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.

Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder African Folktale

African folktales, with their rich storytelling traditions, serve as powerful tools for understanding the impacts of Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder.

Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder African Folktale


Short Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder African Folktale
The African folktale The Chains of the Past teaches important lessons about resilience, healing from the trauma of slavery, and the significance of confronting and understanding African history. Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder refers to the feelings of sadness and hurt experienced by people due to the historical slavery experiences of their ancestors, such as forced labor and unfair treatment. These emotions can persist within families for generations, despite the events occurring long ago.


Post-Traumatic Slave Disorder African Folktale: The Chains of the Past 

A wise old tortoise named Tiko was in a small village in Mozambique. He often told the story of a great eagle, Majani, who had been captured and caged by a cruel hunter. Though Majani eventually escaped, the weight of the invisible chains lingered, causing him to fear flying high again. The villagers understood this as a symbol of how past traumas can bind the spirit, even when the physical chains are gone. 

Years later, a young girl named Amara listened to Tiko’s tale and felt a deep stirring within her. She sought out the mystical healer, Mbuyu, who lived in the forest. Mbuyu taught her that just as Majani had to confront his fears to soar again, so too must the people confront their history. Through rituals of remembrance and healing, Amara learned to help others release the invisible chains of their ancestors’ pain, fostering resilience and hope in her community. 

As Amara grew, she became a respected elder. One day, she gathered the villagers and shared stories of both Tiko and her journey with Mbuyu. She spoke of how they transformed the pain of the past into a circle of strength. Through shared stories and collective healing, the community learned to soar like Majani, free from the shadows of their ancestors' chains, and they passed on this wisdom to future generations, ensuring the cycle of healing continued.

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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