Celtnet Recipes West African Recipes and Cookery

Benin, officially: République du Bénin; Republic of Benin was formerly known as Dahomey (until 1975) or Dahomania. Its capital is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou. The name "Benin" has no proper connection to Kingdom of Benin (or Benin City). The name Dahomey was changed in 1975 to The People's Republic of Benin, named after the body of water on which the country lies, the Bight of Benin. This name was picked due to its neutrality, since the current political boundaries of Benin encompass over fifty distinct linguistic groups and nearly as many individual ethnic groups. There are several dozen ethnolinguistic groups in Benin, representing three of Africa's language families: Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Afroasiatic. The latter is represented by Hausa living mostly as merchants in the north, while Nilo-Saharan is represented by the Dɛndi, descending from the Songhai Empire. The Dɛndi language predominates along the Niger River in the far north, and is used as a lingua franca in Muslim areas throughout the north, in Alibori, Borgou, and Donga provinces. The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulbe (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found people of lighter skin who are descended from returned Brazilian slaves. There are also small numbers of Europeans, principally French, and Asians, mainly Lebanese and Indians. ndigenous religions are followed by a majority of the people. They include local animistic religions in the Atakora (Atakora and Donga provinces) and Vodun among the Yoruba and Tado peoples in the center and south of the country. The town of Ouidah on the central coast is the spiritual center of Beninese vodun.

Burkina Faso (also known as Burkina) is one of the three landlocked countries in West Africa. The name itself can be translated "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. Independence from France came in 1960. The 11,946,065 Burkinabè belong to two major West African cultural groups--the Voltaic and the Mandé. The Voltaic are far more numerous and include the Mossi, who make up about one-half of the population. Additionally, about 5,000 Europeans live in Burkina Faso. Approximately 50% of the population is Muslim; Christians account for about 30%, and followers of traditional African religions (typically animism of various forms) make up about 20%. Many Christians incorporate elements of animism into their religious practices.

Côte d'Ivoire; officially: République de Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire is a republic with a strong executive power personified in the President. Its de jure capital is Yamoussoukro and the official language is French. The country is divided into 19 regions and 58 departments. Côte d'Ivoire's economy is largely market-based and relies heavily on agriculture, with smallholder cash crop production being dominant. 77% of the population are considered Ivorians. They represent several different people and language groups. An estimated 65 languages are spoken in the country. One of the most common is Dyula, which acts as a trade language as well as a language commonly spoken by the Muslim population. French, the official language, is taught in schools and serves as a lingua franca in urban areas (particularly Abidjan). The majority of Ivorians are largely Christian (primarily Roman Catholic) and animist. 4% of the population is of non-African ancestry. Many are French, Vietnamese and Spanish citizens, as well as Protestant missionaries from the United States and Canada.

The Gambia, officially: the Republic of The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland and is bordered on three sides by Sénégal. On 18 February 1965 The Gambia became independent from the British Empire and it became a republic in 1970. Banjul is its capital and Serrekunda the largest city. A wide variety of ethnic groups live in The Gambia with a minimum of intertribal friction, each preserving its own language and traditions. The Mandinka tribe is the largest, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahule. The approximately 3,500 non-African residents include Europeans and families of Lebanese origin (roughly 0.23% of the total population). Muslims constitute more than 90% of the population. Christians of different denominations account for most of the remainder. Gambians officially observe the holidays of both religions and practice religious tolerance.

Ghana; officially: The Republic of Ghana whose name literally means 'The Warrior King'. It was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient kingdoms, including the Ga Adangbes on the eastern coast, inland Empire of Ashanti and various Fante states along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874. The country achieved independence in 1957. The country's major ethnic groups are the Akan 49%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%. European and other: 0.2% with the main religions: Christian 63%, Animism 21% and Muslim 16%. The main languages are English (official), along with various African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, Nzema, Dagaare, Gonja, Frafra, Hausa,Dangme and Ga).

Guinea; officially: République de Guinée; Republic of Guinea. Guinea is sometimes called Guinea-Conakry per its capital, to differentiate it from the neighboring Guinea-Bissau (whose capital is Bissau). The country attained independence from France on 2^nd October 1958. The main ethnic groups are: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20% with smaller groups making up less than 10% of the population. The country is predominantly muslim (85%) with 8% Christian and 7% following indigenous beliefs. The main languages are Fula; Maninka; Susu; French; Arabic; Wolof; Insula; Kissi with French being the official language.

Guinea-Bissau; officially: República da Guiné-Bissau; Republic of Guinea-Bissau is one of the smaller of the African countries and the only African country whose official language is Portugese. It was formerly the Portuguese colony of Portuguese Guinea and upon independence on September 24, 1973 (ratified on September 10, 1974) the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's official name in order to prevent confusion between itself and the Republic of Guinea (above). The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse and has many distinct languages, customs, and social structures. Nearly 99% of Guineans are black and can be divided into the following three categories: Fula and the Mandinka-speaking people, who comprise the largest portion of the population and are concentrated in the north and northeast; the Balanta and Papel people, who live in the southern coastal regions; and the Manjaco and Mancanha, who occupy the central and northern coastal areas. Only 14% of the population speaks the official language Portuguese. 44% of the population speaks Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole language, and the remainder speaks native African languages. White Portuguese and mestiços speak one of the African languages and Kriol as second languages. French is also learned in schools, as the country is surrounded by French-speaking countries and a full member of the Francophonie. The majority of the populace follows traditional animist beliefs, with 45% of the population being Muslim, principally the Fula and Mandinka peoples Less than 8% are Christian, most of whom are Roman Catholic.

Liberia, officailly: the Republic of Liberia (whose name means 'The Land of the Free') was founded as an independent nation with support of the American government, for free-born and formerly enslaved Blacks and thus, is only one of two nations in Africa (along with Ethiopia) that didn't fall under European domination. Unfortunately, since 1989 the country has witnessed two civil wars, the First Liberian Civil War (1989–1996), and the Second Liberian Civil War (1999–2003), that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed the country's economy. The country has been independent since 1847. The population of over 3 million comprises 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. Indigenous peoples comprise about 95% of the population, the largest of which are the Kpelle in central and western Liberia. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of freed slaves that arrived in Liberia as of 1821, make up an estimated 5% of the population, of whom half from US origin and half from the Caribbean. There also is a sizable number of Lebanese, Indians, and other West African nationals who make up a significant part of Liberia's business community.

Mali; officially: République du Mali; Republic of Mali is the other land-locked country in West Africa (along with Burkina-Faso, above). Formerly French Sudan, the country was named after the Mali Empire following independence from France on September 22, 1960. The main ethnic groups in this country are: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul (Fula/Fulani) 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%; with French as the official language. By far the majority of the populace are Muslim (>90%) [mostly Sunni] with 9% indigenous animist beliefs and 1% Christian. The name of the country derives from the Bambara word for hippopotamus (with the animal appearing on the 5 franc coin), the name of its capital city, Bamako comes from the Bambara word meaning 'place of crocodiles'.

Mauritania; (Arabic: موريتانيا Mūrītāniyā); officially: الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية; Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah; République Islamique de Mauritanie [Islamic Republic of Mauritania] is a West African country named after the ancient Berber kingdom of Mauretania. The capital and largest city is Nouakchott, located on the Atlantic coast. The country achieved independence from France on November 28^th, 1960. The populaton is 3 million of which 40% are mixed Arab/black; 30% are Arabic and 30% Black. The vast majority of the population are Muslim (99.84%) with most being Sunnis. The official languages are French and the Hassaniya dialect of Arabic. Other languages include Pulaar, Soninke and Wolof.

Niger; officially: République du Niger; Republic of Niger is the third of the land-locked countries of West Africa (along with Burkina Faso and Mali). The capital city is Niamey and independence was gained from France on August 3^rd, 1960. The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria,the Djerma-Songhai, who also are found in parts of Mali, the Anasara from the north and the west, and the Chinois, from the far east. Both groups, along with the Gourmantche, are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier of the country. The remainder of Nigeriens are nomadic or semi-nomadic livestock-raising peoples—Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Arabs, and Toubou. As with neighbouring countries the vast majority of Niger's populace are Muslim. 

Nigeria; officially: Ìjọba-Àpapọ̀ Orílẹ̀-èdè Naìjírìà; Republik Nijeriya; جمهورية نيجيريا; Republic nde Naigeria; Republik Federaal bu Niiseriya; Federal Republic of Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960 and became a republic on October 1, 1963. The capital then was the coastal city of Lagos, but since 1991, its capital has been the centrally-located city of Abuja. It is the most populous country in Afrca and re-achieved democracy in 1999 after a sixteen-year interruption; from 1966 until 1999 when Nigeria was ruled by military dictators who seized power in coups d'état and counter-coups during the Nigerian military juntas of 1966-1979 and 1983-1998. Current estimates put the population of Nigeria at over 131 million. Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups, with varying languages and customs, creating a country of rich ethnic diversity. The largest ethnic groups are the Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, accounting for 68% of population, while the Edo, Ijaw (10%), Kanuri, Ibibio, Nupe and Tiv comprise 27%; other minorities make up the remaining 7 percent.[33] The middle belt of Nigeria is known for its diversity of ethnic groups, including the Pyem, Goemai, and Kofyar. The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. This number includes 510 living languages, two second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. In some areas of Nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language. The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country though Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba are also recognised as regional languages.

Senegal; (French: le Sénégal); officially: République du Sénégal; Republic of Senegal achieved independence from France on June 20^th, 1960. Senegal has a wide variety of ethnic groups and, as in most West African countries, several languages are widely spoken. The Wolof are the largest single ethnic group in Senegal at 43%; the Peul and Toucouleur (also known as Halpulaar, Fulbe or Fula) (24%) are the second biggest group, followed by others that include the Serer (15%), Lebou (10%), Jola (4%), Mandinka (3%), Maures or Naarkajors, Soninke, Bassari and many smaller communities (9%). French is the official language, used regularly by a minority of Senegalese educated in a system styled upon the colonial-era schools of French origin (Koranic schools are even more popular, but Arabic is not widely spoken outside of this context of recitation). Most people also speak their own ethnic language while, especially in Dakar, where Wolof is the lingua franca. Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 95 percent of the country's population; the Christian community, at 4 percent of the population, includes Roman Catholics and diverse Protestant denominations. There is also a tiny minority (1%) who practice animism, particularly in the southeastern region of the country. Islamic communities are generally organized around one of several Islamic Sufi orders or brotherhoods, headed by a khalif (xaliifa in Wolof, from Arabic khalīfa), who is usually a direct descendant of the group’s founder. The two largest and most prominent Sufi orders in Senegal are the Tijaniyya, whose largest sub-groups are based in the cities of Tivaouane and Kaolack, and the Murīdiyya (Murid), based in the city of Touba.

Sierra Leone; officially: the Republic of Sierra Leone whose name is aopted from the Portuguese name for the country: Serra Leoa (literally 'Lion Mountains') gained independence from Britain on April 27^th, 1961. The capital Freetown was founded in 1787 by the Sierra Leone Company as a home for enslaved Africans who had fought for the British in the American Revolutionary War. In 1808, Freetown became a British Crown Colony, and in 1896, the interior of the country became a British Protectorate. From 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone suffered greatly under the devastating effects of rebel activities, which were stopped by UN and British forces disarming 17,000 militia and rebels. Sierra Leone has been at peace since 2002. The population of Sierra Leone comprises about sixteen ethnic groups; each with its own language and costume, the two largest of these being the Mende, and Temne, each comprises 30% of the population. The Mende predominate in the Southern Province, and in Kailahun District in the Eastern Province; the Temne likewise predominate in the Northern Province. The third largest ethnic group is the Limba, representing about 9.5% of the population. Like the Temne, the Limba primarily live in the Northern Province. The fourth largest ethnic group is the Kono, comprises 7.8% of the population. The Kono are mostly found in the diamond-rich Kono District in the Eastern Province. The Krio (descendants of freed slaves from the West Indies, North America, and Britain landed in Freetown between 1787 and about 1855) make up 3% of the population but their language is widely spoken throughout the Country. Most Krios live in Freetown, the nation's capital. 60% of the Sierra Leonian population are Muslim; 30% are Christian whilst 10% adhere to their native religions and faiths.

Togo; officially: République Togolaise; whose capital is Lomé Togolese Republic achieved independence from France on April 27^th, 1960. Togo's culture reflects the influences of its thirty-seven ethnic groups, the largest and most influential of which are the Ewe, Mina, and Kabre. Though French is the official language, the many indigenous African languages spoken by Togolese include: Gbe languages such as Ewe, Mina, and Aja; Kabiyé; and others. Over half the Togolese people adhere to native, animist, belief systems despite the influences of Islam and Christianity.

Cape Verde, officially: República de Cabo Verde; Republic of Cape Verde is an archipelago republic in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century. The country is named after Cap Vert (meaning Green Cape) in Senegal, the westernmost point of continental Africa. The capital and largest city is Praia and Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5^th 1975. Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in 1460 and made the islands part of the Portuguese empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde became an important watering station, then sugar cane plantation site, and later a major hub of the trans-atlantic slave trade, that would later form the contemporary African Diaspora.

Cape Verde is formed from the islands: Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio Santiago (on which the capital is sited), Fogo and Bravia. Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are a genetic blend of Sub-Saharian Africans and Europeans, the Africans having been slaves and hailing mostly from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Cape Verdeans' European ancestors include Portuguese settlers and exiles, Portuguese Jews who were victims of the Inquisition, and Spanish and Italian seamen who were granted land by the Portuguese Empire. Many foreigners from other parts of the world settled Cape Verde as their permanent country. Most of them were Dutch, French, British, Arabs and Jews (from Lebanon and Morocco), Chinese (especially from Macau), Americans, and Brazilians (including people of Portuguese and African descent) settlers. All of these have been absorbed into the general Cape Verdean population. Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese. It is the language of instruction and official acts. However, the Cape Verdean Creole is used colloquially and is the mother tongue of virtually all Cape Verdeans. Cape Verdean Creole or Kriolu is a dialect continuum of a Portuguese-based creole, which varies from island to island. The majority of the population adheres to Christianity, mostly Catholicism which constitutes some 90% of the population (in many areas Catholicism and the indigenous religion are syncretised). The remaining includes a sizeable Protestant community as well as a small number of Bahai and Buddhist and even smaller Muslim groups.