African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Tony. Thank you, Tony. We were able to purchase three new stainless steel pots to continue our cooking and teaching heritage.

Today seedlings are tomorrow’s forests

Flower of Africa
Today seedlings are tomorrow’s forests.

Tonga, Malawi Mai or mama Africa proverbs are not usually attributed to any particular individual, but collectively. Tonga people African proverbs are short sayings that contain the wisdom and experiences of African ancestors.

Tonga people African Proverbs

Today seedlings are tomorrow’s forests ~ Malawi Mai African Proverb


[ Clever is the eye that has traveled. ]


[ Today seedlings are tomorrow’s forests. ]


[ When your grandmother tells you something, you don't run to your mother to ask if it's the truth. ]


[ A good harvest of cassava is determined by young growing cuttings. ]


[ To ask is the desire to know the way. ]
Did you know? 

Tonga people of Africa are the second largest ethnic group living in the Malawi, Mozambique, southern Zambia and neighboring areas of northern Zimbabwe and Botswana. The two Tonga clans are farmers and fishers with a rich oral history. 



Wisdom

Kuwona maso gha Nkhono nkhudeka
If you want to see a snail’s eyes, you need to be patient
Tonga African Proverb

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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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 ...
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Almond Milk Sweet Yam Pie

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Here at the African Gourmet food forest as a proud yam farmer I’ve spent my life growing and harvesting the finest yams straight from Gods’ good earth.  It’s a special treat cooking with fresh yams as they are sweeter, richer, and carry the essence of the soil and sun. When you use fresh yams in your recipes, like our Almond Milk Sweet Yam Pie , you are tasting a sweet dessert dish but using the natural flavor and texture that only freshly harvested yams provide. Unlike canned yams that come packed in syrup and lose their naturalness during processing, fresh yams retain their vibrant wholesome flavor, nutrients, and velvety texture.  Fresh Yams are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them not only delicious but also nourishing.  When you bite into this sweet yam pie every mouthful carries the authenticity of farm-to-table goodness, a connection to the land, and the care that goes into growing these golden treasures. So roll up your sleeves, grab some fresh yams...
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Human Rights vs Local Customs

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Aligning global human rights standards with local customs regulating child marriages in Nigeria requires a sensitive and respectful approach from the international community. According to Emory university, study on laws in Nigeria, there are three types of legal systems customary, Islamic and English style law. Local customary laws reflect the history, values, and beliefs passed down through generations playing an important role in shaping the social, cultural, and moral fabric of a community.  In many states in Nigeria, Islamic laws govern all aspects of life, such as marriage, family structures, and community interactions, and are seen as vital for maintaining social harmony and order.  Both these customary laws also serve as mechanisms for resolving disputes, preserving traditions, and sustaining community bonds. Local and Islamic customs are important and can sometimes clash with English style human rights laws and principles.  For instance, practices like child marri...
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From Human Zoos to Music Videos

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Sarah Baartman in modern times, from Human Zoos to Music Videos the History of the Black Female Body on Display Both human zoos and modern music videos showcase Black female bodies for sexual public viewing shaped by power and profit.  People compare Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B to Sarah Baartman because all three became famous in part because of their bodies.   But Sarah Baartman didn’t have a choice. Hundreds of years ago, she was taken from Africa and put on display in Europe, where people treated her like an object instead of a person.  Sarah Baartman Today, Megan and Cardi use their bodies in music and videos by choice, showing confidence and making money.  The question is even though they are in control, are they really free from the same old idea of people treating Black women’s bodies as something to stare at and judge? It’s something to think about.  The history of the Black female body being displayed for public consumption is a story rooted in oppr...
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