Search Results for: Central African Republic

Central African Republic is located in the heart of Africa. It is a landlocked country surrounded by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo. Colonized by the French in 1894, Central African Republic along with Chad was known as the colony of Ubangi-Shari, named for the largest of many rivers in the area. In 1910, Gabon and Middle Congo, along with Ubangi-Shari, became the French Equatorial Africa. After World War II and a rebellion, the French granted self-government and on August 13, 1960, Central African Republic gained full independence from France.

The official language is French, however most speak a pidgin language called Sango that emerged after colonization. With over 80 ethnic groups in Central African Republic, many also speak their indigenous languages. The country’s topography is mostly rolling plateaus with numerous rivers. Flooding is common during the rainy season and savannas cover most of the land. In the northeast, it is arid and in the southwest, it is covered in tropical rainforest. The climate is tropical; hot with dry winters and hot with wet summers. It is also home to the Bangui magnetic anomaly, which is a local variation in the Earth’s magnetic field, centered at Bangui, the capital. It is one of the most intense crustal magnetic anomalies on the African continent.

This country, blessed with water for hydropower and natural resources like diamonds, uranium, timber and gold, has struggled and continues to struggle. There has been coup after coup. The country today is completely unstable and in a brutal civil war. You don’t hear much about Central African Republic in the news, but the world needs to take a closer look.

The civil war began two years ago, on December 10, 2012. The rebel coalition, called Séléka, accused the government of President Bozizé of failing to abide by peace agreements signed in 2007 and 2011. Many of the rebels were previously involved in the Central African Republic Bush War. The rebel coalition, mostly made up of Muslim minorities, managed to take control of many towns and villages and then ultimately, the capital city, Bengui. President Bozizé fled and the leader of Séléka declared himself president. According to Amnesty International, the Christian anti-Balaka coalition committed several massacres against Muslim civilians, forcing thousands of Muslims to flee the country. Kids who used to go to school and play together are now literally killing each other. The population of the Central African Republic was around 4,500,000 but today nearly 1,000,000 are displaced because of the civil war. The hatred that has brewed in this country is reminiscent of the horrific tragedies in Bosnia. A new interim president, a woman named Catherine Samba-Panza, elected by the national transitional council back in January of 2014, has tried to get other countries involved to bring stability to hers and bring the offenders to justice. She remains in power until new elections are held in January 2015, but she will not run. The country remains extremely dangerous and volatile. We can only hope that with the new elections and outside help, Central African Republic will find peace.

A great many citizens relied on subsistence farming; growing cassava, sorghum, peanuts, sesame, corn and squash. Today with the ongoing civil war, they are going hungry, in need of medical care and are forced to either live deep in the bush or in make-shift villages. There, at least some humanitarian efforts are being made to help feed the displaced.

As we look to make our meal for Central African Republic we do so with a heavy heart and a prayer for peace. I need to remind myself that even with all the tragedy going on there, the people still lovingly share a meal and give thanks for what they have. We make this meal with that in mind.

So let’s eat:

The Menu
Starter
Ngukassa Soup (Plantain soup)

Served with
Fufu (Cornmeal porridge)

Main Dish
Maboke de Capitaine (Steamed Fish in Banana Leaf)

Dessert
Beignets de Bananes (Banana fritters)

We set the communal cloth with the colors of the flag. Red is for the blood shed by the people of the nation to achieve independence. Blue is for hope and faith. Yellow represents tolerance and the hospitality of the people. We wish that somehow these icons of hope, faith, tolerance and hospitality will serve to unite them as a nation once more.

It is customary to eat with your right hand and sit on the floor for your Central African Republic meal. We began with a delicious plantain soup. It was thick and hearty and was eaten with what is called fufu. You may remember, I tried making it in the past without success. This time I made it with cornmeal and it turned out just fine. Fufu is a rather bland type, thick porridge, which is used to sop up the soup, stew or sauce. A piece is taken from the ball of fufu and an indentation is made with the right thumb, creating a scoop that is dipped into the soup. It certainly helps to fill the belly. I imagine this may be all that one in Central African Republic may eat in a given day.

For our entree, I included a fish dish, as fish are found in the many rivers there and are a great source of protein, when they can get it. We loved the fish, tilapia cooked in the banana leaf, as it gave a subtle hint of banana flavoring. The onion paste and tomatoes were the perfect complement. I served the fish in the banana leaf along with some plain, steamed white rice and fried plantains, which is how it would traditionally be served. It was a fabulous combination of flavors.

For dessert, we had an amazing fried banana fritter. It is simply, banana, fried in an egg batter, with a hint of lime. This served as the perfect ending to our Central African Republic meal. Our beverage, enjoyed throughout the meal, was a refreshing, hibiscus and ginger tea.

As we leave this week’s journey, I can’t help but ponder this country’s situation. It has wonderful natural resources, (I actually think the fighting is more likely over the resources than a true religious war, but that is just my gut feeling). Whatever is the cause of her extreme volatility and chaos, we pray they sort it out, sooner, rather than later.

I offer you a few Central African Republic proverbs to reflect upon:
The powerful should mind their own power.
No man rules forever on the throne of time.
The elders of the village are the boundaries.
In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

How did Sudan and South Sudan get their names?

The name Sudan comes from Arabic, “Bilad as Sudan” or “Land of the Blacks.”  This name refers to the area south of the Sahara.  South Sudan was named when it became independent of Sudan on July 9, 2011.  It is officially the Republic of South Sudan.  South Sudan is the most newly recognized nation in the world, and joined the United Nations just a few days after Independence, on July 14, 2011.

Where are Sudan and South Sudan located?

Sudan is located in east, Central Africa.  It has many neighbors and borders:  Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west and Libya to the northwest.  The Nile River is the dominant geographic feature of Sudan.

South Sudan is a landlocked country, also with many neighbors:  Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Central African Republic to the south, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, Uganda to the south and Kenya to the southeast.

Prior to the split of the two countries, Sudan was the largest country in Africa and in the Arab world.

A Brief History of Sudan and South Sudan

The earliest civilizations began in Sudan along the Nile, which grew into the Kingdom of Kush during the eighth century B.C..  Kush conquered Egypt and adopted many facets of Egyptian culture.  Sudan actually has more pyramids than Egypt in the area of Meroe.  The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The region converted to Christianity in the sixth century A.D., and then to Islam in the 14^th century.  Egypt conquered Sudan in the 1820s, turning the country into a slave market.  It administered Sudan jointly with Britain who was keen to control the area around the newly built Suez Canal. 

For a time the Sudanese Mahdist armies managed to kick out Egyptian and British forces holding the capital city of Khartoum, until the British re-conquered the territory in 1898.  By the mid-20^th century, the Sudanese wanted independence, which was granted in 1956. 

Resenting the political domination of the north, the mostly Christian and animist southerners launched a fight against the Khartoum government.  This was the trigger for a civil war conflict that raged on and off for more than 50 years and claimed an estimated two million Sudanese lives.

President Nimeiri ended the first civil war in 1972, granting the south considerable autonomy.  His plans to bring back the economy went bad and after pressure from the north, they rescinded the autonomy agreement with the south.  Civil war returned, along with an army coup.  These cycles of wars and coups have shaped much of Sudan’s post-independence history. 

In 1989, General Omar al-Bashir seized power.  He introduced hard line Islamic views, although Sharia (Islamic canonical law) was already instituted in 1980.  It wasn’t until the change of geopolitics, brought about by 911, that Sudan started to shift from its Islamist position.  Sudan saw prosperity from its new oilfields and sought peace with the south, which became independent in July 2011, although clashes continue.  The South fared far worse since Independence, as there has been a constant battle for power between the tribes of this new nation.

As if this were not enough pain for both of these countries, a struggle for resources in Darfur sprang into a full rebellion.  The repression from Bashir led the president to become the first head of state to be indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.  He was finally overthrown in April 2019 by a military coup.  Although there is now some hope for a new leader in a pro-democracy movement, it remains to be seen how it will shake out.  The military are currently running the country, and there will, no doubt, be a new power struggle in their future.

Sudanese Culture

Sudan has a population of about 45 million people.  About 70 percent of the population is Sudanese Arab, with the balance being black ethnic groups like: Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata, to name a few.

The population of South Sudan is about 11 million and home to about 60 indigenous ethnic groups. The largest is the Dinka people, followed by the Neur and the Shiluk.

In Sudan, Arabic and English are the official languages.  In Sudan however, many indigenous languages are spoken.  In South Sudan, English is the official language however, most speak their indigenous languages as well.

In Sudan, Sunni Muslim is the main religion in the country. The country goes by Sharia law.  There are still indigenous tribes who practice animism, (a belief that all objects, such as trees and rivers, have a spirit.)  There is also a very small Christian minority left in Sudan.  Most Christians have since fled to the south.  The religious makeup in South Sudan is 60 percent Christian, 33 percent African religion (animism) and seven percent Islam.

In Sudan only about 30 percent of the population live in the urban areas; most are nomadic or live rural.  South Sudan is even less urban, at about 20 percent.  In Sudan, some 80 percent of the labor force works in agriculture.  Cotton is Sudan’s primary export, although the crop is vulnerable to drought.  Livestock, sesame, groundnuts, oil and gum Arabic are other important exports.  The country is poor and half of the population lives in poverty. 

In South Sudan the main export is petroleum followed by foraged corps and raw cotton, gold and dried legumes.  South Sudan is even poorer than its northern counterpart, with 80 percent living on less than $1 a day.  It is one of the most impoverished countries in the world.  Constant war has taken its toll on both of these nations.

Sudanese Cuisine

Sudan and South Sudan share many common dishes.  Sudanese food is inspired by colonial rule.  The most important ingredient in the cuisine is porridge, called dura, a starch, typically made from millet, wheat or corn.  The cuisine is also regional with fish being popular along the Nile.  In Sudan, lamb, chicken and beef are the most prevalent meats.  Being a strict Islamic state, pork and alcohol are strictly forbidden.

Typically, Sudanese food is meat heavy, interspersed with vegetables.  Stews, called mullah, are very popular.  Peanuts or ground nuts are also prevalent in Sudanese dishes. Ful Medames is a popular dish made of beans, usually fava beans and some consider it to be the national dish.  On a very sad note, there is a dish called Bush, a poor man’s ful, which is served using the bean water left in the gidra (the pot the beans are cooked in) and sopped up with onions and bread.  It gets its name from the first Bush president who cut aid to Sudan in the early 1990s in response to the Sudanese government’s support of Saddam Hussein in the first Gulf War.  Falafels, made from chickpeas are a popular street snack but not served with the normal accompaniments that you might expect.  Generally speaking, the dishes do not use too many spices or seasonings, but they do like to add dried fruits, especially apricots.

So let’s enjoy a Sudanese Meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Salata Aswad be Zabadi (Eggplant Dip)

Main Course

Ful Medames (Sudanese Fava Beans)

Served with

Shata (Spicy Sauce)

Dessert

Ful Sudani (Peanut Macaroons)

Served with

Shai (Sudanese Cinnamon Tea)

For our Sudanese meal we began with a handwashing.  We would eat sitting on the floor with a communal dish and use only our right hand, as would be customary in both Sudan countries.  Flat bread was a big help in scooping up the food. 

Our first dish was a delicious, fried eggplant dip, made with yogurt and peanut butter and tomatoes.  We absolutely loved the combination of flavors.  Typically, this would be served with fermented sorghum flat bread called, kisra.  I tried to make it but it was a failure, so naan would have to be my substitute.

For the main course, we thoroughly enjoyed the national dish called, Ful Medames.  This dish is very popular in many other countries as well.  It is a vegetarian, protein rich, dish that is garnished with onions, tomatoes, arugula, feta cheese, boiled eggs and sesame oil.  Honestly, this dish was perfectly delicious and filling.  It was served with a spicy hot sauce called shata, which is also very popular.

For dessert, little peanut meringue cookies were served that went perfectly with a cup of black tea, spiced up with cinnamon.  In Sudan, they love to enjoy their tea with lots of sugar.

As we say goodbye to the Sudans', I must be honest and say that although we thoroughly enjoyed our International Cuisine meal, we did so with a heavy heart.  Both of these countries are in awful shape, with way too many of their people living in extreme poverty and war.  We ended our meal with a simple prayer for those people.

I leave you with a couple Sudanese proverbs:

"Empty stomachs have no ears."

"No one likes to eat crumbs from a feast; everyone likes to sit at a table."

"Better a meal of vegetables, where there is love than a fatted ox, where there is hatred."

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

The Ivory Coast, is what the translation of her name is, from French to English. The name came from the profitable ivory trade which took place there during the seventeenth century. The trading of ivory did not last long, as it quickly brought about a massive decline in elephants. The trade virtually died by the beginning of the eighteenth century. Located in West Africa, Cote D’Ivoire is bordered by Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea and the southern border is the Atlantic Ocean.

Although Cote D’Ivoire has a border on the Atlantic Ocean, the area is rough and without any sheltered harbors along its coastline. This was a blessing for the Ivorians, as the Europeans never made a permanent trading post for slaves there. She was a French Colony from 1843 until 1960, when Ivorians finally gained their independence. The French considered Cote D’Ivoire their “pet” colony and often referred to her as “the Jewel of West Africa.” After gaining Independence, she became politically stable and economic prosperity followed. However, that only lasted until the death of Dictator Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993. The country has suffered civil unrest, with many coups since then and has been unstable ever since.

The official language is French, although with nearly 60 different ethnic tribes living in the country, many indigenous languages are also spoken. The country is divided into four different cultural regions: the Akan in the Atlantic East, the Kru in the Atlantic West, the Voltaic in the northeast and the Mande in the northwest.

The capital city is officially Yamoussoukro but it is Abidjan that is the most populated and serves as the administrative center of the country. About half the population lives in urban cities. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens. There is a mix of Muslims (about 40 percent) mainly in the north, Christians (about 35 percent) mainly in the south and those that have their own indigenous beliefs, making up the balance.

One of the legacies left by the Dictator Boigny is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro. It is a replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It took four years to build and cost 300 million US dollars. It is the largest church in the world with an indoor seating capacity of 18,000, yet only a little more than three hundred worshippers attend the Sunday services. It was only filled to capacity twice. Once for the blessing of Pope John Paul II. This service was postponed for a year as the Vatican was not exactly pleased that its crown jewel was overshadowed by an African president’s replica. The Pope insisted the building could not be taller than St. Peter’s Basilica. The architect obliged by lowering the dome height but then placed a massive cross on top, making it 100 feet taller than the Vatican. The other event that filled the church was the funeral of the Dictator Boigny.

Today the church is maintained by clergymen appointed by the Pope, at the cost of $1.5 million dollars annually. “The size and expense of the building in such a poor county with an annual GDP of $650 is a delicate matter, to say the least” said a Vatican official. The Pope did stipulate that a hospital be built for the poor, which finally opened in 2012. Surprisingly, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, has somehow survived amongst intense civil unrest and violence.

About 75 percent of the population makes a living in agriculture, as the Ivory Coast is the largest exporter of cocoa beans in the world. They also export a substantial amount of coffee, bananas and palm oil. They are working on diversifying their economy, to be less dependent on agriculture, as price fluctuations in those markets are very unpredictable.

The different ethnic groups each have their own music and dance rituals, which are key to the storytelling of their ancestry. One of the biggest festivals of the Ivory Coast is called “Fetes de Masques”, a festival of masques. Many villages participate in this celebration to pay homage to the forested spirits, embodied by the villagers, who wear colorful costumes and masks (which showcases their fine woodworking skills.) The festival is held each November in a town called Man.

The Akan people celebrate the yam festival. They are part of what is known as the yam belt, which includes Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Central African Republic. This yam belt provides 94 percent of the world’s yams. The festival serves several purposes. It is a memorial service for the dead and a celebration of thanksgiving for a good harvest. It is also a ritual of purification to keep away evil spirits. Finally, it celebrates the original Akan chief, who is said to have risked his life by taking the first taste of a yam in the kingdom. (“I yam not afraid,” he said)

The cuisine in Cote D’Ivoire is similar to its West African neighbors, with tubers, such as yam and cassava, ground nuts, millet, corn and rice, used commonly. Meat is a luxury, however chicken is served at special occasions. Fish and fried plantains are common in the coastal areas, while the familiar fufu, served with spicy stew sauces, is considered the national dish. They like it spicy there, using very hot peppers in most dishes.

The meals are often cooked in what is called a calabash. This vessel is used for many purposes including: washing hands before a meal and doing dishes afterwards, cleaning clothes and bathing children as well as being played as a drum. Often wealth is determined by the number of calabashes a household possesses. Subsistence farming is also an important means of income to many Ivorians, selling their extra produce in the open village markets.

They have small, open-air restaurants, called Maquis, where authentic Ivorian cuisine is served.  Attiéké is a classic dish of fermented and grated cassava, served as a side dish with Kedjenou, a slow cooked chicken stew. This dish is made in a tightly sealed clay cooking pot, called a canari and placed on hot coals. The canari is gently turned or shaken as the chicken cooks, making sure that no steam escapes. The result is exceptionally tender chicken, cooked in its own rich juices.

So let’s eat Ivorian Style:

The Menu
Soup
Velouté d'Ignames (Cream of Yam Soup)

Salad
Cucumber and Courgette Salad

(Cucumber and Zucchini Salad)

Main
Kedjenou (Spicy Chicken Stew)

Served with
Attiéké (Fermented Cassava)

Dessert
Melon Fingers (Slices of Melon served with Lime)

We set a mat on the floor and decorated with the colors of the flag; orange, white and green. Orange represents the savanna grasslands, green represents the coastal forests and white represents the country’s rivers. We also used elephant figurines, as they are considered the national animal of Cote D’Ivoire.  Pictures of African masks donned our candles giving the sense of flickering tribal spirits. We began with a vessel containing warm, soapy water to wash our hands and we used only our right hand to eat, as would be customary there.

The first course was a delicious cream of yam soup, chosen in honor of the Akan yam festival. We loved it. I was only able to find red yams at my local grocery store but yams, from the yam belt, come in many different colors.

The next part of the meal was served all together. The main dish called Kedjenou, was awesome. This method of cooking, without allowing steam to escape, makes the chicken incredibly tender and sumptuous. I went to an African market to find the fermented cassava, called Attiéké. I bought it frozen but it is also available dried, in a box. It was steamed and had a similar consistency to couscous. However, it has a unique sourness to the flavor that was a lovely complement to the Kedjenou. We also prepared a cucumber and zucchini salad, which was basically pickled in a sweet vinegar with some red pepper flakes. We often make a similar salad of cucumber and red onion in vinegar, but this one was much better. The sweetness added to the vinegar created a perfect tang and the zucchini added a wonderful crispness. (I will keep this salad in mind, as I always seem to have an abundance of zucchini in my garden.)

For dessert, we enjoyed a simple slice of cantaloupe, with a touch of lime. Fruit is commonly eaten as dessert there. I also loved that our dessert matched the colors of their flag.

As we say goodbye to Cote D’Ivoire, we do so with hope that this African country too, will find peace and prosperity. After dinner we put on a movie called “Black and White in Color.” It was filmed on the Ivory Coast and won an Academy Award in 1976, for Best Foreign Language Film.

Until Next Week,
Au revoir (Goodbye, in French, pronounced uh reh vwah)
Warmest regards,
Darlene

This week we are taking a journey to two countries, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both are located next to each other with the Congo River separating them and serving as an invaluable natural resource for both. Joseph Conrad’s novel written in 1899, “Heart of Darkness” was about Charles Marlow’s experience as an ivory transporter down the Congo. He had this to say of the river “a mighty big river that you could see on the map, resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country and its tail lost in the depths of the land.”

The Congo River forms the eastern and southern borders of the Republic of Congo with its capital, Brazzaville, on its edge. This is a small country getting its name from one of the great early empires in Central Africa, the Kongo Kingdom. The neighbors are Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A mass rural exodus since the 20th century, has meant that three quarters of the population live in urban areas, making this one of Africa’s most urbanized countries. The Portuguese discovered the Kingdom of Kongo in 1482. They brought with them Christianity and the slave trade. The French colonized this country in 1880 and they gained their Independence from them on August 15, 1960. French is the official language with Lingala and Monokutuba most commonly spoken. They also have a talking drum language that was developed in villages as a form of long distance communication. Specific beats can signify a marriage, a birth or a death has occurred, as well as other important messages.

Ninety seven percent of the people are Bantu. The Bantu includes several different ethnic tribes such as the Kongo, the Teke, the Mbochi and the Sangha. The Pygmies were the first to inhabit the area. Pygmies were considered property by the Bantu tribes and treated as slaves. In 2010 an important human rights law was passed for the promotion and protection of the rights of all indigenous people (including Pygmies.) This law is the first of its kind in Africa, and its adoption is a historic development for indigenous people on the continent.

The Republic of Congo had a Marxist form of government from 1965 to 1990. Since the early 1990’s they have had a multiparty political system. The United States of America has supported the Congolese democratic efforts by contributing aid to the electoral process. However, this did not come easy. There was a bloody civil war in the 1997 that did much destruction to the people and the infrastructure. The current president, Sassou N’Guesso, was re-elected in 2009 for a seven year term and it is hoped they are on a new path to freedom. Just across the mighty river is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa. The two capitals are closer than any other two countries with the exception of the Vatican City and Rome.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the third largest country in Africa. She shares borders with Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola. Being a largely landlocked country, the river is heavily used for transportation and livelihood. The Congo River, second only in power to the Amazon, is said to have enough hydroelectric power to light up every home in all of southern Africa. The DRC was formerly known as the Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, Congo Free State, Congo-Leopoldville and Zaire. The DRC is both large in size and population, with at least 250 ethnic groups living there. French is the official language along with four others, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba. The population is estimated to be over 75 million.

Depending on how one may view things today, the DRC is either blessed or cursed with immense natural resources including: copper, niobium, tantalum, diamonds, gold, zinc, silver, tin, timber, uranium, coal and manganese. The DRC got her independence in 1960 and has had trouble ever since in a power struggle over these resources. Several other countries have supported different militias and rebels to gain control over certain areas in the DRC. With new groups forming all the time, it is hard to know who the bad guys are. Some observers call this struggle “Africa’s world war.” It has left the country in a massive humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations has tried to oversee peace agreements but the region remains volatile, to this day.

The Congo basin is the world’s second largest rain forest after the Amazon, spreading through the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It contains over 10,000 plant species, 1000 bird species and 400 species of mammals. Called the second largest “lung of the world”, its survival is crucial to all of humanity. Cancer institutes have identified at least 1400 plants which could potentially be used for fighting cancer. The Congo rainforest is the only place in the world where all three subspecies of gorillas can be found. Unfortunately, it is estimated that two million acres of the forests disappear every year due to logging, mining and agriculture for a growing population. The removal of forests causes greenhouse gas emissions to increase (due to burning, logging and less absorption of CO2 by loss of plant life.) This results in global climate change. Today efforts are being made locally and globally to take better care of our planet’s very important commodity, as it is considered to be one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

Subsistence farming is common in both countries. The crops are similar, with cassava being the staple food, the tuber is made into fufu (a starchy porridge) and the leaves (a spinach like-green) eaten as a vegetable. Sweet potatoes, taro, yam, plantains, okra, tomatoes, beans and ground nuts are all common. The typical Congolese meal would include fufu (which we made for our Journey to the Central African Republic) or rice served with cassava leaves and okra. Goat and chicken would be the most commonly eaten meats, however they are expensive and usually reserved for special occasions. Fish are abundant along the Congo River and its tributaries. Quite often they fry the fish or steam it in banana leaves. Women sell smoked or salted fish at the local markets. Bush meat, grasshoppers and caterpillars are also consumed for extra protein.

I choose to combine these two countries since they share the Congo River and both have the same national dish.

So let’s eat Congo Style:

The Menu
Starter
Akara with African Dipping Sauce

(Bean Fritter with Sauce)

Main

Poulet Moambe
Moambe Chicken (National Dish for Both Congo Nations)

Served with
Potage de Riz aux Epinards (Spinach and Rice Stew)

And
Fried Plantains

Before we began the meal, we washed our hands by dipping them into a bowl of soapy water and then dried them with a towel. We had decorated the table with the colors of the Congo flags and added palm fronds to give an African ambiance. We ate this meal sitting on the floor, using only our right hand, which is customary there.

The first course, called Akara, is basically a fritter made from beans with added spices and fried. They were delicious as we dipped them into the African sauce that was perfectly spicy. This is a typical street food, found all over both countries.

The main course and sides were served all at the same time with the familiar flavors of Moambe. This is the tomato and peanut combination so popular in western and central African cuisine. We served it with a rice dish that included okra and spinach and a fried plantain on the side. We felt that the meal was a perfect reflection of Congo’s cuisine. There is just something about the banana flavor of the plantain, with the peanut and tomato sauce that is most memorable. No dessert was served for this meal, as it is not their tradition.

As we say goodbye to the Congo nations, I leave you with some music we discovered. (It’s not the Conga line music, made popular in Cuba) This music is created by a group of disabled Congolese street musicians, called Staff Benda Bilili. They became famous after a documentary was made and debuted at the Cannes Film festival. Their story is inspiring and their messages moving. Their soulful harmonies and hypnotic, Congolese, rumba beat made us feel hopeful for their nation’s future. Here is a link to one of their tunes. http://youtu.be/W95yV8uAfW4?list=RDW95yV8uAfW4

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Chad, a landlocked country right in the heart of Africa, gets her name from Lake Chad, which means “large expanse of water.” This lake is located on the western border of the country and serves as a fresh water source to 30 million people in several countries including, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. Chad also shares borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east and Central African Republic to the south. The people are called Chadians and the country is home to 200 ethnic groups. One can imagine with so much ethnic diversity, the native music, dance and traditions are rich and distinctive. The official languages are French and Arabic although hundreds of other indigenous languages are also spoken.

The north, east and center of the country are home to nomadic groups that graze their livestock across large swaths of land. This area of the country is harsh and known as the Saharan North; a desert climate that gets very little rainfall and has temperatures ranging from 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to an average of 113 degrees in the summer. Islam is the majority religion and widely practiced among these nomadic groups. It was brought to them by Arab traders and merchants dating back to the 11th century. In 2002, an important discovery was made in Chad in the study of evolution. A hominid skull was found and dated to be seven million years old; the oldest discovery made anywhere in the world. Also discovered there are the “round head” rock paintings that depict images of man and creatures from the early beginnings of evolution.

About half of the population lives in the fertile, tropical, south part of Chad. The country was previously a French Colony and the French invested most of their resources in this southern area where many converted to Christianity. Chad gained independence from France in 1960. Since independence, Chad like many other countries in this area of Africa has suffered from ethnic divide and conflict, especially between the north and south. Today Chad is one of the poorest nations on earth, with over 60 percent of the population living in poverty. The literacy rate is a sad 26 percent and life expectancy is only 50 years of age.

The capital city N’Djamena is a relatively new city, founded by the French in 1900. It suffered tremendous damage during the years of civil war and has seen a huge influx of refugees from surrounding countries. You may remember hearing in the news of the Darfur province in Sudan, from there Chad took in 200,000 Sudanese refugees. Then a recent flood of refugees trying to escape the atrocities in Central African Republic fled to Chad. Although the city tries to accommodate the refugees, they unfortunately don’t have the proper infrastructure to support such an influx and must resort to massive tented camps which have their own set of issues.

Another major problem for Chad is their disappearing lake. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture organization calls the situation an “ecological catastrophe”. The lake’s water level has shrunk by more than 90 percent from what it was in 1960; from 25,000 square kilometers to 1350 square kilometers today. This diminishing, life supporting resource has led to a humanitarian crisis and created massive social conflicts in the area. The World Bank and other organizations are looking into how best to support the government in dealing with this crisis as the desert continues to encroach on what was once one of Africa’s largest body of water. The problem is blamed on climate changes, increasing the evaporation rates and population growth.

Agriculture and animal husbandry employs 85 percent of the population. Cotton, introduced by the French, along with cattle and gum Arabic, provide most of Chad’s export revenue. Chad is the second largest producer of gum Arabic, which is tapped by small scale harvesters from wild acacia trees throughout the Sahel region. Gum Arabic is exported mainly to the USA and Europe and is used in soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and many other products. Farmers, mainly in the south, produce several subsistence crops for domestic consumption. These include grains, oilseeds (like groundnuts, peanuts and sesame), tubers, and leafy vegetables. Millet and sorghum are major staples in the Chadian diet along with tubers, manioc and sweet potatoes. The grains are used to produce bili-bili and arghi, two popular alcoholic drinks in the south.

The cuisine in Chad is quite different from the north to the south. Fish are abundant around the areas of Lake Chad. In the North, the nomadic Arabs rely upon foods from livestock, mainly dairy products. Southern Chadians have many more options, especially near the capital city where there is subsistence farming.

So let’s begin:

The Menu
Starter
Salade du Tchad (Chadian salad)

Main Dish
Poulet Rôti Tchadienne (Chadian-style roast chicken)

Served with
Courgette with Peanuts (Zucchini with peanuts)

Dessert
Jus de Fruit (Fruit drink)

For our Chadian meal we set a mat on the floor with colors of the flag; blue, red and yellow. We began the meal with a delicious, healthful salad that clearly had an Arabic influence, with rice, raisins, bananas, cucumber, almonds and a hint of spice, lemon and honey.

For the main course we enjoyed the Chadian-style, roasted chicken with mashed zucchini and peanuts. Honestly, I had never thought about mashing zucchini before and it was superb. (When our garden is in full bloom, zucchini is always in abundance. We are constantly looking for new ways to enjoy them, so thank you Chad!) The chicken was perfect; light, crispy skin on the outside and succulent and tender meat on the inside.

For dessert we enjoyed a simple drink made of pineapple, mango and milk, flavored with some cardamom and nutmeg. This drink, called Jus de Fruit, is sold by vendors on almost any street corner in the city. One can appreciate the cool refreshment it imparts on a sweltering, African, summer day.

It would be customary to eat with only your right hand in Chad. You likely would sit on a mat on the floor and you must make certain that your feet don’t point at anyone or at the food. It is best to tuck them away to the side, if possible. Also, never give eggs to children. It is taboo in Chad to do so, as they believe it will cause their child to grow up to be a thief!

As we say goodbye to this country called Chad, I can’t help but look for some hope for this poor nation. As it turns out, it may be oil. They have completed a pipeline across Chad to transport oil through Cameroon. Although the price per barrel of oil has plummeted recently, we can only hope that it will serve to provide a revenue source to improve the lives of the people who call Chad their home.

And some more food for thought, a few Chadian proverbs:
If you always walk down the same path, you’ll go where you’ve already been.
Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing.
Your heart must be peaceful to hear song in the leaves of the trees.

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,

Darlene

For this journey, we head to Cameroon, which was named by the Portuguese explorers who arrived there in 1472. The Wouri River was so abundant with crayfish and prawns, they called it “Rio dos Camaroes” (River of Prawns). Cameroon is referred to as “little Africa” due to her ethnic diversity and variety of climates. There are so many different ethnic tribes living in this country, representing most all of the ethnic groups living in the whole of Africa, that over 250 local languages are spoken there. Additionally, she has a very diverse climate and geography from desert to rainforest; almost a mirror of the continent itself. Located on the west coast of Africa, she borders the Gulf of Guinea to the west, Nigeria to the northwest, Chad and the Central African Republic to the east and the People’s Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the south. The capital city, Yaounde’, is in the central province.

French Cameroon (Cameroun) became independent in 1960 and the British Cameroon gained independence in 1961. The country came under single party rule in 1965 and became officially the Republic of Cameroon in 1984. Both English and French are listed as the official languages of Cameroon. Since her independence, there have been coups attempts and ethnic tensions between groups in the northern and southern regions of the country. In 1992 came the legalization of multiparty politics. Today these parties are associated with specific ethnic groups and regions. Many areas have their own hierarchical system in place, aside from the government.

As one can imagine, with so many different ethnic tribes, there are just as many belief systems. Many practice their own indigenous beliefs however a large percentage of Christians reside in the south and Muslims in the north. There are several cultures in the west and in the east that practice divination, where they perform public autopsies to determine the cause of death. They are concerned with any death deemed to be caused by witchcraft. In many cultures the announcement of a death is through the public wailing of women. One can only imagine the profoundly, mournful sound they make. The Grassfield’s people bury their dead and close relatives shave their heads out of grief. They observe a week of public mourning called cry-die. A year later, the deceased are honored in lavish celebrations. Masks are an important part of the culture in Cameroon and are used for many occasions such as these celebrations.

Family life is very different among the ethnic tribes as well. There are rural, polygamous compounds where a male head of the household lives with his wives and their children. In other regions, families have more traditional relationships. It is common among most of the tribes that infants are held close to the mother but once they can hold their head up, siblings take over the task.

Cameroon is blessed to be self-sufficient with food. Agriculture, the production of food, as well as cotton, coffee and cocoa employs nearly two-thirds of the population. Many people grow enough to feed their families and then sell the extra in the local market. They typically have a separate area for women to sell produce and palm oil and an area for the men to sell livestock and bush meat. Industries, such as mining, aluminum processing, beverage manufacturing, forestry and petroleum are a significant source of income for the country.

Although there are many differences among the tribes, there are a few things that are common among them. Soccer is the national sport of Cameroon and they are most proud as their national football (soccer) team gained world recognition when they made it to the World Cup quarter finals in 1990. The team has also won several African cup titles, which is a source of national pride, as well as a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics. Another commonality is the sharing of food. A cooked meal is one of the major ways to express kinship and hospitality and Cameroon gets her fair share of immigrants. As recently as June of 2014, almost 90,000 people (mostly hungry, women and children) fled to Cameroon from other African nations.

Music and dance are an integral part of Cameroonian ceremonies, festivals, social gatherings, and storytelling. Traditional dances are highly choreographed and performed separately by men and women. In a typical performance, the music consists of a chorus of singers echoing a soloist. Musical accompaniment may be as simple as clapping hands and stomping feet but traditional instruments are also used such as drums, flutes, horns, rattles, scrapers, stringed instruments, whistles, and xylophones; the exact combination varies with ethnic group and region. The two most popular styles of music are Makossa and Bikutsi. Makossa, mixes folk music, highlife, soul and Congo music. Bikutsi is foot stomping, dance music.

The cuisine of Cameroon is similar to other West African countries but there is also an influence from the French. The food varies by region but is typically one large meal served in the evening. In the north, staple foods are corn, millet and peanuts. In the south people eat more root vegetables as a well as plantains. One of the dishes considered to be the national dish is called n’dole. This is made with a boiled bitterleaf (a type of green, leafy vegetable) which grows all over in Cameroon. Tropical fruits are abundant in Cameroon and so are different types of meat and fish, for those who can afford them. In most West African countries they eat a starchy food called fufu (much like cous cous). It is cooked and then pounded with a pestle and made into balls. They eat it using three fingers and dip it into a variety of delicious sauces. I actually tried to make this for our meal but unfortunately, I could not master it. I hope someday to find a proper recipe to make fufu using cassava. In the meantime, I think you will like what we decided to cook to represent Cameroon.

So let’s eat:

The Menu

Appetizer
Bouchées de Plantains aux Crevettes (Plantain and prawn rolls)

Starter
Soupe à la Noix de Coco Camerounaise (Cameroonian coconut soup)

Main Dish
Suya (Spicy Beef on a Stick)

Served with Cameroon Pepper Sauce

Dessert
Banana and Pineapple Layered with Thick Coconut Milk

We sat on the floor to eat Cameroonian style. We poured ourselves a non-alcoholic drink, called ginger beer. We turned on the very popular music from Cameroon, called Makossa. The dishes were served communal style, as would be customary there. We began with a hand washing. Food is eaten only with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean, even after washing. Typically in Cameroon, men and guests are served before women and children. We used the colors of the Cameroon flag for decorations; red, yellow and green. The colors represent unity, happiness and hope, respectively. They are also the traditional pan-African colors.

We began with the shrimp and prawn rolls, which were delicious, accompanied with a sauce made of bell peppers, tomato and onions. I decided to change the plating of these little treats to make it easier to eat by hand. Instead of rolling the prawn in the plantain, I placed a prawn on a fried plantain chip, and topped it with the sauce. This made them much easier to manage.

Next was the subtle, coconut soup, a very nice starter, but we felt it was a little bland and so we spiced it up with red pepper flakes. That was the perfect addition and it was still authentic to Cameroon cuisine.

Now sometimes, I think things happen for a reason. The fufu I tried to make that did not turn out, led me instead to create a popular street food called Suya. Wow talk about love…… This spicy, beef kabob (which I am sure could be made with chicken, goat or lamb), was served simply with slices of onion and tomato and a hot pepper sauce, made from habaneros and tomatoes. It was spicy and had a hint of peanut in the rub. The result was awesome! I also learned that tomatoes do a surprisingly good job of cutting down the heat of a hot chili pepper. I had not given that much thought before, but it’s true and something I will keep in mind.

For dessert, we had a layered banana, pineapple salad that also included avocado, tomato and peanuts. It was very different; I would not normally pair tomatoes with tropical fruit but it worked. The thick coconut milk poured over the top added a lovely sweetness. This was a perfect end to our Cameroonian meal.

As we say goodbye to Cameroon, I leave you with a few proverbs:
By trying repeatedly, the monkey learns how to jump from the tree.
If you ask questions, you cannot avoid answers.
What you don’t know, you will not recognize.

Until next week, warmest regards,
Darlene

How did Tanzania get its Name?

The name Tanzania is the fusion of two places. The “Tan” part of the name comes from Tanganyika. This name in Swahili means “Sail in the Wilderness.”  It is believed to be in reference to Africa’s deepest body of water, Lake Tanganyika, which is also a national symbol. 

The “Zan” part of the name comes from the island of Zanzibar which means “Coast of the Blacks”, with its origins coming from medieval Arabic terms.  The “ia” was added at the end, well, just because it sounds better. 

Where is Tanzania Located?

The mainland of Tanzania is located just slightly below the equator, on the east coast of Africa.  Zanzibar is an island off the coast in the Indian Ocean.  Tanzania also includes the islands of Pemba and Mafia. 

The mainland is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and has a whopping eight land borders.  Its neighbors are: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

A Brief History of Tanzania

Tanzania is home to an area that is referred to as “The Cradle of Mankind.”  It is believed to be the birthplace of humanity.  In the area around the Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania.  Fossils have been found that are thought to be two million years old, as well as the footprints of the immediate ancestor of humans, the Laetoli footprints, estimated to be 3.6 million years old.

About 10,000 years ago, Tanzania was populated by hunter-gatherer communities.  Different ethnic tribes began moving into the area, bringing with them different languages and techniques for agriculture, food production and later cattle farming. 

Two thousand years ago, it was the Bantu that began arriving from western Africa in a series of migrations. They brought iron working skills and introduced new social and political ideas.  Later, Nilotic pastoralists arrived and continued their stay until the 18^th century.

Trade with Arabia and Persia made the East African coast economically strong as far back as the first millennium CE.  This was when Islam was introduced into the area.  All along the coast, as well as the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, many trading cities thrived. The period was known as the Shirazi Era, between the 13^th and 15^th centuries.  They were trading ivory, gold and other goods to faraway lands like India and China. Kilwa was one of the earliest trading towns in the world to use money.

The great Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, was the first European to reach the east African coast in 1498.  By 1525 the Portuguese had subdued the entire coast which lasted until the 18^th century when Arabs from Oman established a foothold in the region. During this time, Zanzibar became the epicenter for the Arab slave trade.  

In 1873 a British fleet arrived in Zanzibar to force Sultan Barghash to declare the end of the slave trade.  Although reduced, the illegal slave trade continued.  In the mid 1800s, a German missionary was the first European to see the magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Richard Burton and John Speke mapped the massive Lake Tanganyika. 

In 1877, the Belgians arrived.  With many factions interested in the area, at a table in Berlin in 1886, Belgium claimed ownership of the Congo River area, the Germans and British focused on taking over East Africa which they partitioned off between themselves, and Zanzibar was left to the Sultan of Oman, for a short while anyway. 

The mainland area became known as Tanganyika, after German East Africa was transferred to the United Kingdom as a mandate by the League of Nations, in 1920.  It was colonized first by Germans, from the 1880s until 1919, then the British from 1919 until 1961. 

Tanganyika became independent on December 9, 1961.  Zanzibar’s Independence was in 1963 and in 1964 an Act of Union between the two countries formed the United Union of Tanzania.  It emerged as a one-party state under Julius Nyerere, whose ideologically driven policy of socialism, is still felt today.

Today Tanzania is run by the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), who has been in power since Independence.

Tanzania Culture

Tanzania is a very ethnically and culturally diverse nation, with over 120 tribes making up the population.  From the tall, colorful, Maasai warriors, to the Hadza bushman with their ancient practices and the Wameru and the Chaga farmers with their resourceful agricultural ways.  They all have their unique ways: their own language, traditions and customs, but together, they gracefully unite to form Tanzania.  Swahili is the language that unites them and Swahili along with English are considered the national languages of Tanzania.

“Hakuna Matata” is a Swahili phrase meaning “no worries,” “no problem” or ”take it easy.”  It can also refer to time as in “no rush.”  This phrase is heard often in Tanzania and was made famous to the rest of the world when “The Lion King” movie hit the theatres. 

Speaking of the “The Lion King,” Tanzania is known the world over as one of the best safari destinations on the planet.  I had the privilege of visiting and I will never forget the spectacular scenery, the people, and the amazing animals.  

Safaris are usually done with a skilled guide/driver who can spot animals you might have never noticed.  You can stand up in the jeep and look through the pop up lid.  We saw baby cheetahs, camouflaged on a rock waiting for their mother to return from her hunt.  We saw lazy lions sleeping in the sun after a nice game meal. 

We had a mock charge by an elephant protecting her baby, saw a leopard gnawing on its prey where she had dragged it high up in the treetops, and baboons positioning to steal it away. 

We saw hippos grunting and burping in pools of water, leopard turtles and magnificent birds, from pink flamingos to swooping kites to vultures waiting for their turn on a kill.  There were antelopes and zebra frolicking and one can never forget the gracious, poetic walk of the giraffe. 

Tanzania is simply a sensory overload of wild animals: the dreaded cape buffalo, elephants, lions, rhinos, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, wild dogs, hyenas, warthogs, gazelles, elands, waterbuck, dik diks, and the list goes on.

The highlight on safari is the Serengeti National Park.  It is believed the name comes from a Maasai word seringit, meaning “endless plains.”  It is home to the Great Migration which happens annually. 

Each year around the same time, wildebeests, about 1.7 million of them, along with zebras and thousands of gazelles and other plain game begin their migration.   They move in a circle which is basically a grazing pattern that loops clockwise through the National Park to the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.  It is a truly spectacular sight. 

It was there we also witnessed the shifting sands. This a pile of volcanic, ash about the size of a football field and 20 feet high.  The sands catapult over each other due to the prevailing wind, which effectively walks the pile some 2 meters down the Serengeti every year. Markers have traced its movement since the 1960s. It is thought that if you climb onto it, it will bring you good luck and fertility.

The Ngorongoro Crater is another breathtaking location and a UNESCO World heritage Site. The crater was formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago.  It created a caldera and is one of the highlights for animal viewings in the country. 

In this crater the animals do not migrate as they do on the Serengeti.  It is a microcosm of thousands of African animals living together.  It is in this crater that we spotted the elusive rhino, one of the “Big 5”that  every safari seeker longs to see.  (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and cape buffalo)            

Mt. Kilimanjaro is another natural treasure.  It is famous for mountain climbers and hikers.  Kilimanjaro which means “Mountain of Whiteness” or “Shining Mountain” is Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.  

Tanzania Cuisine

The cuisine of Tanzania is very similar to other east African nations.  Swahili cuisine is a combination of African, Indian, and Arabic influences.  The British also left their mark on customs and cuisine in Tanzania, most notably the teas, which are grown in the highland area, as well as their delicious desserts.

As with all countries, the food is quite regional.  Fish, for example, is prominent along the coast, whereas meat, is more prevalent in the inland areas.  Game meat, such as: antelope, wildebeest and buffalo, are consumed along with chicken, beef, lamb, and goat.  Pork is rare, as Tanzania is mainly a Muslim country where pork is considered taboo.  Nyama choma is simply grilled meat and is beloved.  You will see street stalls selling it all over the country. 

The national dish is a called ugali and it is a thick porridge made from maize or cassava that is served with meat and vegetable stews.  Rice is also very popular in certain areas of the country as well.

They grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables. The fruits are often used as desserts. Mangoes, papayas, bananas, pineapple, watermelon, oranges, limes, tamarind and especially coconut, are all popular.  Vegetables include: cassava, corn, taro, cabbage, carrots, shallots, onions, and garlic.  Squash and pumpkin are also very common.  Legumes are another staple in the cuisine and especially loved when cooked in coconut milk. 

Chapati is a very popular flat bread that is very easy to fall in love with. Mandazi is another delicious treat made with fried dough, (one of my favorites.) 

Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island and spices are used extensively in their cuisine.  Clove is what they are most known for but other spices like: cardamon, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric and many more are grown here. 

If you would like to learn more about the island of Zanzibar and the spices, there is an article I wrote that you may enjoy "A Spice Tour on the Spice Island", along with a cooking class I took in a small village called Jambiani, where you can get additional delicious Tanzanian recipes. "Cooking Class with Mr. Okala"

So, let’s enjoy a Tanzanian meal:

The Meal

Appetizer

Taro Chips

Main Course

Ndizi Nyama (Green Bananas and Beef Stew)

Served with

Maharage ya Nazi (Kidney Beans in Coconut Milk)

Dessert

Kashata (Peanut Brittle with Coconut and Cardamon)

This meal was served buffet style in a safari tent camp on the Serengeti.  I can’t think of a more wonderful place to enjoy a meal.  It would be fun to set up something similar at home, outside under the stars with candles and the like.

We first enjoyed our appetizer of taro chips and wine sitting around a campfire.  They call this  a “Sundowner,” where you just relax and watch the sun go down.  This is another tradition from the British.  

We enjoyed very good wine, mostly imported from South Africa. We also were impressed by the local beer in Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Beer and Serengeti Beer.  

The taro chips are delicious when served warm after frying.  Plantain chips are also often served  as a snack before dinner.

For the main course we enjoyed the beef stew with bananas and kidney beans over white rice.  The meal was made in the kitchen tent and I had the pleasure of being invited in to observe the preparation. 

The chefs wear giant chef hats while cooking and serving, which made it seem so formal even though we were out on Serengeti. 

For dessert, I chose to make one of the  favorite sweets that I discovered while exploring Tanzania.  It is called Kashata and it is basically  peanut brittle with coconut and cardamon. It comes in many shapes, sizes and flavors but this was my favorite combination.  Every time I make it, it makes me smile and is a lovely reminder of Tanzania. 

As we say goodbye to this glorious country, I leave you with a brief photographic journey of our travel there.

p.s. if you are interested in going on a safari, I would be happy to share with you who we used and all the details of our travel. Feel free to contact me anytime.

Until next time,

“Hakuna matata” (no worries)

Warmest Regards,

Darlene Longacre

Darlene

How did Somalia get its Name?

Ancient Egyptians called it the “Land of Punt.” Punt is also mentioned in the Bible, and ancient Romans called it, “Cape Aromatica.”  They valued its trees, which produced the aromatic gum resins, frankincense and myrrh.  Somali is an ethnic group so, it is believed Somalia means, “Land of the Somali.”  It is the most homogenous country in all of Africa, with Somali making up 85 percent of the population.  Bantu and other non-Somali make up the balance.  The official name is the “Federal Republic of Somalia” and the people there call it “Soomaaliya.”

Where is Somalia Located?

Somalia is the eastern most country of Africa; located on the strategic Horn of Africa.  It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Somali Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, and it also borders Kenya to the southwest.  It occupies a strategic geopolitical position between the countries of Arabia and southwestern Asia.  Its capital city is Mogadishu, located just north of the equator on the Indian Ocean.  It has the largest coastline of any African country.

A Brief History of Somalia

The origin of the Somali people is not certain but it’s believed that they originated in the southern Ethiopian highlands and migrated into northern Kenya during the first millennium, BC.  Later they migrated onto the horn or peninsula.

Due to its strategic location, influences from both Africa and Arabia are present.  There were multiple Somali empires during the middle ages that had a large impact on trade.  Some of these empires included: the Sultanate of Adal, the Warsangali Sultanate and the Gobroon Dynasty. 

Arabs introduced Islam to Africa beginning in the seventh century and by the tenth century, Arab trading posts thrived in southern Somalia, along the Indian Ocean.  Most Somalis converted to Islam by about 1100 AD.  They fought multiple wars against the Ethiopian Christians and became the dominant people in the land.  Their capital, Mogadishu, was at its height of influence and wealth during the 13^th century, when it controlled the gold trade along the East African coast.

In the 1800s the British and Italians arrived and established British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland.  The Dervishes fought off the British from the interior for years under the leadership of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, until they were eventually defeated in 1920.  The Italians controlled most of the area until after World War II, when the British took it over completely.  In 1960, Somalia gained full independence from Britain.

Unfortunately, in 1991 civil war broke out.  Since that time, the country has been in anarchy with no real central government.  It is also home to the jihadist terror group known as Al-Shabaab.  As a result, it is one of the most violent and one of the poorest countries in the world.  They have suffered mass casualties from war, disease and famine and many Somalis live as refugees in their own country or in neighboring ones.  In the north there is an autonomous region known as Somaliland but it is not recognized as such by the international community.

Somalia Culture

The population of Somalia is a guesstimate of about 14 million.  The official language is Somali however, it did not become a written language until 1973.  Arabic is also an official language and is spoken and read for religious reasons.  A small percentage of Somalis speak Italian and a growing number speak English.  The official religion is Sunni Islam; traditionally Somalis practice a moderate form of Islam, influenced by Sufism.  However, the Salafi movement, a reform branch, has gained more political influence in recent decades.

About 3/5^th of the population are nomadic herders, the others are city dwellers.  The Nomads spend nearly all their time outdoors. The traditional shelter of the herders is called the aqal, which is a dome shaped, collapsible hut, made from poles and covered with hides or woven, fiber mats.  It is easy to take down and reassemble and is the responsibility of the women of the family.  It is carried by camel.  Typically only a bed is inside the aqal, made from wooden stakes and covered with hides.  They have few possessions and just enough household items for cooking.  Many nomadic camps are surrounded by a fence made from thorn bushes to keep out predators.  Animals are kept in corrals, also made from thorn bushes.  They typically will make camp near a shade tree which is used as a gathering place and class room.

Clan groupings of the Somali people are important social units.  Clan membership plays a central role in Somali culture and politics.  They are patrilineal and are divided into sub clans, resulting in extended families.  Unfortunately clan rivalries are one of the problems they face in establishing a central government for the nation.  Somalis have a very high fertility rate, an average of six children born per woman.  However, they have a very low life expectancy, with only 51 years for a man and 55 years for a woman.

Somali Cuisine

Somali cuisine is varied with different local foods in every region of the country.  Its main influences come from East Africa, Arabia, Turkey, India and Italy.  

The camel was first domesticated in Somalia and there are more camels in Somalia than any other country in the world.  Camel milk is to Somalia what cow’s milk is to the west.  They even have a common phrase which is uttered to guests, “soo maal” which means, “go milk” (the camel.)  Camel meat is also consumed however, goat is much more popular.

Goat meat is often cubed and seasoned with a spice blend called xawash, similar to Ethiopia’s berbere.  They make the cubed meat into what is called suqaar, a common dish like a stew which is often eaten with rice or anjero, a flat bread, similar to Ethiopia’s injera.  Spiced rice called bariis iskukaris, which is similar to a pilau, is beloved.  Sambusas, little fried pastries stuffed with meat or vegetables, are a go to snack.  Generally speaking, the cuisine of Somalia has many spices with cardamom being extremely prevalent.  They like to buy cardamom in pods and grind it, just before use.  Cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, coriander, ginger and fenugreek are all common spices.  Somalis also like their food spicy hot, from chilies.  However, they like to put it on the side, so they can add heat to their liking.

So let’s enjoy a Somali Meal:

The Menu

The Meal

Muufo (Somalia Bread)

Main Course

Baasta Iyo Suugo (Somali Pasta)

Made with Xawaash (Somali Spice Blend)

Served with

Somali Salad with Bizbaz (Jalapeno Dressing)

Dessert

Kac Kac (Somali Doughnut)

We set the scene with a leopard print cloth to represent the national animal of Somalia.  A white star, which is prominent on the flag of Somalia, was placed along with a photo of a camel.  A banana was added because they eat them with almost everything, and we included their national flower, the King Protea.  We used incense with the fragrance of frankincense.  The meal was served all together, which is customary there, except for the dessert.

The pasta dish was made with small cubes of beef and seasoned with their famous xawaash spice blend, which was excellent.  Somalis eat bananas with all sorts of things and this Somali Pasta was served with a banana on the plate.  I was skeptical at first but oh my goodness, it was delicious.  It provided a wonderful sweetness to the dish which perfectly balanced the flavors.  We also loved the thick bread called muufo which was made with fine semolina and flavored with fenugreek.  It was perfect to soak up the spicy sauce. 

A basic salad of lettuce, tomato and onion was served as well but the jalapeño dressing called Bizbaz was out of this world.  I have made the spicy, creamy dressing many times since I cooked this dish and it goes great as a dip for grilled meats or as it was intended, as a salad dressing. 

For dessert, we enjoyed kac kac, a delicious fried dough, gently flavored with a hint of cardamom.   We had them with a cup of Somali tea, known as shaah bigays; a simple black tea that is served after heavy meals.

Afterwards, we sat down to watch a film called, Black Hawk Down, a war film about the true story of the U.S. military’s 1993 raid in Mogadishu.

I pray the people of Somalia will find their way to rid the country of radical ideology and  can finally live in peace.

“Rajada ugu fiican!” which means, “Best Wishes!”

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How Rwanda got its name?

The name Rwanda, translated means, “Domain” in the native Kinyarwanda language.  How it got its name is somewhat of a mystery.  Rwanda previously was called “German East Africa” as well as “Ruanda.”  Today it is officially known as the Republic of Rwanda.  Its nickname is the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Where is Rwanda located?

Rwanda is a small, mountainous, landlocked country, located in Central Africa.  Its neighbors are Uganda to the north, Tanzania, to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west as well as Lake Kivu (the highest lake in Africa).  The country is divided by large peaks, some nearly 10,000 feet, which run across the country from north to south.

Some compare the verdant landscape to a tropical Switzerland.  It is home to volcanoes, in the northwest, to swampy river valleys, in the east.  Rolling hills and valleys make up the low lying depression west of the Congo-Nile divide.  Rwanda’s elevation accounts for its mild temperatures, which average about 70 degrees F in the capital city of Kigali.

A Brief History of Rwanda

It is believed that civilization began around the beginning of the last ice age in Rwanda. The original inhabitants of Rwanda were the Twa, a pygmy people that averaged about 5 feet in height and who today make up less than 1% of the population.  The Twa are a people of mixed ancestry, probably descendants of the inhabitants of the equatorial rainforest.

By the 17^th century, Tutsis had established a kingdom in present day Rwanda where Hutus, Tutsis and the Twa were living.  In 1899, Rwanda became part of German East Africa.  After World War I, Rwanda came under Belgian rule under a League of Nations mandate and from 1920 was known as Ruanda-Urundi.  In 1933 all citizens in Ruanda-Urundi were issued identification cards identifying their ethnicity.

After World War II, an independence movement began.  The ruling Tutsi elite formed a political party.  The Belgian authorities encouraged the Hutu majority to also aspire to political power; they ended up forming a rival party called Parmehutu.  As the 1960 local elections approached, the Parmehutu formed an uprising which resulted in the death of many Tutsis and forced the king into exile along with tens of thousands of Tutsis.  Most fled into Uganda and Burundi.   In 1961, the monarchy was abolished and Rwanda gained independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962.

Kayibanda became the first elected president of Rwanda in October of 1962.   Shortly thereafter there was a Tutsi guerilla attack from exiled Tutsis in Burundi, an anti-Tutsi backlash resulted in thousands killed.  In 1973 Kayibanda was overthrown by a military coup d’etat, when Habyarimana became the third president.  American naturalist, Diane Fossey, who studied mountain gorillas, was murdered in her Rwandan cabin in 1985.

In 1990, the Tutsi led, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) made an attack from Rwanda starting a civil war.  The Arusha, accords were signed between President Habyarimana and the leaders of RPF in 1993, ending the war. But then tragedy struck; the President of Burundi was traveling, along with Habyarimana, when the plane was shot down in 1994.  The assassination sparked the Rwandan Genocide.  To this day, no one knows who fired the missile taking down the plane.  Ultimately the RPF took over all of Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established.  It is estimated that in just 100 days, between April and July of 1994, at least 800,000 people were slaughtered, mostly Tutsis.  The speed and scale of this horrific event left its people and world reeling in anguish.

Despite this massive tragedy, today the country is healing.  The people are no longer identified by their ethnicity, but simply considered Rwandans.  They still have some issues, especially with their neighbor the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where many Hutus fled.  Today the government is led by the ruling RPF and Kagame has been president of the nation, since 2000.  He has done some good work to get the country moving again and has high hopes of making Rwanda a middle income nation.  However, his record is not a perfect one.   He has been described as the “most impressive” and among the “most repressive” of African leaders.  One interesting note is that women make up 64% of Rwanda’s parliament, the highest percentage of women in government in the world.

Rwandan Culture

The current population of Rwanda is 12.7 million; it has a high population density of nearly 519 people per km or 1,343 per mile.  Most of the population lives rurally.  It is a young population, with a median age of just 19.6 years.  The economy is heavily based on small agriculture production as their main resource.  Men and women share the work, where men clear the land and women, plant, weed and harvest.  The climate and elevation make it perfect for growing tea and coffee, which are the country’s main exports.  Tourism, thanks to those amazing mountain gorillas, along with the national parks for safaris (featuring the big 5), has made a massive, positive impact on the service sector.  Rwanda is just one of three countries in the world where the mountain gorillas live; the other two are Uganda and the DRC.

Rwanda has gone green, in a big way.  They banned plastic bags back in 2008 and they will confiscate any brought into the country.  Rwandans use only bags made out of paper, cloth, papyrus and banana leaves, all are biodegradable.  Additionally, on the last Saturday of each month, Rwandans come together for Umuganda, which means, working together to achieve a common purpose.  Rwandans get together to work on volunteer projects, like building and restoration, as well as environmental conservation programs and simply cleaning up.  These two green initiatives have resulted in the capital city of Kigali, to be considered “the cleanest city in all of Africa.”  Rwanda is also known to be one of the safest destinations in Africa, with very low crime rates.

The unified state of Rwanda is diverse and not only includes the population of Rwanda but also Kinyarwanda speaking people, in neighboring countries.  Kinyarwanda is the mother tongue (a Bantu language) spoken by every Rwandan.  However, many also speak French, English, Swahili, or all four.  Christianity is the main religion, but a large number of people hold traditional beliefs.

Music and dance are integral parts of Rwandan ceremonies, social gatherings, festivals and storytelling.  The most famous dance is called “Intore.”  It consists of three components: the dance of heroes, which is performed by men, ballet, done by women and the drums, which are of immense importance and performed in a group of seven or nine.  The Intore dance troupe performs all over the world, spreading Rwandan culture.

Woodcarvings, ceramics and basketry are traditional Rwandan handicrafts.  The village of Nyakarimibi is famous for its cow dung paintings, made into unique geometric abstractions, dominated by black, brown and white whorls.  All of these distinctive works can be bought as souvenirs in the capital city of Kigali.

Rwandan Cuisine

The cuisine of Rwanda is based on traditional subsistence agriculture.  Rwandan staples include: plantains, beans, sweet potatoes, corn and cassava.  Historically the Twa and Hutus diets were high in vegetables and lacking in animal protein. The Tutsis were pastoralists and consumed a higher amount of milk and dairy products.  Even today many Rwandans do not eat meat more than a few times a month.

The potato is extremely popular and was introduced by the colonists of Germany and Belgium.  It is now cultivated there.  Ugali is served with just about everything and is a thick paste similar to fufu in other African nations.  It is made with cornmeal and is bland but used as a utensil to sop up sauces.  It takes on the flavor of whatever it is paired with.

Fish, especially giant tilapia, known as “big fish” there, is popular in the regions near the lake.   One fish can feed three or four people.  It is a family favorite and typically prepared with stuffed onions and various spices and served alongside grilled potatoes.  Another popular fish is tiny and called sambaza. These little fish are caught by fisherman in the lake at sunset using tightly woven nets.  They are fried in a thick batter and typically served with mayonnaise.

Other popular dishes are Brochettes, skewers or spits often grilled with goat meat.  When it is made with goat intestines it is called zingalo.  Brochettes can also be made with other grilled meats or fish.  Ubunyobwa is a thick and spicy peanut sauce usually served with chapati, a delicious flat bread.  Akabenz is a barbecued pork dish and is usually served with beer. Matoke is another dish made from spiced plantains steamed in banana leaves.

To drink, Urwagwa is popular in all the rural areas and made from fermented banana juice and sorghum flour. It is usually home brewed.  Ikiviguto is a fermented whole milk, that is also loved.

For snacks, Rwandans enjoy fruits, like pineapple, mangoes, bananas, papayas and avocadoes, along with roasted peanuts, popcorn, samosas and hard-boiled eggs.

So let’s enjoy a Rwandan meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Hard-boiled Eggs with Akabanga (Chili Oil)

Main Course

Brochettes (Grilled Goat Meat Skewers)

Served with Chips (Sweet Potato Fries)

Dessert

Mandazi  (African Donuts)

We set the scene with a leopard style print, as the leopard is the national animal.  A picture of the silverback gorilla was added since it is one of the few places in the world they call home, and where Diane Fossey became famous for her work and study of the mountain gorillas.  Today, Ellen DeGeneres has started a non-profit in her honor and is continuing her great work.  A square knot and a basket were also placed because they are symbols on the coat of arms.  Tea leaves and coffee beans were included as they are the main exports of the country.

We began our meal by saying, “Muryoherwe” which means “Bon Appetite” in Kinyerwanda.  I also made sure to taste the food in front of my guests so that they know it is safe to eat.  This is a traditional thing to do in Rwanda.

Our first course was simply hard-boiled eggs.  We each enjoyed one with a couple drops of their famous akinbanga, chili oil.  It is served in a dropper bottle because one or two drops is all you need to get a nice kick.  It was perfect on the egg with a touch of salt.  It is common in Rwanda to see street vendors selling hard boiled eggs for about $.25 per egg.  They are always served with akibanga, it is the scotch bonnet chili that makes up the fiery oil.

For the main course, we savored goat meat brochettes that were marinated in a tomato based sauce and grilled on skewers between pieces of onion.  Some of the marinade was reserved to dip the brochettes.  They were served alongside sweet potato fries or chips, as they are called there that were also excellent in the dip.  Both of these dishes are common street foods that you will find in nearly all the markets there.

For dessert, we devoured, hot-out-of-the fryer, mandazi. These are amazing little African donuts made with coconut milk and a hint of cardamom and cinnamon. They went perfectly with a nice strong cup of Rwandan coffee; a lovely end to our Rwandan meal.

We said, “Murakoze” (which means “thank you!)

After dinner we just had to watch the poignant movie called “Hotel Rwanda.” it is difficult to watch but puts the trials the Rwandans endured in perspective.  Afterwards, we watched “Gorillas in the Mist”, a film adaptation of Diane Fossey’s autobiography.

Now it’s time to book a trip to Rwanda. Seeing the gorillas in the wild is definitely on the bucket list, plus when you go there, you are supporting the cause and the people of Rwanda.

As we say goodbye to this little country of Rwanda, I leave you with a few proverbs:

“Nobody hates himself more than he who hates others.”

“You can outdistance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you.”

“Real fraternity is not about blood, it is about sharing.”

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

UPDATE: we are heading to Cuba on January 10th for a month of exploration in support of the Cuban people.   Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.  I thought a repost of  Cuba was in order, enjoy and watch for new exciting recipes to follow!

Cuba gets her name from the Taino people, an abbreviation of the word Cubanacán, which means “where fertile land is.” She is a long and narrow island nation, affectionately called El Caiman or El Cocodrilo, as the aerial view resembles an alligator or crocodile. The republic of Cuba is made up of the Island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and more than 400 small islands and cays. Cuba is located about 90 miles south of the Florida Keys and 125 miles east of Cancun and Jamaica. The Cayman Islands lie to the south and Haiti to the east. Cuba is the largest and most populated Caribbean island.

“Juana” is the name given the Island by Christopher Columbus in 1492, in honor of Queen Isabella’s son, but that name never stuck. The Taino people came to the island from Venezuela about one thousand years ago. The original inhabitants were Native America tribes, the Ciboney and Guanahatebey. In 1511 Spanish forces took over the islands and declared them a Spanish Territory. The Taino people were forced into slave labor and most died from overwork and diseases brought by the Europeans.

The Spanish then brought hundreds of thousands of slaves from West Africa to plant and harvest sugarcane and tobacco. (Cuban cigars are still world renown.) The population today is mostly mulatto (a mix of European and African descent) the balance is 37 percent white, 11 percent Black and one percent Chinese. The official language is Spanish and the dialect is similar to other Hispanic Caribbean Islands but the highly expressive use of hand gestures are distinctly Cuban.

Cuba was under the control of Spain until 1898 when the treaty of Paris was signed. The United States claimed ownership of the remaining Spanish Colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. By 1902, the Cubans were not happy with another colonial power taking control and after many protests, the United States agreed to withdraw militarily from Cuba. One of the conditions included a 99 year lease to a naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The lease was extended into perpetuity in 1934. After several dictators and coup attempts, Fidel Castro’s Revolution toppled the previous dictator on January 8, 1959, who fled the country. Castro spoke to the masses and claimed true independence for Cuba, the first time since 1511.

Cuba became a communist state, which caused some of the elite to flee. Having a communist country so close to United States (U.S.) shores became a major issue. This led to the failed Bay of Pigs and then the Cuban missile crisis, which then turned into a 50 year long embargo. (Rumor has it, U.S. President Kennedy purchased 1200 Cuban cigars before the trade embargo was enforced).

Cuba was trading with the Soviet Union and Venezuela as its major trading partners. In 1989 when the cold war ended and the Soviet Union broke up, Cuba entered a very difficult period known as the “Special Period.” The country lost 80 percent of its imports and exports. They lost their oil connection, which caused severe hardship in the ability to operate transportation, industrial and agricultural systems. This period was especially hard on the Cuban people. They were hungry and had to drastically change their way of life.

One good thing that came out of the “Special Period”, was organic agriculture. Cuban producers turned the declining availability of pesticides and fertilizers into an opportunity to shift toward organic production, which ended up having numerous environmental, social and economic gains. The government allowed 80 percent of their farmland to be turned over to workers. Once they met the government quotas for their crop, they were allowed to sell the excess to the local farmers’ market. Havanans transformed their vacant lots, backyards and even roof tops into small farms and grazing areas for animals. This change had huge positive impacts on the peoples’ livelihood as well as on their health, as chemicals and pesticides used in farming are often linked to increased cancer risks.

Like many communist countries, Cuba is officially atheist. However, many Cubans are Catholics and in 1997 the government allowed Christmas to become an official holiday, in preparation for Pope John Paul II’s visit. Cuba holds one of the highest literacy rates in all of Latin America and they have the highest doctor to patient ratio in the world. Cuba is known for sending doctors abroad when the need arises. A couple of perks to a communist society is free healthcare and education.

Baseball is the national sport of Cuba and loved there! They have special squares set up just so credentialed citizens can discuss baseball and discuss they do. They are so proud of their national team. One problem that Cuba faces is defection by their best players. They are typically paid around $2000 annually there compared to six figures and more in the U.S. Even Castro admits, that makes it hard for Cuba to compete. By the way, Fidel Castro led the country since the revolution in the late 1950s until 2008, when he passed the baton to his younger brother Raul, due to illness.

The country of Cuba has two currencies, the Cuban peso and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). The Cuban peso (CUP) is known as the national currency. This is what the population uses for necessities. Luxury Items and most tourist destinations use the CUC. One CUC buys about 25 CUPs which often confuses tourists, by seeing government controlled item prices that they perceive as too cheap.

There is a system set up in Cuba where tourists can stay in what are called casas particulares (private houses licensed to offer lodging to foreigners.) All the restaurants had been government owned and run by employees until the economic crisis of the Special Period. Now, in Cuba the best food will be found in your casa paladares (locally owned restaurants in private homes and made legal in the 1990s.) Seating is limited and there are many restrictions for the homeowner regarding staff and such, however this is where you will savor the delicious, homemade Cuban cuisine. Eating or staying in state owned hotels and restaurants is significantly more expensive. Visitors can choose casas particulares and paldares as alternatives and a great way to benefit the people and get a true cultural experience. Just make sure they have the proper licensing, as Cubans are forbidden to host a foreigner without a license and the punishment is severe for both parties, if caught.

The Cuisine of Cuba is a fusion of the Taino; the Spanish, West African and Caribbean. The tropical climate and fertile land produces fruits and root vegetables used in many Cuban dishes. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat. There are restrictions on seafood and beef, which are reserved mainly for the tourist industry.

So let’s eat Cuban style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Tostones (Fried Plantains)

Salad
Ensalada Cubano (Typical Green Salad)

Main
Lechon Asado (Roast Pork)

Served with
Moros y Cristianos (Rice and Beans)

Sofrito (Base for Moros Y Cristianos)

Dessert
Churros con Chocolate Caliente (Fried Dough with Hot Chocolate)

We began our meal with a Mojito, a popular lime and rum drink served with mint and a Cuban toast, “Salud.” The Mojito was known to be the author Ernest Hemingway’s favorite and he enjoyed them while writing two of his most famous books there: “The Old Man and the Sea” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” The rum maker, Bacardi, had its headquarters in Cuba until the Revolution when they moved it to Puerto Rico. Needless to say, rum is very popular in Cuba.

For ambiance, we put on “the Buena Vista Social Club”, a wonderful showcase of Cuban music performed by elderly men who have played music all their lives. Son Cubano is a type of Cuban music, as important to Cuba as the Tango is to Argentina and the Samba is to Brazil. Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional music genres of the world. (Here is a link, you can check it out for yourself: http://youtu.be/HaerapRPS64 )

We decorated the table with colors of the Cuban flag; red, white and blue and with pictures of old American cars. Cubans are only allowed to own pre-1959 cars. It is an amazing site to see how they have maintained and restored these vintage treasures. If the day ever comes when the Cubans can sell them, I hope they won’t, as they add such charm and uniqueness to their country.

For our first course we enjoyed hot fried plantains, always a delicious treat and best eaten right out of the fryer, a popular snack in Cuba.
Next we had the main course served family style. Lechon Asado was served with white rice and black beans in a sofrito base. Together it’s called Moros y Cristianos. Honestly, I think it is the best combination of rice and beans I have ever had and I will include this recipe in my favorites. We added a simple but delicious organic Cuban salad. The salad, light and refreshing, with a citrus and garlic dressing, complemented the flavor of the pork.

The main dish, Lechon Asado, is usually reserved for special occasions where the whole pig would be roasted in the ground, covered in banana leaves. They also sell hog roasting boxes that many Cubans own and have become a popular alternative to roasting the pig in the ground. What makes the pork so wonderful however, is the marinade called Mojo. This is a blend of citrus and garlic that is unforgettable. I roasted a whole pork shoulder that I found with the skin on. It was superb!

For dessert we had hot chocolate and churros. The churros are basically fried dough rolled in sugar and served with a nice big cup of hot chocolate to dunk them in. I know we shouldn’t but, YUM!

You will notice on my cover shot is a pamphlet called “Nassau Cuba & Mexico.” This pamphlet was written by the author Zane Grey for the New York Cuba Mail Steamship Company. It is very rare and one of the prized possessions of our Zane Grey collection. We also have his diary of that trip he took. I would like to quote from the pamphlet, what he said about Havana back in 1909. “Havana is a magnificent city of white-walled avenues, of green-foliaged plazas, of gray-towered cathedrals and monasteries; and its wonderful coloring runs sheer into the blue waters of the harbor. It is bright, attractive, full of life. Tourists of all nations are there giving the city a cosmopolitan atmosphere. A walk or drive down the Prado from Central Plaza to the Malecon is one of the most enjoyable that can be imagined. Streams of carriages and automobiles, going and coming, giving an air of New York or Paris.”

As we leave this country Cuba, we do so with hope, as the U.S. Embargo has just been lifted. Recognizing that the decision to lift the embargo is controversial, as things in Cuba have not changed in decades, I see both sides of the argument. With that said, we can only hope that things get better for the Cuban people. Selfishly, I am hoping to get a chance to visit and stay with a Cuban family in a casa particular and dine with them on the incredible cuisine!

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene
P.s. What do with all those pork leftovers? A Cuban sandwich of course. Here’s a delicious bonus recipe!

Cuban Sandwich

How did Panama get its name?

Theories abound about how Panama got its name.  Some believe that it was named after a tree known as the Panama tree (Sterculia apetala).  Another theory is that the first settlers arrived in August, when butterflies are abundant and that the name means “many butterflies” in an indigenous language.  The most believed version is that a fishing village and beach were called Panama, which meant “an abundance of fish,”  It was discovered by the Spanish, while they explored the area in 1515, and stopped in this small fishing village.  The official definition, approved by the Ministry of Education, is that Panama means “abundance of fish, trees and butterflies.”  However, there are some that believe the name means “distant or far away” which stems from the word “bannaba” in the Kuna Language.  Today it is officially known as the Republic of Panama.

Where is Panama located?

Panama is located in Central America.  It is an “S” shaped isthmus that connects north and south America and separates the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean Sea) from the Pacific Ocean (Gulf of Panama).  Its unique coastlines run east and west, rather than north and south.  Panama is the only place on earth where you can see the sun rise over the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.  It is also a place where, if you hike up to the highest peak, you can see both coasts on a clear day.  Panama is also blessed with no hurricanes or earthquakes, a rarity in this area.  Panama lies in between Costa Rica and Colombia.  It has a year round tropical climate, with high humidity.  This tropical environment supports an abundance of plants and jungles.  About 40 percent of Panama is wooded.  Subsistence farming is the way of life of Panamanians, from the northeastern jungles to the southwestern grasslands.   They grow mainly corn, beans, sugarcane, coffee and tubers.  There are also large banana plantations, in the swamp areas near Costa Rica.

A Brief History of Panama

The first humans that lived in Panama are believed to have arrived there around 11,000 B.C. By 2,500 B.C., the indigenous people were making pottery, and trading with others as far north as Mexico, and as far south as Peru.  The original native American tribes were, the Cocle and Cuevas people.  The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive, in 1501.  As is typical after colonization, most of the native people died from diseases brought in by the Europeans, for which they had no immunity.  The Spanish also enslaved the native people and when they did not have enough people left, they started importing slaves from Africa.

In 1513, Vasca de Balboa made his famous trek from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, across the isthmus of Panama.  This trip was a critical turning point for Panama, in becoming a major trading center.  This was a short cut, saving ships from having to travel all the way around the cape.  For years, goods brought to the shores of Panama, trekked across the land and were put on ships bound for Spain.  It was, however, a dangerous road, nicknamed the “Camino de Cruces” or “Road of the Crosses”, due to all the people who died along the way.  Spain ruled over Panama for nearly 300 years, until Panama left the Spanish Empire and became part of Columbia.

In 1903 Colombia and Panama had a disagreement about the United States building a canal across Panama.  With the support of the USA, Panama broke away from Columbia and declared their independence on Nov 3, 1903.  There are three days celebrated each year in Panama:  November 3-5.  It begins with Separation Day, then Flag Day and ending with Colon’ Day, celebrated for when the citizens of Colon’ averted a march on Panama City by the Colombian Army.  They also celebrate their independence from Spain on November 28, each year.

The famous Panama Canal was completed in 1914 and Panama remained a US territory until 1979, when they took total control over the canal on December 31, 1999.  The canal is an artificial waterway that connects two oceans.  It was widened to allow the larger ships to pass.  The widening project was completed in June of 2016.  The canal accounts for 1/3^rd of Panamas GDP, as tolls are paid for the ships to cross.  The lowest toll was $.36  and was paid by Richard Halliburton who swam through the canal in 1928.  Today, the average fee is $54,000 for shipping vessels.  The canal has been named one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Panama has suffered, like many countries, with dictators that did not have the people’s best interest at heart.  One such dictator was Manuel Noriega, who spent many years in US custody on drug trafficking charges.  He was then extradited to France where he spent a seven year imprisonment for money laundering.  In 2011, France extradited him back to Panama where he was incarcerated for crimes committed during his rule and where he ultimately died.  Panama has since had fair elections and even elected their first woman president in 1999.

Today Panama is on a great path of prosperity with tourism, and banking. They have excellent tax incentives for foreign investment and for Americans who want to call Panama their home.

Panama Culture

The population of Panama is a mix of creoles, mestizos, European immigrants, Africans and indigenous Indians.  It is a popular place for Americans to retire. There is also a small Chinese population.  The total population is nearly 4,000,000.  About 85 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, while traditional beliefs have been maintained among the native Americans.  The most important ritual celebrated is Carnaval, for which the capital closes down for five days, before Ash Wednesday.

The currency is the US dollar and the official language is Spanish, although many speak English and indigenous languages as well.  Panama is also famous for its traditional dress. Women wear the pollera, which is a blouse and long skirt.  It is formed by multicolored cloth and intricate embroidery.  Panama celebrates Pollera Day each July 22.   The men wear a white long sleeved shirt called a camisilla, black long pants and a straw hat with black lines.  A small bag hangs on the left side of the body and black and white shoes are worn to complete the outfit.  These costumes are worn during Carnaval, folklore events and town festivities.  Their costumes have received international praise, mainly due to the pollera’s complex design.

Why Visit Panama

Panama City is the capital city and where most of the population resides.  It is famous for its ultra-modern skyline.  Panama has become important for banking and insurance.  It is known as the financial hub of Latin America.  Aside from the tall modern buildings, Panama City also has a historic old quarter that is four avenues wide and completely filled with charm.   It is called Casca Veijo and is protected by UNESCO.  The old Quarter has narrow brick roads and grand old colonial houses with stunning pastel facades.  It is a wonderful place to enjoy dinner and drinks.  Panama City is also the only metropolis that boasts a tropical rainforest within the city limits.  The Natural Metropolitan Park is a draw for nature lovers.

Panama, having two coasts and 500 rivers, along with jungles and rain forests, makes the country an adventure traveler’s dream.  Water sports of every imaginable type are found here.  Turquoise water and golden beaches are also a huge draw, as is the canal  itself.  Home to all sorts of wildlife, there are 125 animal species found there that are found nowhere else in the world.  Panama is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 900 species.  One of the most sought after birds, the harpy eagle, can weigh up to 20 lbs. and is the national bird of Panama.

Panamanian Cuisine

Panamanian cuisine is as diverse as its population.  Each ethnic group brings its own blend of spices, recipes, ingredients and cooking methods.  The cuisine is generally a fusion of Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Asian and indigenous cultures.  Along both coasts, the diet consists mainly of coconut, seafood, root vegetables and tropical fruits.  Inland, the communities are based on agriculture, so they enjoy mainly root vegetables, plus, beans and rice and fruits.  Livestock, such as cows, chickens and pigs are also commonly eaten.  Corn is a staple ingredient but not too many greens are consumed.  However, they do use a cousin to cilantro, in their national dish called, sancocho.  Beer is popular all over the country.  Generally speaking, the cuisine is somewhat mild, except for a few spicy dishes on the Caribbean side.

So let’s enjoy a Panamanian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Ceviche de Corvina (White Sea Bass Ceviche)

Main Dish

Sancocho (Traditional Chicken Soup)

Dessert

Cocadas (Coconut Cookies)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red white and blue.  We placed orchids of purple and white, as that is the national flower of Panama, with over 1200 varieties.  A ship was added to represent the very important Panama Canal and a piggy bank to represent the financial haven Panama has become.  A butterfly represented the land of butterflies.  We included a cart of coffee, as it is an important crop and also a Panama hat (that are actually made in Ecuador) but made famous in Panama.

We began our meal with buen provencho, which means bon-appetit in Spanish.  Our starter course was an amazing white sea bass ceviche.  The dish was made with fresh white sea bass and shrimp. It also had celery, which added a wonderful texture. The fish was “cooked” in lemon juice.  It was served with chips and saltine crackers and was an immediate hit.

The main course was sancocho which in Spanish means, “to parboil.”  It is a popular dish in many Latin countries, although each country adds its own interpretation.  This sancocho is made with chicken and root vegetables, such as yam or yucca.  It is the flavoring of culantro that makes this Panamanian dish unique.  Culantro,tastes similar to cilantro, but is a bit stronger.  Ultimately, this is a hearty chicken soup that is known to cure whatever ails you, (especially a hangover.)  We loved it!

For dessert, we had delicious coconut cookies, called cocades.  They are similar to a macaroon, except they are made with sweetened, condensed milk, instead of eggs.  They were perfect with a cup of Panamanian coffee, for which they are now famous.  They grow a particular type, called Geisha that originally came from Ethiopia but has been growing very well in Panama.  This coffee lacks the bitter or sour notes and sells for about $40/lb.  You can pick some up here if you would like to try it.

After dinner, we decided to go for a dance lesson.  Panamanians love to gather together and dance.  Punto panmeño is considered to be the most elegant and beautiful of dances.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

Mali and Mauritania are neighbors in the northern section of West Africa.  They have several things in common, including a border.  They both are large countries; Mali is the eighth largest country in Africa, with a large portion of the country lying deep in the Sahara Desert.  Most of the inhabitants of Mali live in the south, along the Niger and Senegal Rivers.  Mauritania is the 11^th largest country in Africa.  It is not landlocked like its neighbor Mali, as its western border is the Atlantic Ocean.  Ninety percent of the land of Mauritania is also within the Sahara Desert.  Mauritania’s population is most concentrated in the southern part of the nation, as well.

Both countries are predominately Muslim.  Mauritania is officially called, “The Islamic Republic of Mauritania.”  The country is nearly 100 percent Muslim with only about 4500 Roman Catholics, served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nouakchott, which was established in 1965.  They have extreme restrictions on freedom of religion and it is one of only 13 countries in the world which punishes atheism by a sentence of death.  Mali, in contrast, provides for freedom of religion and does not permit any form of religious discrimination.  It is about ninety percent Muslim.  Both countries suffer from extremism and are considered to be a couple of the poorest nations on earth, despite being rich in natural resources.  They have each suffered from coups since their independence from France in 1960; Mali on September 22^nd and Mauritania on November 28.

Mali and Mauritania both have a large population of Haratines, (freed, African slave descendants.)  Some human rights groups fear that slavery still exists in these countries, mainly impacting women and children.  In Mauritania slavery wasn’t outlawed until 1981 and even then, it is believed the law was never enforced.  In Mali, there were reports, as recent as 2012, that during a rebellion, ex-slaves were recaptured by their masters.

The majority of the population in these two countries depends on agriculture and livestock, even though most of the nomadic, tribal, lifestyle was forced into the cities.  This was mainly due to the massive droughts that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.  Cotton, is grown in Mali and is an important export.  Iron ore and fish are important for Mauritania.

Mali gets its name from the Mali Empire that was formed on the upper Niger River and reached its height of power back in the 14^th century.  The name has dual meanings in the Bambara language; “hippopotamus” and “where the king resides.”  The Capital city of Bamako, means “Crocodile River.”  The official language of Mali is French but it is a multilingual country with at least 50 tribal languages spoken.  Arabic and English are two other important languages.  Mali was also the cradle of the Empire of Ghana; West Africa’s first, Black Empire.  Mali has not promoted itself for tourism and therefore the people remain quite traditional, practicing many of their old cultural, tribal ways, such as Ancient, African drumming.

Timbuktu, a city in Mali, was an important center for Islamic learning and trade during medieval times.  It is still used as an important stop for salt caravans and traders.  Back in the day, salt was such a sought after commodity that people would trade it, pound for pound, for gold.   Some buildings remain from its hay day.  Rock paintings found in the area of Gao and Timbuktu suggest the region was inhabited as early as 50,000 BC.  Gao, is another city in Mali, which lies right on the meridian marker.  In Gao, one can literally stand on the edge of two hemispheres.

Mali may be best known for the Grand Mosque, in the city of Djenne’.  It is the largest, mud brick, building in the world and looks like a giant, sand castle.  It was built in 1204 AD.  The massive Mosque is a national treasure.  The bogolanfini cloth, which is a handcrafted, cloth, dyed with mud, is only produced in this part of Africa.  The Dogon people, of central Mali, hold a masked festival, featuring 75 different masks, known as the Sigul.  This festival only happens every sixty years and lasts for several years, as it travels from village to village.  It symbolizes the period between the death of the first ancestor and the moment humans began to speak. The next festival will begin in 2027.

Mauritania, pronounced “more-atania,” also gets its name from an ancient kingdom; the Berber Kingdom of Mauretania.  This kingdom existed from the third century to the seventh century BC, to the far north of modern-day Morocco.  The Romans referred to the Berber people as “Maures.”   The Latin meaning of the word “Mauretania” is “West.” Today about one-third of the population lives in the capital city of Nouakchott, which is located on the Atlantic coast.  Nouakchott means, “place of the winds” and was only designated as a capital in 1960, making it one of the newest capitals of the world.  The official language is Arabic, with formal recognition of French, Fulani, Soninke and Wolof.  There, unfortunately, is constant ethnic conflict, especially between the Nomadic Arabs and the Black Africans.

Mauritania is home to what is known as the “Eye of Africa.”  If you were to look at it from space, it looks like a perfect, bull’s-eye image.  It is believed to be some sort of a highly symmetrical and deeply eroded geologic dome that collapsed.  It is massive, with a diameter of 30 miles.  Some are amazed by the resemblance of this structure and Plato’s description of the city of Atlantis.  Either way, much more research is required, (when it is safe to do so,) to get a better understanding of this unique place.  There are other special places in Mauritania, some of which are UNESCO world heritage sites. The old town of Chinguetti is one of them, which draws people from all over and allows them to be transported back in time, into an old Arab town.  The prominent landmark in Chinguetti is the Great Mosque, built during the 13^th or 14^th century and said to be the soul of the city.

Parc National du Banc d’Arguin is also an UNESCO site and is located between the two largest cities.  The area is composed mainly of sand dunes, which provide a rich biodiversity, as they stretch to the Atlantic Ocean.  The park serves as a breeding ground for birds and has one of the largest concentrations of migratory birds in the world, which includes: pelicans, terns, flamingos and broad-billed sand pipers.  It is a bird lover’s paradise.  The surrounding waters are an abundant food source, for not only the birds, but also for the people living in the area.

As we look into the cuisine of both nations, they are very similar to other West African countries and North Africa countries, as well.  Mauritanian’s national dish comes from neighboring Senegal.  It is a dish called Thieboudienne (cheb-u-jin,) which is popular on the coast and made with fish and rice, tomatoes and other vegetables.  Fish is a staple in Mauritanian cuisine.  Mali doesn’t list a national dish but they also eat fish from the rivers.  Often times, it is served with kuskus or couscous, which is prepared using millet or barley flour, rolled to create small pellets that almost look like rice.  Women in both countries gather to make large batches that will last for weeks.  It is the base for all sorts of sauces, many are made with peanuts and sweet potato leaves.  Vegetables, like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, okra and peppers, are often used.  Meats eaten there are typically lamb, goat, chicken and fish.  Alcohol is not consumed by Muslims, nor is pork.  Interestingly, obesity is an issue for women in Mauritania, which is not very common in most other African countries.  Being large is considered beautiful by Mauritanian men.  Many dishes from surrounding countries would also be most appropriate to represent Mali and Mauritania as well.  Feel free to click on the links for the recipes for Akkara, a bean fritter, Yassa poulet, a lemony chicken dish, as well as jollof rice, a spicy rice dish.

So let’s enjoy a Malian and Mauritanian meal:

  The Menu

Appetizer

Watermelon Slices

Main Course

Leksour (Lamb Stew served on Millet Pancakes)

Dessert

 Meni-meniyong (Sesame and Honey Sticks served with Dates)

And

The Tea Ritual (Green Tea served with Mint and Sugar)

For this meal we began with a handwashing custom, by passing around a pot of water and a basin.  We decorated with the color of their flags; green, yellow and red.  We sat on the floor, to enjoy the meal communal style.

Our first course was simply, watermelon slices.  In both countries, watermelon is a beloved fruit.  It is not hard to imagine why this fruit is so important, given the dry, hot and dusty conditions of the Saharan Desert.  You will often see women and children selling watermelon at the local markets and they even have the ability to carry it on their head.  We enjoyed the watermelon with a touch of mint, on a hot summer day and loved it.  In both countries, a wild variety of watermelon grows that has white flesh.  The seeds are ground and used in baking, adding a different nutritional value than that of grain.  Watermelon is also commonly served as dessert,

For the main course, we faced the challenge of rolling up the savory lamb stew in a pancake, using only our right hand, which is customary there.  It does take some practice when you are not used to it, and definitely adds to the entertainment of the meal.  This dish is a simple, lamb stew, seasoned with a bay leaf, salt and pepper. This allows the flavors of the lamb and vegetables to shine through.  The pancake, made with millet flour, was tasty and had a bit of a nutty flavor.

For dessert we we had sesame seed and honey sticks, called meni-meniyoung.  Sweet and yummy they were served alongside fresh dates and were part of the tea ritual.  Tea pulling, as it is called, is really an art form.  From about a meter away, the host perfectly pours the tea, first from the pot to a small glass and then from glass to glass, until a foamy, frothy top appears.  This aerates the tea, taking away the bitterness.  After the first glass, the pot is returned to the coals and brewed again, this time with mint and copious amounts of sugar.  (It brings a whole new meaning to sweet tea.)  The tea party is the ultimate form of hospitality and friendship and is also used for business negotiations in both countries.  Often times, the tea party can last for several hours. however it always includes precisely three cups of tea. The first cup is bitter, like life, the second one, strong, like love and the third cup, gentle, like death. The tea is slurped loudly and every drop is savored.

As we say goodbye to these two African countries, we do so with a prayer for the people living along the Niger River who, in the next couple months, may be facing epic flooding.

Until next time

Warmest regards,

Darlene

Madagasikava is what the country is called in their native language, Malagasy.  The name Madagascar is likely a mistake made by the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, back in the 13th century.  It is believed that Marco Polo thought he was referring to Mogadishu, when he wrote Madagascar, in his journal.  The letter “c” is not used in the Malagasy language.  However, the error was made and that is what this island nation is called today.  It was also known for a time as St. Laurence, after a Portuguese explorer, who landed on the island on that day in 1500.  Sometimes the island is referred to as the “Red Island”, because that is the color of the soil in many parts of the island where slash and burn agriculture, has left the land bare.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world.  It is located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of Africa.  The island nation includes numerous peripheral islands, as well.  The main island is about 1000 miles long and 350 miles wide.  It is believed that this island split originally from the prehistoric supercontinent, called Gondwana.  Then some 165 million years ago split from Africa and 88 million years ago separated from India.  Due to this most unique circumstance, native plants and animals have evolved in relative isolation from the rest of the world.  It is a biodiversity hot spot.  Some ecologists refer to it as the eighth continent.  Over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth.  Its closest neighbors are the islands of Mauritius to the east, Comoros to the northwest and Mozambique, the nearest mainland, located to the west.

It is believed that the first human settlements occurred between 350BC and 550AD by Austronesians who arrived on the island in outrigger canoes from Borneo.  Other groups followed over time.  There are 18 or more subgroups considered to be Malagasy that make up the majority of the population.  The largest are the Merina of the central highlands.  Each subgroup has contributed to the cultural heritage of Madagascar.  Beginning in the early 19^th century most of the island was ruled as the Kingdom of Madagascar, by Merina nobles. The monarchy collapsed in 1897, when the Island became part of the French colonial empire.  It remained in the hands of the French until they gained independence on June 26, 1960.

Since independence, they have had four major constitutional republics.  Constitutional governance was just recently restored in January 2014, when Hery Rajonarimampianina was named president.  This was after the international community deemed the election fair and transparent, since corruption has been a major problem in this country.  The population is over 22 million.  It is estimated that 90% of the population, live on less than $2 per day, making Madagascar one of the poorest nations on earth.  They hope that ecotourism and agriculture, along with investments in education, health care, and private enterprise, will lift the people out of poverty.

The two official languages are Malagasy and French.  Antananarivo is the political and economic capital of Madagascar.  It is located in the highland region, near the geographic center of the island.  It was founded as the capital in 1610.  The main religion is Christianity, along with traditional beliefs, which have been passed on by their ancestors.  The sacrifice of the Zebu (a species of humped cattle that is used for meat, milk and work,) is a method to appease and honor the ancestors.  Islam is also practiced by some seven percent on the island and was first brought there by Arab and Somali traders in the Middle Ages.  More recently Hinduism was introduced and is practiced by a small minority of the Indian population.

Madagascar has lost nearly 90 percent of its forests.  It is struggling to find a balance between the environment and traditions of its people.  It also suffers from destructive cyclones.  Some of the wildlife, like the lemur, which may be their most famous animal, is on the verge of extinction.  There are over 100 known species and subspecies of lemur that are found only on Madagascar.  There are a number of other mammals that are endemic to Madagascar, such as the cat-like fossa.  Some researchers believe that Madagascar is the origin of chameleons, since they are home to two-thirds of the world’s species, including the smallest chameleon known to exist.

Madagascar is home to nearly 15,000 plant species, of which, 80 percent, are found nowhere else in the world. Three quarters of the 860 orchid species and six of the world’s nine magnificent baobab tree species, are only found in Madagascar.  These trees can reach 36 feet in diameter and 98 feet tall.  There is an area in western Madagascar called “The Avenue of the Baobabs.”  It is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world.  Some of these trees are estimated to be 800 years old.  The Malagasy call them renala, which means “mother of the forest.” It has 165 of the known 170 palm species, nearly three times as many species then found in all of mainland Africa.  The iconic, giant travelers palm is featured in the national emblem.  Despite this area being a popular tourist destination, it has not been declared a national park and there are no gate fees or visitor centers.  Many plants in Madagascar are used as herbal remedies.  The drugs vinblastine and vincristine, were made from the Madagascar periwinkle, and are used to treat Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia and other cancers.  Healthcare in Madagascar is found mainly in the urban areas, leaving the vast majority of the population to find help from traditional healers.

Madagascar is blessed with natural resources, which include agriculture and minerals.  Agriculture, fishing and forestry are the backbone of the economy.  They are the world’s supplier of vanilla beans, cloves, and ylang-ylang (the oil of which has many medicinal properties.)  Coffee, lychee fruit and shrimp are also important products for export.  Most of the population works in agriculture.  Madagascar currently provides half of the world’s supply of sapphires, which were only recently discovered in the late 1990s.  There are many mining projects underway and there is hope that oil and gas may give a big boost to the economy.  One can only hope that the relatively new government will end corruption and make the right choices for the people of Madagascar.

As we look into the cuisine of Madagascar, it is mainly influenced by what is available locally and of course the French.  Southeast Asians, Africans, Indians and Chinese all have influenced the cuisine as well.  Rice is certainly considered the mainstay and served with nearly every meal.  All sorts of sauces, called laoka, are made to accompany the rice.  Typically a sauce will be enhanced with the flavors of ginger, onion, garlic, tomato, vanilla, salt and curry powder.  Beef, chicken and pork are available, along with all sorts of seafood found along the coast.  Vegetables, like green beans, cabbage, carrots and onions, are abundant.  Also in the arid south and west, cassava, sweet potato, yams and taro root are staple ingredients.  Peanuts are often used in the dishes, as well.  All types of fruits, both temperate and tropical, are found and loved in the cuisine. The food is typically served with a condiment called sakay on the side, which is a spicy sauce made from red or green chili peppers.  It is added to the dish after the food is cooked so the individual can adjust the heat, according to their preference.

Street foods are also popular and they are called mofo, which means, bread.  These treats can be made plain, with coconut milk or with fruit.  There are endless combinations of mofo.  The fried fritters are made from a sweetened rice batter and flavored with chopped greens, such as watercress, onions, tomatoes and chilies.  This style is called mofo sakay, meaning, spicy bread and is how we began our Malagasy meal.

So let’s enjoy a Malagasy Meal:

The Menu

Starter

Mofo Sakay (Spicy Bread)

Salad

Lasary Avocat (Avocado Salad)

Soup

Lasopy (Pureed Vegetable Soup)

Main Course

Romazava (Meat Stew with Greens)

Served with Sakay (Spicy Condiment)

Dessert   

Vanilla Bean Fruity Clafouti (Cherry Custard)

We set the table with a colorful cloth that had flowers and palms on it, to represent the biodiversity in Madagascar.  We added vanilla beans, cloves and coffee to signify their main exports and of course a picture of a lemur. (Our cat Buddy sort of reminds us of a lemur, with his great big eyes!) Beautiful orchids completed the setting.

The first course was the typical street food described above, called mofo sakay.  We loved these little, fried, spicy treats.  We enjoyed them with an ice cold beer. They make a few different beers in Madagascar, the most popular is called “Three Horses Beer” or THB.  A popular non-alcoholic drink  is called ranonapango, which is made in an unusual way; after a pot of rice has been overcooked, boiling water is added to the pot to get the flavor.  The water is then chilled and served cold.  Some say it is an acquired taste.  But speaking of drinks, rum is the most popular alcohol consumed and is made from sugarcane.  When a new bottle of rum is opened, a capful is thrown in the corner of the home, to honor their ancestors.

Up next, we enjoyed an avocado salad.  We used the avocado as the vessel to hold the onions and diced tomato.  It was lightly dressed with a little olive oil and lemon juice and a dash of vinegar.  It was a light and lovely salad.

For our soup course, we had a hearty, pureed vegetable soup, called lasopy.  This vegetable soup is usually made with pork or meat bones to flavor the broth, but of course you could use a vegetable stock, if you prefer.  This soup is made with whatever vegetables are fresh and in season.  We got all of the ingredients for this dish straight from our International Cuisine garden, which is abundant now that summer is in full swing. The vegetables are cooked and then put in a blender to puree.  The soup and is served alongside a baguette of french bread and some sakay.  Their cuisine is pretty bland as cooked, until you add sakay. This is a spicy condiment made of thai chili peppers that is found on every table.  The sakay livens every dish up beautifully.

For the main course, we made Madagascar’s national dish called romazava.  This is a meat stew with fresh greens.  It is typically served over rice  and can be a one-course meal by itself.  It is hearty, as it contains three different types of meat; beef, chicken and pork.  Certainly, romazava can be made with just one type of meat,  Zebu cattle is most often used.  The greens are also very important elements to the dish.  The recipe calls for a green anamamy, which sometimes goes by the name, Malabar spinach; however, any spinach will work as a substitute.  Mustard greens are easy to come by and add a nice peppery flavor to the dish.  Paracress is a tough green that grows there.  It is known as the toothache plant and will numb the mouth completely, like a local anesthestic.  It is perhaps this green that makes the dish famous as the national dish.  The best we could do was to substitute arugula for the flavor of paracress, without the numbing affect.  We enjoyed this hearty stew with plenty of sakay.

For dessert, we went the French route, using one of Madagascar’s most famous ingredients, the vanilla bean.  We enjoyed a vanilla bean, fruity, clafouti.  These little custards were made with sweet cherries and the dessert was a lovely ending to our Madagascar meal.

Next, we were off to relax in front of the television, as I rented, what else, but the Dreamworks, animated film titled, “Madagascar”.

As we say goodbye to this amazing, island nation, I leave you with a couple of Madagascar proverbs:

“Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won’t eat you.”

and

“Life is a shadow and a mist; it passes quickly by, and is no more.

Until next time,

Mandra-pihaona, which means “see you later” in Malagasy.

Darlene

This week International Cuisine takes a journey to the small country of Burundi located in central, eastern Africa, it is one of the smallest and yet one of the most densely populated in Africa. The original inhabitants are the Twa Pygmies, however today, they represent only one percent of the population and live in the forested highlands. The Hutu came to the country in the 11th century and remain the largest in number with agriculture being their main occupation. However, it is the Tutsi, who followed in the 14th century, representing about 20 percent of the population today, and who control the country, as a warrior tribe.

Her neighbors are Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country sits on a high plateau, ranging from 2500 feet in the east, to 8700 feet at the peak of Mount Heha. She has two wet seasons and two dry seasons, with temperature variations due to the altitude. One third of the country is pastureland, the most fertile being in the highlands. She is home to many species of wildlife, yet animals today are threatened, as the country has not established protected areas and sadly poaching crimes are not enforced.

In 1885, Burundi was taken over by the Germans and was called German East Africa. It remained that way until the Germans lost the territory with little resistance to 1400 Belgium soldiers during World War I. Burundi and Rwanda then became known as Ruanda-Urundi. Burundi was so named after gaining independence from Belgium in 1962. Although the United Nations (UN) felt they should remain one country, both Burundi and Rwanda wanted to be separate, so the UN finally agreed. Rwanda was ruled by the Hutu and Burundi remained under the power of the Tutsi.

The Tutsi and the Hutu have been in constant conflict for centuries, with mass genocides having been spawned by both sides and the battle continues today. The farming nature of the Hutu is looked down upon by the Tutsi, who are cattle herders. The same animosities that exist in Burundi between these two tribes, also exists in Rwanda. More and more Hutu are forced to leave Burundi while more and more Tutsi make their way there. The Twa, preferring to live in the forest, simply stay away from both tribes.

Ninety two percent of the population lives in rural settings, in small family groupings, which are really too small to be called villages. However, Burundi does have a capital city, Bujumbura, located on the north shore of Lake Tanganyika. This lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the world and is Burundi’s main port. The county also has another urban center called Gitega. Gitega and Bujumbura are the only two urban areas in the entire country.

The official languages of this country are French and Kirundi. All three ethnic tribes speak Kirundi and also some Swahili, which is a mixture of Arabic and Bantu. Swahili is the language for trade and business and is commonly spoken around the capital city. The majority of the population (67 percent) are Christians, Traditional beliefs represent 25 percent of the people and the remainder is Muslim.

Cattle are considered sacred and a sign of wealth. When a cow dies, the family will eat the meat and then plant the horns near their home to bring good luck. Even though a family could make a good living selling cattle, they don’t. A typical Kirundi greeting is “Amashyo” which translates to “may you have herds of cattle.” There are also intricate food customs that revolve around cattle. For example, milk cannot be heated or boiled or consumed on the same day one would eat peas or peanuts. Cattle are also used as currency and for a wedding dowry.

Burundi is poor, really poor, with one the lowest gross national products in the world. Life expectancy there is the young age of 45 and infant mortality is so high, they don’t even celebrate a baptism until the age of one. Their biggest export is coffee, introduced to them back in 1930. However, it is not a reliable crop due to erratic weather and the changing commodity price. The government is trying to introduce new crops for export, like tea and sugar. Ninety percent of the population support themselves through farming; growing cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, bananas and sorghum.

The diet in Burundi consists mainly of carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals are obtained through vegetables, fruits and some grains. Very little fat or protein is available except around the area of Lake Tanganyika, where fish are abundant. Many suffer from a disease called Kwashiorkor, caused by a protein deficiency.

Making a meal in Burundi is labor intensive; cassava root has to be washed, pounded, and strained and sorghum is ground into flour for porridge. The porridge is then rolled into a ball, called Bugali, used for dipping into gravy.

As I looked into recipes for this country, it was clear it would be a vegetarian meal and there would be no appetizer and no dessert. It would just not be representative otherwise.

So let’s eat and be thankful:

The Menu
Ibiharge & Ibitoke (Beans and Bananas)

Served with
Burundi Chapati (Flat Bread)

Kachumbari (Burundi Slaw)

We set the table with the colors of the Burundi flag. Red stands for her struggles for independence, green is for hope and white is for peace. We said a prayer for these three ethnic tribes and their land. We then wondered how life might have been different, not just for them, but for many other countries, if the boundaries after colonization, were more clearly thought out. It seems that so many wars are over territory and between ethnic groups that can’t seem to get along.

We ate the meal family style, using only our right hand, as is customary there. Much to our surprise, the beans and bananas were a delicious combination. With so few items to choose from, I am certain that each Burundian family has their own special touches to add to this simple, filling, sweet and savory dish.

The flat bread was outstanding and really fun to make. When I first saw the recipe, I was skeptical, as it said to make the dough into a paper fan and then roll it up to create a flaky interior. It worked! The bread was perfect with the bean and banana stew.

On the side, we enjoyed a light, slaw like salad, which was simply: onions, tomatoes, a little chili and fresh cilantro with just a squeeze of lemon on top.

In Burundi they make a special kind of alcoholic beverage using bananas. However, we decided to enjoy the meal with a simple glass of water.

This journey was heart wrenching for me. How sad that people have to kill each other just because they are a different ethnicity. How sad that so many live in poverty without proper sanitation, clean water, or food. How sad to not have medical care to speak of, in the midst of so many diseases; AIDS, and malaria being the most formidable threats.

As we say goodbye to Burundi, I do so feeling extremely blessed for the good fortune in my life and with a true sense that there is so much more I can be doing to make this world a better place. We ended the evening watching a movie called Hotel Rwanda, one I would highly recommend, to understand the turmoil, struggles and fortitude of these African tribes and how one person can truly make a difference.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Angola is located in south, central Africa. It borders Namibia on the south, Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, Zambia on the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Angola only gained her independence from the Portuguese in 1975. Angola is a large country, rich with vast mineral and petroleum reserves, and strikingly beautiful. These qualities may in part explain why she was embroiled in a 27 year old bloody, civil war once she gained independence. (1975-2002).

Angola’s economy has seen double digit growth since the civil war ended but don’t let the statistics fool you. Everything had been destroyed. So everything had to be rebuilt from the ground up. I suppose you can call that growth. Despite Angola's many assets, there are only a handful of elite that enjoy the wealth, while the rest of her people struggle in poverty. Too often this is the norm in war torn countries.

Recently International Cuisine visited Andorra, a country that boasts the longest life expectancy in the world. Yet here, Angolans have among the world's worst life expectancy, with a staggeringly high infant mortality rate. You may remember Princess Diana making the news with a trip to Angola about six months before her tragic death. She wanted to bring attention to Angola's deadly land mine issue. She choose the town of Cuito Cuanavale, considered to be most dangerous area for land mines in all of Africa. More recently, in 2013, Prince Harry made the same visit in his mother's footsteps, supporting the Halo Trust to carry on her mission. We must ask, how can Angolans cope with daily life when with every step they live in fear of death or injury by land mines? It is unimaginable to most of us. While they have some signs and rocks painted red to indicate where known mines are located, it is clearly the location of the unknown mines that fill each day with torment.

Still, despite all of the tragedy, past and present, Angolans find comfort in their special meals shared with family and friends. The influence on the cuisine is Portuguese, as they ruled there from the 16th to the 19th century. The official language is also Portuguese however Bantu and other African languages are also spoken. Angolan staples include flour, beans, rice, fish, chicken, okra, sweet potato, tomatoes, peppers, onions and peanuts. In fact, Angola is the 21st largest producer of peanuts in the world.

While Angolan staples make for some fine dishes, many poor households, on a daily basis, consume what is called funge or funje. This is a paste or porridge made from cassava flour. It is very common in the north. In south Angola they call a similar dish Pirão, which is made from corn flour. Many times this is the only available meal. Even so, Angolan recipes prevail which reflect the days of more plentiful abundance.

As I researched this country for the menu, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the riches we enjoy in our country. I plan to donate to the Halo Trust, as they continue their valuable work in Angola. In the meantime, I cook this meal with love and hope in my heart that Angolans will see much brighter days ahead.

The Menu

Appetizer
Papaya Com Vinho do Porto (Papaya and Port Wine)

Salad
Limão e Salada de Funcho (Lemon Fennel Salad)

Main Course
Cosa-Cosa Camarão (Hot-Hot Prawns)

Served with
Arroz Integral com Mantiega de Amendoim e Bananas
( Brown Rice with Peanut Butter and Fried Bananas)

Dessert
Pé-de-Moleque (Peanut and Caramel Candy)

There is something to be said for cooking with love in your heart. This was one of my favorite meals on the journey so far. The papaya appetizer with port wine and a squeeze of lime, was over the top.

The rest of the meal was served in family style. The spicy shrimp was unbelievably delicious coupled with the side of brown rice with peanut butter and fried bananas. It worked beautifully. Then, there was the refreshing fennel salad. I love this salad; so simple, healthful and just sumptuous. All three dishes complimented each other and made for an amazing meal. To be honest, when I saw the recipe for the brown rice dish, I was a bit skeptical. These are not ingredients I would have normally paired, but just do it. You will love it!

Oh and then there was dessert. The peanut and caramel candy was very similar to what I know as peanut brittle. It was delightful and with a cup of coffee and time to reflect on this country called Angola; it was a perfect end to an incredible journey.

Warmest regards,
Darlene