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.

Trading Hippopotamus Teeth For Cash

Hippopotamus teeth are traded legally and illegally. One hippo tooth can fetch up to $600. Hong Kong is the largest market for Hippopotamus teeth which are used as ivory after the hard enamel is removed.

Hippopotamus are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa but that does not stop the legal and illegal black market trade in hippopotamus teeth. 

One hippo tooth can fetch up to $600. Hong Kong is the largest market for hippo teeth where an increased demand for ivory from hippos hippo teeth are often used for jewelry, piano keys, chess pieces, furniture inlays, hunting trophies and other art items.

Hippopotamus teeth
Hippopotamus teeth

Trading Hippopotamus Teeth For Cash

You may think of ivory from elephant tusks but hippo teeth are made of ivory also. Hippopotamus teeth are used as ivory after the thick, hard enamel layer is removed. Elephant teeth are up to 6 feet long while hippo teeth are up to 2 feet long. 

Hippo teeth tusks are used like elephant ivory for carved decorations. Hippos also have the largest teeth of all land animals. Additionally, other parts of both animals such as feet and skulls are valued as statement or souvenir items. 

Hippopotamus have a low birth rate, female hippos have only one calf every two years, so a reduction in population size can have a long-term impact.

In 2006, it was estimated that only between 125,000 and 150,000 hippos existed, a statistic that prompted the International Union for Conservation of Nature to list the hippopotamus as a vulnerable species.

Hippo teeth are traded legally and illegally

Hippo teeth are traded legally and illegally. Those who are caught in the illegal trade in Africa can be sentenced to spend 2 to 5 years for illegally possessing wildlife products. Hippo teeth can still be traded under CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora founded in 1973 though all international sales require an export permit.

CITES is an international treaty between governments to ensure that trade does not cause species to become extinct. It operates using a permit system depending on how endangered the animal or plant. 

The illegal trade of Hippo teeth is responsible for more human deaths than almost any other animal in Africa.

The illegal trade of Hippo teeth is responsible for more human deaths than almost any other animal in Africa. Hippopotamus are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa standing around 6 feet tall weighing upwards of 8,000 pounds. Hippos can easily outrun a human running up to speeds of 20 miles per hour. Also in 2011 in Zambia, Hippos hunting for food by rooting in the soil, became infected with anthrax. 

Hippopotamus teeth are mostly used in Hong Kong.

Hippo teeth are mostly used in Hong Kong, Asia, where hippo ivory is carved into artwork.

Large hippo populations are found in the African countries of Botswana, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Zambia, The Gambia, Rwanda, Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, and Ethiopia. 

Rules for trading ivory Hippopotamus teeth comes from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species import and export and is legally restricted. New ivory can enter most countries under very limited circumstances for example for the purposes of forensic or scientific research.

There are two species of hippos; the large common hippo and the smaller pygmy hippo. Hippos are the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos. 

Did you know?

The closest relations of the hippopotamus are whales and dolphins.


Trading Ivory in the US

The sale and trade of ivory in the United States is heavily regulated, and there are strict rules in place to prevent illegal poaching and trade of elephant ivory.

In general, it is illegal to import, export, buy, or sell ivory across state lines, with a few exceptions. 

The exceptions include antique ivory (ivory that is over 100 years old), certain musical instruments that contain small amounts of ivory, and ivory that is part of a documented household inheritance. 

In order to legally sell or trade antique ivory, it must meet certain criteria, including being at least 100 years old, being part of a bona fide antique, and not having been significantly modified from its original form. 

Additionally, the seller must be able to provide documentation proving the age of the ivory and its status as a bona fide antique.

If you are unsure about the legality of selling or trading ivory, it is important to consult with a legal professional or a wildlife conservation organization.

Below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. Deadliest routes for refugees
  2. Cooking with shea butter oil
  3. Worst serial killers recorded in history are women
  4. Indigenous healers and plants used
  5. Night running illness or magic
  6. What is back to Africa

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

Image
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...
Read the full post here

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here

Why Study the Kingdom of Kongo When It Failed

Image
A Kingdom Torn Apart: The Forces Behind Kongo’s Collapse. Why study and honor defunct ancient African kingdoms? These kingdoms no longer exist, they were failures; hpwever, they were once thriving societies with remarkable achievements. Before the arrival of Portuguese explorers, the Kingdom of Kongo flourished as a prosperous and powerful African state.  It boasted a sophisticated social structure, strong economic systems, and rich spiritual traditions. The King of Kongo was regarded as a sacred intermediary between the gods and his people, embodying the kingdom's deep reverence for spirituality and governance.  This existence, however, became a battleground as the Portuguese wielded their “divide and conquer” strategy with precision, exploiting internal rivalries and introducing advanced weaponry that disrupted the balance of power, deposing the king. Economic pressures intensified as the Portuguese fueled the transatlantic slave trade, transforming allies into rivals and co...
Read the full post here

Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

Image
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 ...
Read the full post here