Around 1000 AD, sub-Saharan African societies widely practiced the preservation of meat and fish through sundrying techniques similar to biltong. This method of preservation was crucial for food security and trade, allowing communities to store resources for lean seasons. The practice reflects the ingenuity of African cultures in utilizing available resources for sustenance.

The preservation of meat and fish in ancient Africa around 1000 AD played a crucial role in sustaining oral epic traditions and griot poetry. This practice influenced poets like Amadou Hampâté Bâ, who recounted migrations and hunts, thus enriching the broader African literary heritage.