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.

50 Years Pic of Kenya 1900 to 1950

Kenya 1900 to 1950 black and white photos of life, music, and smiles. Learn where Kenya is plus facts and key information.

African women making rugs in Kenya at Fort Hall near Nyeri in 1946
African women making rugs in Kenya at Fort Hall near Nyeri in 1946.

Kenyan men
Kenyan men listening to musical instruments, Mombasa, Kenya 1905

Coffee picking North of Nairobi Kenya in 1936
Coffee picking north of Nairobi Kenya in 1936

Kikuyu Tribe in Nyeri, Mt. Kenya 1935
Kikuyu Tribe in Nyeri, Mt. Kenya 1935

Karantania market day between Nairobi and Nyeri in 1930
Karantania market day between Nairobi and Nyeri in 1930

Rift Valley Nairobi Kikuyu woman on the road home to Nairobi 1920
Rift Valley Nairobi Kikuyu woman on the road home 1920

Where in Africa is Kenya

Kenya is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania. Kenya has five border countries in all, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The population is heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of LakeVictoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast.

Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture. The total tourism arrivals for business and pleasure through air flights, cruise ships, and border travels for the financial year 2017 - 2018 grew by 6.8% to almost 1.5 million visitors compared to 1.4 million visitors for the financial year 2016 - 2017.
Kenya is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
Tourism holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy

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

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

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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Camel Caravans Created the Internet

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Thanks to camel caravans facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Northern Africa, they laid the foundation for global connectivity, which eventually evolved into the internet driven world we know today.  Raising camels When business partners in Northern Africa started using camels, it changed how goods were traded. Before the domestication of camels, it was hard to cross much less carry things across the hot, dry desert. Camels could travel long distances without needing much water, so they made it easier to move valuable items like gold, salt, and cloth from one end of the African deserts to the other. Camel caravans helped people get things they could not find in their own neighborhoods and allowed them to trade to more people. Camels were kind of like how the internet and technology connect us today. Why were camels chosen for caravans across Africa?  Camels were less prone to diseases common in tropical regions, increasing their longevity and utility. Horses and do...
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Disaster That Shook Mayotte to Its Core

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Category 4 hurricane, 136 MPH Cyclone Chido destroyed the French Island of Mayotte. The island of Mayotte is a tiny, 144 square mile  French territory in the Indian Ocean reeling from a direct hit from Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the island in 90 years. Entire neighborhoods have disappeared, along with entire families. Mayotte is rhe poorest overseas territory of France, many accusations point to the debate that it is a forgotten holding place for undocumented refugees. Half the residence live in makeshift houses out of discarded pieces of wood cardboard, and anything else residents can get their hands on. With winds exceeding 136 mph, equivalent to a category four hurricane, on Sunday December 15, 2024, Cyclone Chido caused major destruction causing upwards of 1,000 deaths leaving 80% of the population homeless.  Nearly 84% of residents were already living under the poverty level before Cyclone Chido hit the small island. The infrastructure was very weak on the ...
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Explaining Bones and Stones of Africa

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Why Africa is Connected to Bones and Stones Have you ever wondered why bones and stones seem so important in African spirituality? Bones and stones hold the power for many African people as a connection to the spiritual world for protection in the natural world and eternal universe. The Power of Bones Bones are like the keys to a family’s history reminding people of the ancestors, those who lived before us and passed down wisdom, traditions, and strength. When people think about bones, they don’t just see the physical, they believe the spirits of their ancestors might still be connected to the bones, offering advice and protection. In numerous African culture traditions, spiritual leaders use bones to tell what’s coming. They throw animal bones or shells and look at how they land. Each position tells a story or gives a clue about health, family, or life decisions. Bones hold up the body, right? Because of this, they are often seen as a symbol of strength and support, reminding people...
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