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.

Quotes from Five Inspiring African Business Leaders

Quotes from Five Inspiring African Business Leaders

Quotes from Five Inspiring African Business Leaders

“You stay divided; you stay backwards Africa” – Dr. Mo Ibrahim

"In whatever you do, strive to be the best at it." – Aliko Dangote

"Balance is important in life." - Stephen Saad

"Man cannot live by bread alone, which is correct, but man can also not live without bread." – Patrice Motsepe

"You need to go into the kind of business that suits your lifestyle, interests and passion so that you enjoy what you are doing." -Sudhir Ruparelia


“You stay divided; you stay backwards Africa” – Dr. Mo Ibrahim
Dr. Mohammed "Mo" Ibrahim

Dr. Mohammed "Mo" Ibrahim

“You stay divided; you stay backwards Africa” – Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Mohammed Ibrahim is a Sudanese mobile communications entrepreneur who sold his company Celtel for over 2 billion dollars. According to the foundation's website, “The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006 with a focus on the critical importance of leadership and governance in Africa. By providing tools to support progress in leadership and governance, the Foundation aims to promote meaningful change on the continent.

"Intimidation, harassment and violence have no place in a democracy." - Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Aliko Dangote


“In Africa, as you're being successful and doing things right, you're also creating a lot of enemies.” -Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote
“In Africa, as you're being successful and doing things right, you're also creating a lot of enemies.” -Aliko Dangote

Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote is an industrialist currently worth $20 billion. He founded the Dangote Group which controls much of Nigeria’s commodities trade. This business  philanthropist is referred to as the golden child of Nigerian business circle once drove a taxi cab on the streets of London to fund his education.

"In whatever you do, strive to be the best at it." – Aliko Dangote

Stephen Saad


"Balance is important in life." -Stephen Saad
Stephen Saad
"In life, you don’t get anywhere or do anything you hope to without some sort of sacrifice." -Stephen Saad

Stephen Saad is a South African billionaire whose net worth is estimated at $2.7 billion. In 2007, he was the co-founder of Aspen Pharmacare, South Africa’s leading publicly-traded drug manufacturer on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Saad became a millionaire at age 29 after he sold his share in the drug business Covan Zurich for $3 million.

"Balance is important in life." - Stephen Saad

Patrice Motsepe


"Man cannot live by bread alone, which is correct, but man can also not live without bread." – Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Motsepe
"One has to set high standards… I can never be happy with a mediocre performance." – Patrice Motsepe

Patrice Motsepe is a South African mining magnate who has a net worth of $2.1 billion. Motsepe founded African Rainbow Minerals, a publicly traded mining conglomerate with interests in platinum, nickel, chrome, iron, manganese, coal, copper and gold.

"Man cannot live by bread alone, which is correct, but man can also not live without bread." – Patrice Motsepe 

Sudhir Ruparelia


"You need to go into the kind of business that suits your lifestyle, interests and passion so that you enjoy what you are doing." -Sudhir Ruparelia
Sudhir Ruparelia
"You need to go into the kind of business that suits your lifestyle, interests and passion so that you enjoy what you are doing." -Sudhir Ruparelia

Sudhir Ruparelia is a Ugandan property and banking entrepreneur. In 2012, he was reported to be one of the wealthiest people in East Africa and in November 2013, he was reported to be the 24th wealthiest individual in Africa with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion.

"Young people always want to rush things. They want to see growth and success immediately which can’t be the case. In many cases, when you rush at the beginning, your success will be short- lived and you are very likely to fail in the long run. You are actually better off starting out slowly and building a strong business foundation which will guarantee you long-term success." - Sudhir Ruparelia
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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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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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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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