African Culture

  • What is Injera?

    If you ever get to attend an Ethiopian/Eritrean wedding get ready to eat the popular delicacy “Injera”. So what is Injera? Injera is a bread made with teff flour (a kind of millet growing only in Ethiopia). The injera has a slightly spongy texture and a slight bitter taste. This spongy flatbread is what you…

  • What do You Need When Planning a Habesha Wedding?

    This is not an exhaustive list, but is a starter to help you start planning your Habesha wedding. Feel free to add more items to the list in the comment section:  Ethiopian /Eritrean Cultural Wedding Ceremony! Wedding Checklist -Wedding Jewelry – Wedding Rings  -traditional Wedding dress…Kaba – traditional shoes – hair extensions – Makeup –…

  • What is Telosh?

    The Habesha traditional wedding ceremony begins with a ceremony called Telosh (Ethiopian) or Helefot (Eritrean), which happens two days, usually a the Thursday or Friday before the main wedding ceremony. This ceremony takes place in the Bride’s family home and is an opportunity for the groom and his family to shower the Bride with gifts….

  • What are Waist beads used for?

    Ghana waist beads have been used by  Ghanaian women for centuries to shape their bodies. Traditionally, consistently wearing multiple waist beads over time is believed to help to keep the waist small and thereby accentuate the hips. Waist beads are not beaded on stretch material but on cotton cord, therefore, the beads can only roll…

  • Which place is known for Gold or Silver filigree work?

    Ethiopia has it’s fair share of Filigree pieces and jewelry. By soldering tiny gold or silver twisted threads and beads, Ethiopian Artisans produce Filigree bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings. Firstly, the gold or silver goes through a stretching process till it becomes very fine thread. This thread is then manipulated and twisted into the design…

  • What does filigree mean in jewelry?

    Filigree or filligree or fillagree ornaments are made from pliable metal threads twisted into various designs. These designs are then soldered together to produce the main jewelry. Interestingly, the word “Filigree” is got from two Latin words; “filum” which means thread and “granum” which means grain. So this gives a picture of what Filigree jewelry…

  • 7 Facts About Ethiopian Jewelry

    1. Ethiopian gold and silver smiths are usually men from Askum in Northern Ethiopia. 2. Gold is esteemed in the Ethiopian society, being a popular gift for weddings, graduations ceremonies, child baptism, awards and other events. 3. Popular Ethiopian jewelry ere earrings (tsirur) , pendants (dinble), crosses, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, wedding rings (yegabcha kelebet)….

  • Chilanga Mulilo Food list

    What food items to buy for a Chilanga Mulilo  Chicken  Sweet potatoes  Bush meat  Meat  Fresh fish  Dry fish  Dried kapenta  Chikanda Cassava  Beans  Mealie meal  Pumkin leaves  Cassava leaves  Beans leaves  Dried mushrooms  Crate of drinks  dried okra  Tomatoes  Onion  Pumpkin seeds  Charcoal  Sampo  Sweet potatoes  Cooking oil  Crate of beer  Transport from cooking…