African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

What is the Comoros Fomboni Accord?

The Union of the Comoros is actually three poverty ridden islands and the Fomboni Agreement is a major piece of Legislation governing Comoros.


In 2001, the Union of the Comoros; Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore signed the Fomboni Agreement. The Fomboni Agreement states the federal presidency rotates among the three islands of Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore, however, each island maintains its local government.

The African nation Comoros is actually three small islands; Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore.

The Fomboni Agreement is named after the capital of the island of Moheli in the Union of Comoros

The African nation Comoros is actually three small islands; Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore.

The African nation Comoros is actually three small islands; Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore.
Comoros: Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore

In Southern Africa lies a group of African islands at the northern opening of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore volcanic islands collectively known as Union of the Comoros.

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Azali Assoumani seized power of the government and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Agreement.

The Fomboni Agreement is named after the capital of the island of Moheli in the Union of Comoros. The Fomboni Agreement states the federal presidency rotates among the three islands of Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore however, each island maintains its local government. The referendum was held December 2001 and the new Union of Comoros was created.

In 2007, Mohamed Bacar ignored the 2000 Fomboni Agreement and invoked Anjouan's outdated secession pact from the Union of Comoros, refusing to step down when Comoros' other islands held elections. March 2008 the African Union and Comoran soldiers seized Anjouan and in May 2011, Ikililou Dhoinine was elected president.

Comoros (Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore islands) have few natural resources except vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang oil.
Moroni Comoros

Comoros (Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore islands) have few natural resources except vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang oil. Comoros exports about 80% of the world's supply of ylang-ylang oil, an essential oil that is the main ingredient of most high-end perfumes.

However, Comoros is one of the world's poorest countries. The country is not self-sufficient in food production and rice which is the main staple, is imported.

On the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance Comoros ranks 30th overall among African countries scoring 49.3/100. Comoros also scored lowest in sustainable economic opportunity scoring an overall 44th place 31.3/100; Public Management took 46th place 30.1/100, Business Environment 39th place 33/100, Infrastructure 36th place 26.6/100 and Rural Sector 47th place 35.6/100.
Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

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Dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia: the newly chosen Fine Boy is temporarily celebrated with fanfare and pleasure. Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition Fascinating stories emerged during the Pepper Coast's glory days. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders established outposts along the Liberian coastline, drawn by its wealth of humans, spices, and other commodities.  Centuries later, in the 19th century, the American Colonization Society (ACS) founded settlements in Liberia and began journalling native stories.  Among these tales is a dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia, a story so intriguing it almost seems too good to be true because, in some ways, it is.   The Kru women periodically held elections to select a young, handsome man as their “Fine Boy.” The announcement of his selection was celebrated with a vibrant procession featuring music, singing, and dancing.  The newly chosen Fine Boy was placed at the front of the para...
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What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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