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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Your African Journey

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

The Silent Plight of Serer Widows: Senegal's Inheritance Injustice

The Silent Plight of Serer Widows: Senegal's Inheritance Injustice The Silent Plight of Serer Widows How Traditional Inheritance Systems Leave Senegal's Women Landless and Vulnerable The African Gourmet January 22, 2025 Women's Rights & Culture When Protection Becomes Predation In the fertile farmlands of Senegal's Fatick region, where the Serer people have maintained their cultural traditions for centuries, a quiet crisis unfolds each time a husband dies. While Serer funeral traditions honor the deceased with elaborate rites and community mourning, the living—specifically widows—often face systematic dispossession that leaves them economically stranded and socially isolated. As documented in Afr...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Africa averages four coups per year

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Africa averages around four coups per year. Burkina Faso has the most successful coups in Africa, eight. Seven African countries, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia had coups; an illegal and overt attempt to unseat sitting leaders in 2021. Africa averages around four coups and coup attempts per year however 2021 was unusually high with three failed coup attempts and four successful. The year 2022 has started with two coups on the African Continent. There were successful coups in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Guinea and failed military takeovers in Tunisia, Niger and Sudan. Burkina Faso, in West Africa, has had the most successful coups , with eight takeovers, four alleged coups and one failed coup. January 23, 2022 was the latest coup in Burkina Faso. A coup is a illegal seizure of power by a political group civilian or military who forcefully carries out the removal of the sitting government and its powers. A political or military coup causes intense sectar...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Why Black Doesn't Capture the Full Story

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The Inadequacy of the Word Black The term black is widely used to describe a complex and diverse group of people with shared histories and cultural connections. However, this single word often fails to capture the true diversity within this group, and in some cases, it may even perpetuate harmful stereotypes. This article explores the limitations of the word black and considers the benefits of adopting a more inclusive term: Diaspora. Limitations of the Term Black The word black is a color that is often associated with negative connotations, such as darkness, suffering, and death.  These associations weren't accidental; they were historically constructed and reinforced to justify oppression and maintain power structures. For centuries, European colonizers and slave traders used the concept of "blackness" to dehumanize African people, associating it with inferiority and savagery.  This created a deeply ingrained prejudice that continues to impact society today. However, it...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Al-Shabaab Kills More Than 50 Young Men in Mozambique

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In April 2020 more than 50 young men in a small village in Cabo Delgado province were murdered for reportedly resisting recruitment into al-Shabaab. In April 2020, more than 50 young men in the small village of Muidumbe in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, were murdered by suspected members of the Islamic State-affiliated militant group al-Shabaab. The men were reportedly killed for refusing to join al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency in Cabo Delgado since 2017. The killings in Muidumbe were the latest in a series of atrocities committed by al-Shabaab in Cabo Delgado. In 2020, the group was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, the displacement of tens of thousands more, and the destruction of entire villages. The violence in Cabo Delgado has had a devastating impact on the province. The economy has been crippled, and the provision of basic services, such as healthcare and education, has been severely hampered. The humanitarian crisis in Cabo Delgado is one ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 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.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.