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.

If nothing troubles you, you were not born

African Proverbs on love, faith and hope. As your thoughts center on love, much to do about love African proverbs and sayings emphasize the fact that one who loves should not hate.

Much to do about love African proverbs

Love African proverbs and sayings

One who loves should not hate.

The blind man planted pumpkin seeds and the sun continued to shine on them.

One does not have to tell the eye that it is brother to the nose.

One who asks questions does not lose their way.

One tree does not make a great forest.

When the eyes are blinded, the eyelids take over the seeing.

When troubles befall a person, then he finds out those who love them.

Laughter is exterior, but love is in the heart.

If you want to catch fish, do not shake the water.

If nothing troubles you, you were not born.

Broken things last long.

Everyone thinks his own burden heavy.

If a man calls you and you refuse to answer, you will be driven to reply if he persists in calling you.

The world is large, yet you hear no noise.

In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.

Might and strength simply cannot produce love.

Love African proverbs

Love African proverbs

Love is heaven's gift.

Drain the crab hole dry, there will be drops of water found in it still.

In the absence of the leopard the dog trespasses in its den.

As many suffer from too much as too little.

Long-life furnishes a chance to achieve great things.

The rain that falls on rejected love can fall on undertaken love too.

A woman, when she either loves or hates, will dare anything.

If we love for the sake of wealth, we shall hate when poverty comes.

He who loves his wealth better than his friends does not attract love.

Love is no respecter of persons.

If raindrops fail to fill the bucket, dewdrops cannot fill it.

It was the sudden fall of rain that obliged goats and sheep to rush together in one place.

What can't be cured must be endured.

Cockroaches have no protection of their lives in a country inhabited by fowls.

Great events hang on small things.

One finger does not pick out the vermin in your head.

If money brings love into the house, it will carry it back when it returns.

Marriage of Tau and Oni African Folktale of love and marriage passed down from generation to generation.

Marriage of Tau and Oni African folklore of love and marriage
Love is the Pillar of the World

African Folktale Marriage of Tau and Oni.

Ayo had a most beautiful daughter named Oni. She was visited by many wealthy men asking for her hand in marriage. 

However, her father would insist he empties the river with a peanut shell before he would agree to marriage for his only daughter.  

The men always walked away in disappointment, for the task was impossible; they thought Ayo to be a fool until, at last, one suitor Tau, actually tried to empty the river with a peanut shell!  

Tyo won the beautiful Oni's hand in marriage, for the father said: "Kdm ago tsuru baditsia tsido, He who is truly in love agrees to the impossible.” 

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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