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Showing posts from November, 2009

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.

Ananse Means Teller of Stories and Spider in Akan

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Ananse carrier of messages teller of stories and means spider in Akan. This is why the carrier of messages or stories is usually depicted as a spider. Ananse is very clever and can change into many forms of life. Being so clever Awuku also goes by the name Ananse or Anansi the great spider, owner of all of the stories of the Gods, swift messenger of Nyame the sky God who knows all and sees all. Awuku (ah-woo’-koo) is the communicator of information between the mortal and divine.  The Akan Awuku opens the mouth of the departed so that they may be able to communicate with Gods. Awuku is also known as the creator of clever and cunning acts.  Being so clever Awuku also goes by the name Ananse the great spider, owner of all of the stories of the Gods, swift messenger of Nyame the sky God who knows all and sees all.  Awuku or Ananse carries messages for the great mother Nyamewaa and father Nyame who are the Supreme Being . ...

Guinea-Bissau is the 5th largest cashew nut producer

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Guinea-Bissau is the world's fifth-largest cashew exporter behind India, Vietnam, Cote d'Ivoire, and Brazil and a major exporter of illegally logged African Rosewood.  Cashew Nut Tree Cashew Nuts and Rosewood from Africa's Guinea-Bissau Average daily consumption of the Guinea-Bissau people is .85 cents, which means the average amount of money people live on in Guinea-Bissau, is .85 cents per day. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on no more than $1.25 per day. It is not surprising to see a potentially profitable illegal logging of African Rosewood emerges in a society with such high levels of poverty. The Republic of Guinea-Bissau exports cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn timber particularly illegal logging of African Rosewood. Guinea-Bissau is one of the world's biggest producers of cashew nuts, however; profitable illegal logging of African Rosewood caused a decrease in the pr...