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.

Kenya's Samburu and Maasai Tribes Forcefully Evicted

Kenya Samburu and Maasai tribes had de facto ownership of Eland Downs Ranch by virtue of living on the land for generations. However, Eland Downs Ranch was legally privately owned by former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi who sold the land for $4 million to conservation charities thus began the forceful evictions of Samburu and Maasai families from their ancestral lands.

Kenya's Samburu and Maasai Tribes Forcefully Evicted from African Land

Which Is More Important, Kenya's Samburu and Maasai Tribes or the African Land

The conflict over natural resources across Africa is a serious issue. The Samburu of Kisargei in Kenya were on the losing end of the 17,100 acres Laikipia National Park (formally known as Eland Downs Ranch) land ownership dispute with the Nature Conservancy, and the African Wildlife Foundation and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The Samburu were semi-nomadic pastoralists on the Eland Downs ranch. Cattle, as well as sheep, goats, and camels, are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and way of life. The Samburu are extremely dependent on their animals for survival.

On November 11, 2011, 1,000 cattle and 2,000 sheep and goats of the Samburu livestock were impounded due to a violent dispute over land ownership with the Nature Conservancy and the African Wildlife Foundation who purchased the land and gave it as a gift to Kenya for a national park, Laikipia National Park. As reported by the Star Kenya on December 1, 2011, Kenya Wildlife Service officers guarding Eland Downs ranch were murdered and in return, an elder identified as Brian Lelekina was shot to death.

The Samburu of Kenya
The Samburu of Kenya 

The Samburu legal case over the Eland Downs ranch was heard in the town of Nyeri on December 14, 2011, and the court ruled the Kenya Wildlife Service had secured legal registration of the land. The Samburu were forced to vacate the land after generations of living on Eland Downs ranch. The Samburu had no squatters rights ownership of Eland Downs Ranch, the Ranch was upheld legally as owned by former Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi.

The Samburu of Kisargei were pitted against the conservation charities, the government and the former president, Daniel Arap Moi, who owned the land. The 17,100 acres Laikipia National Park or Eland Downs ranch was purchased from former Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi by the Nature Conservancy and the African Wildlife Foundation.

Daniel Arap Moi who was in power for 24 years in Kenya from 1978-2002. Eland Downs had previously been part of the nearby 90,000 acres Ol Pejeta Ranch. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary in East Africa housing Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate with homes for sale on the eastern corner, camps, and tours. The question remains in this case, which is more important the people or the land.

Maasai Tribes Forcefully Evicted from African Land

Getting to Know more about Africa
African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
About African Healers and Witchdoctors
Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
About African Night Running

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

Image
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...
Read the full post here

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here

Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here

Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

Image
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...
Read the full post here