🌿 Share this page

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

African proverbs teach us that it's unnecessary to seek approval from others.

Be you African proverbs are short sayings that contain the wisdom and experiences of African ancestors. Be you African proverbs teaches us to be who we are, not who the world wants us to be.

Ethiopian man

What does it take for you to be you using African proverbs?

One object that is identified in every society is each person's self. Who am I? What will my friends think of me if I do so and so? Why don't I feel like I'm supposed to feel?  What is the purpose of my life?

We must begin at the beginning. The anxiety about self-esteem is stimulated by factors such as one's need to be liked by others. How you perceive the world influences your motives and behavior; this is called unconscious cognition.

Unconscious cognition is processing perception, memory, learning, thought, and language without awareness. Unconscious cognition is more potent than conscious cognition because it is carried out unconsciously and automatically, leading to unconscious stress.

What is self-actualization? The actual self is the total pattern of attributes in terms of which the person perceives himself or herself at a given moment in time. The potential self is the total pattern they might attain if they fully develop their latent capacities. 

Considering unconscious cognition and self-actualization, not giving a damn about other people’s opinions is unrealistic; however, you can make a conscious effort to stop giving a damn, to let you be you, to let yourself be free.

How do you let yourself be you? First, stop comparing yourself with other people. A lot of people do this on social media and that's one of the reasons we spend a lot of time on social media you may find that you're depressed and go look at these pictures the perfect couple. 

The point is to realize that you only see a fraction of a second of that person’s life. The Smiling people may be dying inside and wish they could trade places with you. Stop comparing yourself with an imaginary version of these perfect people.

The second way to be you is to be grateful and thankful. Write down the things you are grateful and thankful for every day. Not what the world or other people have done for you, but remember that gratitude means grace. Expressing thanks can lead to a healthier, happier and less-stressed lifestyle. You can actually get to know you have what you need and you have the ability to make a change in your life.

Finally, be you by defining your own happiness and not falling for what the media is trying to sell you. What would make you happy when you are alone with yourself should make you happy when you are with others. You need to define that for yourself.  

It's important to define your goals and aspirations for yourself, without considering the opinions of others such as your partner, parents, or friends. Take the time to write them down in a journal or create a visual representation of your dreams through a picture board. 

Be mindful of the language you use when describing yourself and avoid living a life dictated by others' expectations. Remember, purchasing unnecessary items may lead to financial troubles and won't necessarily bring you happiness, only the satisfaction of the salesperson.

Be you African proverbs.

Be You African Proverbs

Be You African Proverbs

Be You African Proverbs

Be You African Proverbs

Be You African Proverbs

Be You African Proverbs
Be You African Proverbs

Cite The Source

Copy & Paste Citation

One click copies the full citation to your clipboard.

APA Style: Click button to generate
MLA Style: Click button to generate
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

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:
Wikipedia
Emory University African Studies
University of Kansas
Cornell University SRI Program (Madagascar resource)

Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

View all citations and backlinks

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.

More African Reads

African Ancestors and Atlantic Hurricanes: Myth Meets Meteorology

Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa

Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area (2025 Update)

African Proverbs for Men About the Wrong Woman in Their Life

Ugali vs Fufu — What’s the Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples?

Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa

Beware of the naked man who offers you clothes African Proverb

African Olympic Power: Top 10 Countries with the Most Gold Medals | The African Gourmet

Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe

Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase and Meaning

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Before You Buy Land in Africa: 8 Critical Pitfalls Every Diaspora Member Must Avoid

Imhotep: Folklore, Wisdom & The Egyptian Search for Order

Aloe Vera: Nature's Pharmacy | African Science & Folklore

Ugali vs Fufu — What’s the Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples?

Kei Apple Recipes: Traditional African Fruit Cooking & Folk Science

African Wrestling Traditions: Dambe, Evala & Senegalese Laamb Explained

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.