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A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Adapt or Let That Hot Mess Go African Proverbs

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Africa is known for words of wisdom using African Proverbs to help adapt to change and embrace uncertainties of the world or to let that hot mess go.

Do not break your cooking pot for the passing guest.


There are centuries of wisdom in words from Africa in the language of African proverbs. African Proverbs help people to cope with life and death matters by adding traditional common sense to a complex situation. 

Essential lessons learned from African proverbs carry heavy weight in world culture. African proverbs are common African sayings used by honored ancestry. 

Africa's best known African proverbs teach no matter how clever the gadget and predictions from psychics, the future remains unknown and that's ok. As the ancestors say, if you really want to be happy, be happy. 


A tree that cannot bend breaks


The influence of African proverbs over the hearts and lives of people was second only to the words from Spirits. The widespread wisdom of African proverbs has brought important social and moral messages to the people who struggle in life. Each and every human being on Earth is an awesome person, but you are the most awesome one; but just remember a couple of things:


A snake is never grateful.
A snake is never grateful.


Those who want to start a new house must tear down the old one.

Those who want to dance must start beating the drums.

Do not break your cooking pot for the passing guest.


A day wasted on others is not wasted on yourself.


A crowd is not company.

Do not allow someone to milk your cow while keeping an eye out for an open gate.

A snake is never grateful.


The wise chief does not eat from two sides.


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

Do not build a house that is tilted on one side.

When people reveal themselves, don’t pretend you didn’t hear what was said.


Do not build a house that is tilted on one side.


Peace reigns where there is truth while war is the fruit of lies.

A day wasted on others is not wasted on yourself.

The face is not the heart.


The face is not the heart.


The wise chief does not eat from two sides.

Words are the marriage itself.

A tree that cannot bend breaks.


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The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

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

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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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.