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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

Teaching How to Pray African Folklore Story.

Animal folklore is an important part of African culture.

An African Folktale is defined as a thought provoking classic story once only told orally among African people however in modern times with the advent of writing systems, the internet including social media the story is communicated in both written and oral forms.

Folklore tale Baboon Teaches Cheetah How to Pray.

Teaching how to pray animal folklore stories appear in oral, social and print media for hundreds of years as many animal folklore stories have moral religious meaning as in the folklore tale Baboon Teaches Cheetah How to Pray.

Baboon Teaches Cheetah How to Pray African Folktale Story.

Baboon, it is said, was once chased by Cheetah, and became trapped.

Baboon said to Cheetah, "Please, pray first before you kill me. Pray for me who feels forgotten and unseen and let me know that I am remembered and seen."

Cheetah asked, "How do you pray? Tell me."

"You hold your up hands flat together and hold this position in stillness so that your prayers will go to heaven," said Baboon.

Cheetah folded his hands and prayed for Baboon.

Then Baboon spoke again saying, "You ought not to look about you as you do, shut your eyes and bow your head."

Cheetah prayed as Baboon said but quickly Baboon escaped laughing, chastising Cheetah with these words, "You fool; you should have killed me when you had the chance!"

Nevertheless, there sat Cheetah, speechless, because he had been tricked by Baboon.

What is an African Folklore story.

Characteristics of African folktale stories teach lessons using characteristic uses of nature and animal characters.

An African Folklore story is interchangeable with the definition of African Folktale to teach a lesson using characteristic uses of nature and animal characters.

An African Folktale is defined as a thought provoking classic story once only told orally among African people however in modern times with the advent of writing systems, the internet including social media the story is communicated in both written and oral forms.

Did you know. 

The majority of Africans are Christians, here is a percentage chart and explanation of the major African religions. 

The Christian religion in North Africa was one of the first Christian communities in Africa first arriving in the 1st century AD. 

In the 15th century, the Christian religion came to sub-Saharan Africa by Portuguese slave traders. 

Twenty-nine African countries are predominantly Christian, 13 are majority Islamic, one African county is majority Hindu and and one Indigenous beliefs. 

Keep in mind most religions on the African continent are practiced in a combination of religious belief platforms as it is a common scene to see Voodoo and Christianity practiced side by side in many West African countries.

More short folktale stories from Africa to make you fall in love with the motherland.

  1. Why the bunny rabbit has wiggly slits for a nose
  2. Love Takes No Less Than Everything Marriage Folklore
  3. Hunters Attack Cowards Tell the Story
  4. One Do Wrong All Get Punished
  5. Mighty Little Hedgehog
Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Healthy Bambara beans are pulses that are eaten as a snack or a soup, such as in this recipe. Bambara beans are indigenous to West Africa.

Pulses are used for anything from soups and main dishes to beverages and desserts.

What is a pulse you might ask? Simply pulses are a sub-group of legumes that are harvested for their dry seeds. Beans, lentils and peas are commonly known pulses.

Bambara, pigeon peas, lentils, cowpeas, chocho, faba beans to chickpeas, pulses are an inexpensive source of protein in Africa. Planet-wise, pulses are good for soil health, and many are also drought resistant and climate-resilient, their genetic diversity helping them adapt to changes in climate.

Pulses are edible dry seeds of plants belonging to the Leguminosae family. They are consumed in the form of whole seed, split grain, dehulled split grain and flour.

Selling bambara beans in West Africa

In Ancient Egypt, beans were vital for protein and are thought to be depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Even today, pulses are a part of everyday cooking.

Pulses have been an essential part of the human diet for centuries but people don't eat alot of pulses and the average level of consumption of pulses is low.

Asia is the major producer of many pulses. Saharan Africa accounted for 24 percent of global production of dry bean.

Bambara Bean Soup Recipe.

Bambara beans, also known as Bambara groundnuts, are indigenous to West Africa. In fact, the name Bambara comes from the region’s Bambara people and language.

Pulses haven’t traditionally been a large part of western African cuisine. However, some countries, like Mali, have become increasingly interested in the potential of pulses to meet the challenges of climate change, desertification, water scarcity and malnutrition. Mali has in fact increased its production of pulses over the last decade.

The Bambara bean is extremely tolerant of poor-quality soils and drought and can yield a crop even in conditions where other legume crops would fail. Bambara beans can be eaten as a snack or a soup, such as in this recipe.

Bambara Bean Soup Recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup dry bambara beans

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 large red onion, diced

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1 Maggie cube

1 teaspoon salt

5 cups of coconut milk

1 cup brown rice


Directions

Add all ingredients except rice and 2 cups of coconut milk into a large pot and simmer 3 hours. In the same pot add rice and remaining coconut milk and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with fresh buttered bread.


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
Average of 22% of Africa is connected to the world wide web and of those users 11.75% have Twitter accounts. 

Twitter headquarters sits in San Francisco's Civic Center neighborhood, the first headquarters in Africa will be located in Ghana.

A young girl takes a picture with a cell phone during the opening ceremony of the new Library at the Cultural Center in El Fasher North Darfur

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey made the announcement 4-12-21 that its first Africa headquarters will be in Ghana. This came as a surprise as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Kenya have more established tech hubs.

Nigeria has the most tech hubs followed by South Africa, Egypt and Kenya. Singapore, London, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and New York were ranked as the leading tech hubs outside Silicon Valley. 

There are more than 600 tech hubs actively operating in Africa, Africa needs better tech hubs rather than more of them for support for start-ups across the continent.

Nevertheless, African tech hubs are on the rise and with Twitter’s announcement that Ghana will be its first Africa headquarters should be no shock since by 2050 Africa is projected to be home to one in every four of the world's inhabitants, and almost 40 percent of its children less than 18 years.

"Africa will define the future," Dorsey said. Entrepreneurship particularly tech-enabled high-growth entrepreneurship is often cited as a key to African economic growth and development. 

Twitter is a popular social media platform that is used by millions of people around the world. In Ghana, Twitter is also a widely used platform, particularly among young people and urban professionals. 

The Ghanaian government has also used Twitter as a tool for communication and engagement with its citizens. 

Government officials and agencies often use Twitter to provide updates on policies, programs, and events, as well as to respond to questions and concerns from the public.

In 2021, there was a brief suspension of Twitter in Ghana after the platform deleted tweets by the country's president, Nana Akufo-Addo. However, the suspension was lifted after a few days, and Twitter remains a popular platform in Ghana. 

Many Ghanaians use Twitter to discuss current events, share opinions and perspectives, and engage with others from around the world. Some popular topics on Twitter in Ghana include politics, sports, entertainment, and social issues.

Twitter first headquarters in Africa will be located in Ghana

“This is the start of a beautiful partnership between Twitter and Ghana,” Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted, saying its presence was crucial for the development of Ghana’s tech sector.

An average of 22% of Africa‘s population is connected to the world wide web and of those users 11.75% have Twitter accounts.

Top 10 African Countries with the highest internet access.

Morocco 58.3%

Seychelles 56.5%

South Africa 54%

Mauritius 53.2%

Tunisia 50.9%

Cabo Verde 48.2%

Gabon 48.1%

Uganda 45.9%

Algeria 42.9%

Egypt 41.3%

Kids playing with my cell phone in Ethiopia

How does Africa compare to the rest of the world for internet access?

The United States of America 76.2%

United Kingdom 94.8%

China 53.2%

Brazil 59.7%

Japan 92%

Russia 76.4%

Mexico 59.5%

Germany 89.6%

Africa 22%

“We must be more immersed in the rich and vibrant communities that drive the conversations taking place every day across the African continent,” Twitter said in a statement.

More stories on business and education.

  1. Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa
  2. Africa's education system and why policy alone can't fix it
  3. Quotes from Five Inspiring African Business Leaders
Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

African proverbs teach courage does not come from what you think you can do when you become too tired, too busy, or too stressed but your ability to withstand tremendous force and pressure and still get the job done.

Your energy, force, might, and power may fluctuate and face challenges, but they are never completely depleted because within you lies a seed of courage that is rooted deep in your inner being. This seed of courage is a wellspring that can be tapped into during times of adversity, providing you with the strength and resilience needed to overcome obstacles.

Just as a seed buried beneath the earth's surface draws nourishment from the soil and sprouts into a resilient plant, the seed of courage within you draws upon your inner reserves to propel you forward. It is a source of unwavering determination and a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, you possess the inherent ability to persevere.

War ends nothing. African Proverb Ethiopian Dassanech Warriors

Nurturing this seed of courage requires self-awareness and self-belief. Recognize that within you lies a wellspring of power that can be harnessed to face challenges head-on. Cultivate a mindset that embraces the potential for growth and transformation, knowing that courage is not simply the absence of fear but the willingness to confront and transcend it.

In times when your energy, force, might, and power may seem diminished, turn inward and reconnect with this seed of courage. Reflect upon past experiences where you exhibited bravery and resilience. Draw strength from those moments and remind yourself of your inherent capacity to rise above adversity.

As you tend to this seed of courage, it will grow and flourish, providing you with an unwavering foundation from which to face life's trials. Embrace the belief that courage is not an external force, but an inherent part of your being. Allow it to guide you, strengthen you, and propel you forward on your journey, knowing that you have the inner resources to overcome any challenges that come your way.

Nothing is got without pains but a bad name - African Proverb

An African proverb typically refers to a short clever saying that offers some kind of wisdom. African proverbs became known as the wisest type of speech for the wisest man in the ancient world. African elders throughout the continent of Africa wrote thousands of Proverbs and folklore; they collected this knowledge and passed from generation to generation a fountainhead of wisdom literature.

Gaining wisdom from African proverbs is possible for anyone. While knowledge is often associated with wisdom, it entails much more than mere mental activity. Wisdom involves putting knowledge into action with skill and applied knowledge.

A person’s values are not nullified by passing storms

Reading African proverbs can help you acquire practical skills for living a fulfilling life and develop a deep sense of respect and appreciation for all living things. It can also cultivate a moral mindset that acknowledges the importance of humility and recognizes that we are just a small part of the vast universe.

African proverbs, passed down from elders to children, impart valuable lessons on the importance of listening to wisdom, practicing respect, and living virtuously, with integrity and generosity. Following these principles leads to success, while making foolish, selfish, and prideful decisions only leads to ruin. Therefore, African elders encourage their children to pursue wisdom as the ultimate goal in life, while also teaching them about the consequences of bad choices.

The significance of African proverbs lies in their ability to convey essential life lessons in a clear and concise manner. and straightforward sayings.

We have images and in-depth explanations from best-loved African Proverbs on courage, strength, and resilience teaching let no threat discourage life. Your energy, force, might, and power may become low but are never depleted because courage is a seed sown deep inside your inner being.


Monday to Sunday Sun to Moon with Courage. African Proverbs on 24/7 courage, strength and resilience.

In time, a mouse will gnaw through iron.

Sometimes you sow red beans and white beans grow.

Postpone today's anger until tomorrow.

A little stone may upset a large cart.

He who has suffered can sympathize with those in pain.

African proverb

Wealth, if you use it, ends; learning, if you use it, increases.

Who dies inside has lost.

A snake is never grateful.

War is fear cloaked in courage.

To wash a donkeys tail is loss of time and soap. 

A person’s values are not nullified by passing storms.

However strong the grain, it cannot break the cooking pot.

If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom.

African proverb


He does a good day’s work who rids himself of a fool.

An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by sheep.

Everyone thinks their own spit tastes good.

By a sweet tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant with a strand of hair.

The spider and fly cannot make a bargain.

African proverb

The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks.

Those who refuse to obey cannot command.

War ends nothing.

Don't trust the key of the hen house to the cat. 

African proverbs have been used for centuries not only by parents, grandparents and our ancestors but also all over the world. African proverbs communicate timeless good advice about truth and sincerity, kindness and wickedness and wisdom and foolishness. African proverbs touch the place in our hearts where we are silent, listening to the innermost voice of the soul.

African proverbs are essential because they teach life lessons in short, simple sayings.

African proverbs articulate the aged wisdom of African people.
African proverbs

Monday to Sunday, Sun to Moon with Courage

Proverbs are the means to understanding life and African existence, survival and humor from ancient times to the present.


Wise sayings in the language of proverbs have been passed down for generations in African culture.


African proverbs define life in simple terms.

An African proverb typically refers to a short clever saying that offers some kind of wisdom. African proverbs became known as the wisest type of speech for the wisest man in the ancient world.

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

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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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.

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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.