FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
About Njangi
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What exactly is Njangi?
Njangi is a mobile app dedicated to live African cultural exchange. It connects users globally through interactive video calls to share and learn African languages and culinary skills in real time. It's an opportunity to learn directly from local experts and community members.
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How is this different from a YouTube video?
Unlike pre-recorded videos, Njangi is live and interactive. When you join a cooking or language session, you get instant, personalized feedback from your host. You can ask questions, troubleshoot issues, and have a genuine conversation—you don't just watch; you participate.
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What is the app's core mission?
Our mission is to celebrate and share the vastness of African culture, language, and cuisine globally, while building a supportive, equitable community. We operate on a give-and-take system, where every user has something valuable to teach and something exciting to learn.
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What to Expect
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What is a Njangi House?
A House is your virtual space for hosting or joining a session. A user opens a House, details the specific dish (e.g., Ugandan Matoke), lists the ingredients/materials, and sets the start time and duration.
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Do I have to open a House to learn a language?
No, language learning is more flexible! You do not need to open a House. You can browse user profiles based on the language they speak. You can send a text to start a connection, and if you both agree, you can transition to a voice or video chat to begin your personalized language exchange.
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How do I join a House?
Browse the available open Houses on the app's home screen. When you find one that interests you, simply tap "Request to Join." Once the host accepts, you'll get a notification and an in-app link to join the live video call at the scheduled time.
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Can I host House even if I'm not a professional chef?
Absolutely! This platform is community-led. If you know how to cook a traditional family dish, you are considered an expert. We value authenticity and local knowledge above formal qualifications.
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How many people can join a House?
The host sets the maximum number of participants for their House, which ensures the session remains intimate and interactive. Most sessions are capped at a small number to allow for personalized feedback.
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What are Credits and how are they used?
Credits are our in-app exchange currency used exclusively for cooking sessions. Hosts can set a small Credit cost to join their House. This system ensures hosts are compensated for their time and ingredients, keeping the exchange beneficial for everyone. Credits can be purchased within the app.
Community and Safety
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Is this a safe and healthy community space?
Yes. We are deeply committed to maintaining a healthy, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. We have clear community guidelines focused on respect, cultural sensitivity, and positive interaction. Users can easily report any inappropriate behavior to ensure a safe experience for everyone.
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How can I become an active part of the community?
The best way is to host your own House and share your skills! You can also participate in community initiatives, provide feedback, and connect with other users in the built-in chat. Your engagement is what makes our community thrive.
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How does the barter system work?
It means that every user is viewed as both a student and a teacher. You might teach a language session one day and join a cooking session as a student the next. This mutual exchange ensures that the flow of knowledge is rich, reciprocal, and valuable for all members.
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Technical and Account Details
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Is the app free to download?
Yes, it is totally free to download this app and join the community. Access to Houses require credits which can be earned by hosting Houses yourself, or purchasing credits from the app.
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What kind of equipment do I need to participate?
All you need is a smartphone or tablet with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and the ingredients/materials listed by the host for the session you join.
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What languages are supported on the app?
While the focus is on African languages (such as Swahili, Hausa, Cameroonian Pidgin, Amharic, etc.), the core app interface and general communications are in English. The languages taught are determined by the hosts' spoken languages.
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How do I handle time zone differences?
The app will automatically show the session time in your local time zone, based on your device settings, making it easy to schedule and join Houses regardless of where the host is located.
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