Why is North Africa listed as separate from the African continent.

MENA and Sub Saharan Africa

MENA and Sub Saharan Africa

MENA region

In politics and economics as well as racial lines, North African countries are commonly grouped with the Middle East under the umbrella of MENA. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a region encompassing approximately 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Many of the 12 OPEC nations are within the MENA region. While there is no standardized list of which countries are included in the MENA region, the term typically includes the area from Morocco in northwest Africa to Iraq in southwest Asia and down to Sudan in Africa.

The following countries are typically included in MENA: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Countries in the region benefit from an advantaged geographic location situated at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Historically Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, the five African countries in the North of Africa, mostly do not; describe themselves as Africans even though they unquestionably habituate African geography since the Arab conquest and occupation of Africa.

In 1962, North Africa and South Africa were both struggling against colonialism and apartheid when Nelson Mandela went to receive military training with the Algerian FLN in Morocco. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt share not only a colonial past with the rest of Africa but also a physical continent. The self-described MENA region has majorly contributed to the historical, scientific, trade and cultural progress of humanity.

Why is there a Sub Saharan Africa?

The dividing line itself also has some troubling origins in what Larkin calls “racist” colonial theories that thought northern Africa more culturally developed.

“It divides Africa according to white ideas of race, making North Africans white enough to be considered for their glories, but not really white enough,” Tatenda Chinondidyachii Mashanda, a politics and international affairs scholar at Wake Forest University, wrote earlier this year for The African Exponent. ” [It] is a way of saying ‘Black Africa’ and talking about black Africans without sounding overtly racist.”

What exactly does Sub-Saharan Africa mean? According to the UN, Sub Saharan Africa consists of all African countries that are fully or partially located south of the Sahara desert. Nigerian-born Chika Onyeani, who is chairman of Celebrate Africa Foundation said in 2011“I believe that sub-Saharan Africa was created due to the AIDS pandemic beginning in the last 1970s.”. Onyeani said he and his group feel “sub-Saharan Africa” is a racist term that should be rejected by all Africans.”

Djibouti is in the Horn of Africa south of the Sahara but is considered part of the MENA region. Mauritania and Sudan are mostly desert but are also considered part of MENA. Sub Saharan African countries are Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome And Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, And Zimbabwe.

“Sub-Saharan Africa’ is such an enormous catchphrase that it’s almost useless,” says Rosalind Morris, an African studies professor at Columbia University. “Nigeria as a state doesn’t look anything like Kenya as a state doesn’t look anything like Botswana.”

Dividing Africa

The UN Development Program lists 46 of Africa’s 54 countries as sub-Saharan, excluding Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia. This does not make geographical sense four countries included are on the Sahara, while Eritrea is deemed sub-Saharan but its southern neighbor Djibouti is not.

The World Bank muddies the waters further, adding Sudan and Somalia to a total of 48 countries under the label. By contrast, the African Union refers to regional organizations like the East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States building blocks.

Therefore, maybe it is time for some nuance around a subject where the debate is so reductive that Yale anthropology professor Louisa Lombard says “academics are used to people speaking about Africa as one country.” What is wrong with more accurate geographic markers, like East, West, Central and Southern Africa? Or even just calling Nigeria, the world’s seventh biggest country, by its own name?

African countries list

African proverbs educating in a way that will help a child become a productive adult. Childhood shows the real person inside, as morning shows the day.

African proverbs that show raising a child in a home filled with turmoil, hate, and negativity can lead to a child that pushes love and support away. This behavior can be handed down from one generation to the next if negative behavior is not fundamentally changed.

Children are sharp observers, and they will pick up on the slightest harmful word or action, they have more need of positive role models than of harsh critics. Childhood and youth can see all the world in one person.

Give your children too much freedom and you lose your own. Irresponsible parenting injures children.

If the child learns the trail of the snake, he will also learn the wanderings of the snake. Parenting is the hardest job in the world and bad parenting habits hinder children's emotional development, sometimes for life.

Read Your lips are your enemy African proverbs

It is hard to cure the madness that originates in the family. Poor parenting describes people who are not educating in a way that will help a child become a productive adult.

Parents tend to underestimate the influence that they have on their children. Inconsistent disciplinary approaches, poor supervision, and physical punishment are poor parenting attributes that can negatively affect children, regardless of their ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Many youngsters face a disrupted and scruffy upbringing, without proper discipline or stimulation. For many young people school is the most stable part of what can be quite disrupted and disheveled lives.

The effects of these types of poor parenting were stronger among children who were bullied and bullied others bully-victims than among those who were bullied but did not bully others. Children of parents who establish clear rules about behavior but are also supportive and emotionally warm are least likely to be bullied.

African proverbs educating in a way that will help a child become a productive adult.

African proverbs bring people together, read and study more proverbs, quotes, and sayings from the African continent.

African Proverbs Are Often Difficult To Understand
Telling African Folklore Stories in East Africa
Proverbs are the official language of the African Nation
Monday Morning African Proverb Quotes
Prepare the Mind for Elevation

Cyclone Idai has affected over 1.7 million people and killed over 700 across southern Africa.

The Category 2 storm, Cyclone Idai made landfall shortly after midnight on March 15, 2019 in Beira, a port city on the coast of Mozambique, with 175 kph (109 mph) winds that brought huge rains and submerged villages as it moved inland towards Zimbabwe and Malawi.

After hitting Mozambique, Cyclone Idai tore into Zimbabwe and Malawi killing many people as they slept. The United Nations has confirmed that 259 lives have been lost in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi. But the United Nations said officials will only be able to determine the final casualty figure once the flood waters have receded.

Mozambique's Minister of Land and Environment, Celso Correia, said on Sunday that 446 people have now been reported dead in Mozambique. More than half a million have been affected in the country and Beira took the full brunt of Cyclone Idai, with aid agencies reporting that 90% of the city had been destroyed by the storm.

Cholera cases have already been reported in Beira, and there is an increasing number of malaria infections among those trapped by the flooding, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The government is setting up cholera treatment centers in affected areas.

The high commissioner for Mozambique in the UK, Filipe Chidumo, last week called Cyclone Idai "a big tragedy of biblical proportions." Chidumo added the restoration of electricity, water and sanitation facilities would be needed to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Some 1.7 million people are said to be affected across southern Africa, with no electricity or running water in areas where homes have been swept away and roads destroyed by the floods.

Did you know?

The only difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon is the location where the storm occurs. Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are all the same weather phenomenon, different names for these storms in different places.

As the ancestors say, an inner smile is essential; the teeth are smiling, but is the heart.

Quiet time with yourself is essential to reflect on your inner smile and the voice you did not hear because of your cluttered mind. Allow your mind to wander within yourself.

Contemplate about what you might be trying to escape from and why you lost your inner smile, keep an open mind, and be especially curious about your feelings if you start feeling protective of your own and the outside world's negative opinion.

An inner smile is essential; as the ancestors say, the teeth are smiling but is the heart.

An inner smile is a fundamental aspect of our being, as the wisdom passed down by our ancestors teaches us. It goes beyond the physical manifestation of a smile on our face; it resonates from within, originating from the depths of our hearts and soul.

When our ancestors speak of "the teeth are smiling but is the heart," they emphasize the significance of aligning our external expressions with our internal state. It is not enough to wear a smile on our lips if our heart is burdened with sorrow or negativity. The true essence of an inner smile lies in cultivating a genuine sense of joy, contentment, and love that radiates from within us.

An inner smile has profound effects on our overall well-being. It is a powerful tool to uplift our spirits, increase our resilience, and promote positive energy. When we embrace an inner smile, we cultivate a mindset of gratitude, optimism, and compassion. It allows us to navigate life's challenges gracefully and extend kindness and understanding to ourselves and others.

Embracing an inner smile is a practice that requires mindfulness and self-awareness. It involves acknowledging and releasing negative emotions and replacing them with positive intentions and attitudes. Cultivating this inner radiance creates a ripple effect, spreading joy and positivity to those around us. Our inner smile becomes a beacon of light that illuminates our path and inspires others to find their inner smiles.

So, let us remember the wisdom of our ancestors and nurture our inner smile. May it reflect the joy, love, and peace that reside deep within our hearts, guiding us on our journey toward happiness and fulfillment.

Smile quotes and ancestral sayings to think about every morning when you are having difficulty smiling at life.

A smile can brighten the darkest day.

Smile, sunshine is good for your teeth.

A smile confuses an approaching frown.

Never lose your inner smile.

A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it.

Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.

Everyone smiles in the same language.

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you are at home.

Cover your mouth when you cough, not when you smile.

Always remember to be happy because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

I have never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.

If you do not have a smile, I will give you one of mine.

If you smile at someone, they might smile back.

If you do not start out the day with a smile, it is not too late to start practicing for tomorrow.

Most smiles are started by another smile.

It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown.

Smile, it lets your teeth breathe.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.

The shortest distance between two people is a smile.

The teeth are smiling, but is the heart.

Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.

Never regret anything that made you smile.

Every smile makes you a day younger.

Peace begins with a smile.

More African Proverbs from the motherland.

1. Your Attitude African Proverbs
2. What is an African Proverb
3. Do not invite evil to sit at your table then cry
4. Mean Coworkers African Proverbs
5. Having Faith African Proverbs

Maggi Cubes: The Swiss Invention That Became African

How a European convenience product colonized African kitchens—and why that story matters to food sovereignty today.

The Birth of a Global Seasoning

In 1886, Swiss entrepreneur Julius Maggi launched his first bouillon cube. Little did he know it would reshape African cooking for over a century.

Timeline of Maggi in Africa:

• 1900s – Introduced through colonial trading posts
• 1930s – Appears in West African market stalls
• 1960s – Post-independence, becomes household staple
• 2000s – Health debates emerge
• Today – Ubiquitous yet controversial

The Authenticity Debate

Traditional Base	Time Required	Maggi Alternative
Sumbala (fermented locust beans)	3-5 days	Instant umami
Dawadawa	2-4 days	Ready in seconds
Fish/Shrimp Powder	Drying & grinding	Pre-made cubes

Your Kitchen Experiment

This Week's Challenge:

1. Cook one dish with traditional flavor base
2. Cook the same dish with Maggi
3. Compare notes – flavor, time, cost
4. Share insights with #RealVsMaggi

"My grandmother used both sumbala AND Maggi—she called it 'old wisdom and new tricks.' Maybe that's the truest African cooking of all."

— Chef Fatmata, Freetown

Final Thought

Food isn't frozen in time. African cuisine, like all living traditions, evolves. The question isn't whether Maggi is "African"—it's in African kitchens. The real question is: What stories do we want our food to tell?

Next in Series: "From Farm to Fake: The Globalization of 'Authentic' Flavors"

Browse Our Food History Archive →

Liberian Kanya is a sweet snack made with rice, peanuts, and sugar. It has a smooth and creamy texture and does not require any baking.

Liberian Kanya is a delicious treat that combines rice, peanuts, and sugar into a smooth and creamy candy. You don't need to bake anything to make these easy African peanut butter candies. They are a fun and simple way to introduce your kids to international cuisine.

Creating international recipes is a good school project when studying Africa in elementary school. It helps students learn about the diversity and richness of African cultures and cuisines. It also encourages them to explore new flavors and ingredients and to appreciate different ways of cooking and eating.

Liberian Kanya Peanut Butter Candy Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup chopped peanuts

1 cup rice flour

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon allspice

½ cup peanut butter

½ cup white sugar

Directions

In a large bowl add all ingredients and mix well. Using your hands, roll into balls or press into an 8x8 pan and then cut it into squares with a lightly greased knife. Wrap pieces in parchment paper or store in airtight containers.

Note that the spices are not part of the traditional Kanya recipe but add wonderful flavor.

About Peanuts and Peanut Butter Uses and Storage

Peanuts belong to the pea-and-bean family, the legumes; they are not nuts at all. Nevertheless, like nuts, they are always popular in salads and sandwiches, cookies, and desserts as well as just plain salted. And like peas and beans, peanuts are good in main dishes, in soups, and in combination with other vegetables.

Peanuts and peanut butter are well worth a place in everyday menus because of their high food value. The idea of using them often in family meals is nutritionally sound since peanuts are exceptionally high in niacin, are important also for other B vitamins. Among the vegetable foods, peanuts rate high in quantity of protein.

Peanuts take up moisture readily. Peanut butter is made in different grinds. The types usually found on the market are regular grind, fine to medium, and coarse or chunky. Some peanut butters are just ground roasted peanuts plus salt; to others stabilizers have been added in order to impede oil separation.

Because peanut butter is so high in fat, it can be used as part of the shortening in loaves of bread, cakes, and pastries, and will add to the richness of main dishes. Peanut butter keeps best in the refrigerator. Because peanut butter stiffens in a cold place, remove it from the refrigerator a short time before using to allow it to soften.

How to Roast and Salt Peanuts

If you buy peanuts raw or grow your own here is an easy way to roast and salt them:

First, spread the shelled peanuts in one layer in a shallow pan and heat at 300° F. (slow oven) 30 to 45 minutes, depending on size of nuts and how brown you want them. Stir nuts often as they heat, Check on brownness from time to time by removing the skins from a few nuts.

For redskins, add butter or margarine immediately after removing from oven, 1 teaspoon to each cup of peanuts. Stir until nuts are evenly coated, spread on absorbent paper, and sprinkle with salt.

For plain salted peanuts, cool, and slip the skins off by pressing between thumb and forefinger. Add butter or margarine ( 1 teaspoon to each cup of nuts) and place over low heat, shaking or stirring nuts constantly until well-coated and warm. Spread on absorbent paper and sprinkle with salt while warm.

Peanuts bought roasted in the shell maybe shelled, warmed in a little butter or margarine over low heat, and salted as above.

Liberia Name and Land Facts

Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822. Liberia’s name derives from the Latin word liber meaning free. The African country was so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves. Liberia is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone with a terrain of mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast.

About the population and people of Liberia

In Liberia, more 33 percent of the population lives within a 50 mile or 80 km radius of the capital Monrovia. Around 51 percent of Liberians are Urbanites while 49 percent are rural dwellers. Female genital cutting (FGC) is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood.

A brief look at Liberia’s economy

Liberia is abundant with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. During the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed. Liberia’s main agricultural products are rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, manioc, tapioca, palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats, and timber.

More economical easy breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

1. Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe
2. Frikkadelle an Afrikaner dish of meatballs
3. Senegalese Chicken Vermicelli
4. Chadian Steamed Honey Cassava Buns
5. Cameroon Smoked Bonga Fish Stew