African Art and Food Sharing History and Heritage

African people are creative creating fabrics with color and meaning. Kente cloth has a long history of unique cultural elegance valued around the world over.  Kente Cloth Color Meanings  Kente Cloth Color Meanings Explained The making and trading of cloth have been vital elements in African culture. The first colorful kente cloth was worn by Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I, a former Ashanti king. African textiles unspoken language often provides a way of suggesting thoughts and feelings that may not or cannot be expressed in other ways and these cloths regularly move between the kingdoms of the earthly and the revered. Traditional Kente Cloth was black and white, however, the colors of black, red, gold and green modern kente cloth symbolize: ⚞ Black represents Africa ⚞ Red represents the blood of ancestors ⚞ Gold represents wealth ⚞ Green represents the land Folklore Origins of Kente Cloth

As the world’s top exporter of cocoa and raw cashew nuts, Côte d’Ivoire is the largest economy in the West African economic and currency union. 28 facts about Africa’s Côte d’Ivoire, her name, people and cocoa farming industry. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. 1. Cote d'Ivoire pronounced coat-div-whar.  2. Ivory Coast name changed in 1986 to Cote d'Ivoire.  3. Cote d'Ivoire former name Ivory Coast reflects the intense ivory trade that took place in the region from the 15th to 17th centuries.  4. The French name Côte d'Ivoire literally means Ivory Coast. Côte d'Ivoire was unofficially known as Costa do Marfim by the Portuguese, côte des dents or the teeth coast and the Ivory Coast reflecting the trade in ivory.  5. Despite the official name change by the government, the African country of Côte d'Ivoire is still incorrectly referred to as

The Red Sea separates Africa from Asia; on the Western shore of the Red Sea are the African countries of Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. Learn about The Red Sea and the four African countries that border the Red Sea Red Sea Hotel in Egypt Which African countries border the Red Sea? The Red Sea separates Africa from Asia; on the Western shore of the Red Sea are the African countries of Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. The first people known to explore the Red Sea were the Ancient Egyptians, who explored the area around 2500 BC while looking for commercial routes southward. Red Sea Facts Fishing in the Red Sea The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean, located between Africa and Asia. This salty sea is just over 190 miles (300 km) across at its widest point, and about 1,200 miles (1,900 km) in length with an estimated average depth of 1,640 feet (500 m). With the Red Sea’s connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, it is one of th

How to make Green Banana Coconut Curry. Cooking with unripe or green bananas, not plantains, is a quick delicious recipe mix of green bananas, coconut milk, curry and healthy vegetables. Green Banana Coconut Curry Recipe Green Banana Coconut Curry Recipe African Food Recipes by The  African Gourmet   Green bananas are delicious; they are starchy similar to potatoes. Green bananas are easily found at most farmer's markets and supermarkets.  Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 35 min Total time: 50 min Green Banana Coconut Curry Recipe Ingredients 3 green bananas cut in half 2 medium carrots, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 large red tomato, diced 1 large green tomato, diced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons ground curry powder 2 cups coconut milk Water for boiling Directions Cut off both ends of the unpeeled bananas and place in boiling salted water for 20 minutes. Remove the bananas and discard skins and drain water from the pot.

20 interesting facts about one of West Africa's countries in which more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25, Senegal her culture, history and people. Children of Senegal Senegal has a population of over 14.3 million ranking 73rd on the world’s most populous countries. Senegal's nationality is Senegalese using both the singular and plural form. Languages of Senegal may not surprise you since Senegal was once a French colony, the official language is French, and the other major languages are Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, and Mandinka. Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, and it is the indigenous language of the ethnic grouping of the Wolof people. Wolof is the most widely spoken language in Senegal even though the official language is French, by most Senegalese. Senegal Motto is "Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi” "One People, One Goal, One Faith" Population without electricity is around 55% or 6.4 million, urban areas 90% of

African Head Wrap How-to. In Africa, the head wrap worn by women of all colors, tribal and ethnic groups for special occasions, weddings, ceremonies, burials, church services, and special celebrations or for everyday wear. There are a variety of ways to wear a head wrap scarf. How to Wrap a Gele African Head Wrap Step by Step Directions Wrapping a head wrap is easy, just follow the steps below. There are countless styles of African head wrapping, it may take a couple of tries but you will be an expert in no time. How to wrap an African head wrap 1. Open the fabric, using an oblong piece of fabric at least 48 inches long and 24 inches wide works best. A large rectangular scarf also works well with this style of head wrapping. 2. Center the scarf at the nape of your neck making sure that both sides are of equal length. How to wrap an African head wrap step by step directions 3. Bring the ends forward and twist one side of th

Baboon Shepherd African Folklore Keekaegile The ancestors say, living a three days walk from the nearest village Dimbokro the sheepherder of northern Ethiopia lived. From the age of five, he was responsible for the goats and sheep in his family's herd. He spent exhausting days herding sheep and walking miles through the rocky land.  One day, Dimbokro went hunting. After hearing a strange cooing sound, he decided to investigate. He discovered a newborn baby Baboon abandoned in the woods. She was soaking wet wrapped in nothing but a large leaf. Dimbokro decided to raise the Baboon and named her Keekaegile after his favorite aunt. Dimbokro taught her everything he knew about sheep herding and soon, Keekaegile was made his chief shepherd because of her quick learning. Keekaegile remained devoted to his masters’ flock all day in the field and at night drove the sheep home riding on the back of a goat. Keekaegile held this hig

The recipe for Moroccan vegetables is delicious when roasted and served with curry whole grain couscous. It features healthy vegetables and chickpeas.   Curried Moroccan Vegetable Recipe Curried Moroccan Vegetable Recipe Ingredients   2 small eggplants   2 tablespoons ghee or butter   ½ medium onion, finely chopped   ½ teaspoon ground cumin   ½ teaspoon ground coriander   ¼ teaspoon hot chilli powder   1 teaspoon curry powder   ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon   1 teaspoon salt   ½ teaspoon black pepper   2 large chopped tomatoes   ½ red pepper deseeded diced   1 medium zucchini thickly diced   14 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed   2 cups vegetable stock   2 tablespoons roughly chopped almonds   For the couscous   ½ vegetable stock cube   1 teaspoon curry powder   10 ounce package of whole grain couscous   ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest   Directions  Preheat the oven to 320 degrees F. Cut the eggplants in half from top to bottom and score in a crisscross pattern through the flesh. P

15 African Countries Currently at War Africa has 54 countries, there are 15 African countries fighting wars and involved with perpetual terrorist violence. Sadly 27% of people on the African continent are directly affected by bloodshed, mayhem, and post-traumatic stress. Cry for peace, not war The International Criminal Court Response to War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.  There are over 1.2 billion people living in Africa; 44.5 million live with daily threats of terrorism and war. According to the Africa Sun News as of June 2017, there are fifteen African countries involved in the war or are experiencing post-war conflict and tension. July 13, 2012, The International Criminal Court (ICC)  issued an arrest warrant for Sylvestre Mudacumura, the head of a Rwandan rebel group, as well as a second arrest warrant for Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda, for alleged war crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  Sylvestre Mudacumu

Start with fresh camel milk from your trusted market, add strawberry syrup and fresh strawberries and enjoy a sweet delicious strawberry twist on camel milk. Fresh Strawberry Camel Milk Recipe Ingredients 3 cups camel milk 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons strawberry syrup 1 pint fresh strawberries 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions In a large bowl add sliced strawberries and sugar, mash mixture and mix well then set aside. Add milk and water into a large pot and boil 5 minutes, add strawberry syrup and vanilla stir well. Remove from heat. Cool. Let sit for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Add a tablespoon of mashed strawberries to each glass of milk serve and enjoy. Did you know? Camel milk is a staple part of North African nomads for centuries and contains almost 10 times the iron than cow milk. More drink recipes to whip up today. Legal Drinking Age in Africa Ibwatu African Energy Drink Tzaneen Pawpaw Coconut Chil

Who are  Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Boko Haram deadly  terrorist  groups in Africa? Parts of Africa are under constant terrorist attacks and live with the constant threat of terrorism throughout their daily lives. According to Wikipedia list of 2017 terrorist attacks, the four groups responsible for the majority of the terrorist attacks or suspected are Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Boko Haram. Al-Shabaab Al-Shabab means The Youth in Arabic is a Salafist jihadist group based in East Africa, mainly Somalia.  Al-Shabaab means The Youth in Arabic is a Salafist jihadist group based in East Africa, mainly Somalia. Al-Shabab has staged numerous attacks in Kenya because it has sent its troops into Somali territory. In February 2010, the group is allied to al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab has carried out more than 360 attacks in Somalia from 2006-2017.  On January 27, 2017, Al-Shabaab killed at least 57 soldiers in takeover of peacekeeping base in Kulbiyow, S