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.

Easily Learn Kiswahili Alphabet Pronunciations

Learn Swahili by meeting native speakers and starting a conversation
Learn Kiswahili by meeting native Swahili speakers and starting a conversation.


Learn Kiswahili Alphabet Pronunciations

Swahili is a community of people and Kiswahili is the language spoken. Standard Swahili is based on the kiUnguja dialect.

There are many dialects of Kiswahili as well as several patois versions. The three most common Kiswahili dialects are kiUnguja spoken on Zanzibar and in the mainland areas of Tanzania, kiMvita spoke in Mombasa and other areas of Kenya and Kiamu spoke on the island of Lamu and adjoining parts of the coast.

The earliest known composition is written in Kiswahili, a poem entitled Kumsifu Yanga Ode to the Arab woman dates back to the 16th century 2 and is linguistically related to the northern dialect of Kiswahili such as kiamu. Kiamu is also the main Swahili dialect used by the poet Mwengo to compose the Muslim epic Utendi wa Tambuka, which he completed in 1728 on behalf of the king of Pate Island.

Kiswahili is one of the top ten languages spoken in Africa. Swahili is spoken in the African countries of Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania (Zanzibar), and Uganda with many speakers as either a first or second language.

Kiswahili is a lingua franca of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Learn Kiswahili by meeting native Swahili speakers and starting a conversation.

Easily Learn Kiswahili Alphabet Pronunciations


Kiswahili Letter Sounds Like
A Ah
B Ba
CH Cha
D Da
E Eh
F Fa
G Gah
H Ha
I E
J Ja
K Ka
L La
M Ma
N Nah
O O
P Pa
R Ra
S Sa
T Ta
U OO
W Wah
Y Yah
Z Zah


Swahili is the culture of many groups uniquely blended together. Swahili was given its name by the Arabs in the 16th century meaning people of the coast in Arabic. The word for the Swahili language is Kiswahili. The name comes from the plural sawahili of the Arabic word sahil, which means boundaries or coast. With ki- at the beginning of the word, Kiswahili means coastal language. Many Kiswahili Swahili words derive from the Arabic language.

Swahili - Nyani humcheka makalio ya nyani mwenzake
English - A baboon laughs at the buttocks of another baboon
Meaning - Everyone has a weakness


Check out the App AfroTounges from the app store.

AfroTongues is the world’s first crowd-sourced language app dedicated exclusively to African based languages. This includes languages and dialects across the African diaspora. Contributors are wanted, please sign up if you’re interested in sharing your afrotongue.

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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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