Longevity Through Pan-African Cuisine
Before the first seed met the earth, before fire kissed the pot, there was wisdom—passed from hand to hand, voice to voice, breath to breath. A knowing, not written in books, but woven into the soil, the roots, the very rhythm of the land.
Food is more than sustenance—it’s the keeper of time, the builder of generations, the legacy of longevity.
I’ve been holding this close to my heart, but I’m finally ready to share: I’m writing a book.
Longevity Through Pan-African Cuisine will launch first as an immersive e-book, followed by a physical edition. This isn’t just a cookbook—it’s a labor of love, a deeply personal project, a dream that has been quietly simmering for years. It’s a full-circle moment, bringing me back to my roots in Pan-African & Africana Studies and my passion for food as a vessel for healing, history, and connection.
Few people know that MicrobiYUM was originally intended to be a cookbook, but life had other plans. My gut health journey led me deep into the world of the microbiome—that beautiful, unseen universe within us. And so, the cookbook idea was put on hold.
But I’ve always known I would write a book. Coming from a family of authors and storytellers, it felt inevitable. The right moment finally came late last year, in a wave of homesickness and grief after losing my father. I longed for Sudan, for my family, and felt a deep sadness over the conflict back home and the state of the world. But I didn’t want to sit in that sadness—I wanted to transmute it.
I kept returning to the idea that Sudan, and Africa as a whole, is a wellspring of healing traditions. The rituals, the stories, the recipes passed down for generations—they hold the key to longevity and vitality.
This book is a love letter to my heritage, my father, and the wisdom of our ancestors. It’s a collection of recipes that span Africa’s vast culinary landscape, from the bustling markets of West Africa to the spice-laden kitchens of the Horn and the sun-drenched savannas of the South. Some are cherished family recipes, others inspired by my travels and research. Each dish tells a story—of resilience, nourishment, and the deep connection between food, culture, and longevity.
I’m still writing, carefully shaping every page. If this journey resonates with you, I’d love for you to be part of it. Join the waitlist to be among the first to know when it’s ready. This is more than a cookbook. It’s a movement, a celebration, and a return to the wisdom that has sustained us for centuries.