Ineffaceable Memory

Strawberry

Intoxication, Delight

Thyme

Spontaneous Emotion

Trefoil

Uncertainty

Tulip

Grandeur

Valerian

Readiness

Vervain

Pure Affection

Viburnum

Coolness

Violet

Modesty
Chic African Culture The African Gourmet Logo

Translate

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

Using Amen and Ashe or Ase

Image
Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase Ashe to Amen learn about the custom of using the words Ashe and Amen historically. Where did the word Amen and Ashe come from why is it said and what does it mean? In Judaism, 3,500 years old and Christian religions 2,000 years old, Amen, means may it be so. In the African Yoruba language among the Yoruba people whose culture is as old as time, Ashe or Ase means may it be so. Ase or Ashe means power, commandment, and authority, the ability to make whatever one says happen from the spiritual to the physical realm. In the Yoruba language, Ashe is omnipresent spiritual energy. Followers of Judaism and Christian religions use the word Amen. It is the word utilized to end prayers as an affirmation for the requests to be provided by God. Yoruba is as old as time, Ashe refers to the life force within all living things, the spark that animates life. It is used as a term used in the same manner as Amen at the end of appeals and prayers as an affirmati
Learn More

South African Beef Curry Recipe

Image
Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe South African beef curry recipe is a South African food recipe to share around the world while learning about South Africa rainbow nation food history and favorite recipes of Black African, Colored mixed race ancestry, White, and Indian. South African Beef Curry Recipe When it comes to quick and satisfying slow cooker crockpot meals South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe is at the top of the African food dinner recipe list. Use your slow cooker for this simple South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe, it is full of apricot jam, spices and tender beef to serve with rice and grilled bread. How to Make Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture By Chic African Culture African food recipe South Africa food is one of the most diverse on the African continent. South African apricot beef curry is an easy delicious slow cooker dinner recipe to make on a weeknight. South Afr
Learn More

Top ten African countries with the most Gold Olympic medals

Image
Gold Olympic Medals Africa Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Cameroon, and Nigeria are the top ten African countries with the most Gold Olympic medals. 10 African countries with the most Gold Olympic medals How much do you know about Africa's history at the Summer Olympics Games? The 2016 summer Olympic Games in Rio officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad has been a part of Africa’s history since 1904. Also in Rio 2016, the first-ever Team Refugees will stand before the world and prove that you can succeed no matter where you're from. Top ten African countries with the most Gold Olympic medals African Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Kenya 24 33 29 86 South Africa 23 26 27
Learn More

Nature Holds Many Secrets | Hurricanes, Angry African Ancestors

Image
Eastern coasts of Caribbean, United States, and South America, are in danger of being blasted by hurricanes wind and rain during hurricane season from June through November. But, why? The scientific reason why is because of Africa’s Sahara desert dust storms and the transition of thunderstorms off the west coast of Africa. The waters in the North Atlantic Ocean are typically at their warmest while the Sahara is at its hottest from July through October, so the chances of a hurricane are highest during these months. African legend, the paths hurricanes follow. Hurricanes are gigantic weather systems using convection, the movement of hot and cold air, to create dangerous storms. They are rotating heat engines powered by the warmth of tropical waters having three main parts, the eye, the eyewall, and rainbands. Hurricanes cannot form just anywhere in the world due to the need for hot and humid air. They normally form close to the equator and move west or northwest. Hurrica
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.