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.

How Africa Celebrates the New Year

Countdown to the New Year!

New Year in Africa's Zanzibar, the New Year in South Africa, the New Year in Mauritius, the New Year in Ethiopia and the Berber New Year in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are celebrated by eating, dancing, singing, and laughing with family and friends.

Buying fireworks for the New Year in North Africa
Buying fireworks for the New Year in North Africa


Countdown to the New Year In Africa


The New Year in Africa brings time for reflection, expectation and hope for a happy New Year ahead.


How Africa Celebrates the New Year



New Year in Zanzibar

Around the 3rd week in July, Africa's Zanzibar Mwakakogwa Festival is a four-day long celebration of the Shirazi New Year. The festivities vary from village to village, but Makunduchi is where the biggest events take place. All are welcome for the festival because it is a local belief that anyone without a guest for this holiday is unhappy.


New Year in South Africa

The Kaapse Klopse is a New Year’s carnival that usually takes place in the streets of Cape Town on January 2nd, a date known as Tweede Nuwejaar. Tweede Nuwejaar minstrel street parade that goes back to the days of slavery to celebrate the day slaves received off from their masters.


Muslims throughout Africa (the world)

The Islamic New Year on the first day of Muharram, moves from year to year but is usually observed in October and November. Muharram is the month which Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. Muharram is observed by the Muslim community across the world.


New Year in Mauritius

In Mauritius, the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated at the end of January or the beginning of February depending on the year. The Chinese New Year is a time to bring the family together for renewing ties, eating, fireworks and enjoying company.


New Year in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian New Year Enkutatash or gift of jewels is celebrated on September 11. Enkutatash occurs on Meskerem 1, the first day of the month on the Ethiopian calendar. Enkutatash is celebrated by ringing in New Year as a family in the comforts of home.


New Year in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia

The Berber New Year is known as Yennayer and is celebrated around January 13th each year. Part of Yennayer festivities is the traditional Timechret, a ritual that honors the saints and sacrifice of cattle allowing villagers to share the same meal no matter what the social rank or economic status.


New Year in Africa and the World

Celebrating the New Year, common traditions include attending parties, eating special foods such as black-eyed peas or grapes, making resolutions, kissing at midnight, attending special concerts and performances with the biggest stars and of course, watching fireworks displays. In countless villages, towns and cities, large public events and small intimate events are held to celebrate the New Year. The New Year brings time for reflection, expectation and hope for a happy New Year ahead.


Week’s Best African Culture Posts

African Men Shaped Canada’s History

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Mathieu Da Costa: Canada’s First Recorded Black Person Mathieu Da Costa holds a unique place in Canadian history as the first recorded Black person to set foot in what is now Canada. Mathieu Da Costa's linguistic abilities mediated fur trade prices and trading routes between Europeans and Africans using intellect, tact and cunning. A Linguistic Bridge Across Cultures Da Costa’s carefully honed multilingual skills included European languages such as French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages. These abilities made him an invaluable asset to explorers and merchants conducting trade and diplomacy across continents.  His fluency allowed him to have the freedom to travel, forge relationships and communicate effectively across cultural divides, ensuring the success of expeditions led by figures like Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. Mathieu Da Costa worked with prominent figures of early Canadian exploration, including Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieu...
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Greek Obsession with Ethiopia

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Ethiopia: How Ancient Greece Imagined a Distant Land. The ancient Greeks were fascinated by Ethiopia , placing it at the edge of the known world. Drawn by dreams of wealth and the pursuit of mathematical knowledge and scientific marvels, the Greeks also sought riches such as gold, ivory, ebony, and exotic animals. These goods were highly prized in the Greek world , promising great wealth and peril to those who dared to venture to this distant land. Distance and Travel to Ethiopia. Sea travel was the primary means of long-distance travel for the ancient Greeks . A sea voyage along the African coast to the regions they considered Ethiopia would have taken several weeks to a few months. Sea voyages were fraught with dangers. Ships were vulnerable to storms, which could capsize or drive them off course.  Pirates posed a constant threat, targeting both seafaring vessels and coastal settlements. Navigation was challenging, relying on knowledge of stars, coastlines, and rudimentary instru...
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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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