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.

The Roots of Hockey in Africa

The roots of hockey are deeply rooted in Africa's ancient Ethiopian sport Genna.

African hockey history shows that Genna was played in ancient Ethiopia 1,000 years BC and is still played today. Although both Genna and hockey involve the use of sticks and balls, they have distinct differences in terms of gameplay and rules.

Genna, or Ethiopian Christmas or Lidet, is a traditional holiday celebrated in Ethiopia. Also, Genna is a game primarily played during the Ethiopian Christmas season as a recreational and social activity. It is typically played outdoors on open fields or streets. 

The objective of Genna is to score goals by hitting a small ball into the opposing team's goal using a curved wooden stick called a gomela. The game is often played casually and informally, with varying rules and adaptations depending on the specific location and players involved.
 
African Hockey teams Ghana and Kenya
African Hockey teams Ghana and Kenya

The Roots of Hockey in Africa

African Hockey Federation (AfHF) is the central governing body of field hockey in Africa. The African Hockey Federation is located on Townsend Road in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bulawayo has long been known as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe and the multimillion-dollar sports complex. 

Khumalo was opened on September 13, 1995, and built by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Public Works, who in turn handed the administration over to the Sport and Recreation Commission to manage on behalf of the Zimbabwe Government. Seif Ahmed is the current President of the African Hockey Federation; Vice Presidents are Nii Quaye-Kumah and Ginny Ross,

The African Hockey Championships is the African continent's main tournament, organized by the African Hockey Federation, with a history dating back to 1974; winning teams are guaranteed a place at the next Hockey World Cup or Olympics.  However, South Africa won the continental qualifier; however, the team did not participate in the 2016 Olympics. 

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and South African Hockey Association (SAHA) agreed on the Rio 2016 Olympics qualification criteria that the Continental Qualification route would not be considered. As a result, New Zealand, as the highest-ranked team from the 2014-15 Hockey World League Semifinals not already qualified, participated instead.

Field hockey at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro occurred from August 6th to 19th at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Deodoro. Twenty-four teams, twelve each for men and women, competed in the Field hockey tournament.  

Ghana women’s team hoped to qualify for the 216 Rio games with the backing of The Fédération Internationale de Hockey or International Hockey Federation, commonly known as FIH. The women's senior national hockey team was been training at the Theodosia Okoh National Hockey Stadium in Ghana's capital Accra.

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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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