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.

Eswatini African Growth Opportunity Act

African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000. The Act offers incentives to African countries who continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets.

The former Kingdom of Swaziland, renamed Eswatini is reportedly not holding up its end of the bargain of the AGOA.

Eswatini capital, Mbabane, lies at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley. The landlocked Kingdom of Eswatini is surrounded by South Africa but on the east shares a small border with Mozambique.

Eswatini is the smallest country in the African southern hemisphere and is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey. The threat of Eswatini being suspended from a US preferential trade agreement for poor progress in meeting democratic norms is threatening the means of support for an extensive number workers in the Kingdom where unemployment is 47%.

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Swaziland Protest seen outside the Savoy Hotel

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law on May 18, 2000. The Act offers noticeable incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets. The Kingdom of Eswatini is reportedly not holding up its end of the bargain of the AGOA.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others wrote an open letter to King Mswati III of Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarch, stating in part “a disregard for legal procedures and basic human rights” and warned of “lasting damage to your country’s standing with potential international investors and ....economic and political isolation,” if there was not change and dialogue.

US Ambassador to Eswatini Makila James stated that non-compliance with US recommendations would mean “on January 1, 2015, goods coming into the United States from Swaziland will be assessed duty because there will no longer be a trade preference to allow them duty-free entry." Unemployment in Swaziland is current around 47% and the median age is 21 due to a number of factors such as having the highest HIV rate in the world; an African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) suspension from the US will incredibly hurt an already fragile economy.

Qualification for AGOA preferences is based on a set of conditions contained in the AGOA legislation. In order to qualify and remain eligible for AGOA, each country must be working to improve its rule of law, human rights, and respect for core labor standards.


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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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