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.

Can’t Rewrite Your Past

The past is a teacher, not a dictator. 

Lessons from African Proverbs About Letting Go of the Past. Africa’s proverbs teach us to accept the past, focus on the present, and use our energy to shape a better future.

The past is in the past leave it there

Embrace the Present

Lessons from African Proverbs About Letting Go of the Past.


African proverbs emphasize the importance of living in the present, urging us to accept the past as unchangeable and to channel our energy into building a better future. This wisdom teaches that trying to rewrite our history is a futile endeavor, energy spent on regrets is energy that must be invested in the here and now.


Keep walking you’ll get there


Here are three powerful African proverbs that encapsulate this idea and what they mean:


No matter how long a log stays in the water, it doesn’t become a crocodile.


This proverb reminds us that time and effort cannot transform something into what it is not meant to be. A log may remain submerged in water for years, but it will never turn into a crocodile. 


Similarly, no matter how long we dwell on past events or how much we wish things had been different, we cannot change what has already happened. 


This proverb encourages us to accept the past for what it is and to understand that reliving or reimagining it is pointless. Instead, we should focus on the present, where our actions can shape outcomes.


Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.


This proverb from the Akan people of Ghana teaches that instead of dwelling on our failures or regrets, we need to focus on understanding what led us there. 


Rather than fixating on a mistake or a missed opportunity, it’s more productive to recognize the decisions or circumstances that contributed to it. 


This shifts the focus from wishing to undo the past to learning from it, allowing us to make better choices now. The energy spent crying over past errors can be redirected toward self-improvement and forward momentum.


He who spends time regretting the past loses the present and risks the future.


The Yoruba people of Nigeria highlight the danger of regret through this saying. It is a clear reminder that dwelling on past mistakes robs us of our present moments and compromises our future potential. 


The past is immovable, but the present is alive and fluid, offering endless opportunities for growth, joy, and change. Every minute wasted on regret is a lost chance to make positive strides now. This proverb encourages a mindset shift from I wish I had to What can I do.

Dancing in the present

Channeling Energy into the Present


The central message of these proverbs is about the power of now. Investing time and energy into the past, what could have been, what should have been, and what might have been is a losing game. 


African wisdom teaches us to acknowledge and accept the past while pouring our focus into the present. Here are a few ways to put this lesson into practice:


Reflect on past experiences not to rewrite them but to understand their lessons. Each experience, whether good or bad, holds a lesson that can inform better decisions today. Engage fully in the present. Mindfulness helps us appreciate the current moment without the shadows of the past.


The past is a teacher, not a dictator. African proverbs offer timeless wisdom about the value of living in the present, accepting that the past is unchangeable, and using our energy wisely. We cannot rewrite yesterday’s story, but we can author today’s and tomorrow’s with the lessons we have learned.

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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