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.

BRICS is an acronym for the economies of five countries

BRICS countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa represents 46% of the world population, having 30% of the world GDP and 17% share in the world trade.

The acronym BRIC currently BRICS was initially formulated in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill, of Goldman Sachs, in a report on growth prospects for the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China which together represent a significant share of the world's production and population.

Main areas and topics of dialogue between BRICS countries are issues of mutual interest in finance and central banks, trade, mutual investments, academic forum and think tanks council, health, science and technology, security, terrorism and agriculture.


BRICS is an acronym for the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa projected to be the fastest growing market economies.
BRICS 2014 summit

BRICS is an acronym for the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa projected to be the fastest growing market economies. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York in September 2010.

BRIC started after the meeting of the Leaders of Russia, India and China in St. Petersburg on the margins of G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. After the Yekaterinburg Summit, seven annual Summits were held in Brasilia the federal capital of Brazil in 2010, Sanya in Southeast China in 2011; New Delhi India in 2012; Durban South Africa 2013; Fortaleza in Northeastern Brazil 2014; 2015 in Ufa Russia and October 2016 at the Taj Exotica hotel in Benaulim, Goa, India. The eighth BRICS Summit will be held in Xiamen China September 3-5, 2017.

BRICS countries agreed to establish a New Development Bank at their summit meeting in 2014. The New Development Bank has $50 billion in initial capital. The BRICS bank works on an equal-share voting basis. The capital will be used to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the BRICS countries. Other low and middle-income countries will be able buy in and apply for funding from BRICS.

BRICS countries have also created a $100 billion Contingency Reserve Arrangement, meant to provide additional liquidity protection to member countries during balance of payments problems. The CRA unlike the pool of contributed capital to the BRICS bank, which is equally shared is being funded 41% by China, 18% from Brazil, India, and Russia, and 5%from South Africa.

Due to lower labor and production costs, many companies also cite BRICS as a source of foreign expansion opportunity, and promising economies in which to invest. As of 2015, the five BRICS countries represent over 3.6 billion people, or about 40% of the world population; all five members are in the top 25 of the world by population, and four are in the top 10.


Main areas and topics of dialogue between the BRICS countries are finance and central banks, trade, mutual investments, academic forum and think tanks council, health, science and technology, security, and agriculture.
BRICS 2014 summit Brazil

In July 2017, South Africa ANC’s international relations subcommittee plans to push for the establishment of a BRICS ratings agency to be official party policy. The International Criminal Court, World Bank and International Monetary Fund are mentioned for their “stubborn persistence of imperial designs”.

Regarding economic growth, BRICs are ahead of the projections made in 2001, South Africa not included, 18% of the world's GDP, above Goldman Sachs's forecast of 14.2% however, those analyzing the model of growth say that it ignores the finite nature of fossil fuel, uranium, and other resources. BRICS comprises five strategic partners, all of which have a strong regional leadership and major participation in the global economy.

Together, BRICS represents 46% of the world population, having 30% of the world GDP and 17% share in the world trade. Between 2002 and 2012, intra-BRICS trade increased 922%, from US$ 27 to 276 billion, while between 2010 and 2012, BRICS international trade rose 29%, from US$ 4.7 to 6.1 trillion dollars.


Wise are those who learn that the bottom line does not always have to be their top priority. - William Arthur Ward

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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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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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