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.

Port of Djibouti 3,500 years trading by the sea

Port of Djibouti links Europe, the Far East, and Africa.

The Port of Djibouti is at the crossroads of three continents linking Europe, the Far East, and Africa.

The African country Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry to create long-term growth and development. Djibouti's location is the main economic asset of a country that with very few natural resources, farmland, sparse rainfall and water supply. The Port of Djibouti much dependent on transit taxes and harbor fees earns the majority of earned capital for Djibouti.

Port of Djibouti
Port of Djibouti

Port of Djibouti 3,500 years trading by the sea.

The Port of Djibouti is a major port in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti and is located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Port of Djibouti is also at the crossroad of three continents linking Europe, the Far East, and Africa.

This major deep-water port located on the Red Sea one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. General cargo, container and gate operations are available 24 hours a day, throughout the year as well as the Port Fire Brigade or Centre de Secours.

Also, the Port of Djibouti is home to the United States’ only military base in sub-Saharan Africa. Saad Omar Guelleh is the current general manager of the Port of Djibouti and brother of Djibouti's current president Ismaïl OmarGuelleh.

DP World managed the port from 2000-2010. Since 2011, the Government of Djibouti manages Djibouti Port and DP World manages the Doraleh Container Terminal. Djibouti's first modern container terminal began operations in February 1985 on 54 acres. In 2013 the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) containerized cargo traffic handled a total of 743,793 TEUs.

The Port of Djibouti handled 50,938 TEUs. TEUs are the standard-size twenty-foot containers. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographical site at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important shipping portal for goods coming in and leaving the east African highlands and transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. 

Port of Djibouti is also close to the Arabian oilfields. Djibouti’s 2013 1.456 billion dollar economy according to the World Bank, is dependent on foreign financing, foreign direct investments, foreign countries’ military bases, and port services.

Nearly 75% of Djibouti's 872,900 inhabitants live in the capital city Djibouti City. The country has a staggering unemployment rate of nearly 60% and most food must be imported into Djibouti. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry to create long-term growth and development.

Djibouti's location is the main economic asset of a country that is mostly desolate with very few natural resources, farmland, sparse rainfall, and water supply. Djibouti Port handles all of Ethiopia’s import and export traffic through the sea since 1998 in a signed agreement.

Its transport facilities are used by several landlocked African countries to fly in their goods for re-export. This earns Djibouti much-needed transit taxes and harbor fees. The Obock Territory (currently Djibouti) became a French colony in 1843.

The Port of Djibouti construction began in 1897 and completed in 1888. During this time, Leonce Lagarde, was appointed French colonial governor of Obock Territory, the name given to present-day Djibouti. Lagarde was the French colonial Governor for fifteen years, from 1884 to 1899; Djibouti became the capital of the French colony in 1892 and independent in 1977.

Did you know, The Port of Djibouti is also close to the Arabian oilfields.


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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Why Study the Kingdom of Kongo When It Failed

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A Kingdom Torn Apart: The Forces Behind Kongo’s Collapse. Why study and honor defunct ancient African kingdoms? These kingdoms no longer exist, they were failures; hpwever, they were once thriving societies with remarkable achievements. Before the arrival of Portuguese explorers, the Kingdom of Kongo flourished as a prosperous and powerful African state.  It boasted a sophisticated social structure, strong economic systems, and rich spiritual traditions. The King of Kongo was regarded as a sacred intermediary between the gods and his people, embodying the kingdom's deep reverence for spirituality and governance.  This existence, however, became a battleground as the Portuguese wielded their “divide and conquer” strategy with precision, exploiting internal rivalries and introducing advanced weaponry that disrupted the balance of power, deposing the king. Economic pressures intensified as the Portuguese fueled the transatlantic slave trade, transforming allies into rivals and co...
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African Spirit Tree Test

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Africa boasts a remarkable array of unique trees, each showcasing distinct qualities that set it apart, much like the diverse personalities of people. The majestic Baobab, with its thick trunk and expansive canopy, symbolizes wisdom and resilience, while the vibrant Protea embodies courage and boldness with its striking flowers. Which tree do you resonate with? Are you as wise as the ancient Baobab or as daring as the brilliant Protea? Discover your true spirit by taking this engaging quiz designed to match you with an African tree that reflects your personality. Each tree symbolizes unique characteristics and qualities, so dive in to explore the connection between your spirit and these magnificent natural wonders. Get ready for a fun journey of self-discovery. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You ...
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