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.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus in Africa | Christmas in Africa

Christmas across Africa

Christmas Africa, Santa Claus in Africa, both bring smiles to African children faces.

Christmas in Africa

Celebrating Christmas in Africa. On this day, Christmas day December 25, over 400 million Christians in Africa commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Christmas in Africa brings friends and family together for food, laughter and gifts. Christmas in Africa, Santa Claus is popular and takes many forms.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus in Africa | Christmas in Africa.

Egypt's Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. About 10% of Egyptians are Coptic Christians, making up the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. Baba Noel is the Arabic name for England's Father Christmas, in the United States Baba Noel is better known as Santa Claus. Africans South Africans call him Vader Kersfees while in Morocco Santa Claus is known as Black Peter.


Christmas and Santa Claus in Africa

In the Netherlands where many Moroccan expats live, the annual appearance of Black Peter or Black Pete takes on an entirely different meaning for the season of goodwill and joy depending on who you ask.

Who is Black Pete? Today Black Pete is a white person made up, wearing black face-paint and an Afro. Originally, some believe he was a 300-year-old mischievous black servant who worked for Saint Nickolas gathering naughty children into his sack and taking them away. Others believe Black Peter was a freed slave who chooses to stay and assist Saint Nickolas.

In 2015, the most common explanation of Black Pete's dark skin is soot gathered during his midnight trips up and down chimneys, delivering presents to good boys and girls. The Dutch iconic figure of Black Pete’s on parade marks the beginning of the Dutch holiday season. Many Dutch see dressing up as Black Pete, Saint Nickolas sidekick, as harmless fun.

There is a Santa Claus in Africa who has many names and traditions but no matter the beliefs or customs in Africa or abroad, may peace be your gift, love, laughter and blessings live within you all year through.

Christmas across Africa brings friends and family together for food, laughter and gifts.

Here are 17 ways to say Merry Christmas in the African language.

Afrikaans- Gesëende Kersfees

Akan- Afishapa

Arabic- Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah

Dutch- Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig

Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast

English- Merry Christmas

Farsi- Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad

French- Joyeux Noel

German- Froehliche Weihnachten

Hausa- Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!

Sotho-Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse

Spanish- Feliz Navidad

Swahili- Kuwa na Krismasi njema

Swazi- Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle

Yoruba- E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!

Zulu- Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle



Below are more links to articles about Christmas you will find thought provoking.

  1. Kwanzaa, what the heck is it
  2. Southern African Christmas Day Fried Mopani
  3. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas 20 facts

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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