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.

What is Cassava?

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable is used in bread, french fries, roasted veggies and is the second most important starchy root crop worldwide.

Cassava is very versatile root vegetable and is used the main ingredient in bread, fries, roasted veggie stews and soups, chin-chin, fritters, sweet cakes and fufu.

All About Cassava

Portuguese traders introduced cassava into Africa from Brazil in the 16th century. Currently, about half of the world production of cassava is in Africa. The plant is known under many names: ubi kettella, kaspe, manioca, rumu, yucca, mandioca, aipim, manioc, tapioca and cassada.

Cassava was introduced into Africa by Portuguese traders

Cassava was introduced into Africa by Portuguese traders

Cassava is cultivated in around 40 African countries, stretching through a wide belt from Madagascar in the Southeast to Senegal and to Cape Verde in the Northwest. Around 70 percent of Africa's cassava output is harvested in Nigeria, the Congo and Tanzania.

Traditionally, cassava is produced on small-scale family farms. The roots are processed and prepared as a subsistence crop for home consumption and for sale in village markets and shipment to urban centers.

Grown throughout the tropical world, cassava is second only to the sweet potato as the most important starchy root crop of the tropics. Throughout the forest and transition zones of Africa, cassava is either a primary staple or a secondary food staple.

Cassava produces bulky storage roots with a heavy concentration of carbohydrates, about 80 percent and is rich in carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins B and C, and essential minerals. Cassava roots are rich in protein and can be toxic if grown in poor soils and in dry conditions. 

Praises for Cassava

Did you know? Flora Nwapa was a groundbreaking Nigerian author and poet who passed away in 1993. She is best known for her novel Efuru and as Africa's first published female novelist. During the Nigerian civil war also known as the Biafran War from 1967-1970 Flora Nwapa poet wrote in praise of cassava because of its importance feeding a starving nation during civil war.


Easy lunch and dinner African recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring recipe again.

  1. Mozambique Coconut Beans Recipe
  2. Black-Eyed Pea Casserole with Rice and Herbs
  3. Rice and Beans Ghana Style
  4. Fried Banana Rice Dumplings
  5. Fried Rice Cakes Recipe

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

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African Men Shaped Canada’s History

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Mathieu Da Costa: Canada’s First Recorded Black Person Mathieu Da Costa holds a unique place in Canadian history as the first recorded Black person to set foot in what is now Canada. Mathieu Da Costa's linguistic abilities mediated fur trade prices and trading routes between Europeans and Africans using intellect, tact and cunning. A Linguistic Bridge Across Cultures Da Costa’s carefully honed multilingual skills included European languages such as French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages. These abilities made him an invaluable asset to explorers and merchants conducting trade and diplomacy across continents.  His fluency allowed him to have the freedom to travel, forge relationships and communicate effectively across cultural divides, ensuring the success of expeditions led by figures like Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. Mathieu Da Costa worked with prominent figures of early Canadian exploration, including Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieu...
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Greek Obsession with Ethiopia

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Ethiopia: How Ancient Greece Imagined a Distant Land. The ancient Greeks were fascinated by Ethiopia , placing it at the edge of the known world. Drawn by dreams of wealth and the pursuit of mathematical knowledge and scientific marvels, the Greeks also sought riches such as gold, ivory, ebony, and exotic animals. These goods were highly prized in the Greek world , promising great wealth and peril to those who dared to venture to this distant land. Distance and Travel to Ethiopia. Sea travel was the primary means of long-distance travel for the ancient Greeks . A sea voyage along the African coast to the regions they considered Ethiopia would have taken several weeks to a few months. Sea voyages were fraught with dangers. Ships were vulnerable to storms, which could capsize or drive them off course.  Pirates posed a constant threat, targeting both seafaring vessels and coastal settlements. Navigation was challenging, relying on knowledge of stars, coastlines, and rudimentary instru...
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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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