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.

Everyone Walks Around Naked Myths About Africa

There many lies and myths about Africa and African people that are debunked but are still believed to be true.


Lies about Africa and African people that are debunked

Africa is Dangerous.

Africa is a continent with revolutions, child soldiers, and stolen children making the news almost every day, it is no wonder the myth about Africa being a dangerous place is a common. "If it bleeds it leads" of course, as we all know bad news sells papers, therefore you do not get to hear about the good things that happen in Africa unless you seek the positive stories out on your own.

Given the size of the continent, it is not hard to see that there are many perfectly peaceful and safe places in Africa as well as places to avoid, just like any area across the world. There are people in every African country going to work every day, worshiping at church services, laughing with friends and family and watching their kids play soccer on the weekends.


Africa is Full of Diseases.

Diseases takes millions of lives every year in Africa because the lack of access to childhood immunization programs and basic health care, not because the continent is infested with illnesses such as Ebola. Successful immunization programs have made huge strides in reducing polio and measles on the African continent, AIDS is prevalent all over the world not just in Africa.


All African Politicians are Corrupt.

Corrupt politicians are not certainly unique to Africa. Legacies of nepotism politics and corruption have proven difficult to overcome all over the world. Corruption is a global phenomenon and instead of exposing corruption, stakeholders empower corrupt politicians and officials in order to make money off the backs of the poor.

Africa as well as the world must get it right and support equality. Mo Ibrahim is a successful Sudanese cell phone entrepreneur who is responsible for supplying cell phones to Africa. He sold his company in 2005 with a profit of $640 million. Since 2006, Dr. Mohamed "Mo" Ibrahim $100 million foundation funds an annual prize for the most honest African leader.

According to the foundation, the winner gets $5 million spread over 10 years, then $200,000 per year after that for life, plus another $200,000 per year to direct to any cause he or she wants. Past winners of the Ibrahim Prize are Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique in 2007, Festus Mogae of Botswana in 2008, In 2009, 2010 and 2013 there was no winner, Pedro Verona Pires of Cape Verde in 2011 and in 2012 the foundation awarded Archbishop Desmond Tutu a one-off $1 million special prize for his lifelong commitment towards "speaking truth to power."


Africa is Backwards Everyone Walks Around Naked.

The idea that technical innovation is lacking in Africa is laughable to anyone who has spent a little time there. Cell phones are in fact being used in hugely innovative ways throughout Africa.

Kenya has established a highly effective mobile banking system, opening up rural areas to credit in ways that has revolutionized small businesses. Africa's fashion today represents a blend of modern design and traditional African patterns with of vibrant colors.

Artists such as Kenyan-born Fiber Artist Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga, Keto Couture- Mrs. Kenny Okorie, Ghanaian Fashion Label Kaela-Kay. There are of course smart beautiful hot African fashion magazines like Zen Magazine, ARISE, New African Woman, FabAfriq and AfriPOP!


There Are Wild Animals Roaming All Over Africa.

Africa's wildlife is basically confined to national parks and reserves, including Nairobi's rhinos. Keeping what remains of Africa's wildlife safely in reserves and national parks also helps protect farmers from wildlife destroying crops and eating their cattle.

That's not to say you'll feel like you are driving around a large zoo when on safari, national parks and protected areas are often larger than many European countries. Five most famous National Parks in Africa are the

Maasai Mara National Reserve (Masai Mara in Tanzania) is located in south-west Kenya. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular ecosystems.

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya has nearly 150,000 visitors from across the world come annually to witness the wildebeest migration and river crossings. With the wildebeest migration in July – October, this is the best time to see this incredible movement of the wildebeest migration. Serengeti National Park was established in 1951, making it Tanzania's oldest national park. The park is arguably one of the most famous in the world and covers 5,700 square miles of grassland, riverine forest, woodlands, and savannah.

It is famed for its spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and its part in the impressive annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other animals. It was listed in 1981 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and hosts an average 90,000 visitors each year. Established in 1925, Virunga National Park is Africa's oldest national park and is often considered the crown jewel of parks on the continent. It lies in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, it was created to protect mountain gorillas stretching over 3,000 square miles with forests, savannas, and active volcanoes and the Rwenzori Mountains. Virunga National Park is known for being the African continent's most biologically diverse protected area and is home to endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla and the okapi.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to a multitude of birds, butterflies and endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Some 300 wild gorillas live in the park, accounting for nearly half the world's population. The park also boasts more than 160 species of trees but the main tourist attraction is gorilla tracking, which generates a steady stream of revenue for the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve in 1898 and is home to a vast number of species, including more than 500 types of bird and more than 100 reptiles. It also boasts a huge diversity of trees and flowers.

Kruger National Park is also known for big game, as well as more than 255 recorded archeological sites. Several rivers traverse the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo.


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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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