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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 archive work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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

Stolen Colonial Artifacts Have No Soul

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Stolen Colonial Artifacts convey an artificial connection to Africa. While stolen colonial African artifacts may have physical characteristics associated with Africa, they lack a deeper meaningful connection to the continent spiritually because they are stolen pieces of Africa's soul. In other words, they may share a racial or physical attribute with Africans but have little or no cultural, historical, or experiential ties to Africa because the artifact's value lies in the spiritual connection to higher powers of the African spiritual universe.  Despite the different ways Africa is represented in diverse fields, such as cultural artifacts, this does not equate to a complete understanding of the African continent's land, people, and history. Looking at African artifacts does not comprehensively grasp the continent's complexities. When viewing the over 1,000 Benin Bronzes stolen by Germany, one is viewing the psychical bronze statues, not the spiritual.  Benin Bronze Art ...

Shakshuka Recipe: North African Tomato and Egg Delight

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Shakshuka Recipe: North African Tomato and Egg Delight Shakshuka, a delectable dish hailing from North Africa, particularly Tunisia, has captured the hearts and palates of egg enthusiasts worldwide. Beyond its exquisite flavors, shakshuka's history dates back centuries. Learn the origins of shakshuka with a step-by-step guide to prepare this flavorful dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. The very name shakshuka has its roots in the Arabic word shakshek , which means “to shake.” This aptly describes the cooking process of gently shaking the pan while poaching eggs in a luscious tomato sauce. Shakshuka Tomato Egg Recipe Shakshuka is a delicious breakfast dish that originated in Tunisia and was enjoyed by farmers and workers as a nutritious meal to help them get through a hard day's work. Over time, it has become popular all around the world, with each culture adding its own unique twist to t...

South African Curry Fishcakes

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South African Curry Fishcakes are a delectable dish that seamlessly blends the rich fishing tradition with love for the vibrant South African food scene. Each savory bite is connected to the love for fishing with the aromatic allure of curry in this South African culinary delight. Our recipe is designed to provide a serving size that will cater to a group of four individuals. South African Curry Fishcakes is a delicious dish where fishing and curry come together to create a perfect combination. South African Curry Fishcakes Ingredients 1 cup canned and drained salmon 2 tablespoons ground coriander 2 cloves crushed garlic 2 teaspoons grated ginger root 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 teaspoons red curry paste 1 cup of crushed pineapples  1 beaten chicken egg 1 cooked and mashed potato Oil for frying Directions Mix salmon, coriander, garlic, ginger, sugar, lemon rind, and curry paste in a bowl. Add pineapples, beaten egg, and mashed potato; mix well. Shape into ...

Why Does Polio Still Exist in Africa?

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Polio persists in Africa due to inadequate healthcare, limited access in rural areas, conflicts, and vaccine belief systems. The CDC issued a travel alert about polio in Africa, specifically in Benin, on August 31, 2023. But why does wild polio still exist in Africa when in the United States, wild polio has been eliminated with no cases occurring in the country since 1979. ‗ Did you know that despite years of efforts to eradicate polio in Africa, the disease still persists? Unfortunately, several deeply complex challenges make it difficult to completely eliminate polio from the continent. Polio's persistence in Africa is attributed to multifaceted challenges. Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to remote areas, and socioeconomic disparities impede effective vaccination campaigns. Additionally, political instability in some regions hampers consistent healthcare delivery.  Cultural beliefs play a significant role in polio non-vaccination, as the local population ma...

Recipes Explain Politics

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

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

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.