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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

If you spit laying down it will land in your mouth

Here's a funny African proverb: If you spit lying down, it will land in your mouth.

What does this proverb mean? Well, it's pretty simple and straightforward. It means that if you do something bad or disrespectful to someone else, it will eventually come back to you, and you will suffer the consequences. It's like karma but more immediate and gross.

man wearing headwrap laying down spiting in the air

Why is this proverb funny? It uses a very vivid and humorous image to convey its message. Imagine someone lying down on their bed or couch and spitting upwards. What do you think will happen? That's right, the spit will fall right back into their mouth. Yuck! That's not a pleasant experience, is it? But it's also very funny to imagine someone doing that and regretting it instantly.

There's a saying that if you spit while lying down, it will land in your mouth. It's a reminder that negative behavior towards others will eventually have consequences for you. This concept is similar to karma but with more immediate and unpleasant outcomes.

For example, if you cheat on your partner, they might find out and dump you. Or if you lie to your boss, they might catch and fire you. Or if you spit lying down, well, you get the idea. You'll end up with a face full of your own saliva. 

This proverb is a real gem! It's a comical way of saying that if you go around being a negative Nancy, causing trouble or badmouthing others, don't be surprised when karma comes knocking on your door. This proverb is a playful nudge to be mindful of our behavior and treat others with kindness because you wouldn't want your spit landing back in your mouth, would you? Let's keep the laughs coming and spread positivity instead!

So, the next time you feel like doing something mean or rude to someone else, remember this proverb and think twice. You don't want to end up with a mouthful of your spit, do you? That would be both disgusting and embarrassing. Instead, try to be kind and respectful to others, and you will avoid this unpleasant situation.

If you spit lying down, it will land in your mouth.

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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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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.