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.

Pope Honors Ugandan African Martyrs

Pope Francis traveled to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic November 2015 to Honor 22 Ugandan Martyrs who refused to denounce their faith.

A Martyr is a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs. Pope Francis the 266th is visiting Africa in November 2015 honoring twenty-two martyrs of Uganda. The Twenty-two Ugandan Roman Catholic martyrs refused to denounce their Catholic faith, so they were burned alive by the teenage King Mwanga II.

Twenty-Two African Roman Catholic Martyrs burned alive, Pope Francis will use the mass in Uganda to preach memory, fidelity and prayer in Africa. His visit to Kampala, Uganda, Nov 28, 2015 will address priests, religious and seminarians of the country at the Cathedral in Kampala. “As I said to the young people today, through the veins of young people and all Ugandan people is flowing the blood of the martyrs,” Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis is visiting Africa in November 2015 honoring twenty-two martyrs of Uganda. The Twenty-two Ugandan Roman Catholic martyrs refused to denounce their Catholic faith, so they were burned alive by the teenage King Mwanga II.
 Pope Francis the 266th Honoring Twenty-Two Ugandan Martyrs

Pope Francis traveled to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic.

Pope Francis will travel first to Kenya from Nov. 25-27, before moving on to Uganda Nov. 27-29. His last stop will be the Central African Republic, from Nov. 29-30.

Pope Francis will visit before the presidential transition in the Central African Republic, and Uganda after the 50th anniversary of the martyrs, though a little late, their feast day is June 3." The Martyrs of Uganda were 45 Anglican and Roman Catholics executed between the years of 1885 to 1887 during the persecution of Christians under Uganda's former teenage ruler Mwanga II of Buganda.

Mwanga gained control of the throne at the age of 16 forcing out missionaries and demanding Christian converts denounce their faith or face death. Twenty-two Ugandan Roman Catholic men refused to denounce their faith and were burned alive. They were declared martyrs and beatified, (declared formally that they showed a heroic holiness) by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and canonized (officially declared to be a saint) by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964.

Pope Francis Statements on the Exploitation of Africa.

Pope Francis said, “Europe has been very generous with Africa in terms of what's Catholic. Today the world isn't generous with Africa because they exploit it. They treat it as a land of exploitation.”

“I say this with all respect and with a lot of love: Africa is an attractive place to despoil… (there is) the ability to go there in search of wood, gold or metals, and ravage and leave,” stated Pope Francis.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here

African Spirit Tree Test

Image
Africa boasts a remarkable array of unique trees, each showcasing distinct qualities that set it apart, much like the diverse personalities of people. The majestic Baobab, with its thick trunk and expansive canopy, symbolizes wisdom and resilience, while the vibrant Protea embodies courage and boldness with its striking flowers. Which tree do you resonate with? Are you as wise as the ancient Baobab or as daring as the brilliant Protea? Discover your true spirit by taking this engaging quiz designed to match you with an African tree that reflects your personality. Each tree symbolizes unique characteristics and qualities, so dive in to explore the connection between your spirit and these magnificent natural wonders. Get ready for a fun journey of self-discovery. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You ...
Read the full post here

Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

Image
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...
Read the full post here

Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here