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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.

Meeting New Friends African Proverbs

Africa is best known for African Proverbs. 

Throughout Africa many brilliant minds possess a kingdom of knowledge about how to make friends. Who is without friends is like a body without a soul.

A needle's eye is wide enough for two friends.

Connect with honesty.


Having friends is an important predictor of happiness and life satisfaction. When you are a child in the playground it is simple, but “Do you want to be my friend?” is not a line you hear from adults. Making friends as an adult can be hard, and takes time.

A study from the University of Kansas found that two people need to spend 90 hours together to become friends, or 200 hours to qualify as close friends. Spending time together is a necessary component of friendship development, but the way that time is spent is equally important.

Given significant constraints on free time, especially among working adults and parents, individuals must budget their time wisely to make time for friends. Loneliness is something we all feel at times and to varying degrees, but it can be something that we feel uneasy about admitting to.

Friendship development is restricted by time; it requires both repeated contact and time to spend on the relationship. Having fun together as friends and enjoying each other’s company are essential but striking up friendships can be tricky here are twenty African Proverbs about forging and keeping new friendship connections.

Taking pictures with friends in Mozambique Africa.
Taking pictures with friends in Mozambique Africa.


 Meeting New Friends African Proverbs.


A needle's eye is wide enough for two friends.


As you do to others, you may expect another to do to you.


Unless you bear with the faults of a friend, you betray your own.


A crowd is not company.


He who is without friends is like a body without a soul.


A friend's eye is a good mirror.


Water far away will not extinguish a fire at hand.


A day wasted on others is not wasted on yourself.


That from happiness there so often springs pain.


A friendship will be young at the end of a century, a passion old at the end of three months.


Do not conceal the truth from friends, doctors, and lawyers.


A constant friend is a thing hard and rare to find.


Keep a new friend, never break with the old.


A day may sink or save a friendship.


To change, and to change for the better, are two different things.


A faithful friend is a true image of God.


The house of a friend is the best house.


A friend is a second self.


Kind words from a friend is doubly enjoyable in dark days.


To give advice as well as take it, is a feature of true friendship.


Be open when meeting new friends African proverbs

Be open when meeting new friends African proverbs.


Sometimes, it is hard to make new friends, or you do not know where to start. Let these African Proverbs be your guide to how to forge and keep new friendship connections. 

Friendships do not just happen. In fact, the belief that they happen organically can hinder chances of making friends. The perception of the world around us depends on the actions we take to carve out space for ourselves to connect with new people.


More friendship connection 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

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

How Are You Feeling Today? Find an African Proverb or Story to Match Your Mood

How Are You Feeling Today?

Type or tap a mood. Your storyteller returns a proverb, mini-folktale, recipe, cooking activity, and a cultural note.

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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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Light African snack spicy popcorn

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African Studies

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African Culture and traditions