Yaji Spice Honors African Union Day
- Discover the diverse spices of Africa with Yaji Spice this African Union Day.
- Enjoy a special African Union Day recipe featuring Yaji Spice.
- Share the joy of African Union Day with Yaji Spice’s flavorful traditions.
Shop authentic West African spices from Yaji Spice today!
African Union Day is coming up September 9! African Union Day honors the creation of the African Union (AU) in 1999. It was officially launched just three years later in 2002. The AU is dedicated to promoting unity, cooperation, and solidarity among African nations and peoples. African Union Day is a moment to reflect on the progress made and to recommit to the vision of a united and prosperous Africa.
Yaji Spice honors and celebrates the unity of African nations by highlighting the rich and diverse flavors that define our continent. As a symbol of our shared heritage, Yaji Spice brings the authentic taste of Africa to every meal, paying tribute to the culinary traditions that connect us all.
At Yaji Spice, we’re celebrating African Union Day with a collection of delicious recipes, including a traditional Spicy Lentil Stew. Dive into our curated selection of authentic African dishes and experience the vibrant flavors of the continent!
Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Yaji Ataré
- ¼ teaspoon Yaji Suya
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.
- Add Yaji Ataré, Yaji Suya. Cook for a minute.
- Pour in vegetable broth and add rinsed lentils. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Enjoy your lentil stew and learn more about the African Union (AU) here.
What Is African Union (AU)?
The AU promotes self-government and solidarity across Africa. It is an institution that consists of 55 member countries. It can step in and intervene in crimes against humanity, violations of human rights, and genocide.
Goals of the African Union
The AU aims to promote peace, security, solidarity, and unity to its member countries.
The AU also focuses on ending the effects of colonialism and the apartheid.
The union works to dismantle the systems of oppression colonizers left in their wake. Colonizers like France left their political, economic, and cultural marks on Africa. It will take time to dismantle the complex effects of colonization across the continent.
The AU also works towards healing from the apartheid, a system of segregation and social hierarchy in South Africa that lasted for 46 years.
Besides tackling colonialism and the apartheid, the AU works to defend the sovereignty and independence of its member states.
There are a couple of ways to celebrate the African Union.
Participate in a Charity Event
Attend a charity event for an organization that supports African education or healthcare. Or, if you don’t have an event in your area, consider donating a portion of your paycheck.
Cook and Share Traditional African Dishes
Use our recipe collection for inspiration in the kitchen! We offer several African dishes, including the Lentil Stew mentioned above. Or Google traditional African dishes and see what pops up. You can even turn it into a full day of cooking and eating.
Here at Yaji Spice, we celebrate the holiday with a recipe for a traditional African dish, Spicy Lentil Stew. Be sure to check out our other online recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Yaji Ataré
- ¼ teaspoon Yaji Suya
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.
- Add Yaji Ataré, Yaji Suya. Cook for a minute.
- Pour in vegetable broth and add rinsed lentils. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Enjoy your lentil stew and learn more about the African Union (AU) here.
Host an African Cultural Night
Africa’s cultural traditions are rich and complex. Celebrate the diversity of culture with food, music, dancing, and storytelling.
Attend an African Film Screening
Whether you’re watching a popular film or a documentary on African history, sit back, relax, and enjoy some popcorn. There may even be documentaries on the African Union.
Read Books by African Authors
Authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are great artists. Among her works are Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. Fellow Nigerian-born author Chinua Achebe wrote such books as Things that Fall Apart.
Mariama Bâ is the Senegalese author of So Long a Letter. If you’re looking for other African authors, Goodreads will pull up a list for you.
Visit an African Art Exhibition
Appreciate African art at an exhibition. Chéri Samba is one of the best known contemporary African artists in the 21st century. His works are included in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Tracey Rose is a South African artist who works in performances, video installations, and photographs. There is a whole world of artists out there to explore!
Wear African Clothing
African Union Day is coming up September 9! African Union Day honors the creation of the African Union (AU) in 1999. It was officially launched just three years later in 2002. The AU promotes solidarity between African nations and peoples.
Support African-Owned Businesses
Support African-owned businesses like our online spices store as often as possible. The impact of even one purchase supports African women and their families. Consider a Nigerian Suya spice mix blend or a mixed veggie blend from our website.
Join a Panel Discussion or Webinar
Listen to experts and activists across Africa as they discuss issues from education to healthcare to economic development.
Host a Poetry Reading
Celebrate African arts with a poetry reading, perhaps including poets like Kofi Awoonor, Christopher Okigbo, and Ketty Nivyabandi.
Teach Children About Africa
Explore African history and culture with children. You could teach music, dances, and stories that are traditional to African countries. You could even fry up some plantains or use our online recipes to teach the kids about tasty African food.
Create Art Inspired by Africa
Write, paint, or sculpt art about Africa, whether it’s about its people, its culture, or its landscapes.
Listen to African Music
Whether you’re listening to Afrobeats or Mbalax, pop in your earbuds, tune in, and maybe even dance a little. Everything from contemporary music to folk music is available.
Decorate Your Space with African-Inspired Designs
Buy that African print or artwork and hang it in your living room.
Donate to African Causes
Support organizations working to improve conditions in Africa. This could include everything from healthcare to economic development. Your hard-earned dollars go a long way in helping those less fortunate.
Host a Fundraiser for African Initiatives
Organize a fundraising event to support projects in Africa, such as alleviating poverty and providing medical supplies.
Watch or Participate in an African Dance Workshop
Watch or learn traditional African dances.
Share African Union Day on Social Media
Share all about African Union Day on Instagram, TikTok, and your other go-to social media apps. The more people become aware, the more they’re able to support the African Union and other institutions that work tirelessly for the good of Africa.
Join us in celebrating African Union Day by trying out our curated recipes that honor the continent’s diverse culinary heritage. Head over to yajispice.com to start your flavorful journey with Yaji Spice, and don’t forget to share your creations with us! Yaji Spice wishes you a healthy and happy African Union Day!
Please note: While no nuts are added to the Nut-Free Suya Spice Blend, Yaji Spice operates in facilities that may process nuts and therefore cannot guarantee the absence of trace allergens. Yaji Spice bears no responsibility for any allergic reactions or related incidents.
