African Food and Art: Sharing History and Heritage

Wages, government and employment conditions for agricultural workers on a sisal plantation on the world’s fourth-largest island of Madagascar. What is sisal? Sisal plant Sisal is a strong fiber from the spiny leaves of the agave plant. Sisal hemp, or henequen, is the name given to the cleaned and dried fiber of the cultivated varieties of the agave plant. The name sisal may have originated from having been first exported through the port of Sisal, in Yucatan. In Africa, sisal is cultivated for fiber in Angola, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania. In Tanzania and Kenya, sisal is predominantly a plantation crop as opposed to small-scale farming. A coarse and strong fiber, sisal is used in fabrics, twine, ropes, string, yarn, carpets, mats, cigarette paper filters, and tea bags. Sisal is also used in composite materials for cars, furniture, and construction as well as in plastics and numerous paper products. Sisal can also be used to ad

Green bananas, also known as unripe bananas, are bananas that have not yet fully matured and are still in their starchy, firm, and green state.  Unlike ripe bananas, which are sweet and soft, green bananas have a tangy and slightly bitter flavor with a starchy texture.  They are often used in cooking and culinary preparations, particularly in countries where they are a common staple food. Green bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, and they are low in fat and calories.  They are also rich in resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine and provides various health benefits, such as promoting gut health and improving blood sugar control. Green bananas can be boiled, fried, baked, or grilled, and they are often used in savory dishes such as stews, curries, and soups.  In many African countries, they are also used to make chips or other snacks. In addition, green bananas can be used as a substitute for potatoes in so

Ethiopian eggplants are small, bright red to orange, intensely flavored vegetables, similar in appearance to a tomato. Fruits and leaves of the Ethiopian Eggplant are eaten boiled, as a recipe ingredient of African soups and stews. Ethiopian Eggplants are usually picked when still green or slightly yellow and are typically grown in micro-gardens and small family gardens. Three Ethiopian recipes , two recipes using Ethiopian eggplants and one for making the best Injera bread to eat with your Ethiopian eggplant stews by the African Gourmet. Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 20 min Spicy Ethiopian Eggplant Stew Recipe Ingredients 4 sliced Ethiopian eggplants 1 small head cabbage, shredded 2 onions, sliced 2 cups baby carrots 2 large tomatoes, diced 1 large white potato, finely diced 1 green pepper, finely chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon chili powder Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons oil 8 cups of water Dir

Democratic Republic of the Congo instability and wars harm Garamba and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks, Okapi Wildlife, Salonga and Virunga National Parks. More than one hundred armed groups are believed to operate in the eastern region of the DRC. The forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo represent half of the total area of tropical rainforest in Africa. Virunga National Park Democratic Republic of the Congo The biodiversity of the Congolese forests, which provide shelter for many endemic species such as the bonobo, the mountain gorilla, and the okapi are threatened due to political instability in the region, provoking the displacement of thousands of people, represents a very serious threat to the integrity of the five properties listed below: Garamba National Park Kahuzi-Biega National Park Okapi Wildlife Reserve Salonga National Park Virunga National Park The Democratic Republic of the Congo has ongoing war and violence across the country, particularly