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.

Only Place in the World Where Four Countries Meet

Kazungula Ferry unites four corners of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe of Africa. This is the only area in the world where four countries meet.

Kazungula Ferry unites four corners the only place in the world where four countries meet Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe of Africa.

Kazungula Bridge is situated where the borders of 4 African countries meet, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Kazungula Bridge created a link between Botswana and Zambia across the Zambezi River that flows into the famous Chobe River.

Kazungula Ferry unites four corners of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe of Africa.
Kazangula ferry engines

The Kazungula public ferry or pontoon service (a flotation device able to float itself as well as a heavy load) is driven by a side mounted diesel engine, transports a few vehicles at a time across the river.  The border crossing is the only place in the world where four countries come close uniting at a quadripoint.

A quadripoint is a point on the Earth that touches the border of four distinct territories. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia are believed to be a quadripoint however, the countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana actually only meet.

The ferry at Kazangula provides transportation to people and on average, 70 trucks cross with the ferry per day. About 100 trucks on both sides of the ferry crossing take up to two weeks before they are able to cross the Zambezi River.  The Kazungula Ferry is one of the largest ferries in south-central Africa, having a capacity of 70 tons and runs between Kazungula, Zambia and Kasane, Botswana.

In 2003 the Kazangula ferry capsized and was the site of a disaster where 18 people drowned.
Kazungula public ferry or pontoon service

In 2003 the Kazangula ferry capsized and was the site of a disaster where 18 people drowned. In order to alleviate the poor transportation issues, Kazungula Bridge project was planned in 2007 as much needed infrastructure transportation plan on the Zambezi River and to the surrounding African countries of Botswana and Zambia.  

The Kazungula Bridge is a multi-national project on the North-South corridor on the Zambezi River. The bridge construction is expected to take four years at a cost of US $259 million.  

Beginning in 2014, the project is being funded by loans from the African Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency as well as contributions from both the Governments of Zambia and Botswana according to the African Development Bank Group.

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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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Why Study the Kingdom of Kongo When It Failed

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A Kingdom Torn Apart: The Forces Behind Kongo’s Collapse. Why study and honor defunct ancient African kingdoms? These kingdoms no longer exist, they were failures; hpwever, they were once thriving societies with remarkable achievements. Before the arrival of Portuguese explorers, the Kingdom of Kongo flourished as a prosperous and powerful African state.  It boasted a sophisticated social structure, strong economic systems, and rich spiritual traditions. The King of Kongo was regarded as a sacred intermediary between the gods and his people, embodying the kingdom's deep reverence for spirituality and governance.  This existence, however, became a battleground as the Portuguese wielded their “divide and conquer” strategy with precision, exploiting internal rivalries and introducing advanced weaponry that disrupted the balance of power, deposing the king. Economic pressures intensified as the Portuguese fueled the transatlantic slave trade, transforming allies into rivals and co...
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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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