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.

All people smile in the same language

Smiling faces in Africa African proverbs and quotes. A very ancient African method prescribed for sadness is smiling joyful laughter.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. The teeth are smiling but is the heart?

The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect, it just means I appreciate what I have and what God has blessed me with.

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine they see all day.


Eritrean child smiles for the camera.

Eritrean child smiles for the camera.


The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect, it just means I appreciate what I have and what God has blessed me with.


Mursi girl in Omo, Ethiopia smiling.


Mursi girl in Omo, Ethiopia.

A smile confuses an approaching frown.
 

Ghana school boys smile.

Ghana school boys smile.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.


Smiling village women from Ouagadougou, Kadiogo, Burkina Faso returning home from a community well with containers full of water.

Smiling village women from Ouagadougou, Kadiogo, Burkina Faso returning home from a community well with containers full of water.

Cover your mouth when you cough. Never cover it when you smile.


Sierra Leone smile.
Sierra Leone smile.

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.



Benin smile.
Benin man smiling.

Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.


Mozambique smile.
Smiling Isobel and her business partners build an oven and learn how to bake bread.

Always remember to be happy because you never know who’s falling in love with your smile.


Smiling in Kuito central Angola.
Smiling in Kuito central Angola.

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.


Young girl smiles in Adrar, Mauritania

  Young girl smiles in Adrar, Mauritania

Smiling faces in Africa African proverbs and quotes words to remember.

All people smile in the same language.

A smile remains the most inexpensive gift to give on anyone.

Every smile makes you a day younger.

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.

Always remember to be happy because you never know who’s falling in love with your smile.

Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.

Cover your mouth when you cough. Never cover it when you smile.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.

Smiling is infectious, You can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, And I started smiling too.


Did you know? According to plant legend, the spring blooming crocus-flowers are known for creating smiling laughter and joy.

More African Proverbs from the motherland.

  1. Your Attitude African Proverbs
  2. What is an African Proverb
  3. Do not invite evil to sit at your table then cry
  4. Mean Coworkers African Proverbs
  5. Having Faith African Proverbs

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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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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