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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

Which Countries Practice Female Genital Cutting

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Which Countries Practice Female Genital Mutilation How many women have undergone female genital cutting FGC and female genital mutilation FGM. More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where female genital mutilation is concentrated. While the exact number of girls and women. Worldwide who have undergone female genital mutilation remains unknown. In what countries does female genital cutting take place besides Africa?  Data collected in 2015 from household surveys show female genital mutilation exists in Yemen, Iraq, and Indonesia and in some places in South America such as Colombia, India, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The practice is also found in pockets of Europe and in Australia and North America. In most of the countries, the majority of girls were cut after the age of five. In Yemen, 85 percent of girls experienced female genital mutilation within their first week o...

Hate African Quotes, Sayings and Proverbs

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Hate African Quotes, Sayings and Proverbs One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. Hate African Quotes, Sayings and Proverbs Hate African proverbs communicate insight into wickedness and foolishness of hate. African proverbs quotes, and sayings touch the place in our heart of silent ancestors. Hate destroys but love builds. There is no medicine to cure hatred. Angry words are like a fist but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Curse has no cure. War ends nothing. The mouth is responsible for discord among people. Who dies inside has lost. Until one dies, others will not be satisfied. War is fear cloaked in courage. A chicken that lives among vultures will soon start smelling like one. One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. Once bitten by a snake he fears a rope. A healer of others, himself diseased.

Africa’s Spectacular Waterfalls: Highest, Widest and Most Powerful Wonders Revealed

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Kongou Falls in Gabon is the widest waterfall in Africa. Chutes Wagenia on the Lualaba River in the Democratic Republic of Congo tops the list by a huge margin as the largest waterfall in Africa as well as the world measured by average volume of flow. Tugela Falls located in the Drakensberg Dragon's Mountains of Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province is 948 meters or 3,110 feet high and is the highest waterfall in Africa. Highest, widest, biggest waterfalls in Africa listings Waterfalls frequently form in Africa where water rushes down steep hillsides and quickly erode soft rocks while leaving behind harder rocks. Running water erodes rock, but some rocks are more resistant than others to erosion. Waterfalls occur when a change in steepening of a gradient of rocks occur down steep hillsides. African rivers that shape landscapes help form many of these spectacular drops. The highest waterfall in Africa Tugela Falls located in the Drakensb...

Story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru

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Story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru The story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru begins in Egypt. Some of the great works of ancient Egyptian art and architectural influences have served as a blueprint for monuments in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. The construction of these great Washington D.C. monuments are based off the Egyptian story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru. The Story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru Ausar was an early leader of Kush, and genius who developed the written word, agriculture, and theology. Armed with this knowledge, Ausar left Kush to spread his teachings along the Nile Valley and around the world.  On his teaching travels, he met a beautiful Nubian woman named Auset, whom he married shortly thereafter. Auset remained in her homeland while her husband continued in his travels as a teacher. Ausar gained fame and admiration throughout Kemet as a unifier, a man of order and virtue, and an exemplary scholar.  This fame provoked the envy and hatred of...

Best Friends Fall in Love with the Same Woman

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After a fight over a beautiful woman, two young men will not condescend to take a pinch of snuff together on any account, although they have been the best of friends their entire lives. It is not until their quarrel has been settled and their tempers cooled down that they can begin to say, "Ngi ncwebise ugwai " or give me a pinch of snuff. Best Friends Fall in Love with the Same Woman African Tall Tale Folklore Story Two handsome young men, who had been friends ever since they were quite little fellas, fell in love with the same beautiful woman, who was the chief’s daughter kind and pleasant to everybody. These young men were inseparable; wherever the one went the other was sure to go. Whether it was to a hunt, beer drink, wedding, or dance they always went together. A certain chief took a liking to these two young men, for they were very cheerful and amusing, so he encouraged them to come to all his entertainments. One used to ornament himself with orange beads, the othe...

Too Tall and Too Fat for Love

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Too tall and too fat for love African tall tale folklore story explores the evils and pleasures of two tall fat people in Southern African have with dating and love. African Elephant Love Folklore Story In Southern Africa among the Zulu clans, there is told the story of a man named Silwa who grew up so tall and fat he was banned from the village because he ate up all the crops from the fields and the clan was starving because of his gluttony. Silwa cried and wandered into the wilderness alone for many months until one day he met Mthwakazi, a beautiful woman who was also banished from her clan because no man wanted to marry her because she was too tall and too fat. Silwa began speaking to Mthwakazi so kindly and affectionately she agreed to stay with him and together they forged for food in the forest and fell in love. Mthwakazi gave birth to four sons, all very tall and strong, who became the ancestors of the mighty Zulu Ndlovu clan. Did you know? Ndlovu is a Zulu clan na...

In Africa the vast majority of babies are breastfed

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A wise father encourages breastfeeding so his baby grows up to be strong, healthy, and intelligent. Sexualization of breasts today. Breasts in Africa; breasts are less eroticized in some rural African societies where women go topless than in urban societies where breasts are exploited in advertising and in pornography. Breasts are for feeding infants In Africa, the vast majority of babies are breastfed. Breasts in Africa; breasts are less eroticized. Breasts are for feeding infants but there is a counterproductive dogged issue as female breasts exposed for money. Breasts in the US are big business because sex sells. We see women’s breasts everywhere on television, at the movies, in magazines, on billboards. The addictive and harmful nature of porn is likely another reason why women’s breasts have become sexualized. According to the National Geographic Society’s official website, one of the magazine’s early milestones came...

In the land of Dagboro, there lived a skilled hunter named Lujamba

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In the African hunter never returned folklore story; the hunter goes away promising to return but never does.   In the land of Dagboro, there lived a skilled hunter named Lujamba. He was renowned for his unmatched prowess in tracking and capturing game. Lujamba roamed the untamed lands, venturing across the Kei River on the Wild Coast, located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.  Accompanying him on his adventures was Kwaziti, the revered ancestor of the late Paedite. Together, they formed a formidable duo. When Kwaziti acquired the dense, forested mountains of Amatolas from chief Pohho, they discovered that the area was infested with a large population of Bamogu, a tribe of people with a unique way of life.  These inhuman-looking Jilambe posed a challenge to their reign over the land. One fateful day, as Lujamba and his two young companions were hunting, they successfully captured an eland. Bursting with triumph, Lujamba proudly exclaimed, "Tsi! ha! ha! ha! ha! The w...

Why Africa Is Rich in Land but Poor in Organization

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Why Africa Is Rich in Land but Poor in Organization Why Africa Is Rich in Land but Poor in Organization Africa is huge and resource-rich — but decades after independence, it still struggles to turn land wealth into strong, organized economies. Here’s a frank look at why. Why say Africa is rich in land? Africa holds over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, vast forests, deserts filled with oil and minerals, and coasts longer than Europe’s and North America’s combined. Physical wealth is not the issue. Why glorifying Africa’s past kings and queens can be misleading Global culture loves to romanticize Africa’s golden ages — the gold-laden Mali of Mansa Musa, the grandeur of Great Zimbabwe, the queens of Nubia and Egypt. These stories inspire pride but also create a dangerous illusion. Modern Africa does not live in those empires’ wealth. Gold and diamonds are not lying around ready to pick up. Today, extracting resources requires deep mining, ad...

Madagascar Pink Rice — History, Farming, and Cooking

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About Madagascar Pink Rice Madagascar pink rice plantations bring vital income to the Malagasy people. Rice is the island’s main staple food, and pink rice has become an important crop for both local food security and economic growth . Much of the production is concentrated near Lake Alaotra , Madagascar’s largest inland lake. History of Pink Rice Plantations in Madagascar Rice forms the base of most Malagasy meals, but the country’s rice economy is fragile because rainfall is unpredictable — too much or too little can damage harvests. Planting rice in Madagascar What Is Madagascar Pink Rice? Madagascar Pink Rice is a medium-grain heirloom rice with a distinctive pink hue from natural pigments in the bran. It has a nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture, perfect for salads, pilafs, and rice bowls. In Malagasy cooking, it is often served with meat or seafood dishes. As an heirloom crop , pink rice is grown using traditional methods without genetic mod...

Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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