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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.

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🔵 African Recipes & Cuisine

Dive into flavors from Jollof to fufu—recipes, science, and stories that feed body and soul.

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🔵 African Proverbs & Wisdom

Timeless sayings on love, resilience, and leadership—ancient guides for modern life.

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🔵 African Folktales & Storytelling

Oral legends and tales that whisper ancestral secrets and spark imagination.

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🔵African Plants & Healing

From baobab to kola nuts—sacred flora for medicine, memory, and sustenance.

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🔵 African Animals in Culture

Big Five to folklore beasts—wildlife as symbols, food, and spiritual kin.

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🔵 African History & Heritage

Journey through Africa's rich historical tapestry, from ancient civilizations to modern nations.

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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

Why is North Africa listed as separate from the African continent

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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 a...

Don't Raise Children Who Hurt Others African Proverbs

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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 ...

Cyclone Idai Storm of Biblical Proportions

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Cyclone Idai Storm of Biblical Proportions 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, w...

African proverbs about smiling

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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 e...

Ghana Dry Rub Recipe for Grilled Kabobs

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Tankora dry rub recipe for chicken is a dry peanut-spice rub made famous by street food vendors of Ghana. Ghana is famous for grilled kebabs. Tankora Dry Rub Recipe is a time tested street food recipe for classic grilled kabobs that is also great on beef, pork, fish, and veggies. Dry Rub Recipe for Grilled Kabobs This dry rub recipe for chicken recipe adds perfect flavors to your next master indoor-outdoor BBQ grilling gathering. Ingredients 1 cup roasted peanuts 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1 bouillon cube crushed ¼ teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon cloves Directions Add all spices to a coffee grinder and grind carefully taking care not to over process the mixture or it will turn into peanut butter. The texture should resemble fine breadcrumbs. Rub spice mix on uncooked meat, rest for 15 minutes and grill kebabs as usual. Store unused portions in an airtight container or keep in the freezer in a sealab...

No Bake Liberian Kanya Peanut Butter Candy Recipe

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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 ball...

Recipes Explain Politics

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

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.