Djibery

“Hi T boy prayer warriors,

Denise/Tanta Xadi”

Thank you for caring about African products. The sales of African products not only helps the craftspeople in Africa, but we couldn’t help support places like the Mpila orphanage without you.

“Hi Africa Import Friends,

I thought you would enjoy this photo. These boys are wearing new clothes from Finland! God has many resources!

From left to right are: Mame Moor, Mane N’Daw and Djibery.

Aren’t they adorable!!! It breaks my heart to have such little ones. I just want to take them home.”

A percentage of every purchase you make is used to help orphanages in Congo and Senegal. Click Here to find more.

Moroccan Independence Day

The Moroccans are a fiercely proud race; proud of their lineage and proud of their independence. But then it is quite natural, given the fact that the Moroccans had to secure their freedom after many hard-fought and bloody battles. On Independence Day, Morocco sees an absolute outpouring of joy and celebration.

About Morocco’s Independence

Morocco broke free from years of French colonial rule with the return of King Mohammed V in 1956 from his exile in Madagascar and Corsica. On November 18th, 1956, King Mohammed V proclaimed Morocco’s independence. He was crowned as King of Morocco the following year. Independence Day is marked by a speech from the King and a lavish parade by the Royal Armed Forces through the streets of the capital.

Morocco has been under the rule of many a power throughout its history. Although the Independence Day in Morocco (18th November) celebrates its freedom from the French rule, the grateful Moroccans have not forgotten the sacrifices of their heroes in driving away the Spanish conquerors. So in the month of June, there are Morocco independence celebrations to mark the freedom of the country in 1975 from Spanish rule.

Today is an occasion to hail the efforts and sacrifices of the Moroccan people, who sacrificed lives and money to achieve the independence of the country and subsequently to place it amongst the democratic, modern, moderate and open countries. Happy Independence Day Morocco!

Find out more about African holidays on the Africa Imports web site by Clicking Here.

Cocoa and Vitamin E Black Soap

Vitamin E is one of the most important, yet most neglected vitamins used today. This vitamin when used in soaps or skin care products is directly absorbed through the skin and promotes blood circulation. It has a great variety of benefits, such as stopping skin disorders in their tracks while keeping the skin soft and supple. It also helps prevent and fight off atherosclerosis and keratinisation.

It effectively fights of melanin deposits, providing anti-inflammatory protection. Vitamin E is also called one of nature’s best anti-oxidants, which means it defends your cells against damage on a daily basis and protects the skin’s delicate fatty acids from oxidation and destruction. Scientific studies suggest that vitamin E may prove to be even more beneficial in years to come. Preliminary research points to the promising effects of vitamin E in curbing certain chronic diseases.

To get your own vitamin E black soap just Click Here. To get pure vitamin E oil Click Here. Find more natural skin care and soaps on the Africa Imports web site.

With Halloween now over and Thanksgiving on the way, you may be wondering if there’s any way to add some African culture to your Thanksgiving celebration. The good news is, there is! A Thanksgiving, or harvest festival, is celebrated in many countries throughout Africa. The difference is that it is usually celebrated in the month of August marking the end of the rainy season.

African harvest festivals have a lot of religious significance. They are characterized by lots of dancing and singing. Dancers wear traditional masks and outfits. A popular dance sequence involves a good ghost who looks after their crops and scares away the bad ghosts who try to spoil the food.

Festival of Yams is a popular harvest festival celebrated with days of ceremonies and offerings to God and ancestors. Yams are the first crops to be harvested. People offer yams to the gods and ancestors first before they distribute them to the rest of the village.

The Homowo Festival of Africa, is a celebration of a traditional harvest festival from the Ga people of Ghana, West Africa, it is the largest cultural festival of its kind. For the Ga people, the word Homowo means “hooting at hunger.”

The origin of Homowo is tied to the roots of the Ga people and their migration to Ghana. The Ga traveled for many years before reaching the west coast of Africa where they now live. Along the way they experienced famine, but through helping each other, they survived. Later when their harvests were plentiful, they held a feast at which they jeered and laughed at the hunger and hard times that had plagued them. This was the first Homowo.

The Homowo Festival begins with a traditional Ghanaian procession in which people assume the roles of kings, queens and followers of the royal family of each of Ghana’s ethnic groups.

In some African cultures they hold a ceremony called “first fruits” that takes several days of planning in order to bless the newly harvested crops and purify the people before they eat the foods.

I will be giving you updates as the Thankgiving holiday comes closer, with some exciting ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with a taste of Africa. Also, keep checking back for African Thanksgiving recipes. Make Thanksgiving of ‘09 one to remember!

Want to take a look at some African recipe ideas? Click Here. Keep in mind this page will be updated with more African recipes as Thanksgiving gets closer.

Want to find traditional African clothing or African masks like the ones used in African harvest festivals? Just go to the Africa Imports web site at www.africaimports.com

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman

We just uploaded this video last week and though you’d like to see! Find more videos on the Africa Imports web site or by Clicking Here.

Africa Imports pays for three meals a day for over 100 orphan children in the Mpila orphanage in Congo. We can’t do this without your purchases, and as a thank you we’d like to tell you about this young woman who has found a home there.

One of the workers at the orphanage sent us this letter along with the photo:

“This is a 17 year old girl that was living on the streets. She was raped, got pregnant and gave birth on the streets 11 days ago. She was brought to the Mpila Orphanage. Her little son has been given the name Job. They will keep her and little Job for 6 months and then see if housing or something can be found for her.”

This kind of letter reminds us why it’s so important for young people in Africa to have choices and safe places to live. A percentage of every purchase you make is used to help orphanages in Congo and Senegal. Click Here to find more.

African Inspired Ponchos

Wrap up in sleek fall sophistication with our new African inspired ponchos with faux fur. Each one gives you a fun seasonal look with a subtle African edge. Click Here to find out more about the poncho pictured above. Click Here to see more ponchos plus African inspired coats, jackets and more!

Soy Milk Soap

Soy milk is a favorite among nutrition experts, who believe that soy extract is mandatory for total bath and body health. Soy milk is full of proteins, amino acids, and lipids found in soy beans that allow for rapid hydration and cell regeneration. This means softer, more supple skin and less wrinkling and aging as the years go by.

Soy also has a natural source of phytoestrogens, which are beneficial in the regeneration of a woman’s skin. Phytoestrogens help women keep a youthful appearance as they replicate female hormones. Soy lipids are high in vitamin E, which helps to regenerate damaged tissue and brings moisture to the skin. What does this mean? Less scarring, reduced appearance of stretch marks, and a smoother complexion. Soy also is instrumental in repairing the skin, and keeping it soft and flexible, therefore avoiding the natural process of aging. Soy lipids are also a good antioxidant and aid in eliminating free radicals from the skin.

Get your own soy milk soap by Clicking Here. You can find more natural soaps on the Africa Imports web site.