In Africa, as in every collection of cultures, foods are almost always based only on local supplies and traditions. Food is different from the West Coast to the Sahara desert to South Africa. One thing binds all of Africa together, however, is their close relationship to tradition.

In desert nomadic tribes, such as the Fulani, one tradition is that owning large herds signifies wealth. However, even though one might be wealthy, having so much livestock may be a disadvantage when famine strikes. Even if the farmers can provide enough food to keep the cattle alive, the milk yield diminishes, and provides less income than normal. Droughts have often devastated African lands. Africa has had a long history of natural disaster and hardship. Lack of water is just one of the problems. In ancient times, locusts plagued Egypt. This was supposedly a punishment of the gods.

In the Sahara desert salt is precious and is used a lot, because sweating in the sweltering heat takes away much of stored salt from the body. In this desert, long ago, many Arabs traded salt for gold. The Arabs cut slabs of salt from the sea floor. In many African countries, salt is still a form of currency, as it has been for many centuries. In regions like the Sahara desert, cereal or dried bread is the main source of food. To prevent huge disruption from commonly-experienced droughts, the Africans must store their food. African food is stored in many arrangements of containers. A popular container, which is also a food, is the gourd. A hollowed out gourd provides a cheap way of transporting food. Other pots may be made of metal, straw baskets, and more.

On the West Coast, fishing is an important part of their staple diet. Fishers are extremely careful about providing enough fish for their community. Nets are always carefully checked to see that the net has no holes that may ruin the catch of the day.

The Maasai tribe in southern Africa believes cattle can provide more food if they are not killed, but instead they use the cow in many ways until death. One popular practice is to use extracted blood from the neck of the cow. With the blood they would add milk, and have a nutritious drink. This is similar to the usage of blood from a pig to make black pudding (like Renaissance Europe). The Maasai have these "bloody milkshakes" once a week.

Today, many different foods from different African cultures have spread across the world. Africa in modern times has been plagued not only by natural occurences, but also by civil wars, corrupt governments, and lack of infrastructure. Many of Africa's cultures are becoming extinct - and their food is leaving with them.

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