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.

Living in the African Quarter Berlin Germany

African Quarter In Berlin Germany


Berlin's Afrikanisches Viertel or African quarter carries the names of a number of cruel German colonial rulers, military personnel and German colonies during the scramble for Africa. 

Africans fought Germany over their homeland and this led to several violent colonial wars. The Herero-Nama war of 1904 in German Southwest Africa and the Maji-Maji war in German East Africa were the most devastating for Native Africans. The German-Herero war led to the first genocide of the 20th century.
Germany in Africa

Germany in Africa


Germany seized four protectorates, in Africa: Togo and Cameroon in the west, German Southwest Africa (today’s Namibia), and German East Africa (today’s Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) in the east. Parts of modern day Chad, Gabon, Ghana (the gold coast), Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo were also under the control of German Africa at various points during German rule.

Africans fought Germany over their homeland and this led to several violent colonial wars. The Herero-Nama war of 1904 in German Southwest Africa and the Maji-Maji war in German East Africa were the most devastating for Native Africans. The German-Herero war led to the first genocide of the 20th century.

The Herero tribe, made up of mostly cattle herders resisted the German army in South-West Africa. German military commander ordered his troops to kill the entire Herero tribe.


African Quarter Berlin Germany


Estimates vary with around 300,000 to 800,000 people of African origin call Germany home. Since April 2011, citizens who live in the African Quarter Germany are petitioning city leaders to balance historical heritage in the city and the streets, including street and place names.

Lüderitzstraße, named after Adolf Lüderitz nicknamed "Lügenfritz" or lie buddy who “bought” land from native Africans until he claimed to own the entire coastal strip from South Africa to Angola, 220,000 sq miles.
Adolf Lüderitz nicknamed "Lügenfritz" or lie buddy

Tanzanian born Mnyaka Sururu Mboro lives on Petersallee Street says "Carl Peters was so brutal.”I cannot understand that some people are proud to have a street named after him in this quarter." Carl Peters  was the driving force behind the foundation of the German colonies and earned a reputation for brutality and torturing native Africans. 

Lüderitzstraße, named after Adolf Lüderitz nicknamed "Lügenfritz" or lie buddy who “bought” land from native Africans until he claimed to own the entire coastal strip from South Africa to Angola, 220,000 sq miles.

"Even many people living here often do not know what the names are all about," Christian Kopp, a historian with "Berlin Postkolonial". Besides renaming the three streets, Kopp also wants to raise awareness about the historical connotation of other streets. "We have thousands of streets in Berlin, but we do not know any street in Berlin honoring a person from Africa. That needs to change," said Christian.


Week’s Best African Culture Posts

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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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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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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