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 an African Proverb

African Proverb Definition
 
An African proverb is life decoded in a few words. African proverbs communicate timeless insight about truth and sincerity, kindness and wickedness and wisdom and foolishness. African proverbs touch the place in our hearts where we are silent, listening to the wise words of our ancestors.

What is an African proverb? African proverbs define life in simple terms.

What is an African proverb? African proverbs define life in simple terms.

A proud warrior does not admit defeat before the battle - African proverb

Facts about African Proverbs.
African proverbs are short sayings of truth, a wise popular saying. African proverbs articulate the aged wisdom of African people. 
Proverbs are the means to the understanding life and African existence, survival and humor from ancient times to the present.
African people possess wisdom expressing the wisdom in an interesting way through use of wise short sayings. 
African proverbs express the timeless insight of African people. Wise sayings in the language of proverbs have been passed down for generations in African culture.
African proverbs bundle a lot of wisdom and emotion into so few words. African proverbs have a strong emotional impact, the proverb's conciseness in connection with emotion means that a sentence can be both simple and complex meaning proverbs can have multiple interpretations. 
Six most popular African Proverbs
Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.
Instruction in youth is like engraving in stone.
One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.
Laughter does not show friendship.
If the hen stops clucking, what will she use to train her children.
A wise person does not fall down on the same hill twice.

The eagle does not hunt flies. African proverb lesson.
The eagle does not hunt flies. African proverb lesson.

Proverbs mean a great deal to the world, as they are a primary part of our speech patterns. African proverbs are the wisdom and the humor of eras of African ancestors to point to a moral lesson or embellish a story. 
 Proverbs of African people are the index of their lives. Proverbs from Africa contain the essence of moral truth and practical lesson; they are drawn from real life and are generally the fruit of philosophy grafted on the stem of experience. 
 The use of African proverbs help to see the people of Africa as they are and understand them better. The unique language of an African Proverb is embellished with figurative expressions, some of which are quickly understood, but others need explanation.  

Six more popular African proverbs.

Go borrowing go sorrowing. 

Heaven and earth fight in vain against a fool. 

It is a foolish sheep that makes the wolf her confessor. 

A bad bird has a bad egg. 

He that blows dust fills his own eyes. 

Wounds are engraved in stone, kindness, traced on sand.
 

Words can hurt for a lifetime African proverb
Words can hurt for a lifetime African proverb


An African proverb is life decoded in a few words. African proverbs define life in simple but true understandable terms.


Getting to Know more about Africa
African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
About African Healers and Witchdoctors
Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
About African Night Running

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

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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