Search Results for: congo

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

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

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

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

Both Niger and Nigeria get their names from the magnificent, River Niger.  How the river got its name, remains a mystery.  It is a very unusual and most important river to both countries.  The Niger River is the third largest in Africa, after the Nile and the Congo.  It is nearly 2600 miles long.  What makes the river so unusual, is its route.  The river’s source is only 150 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in the ancient rock of the Guinea Highlands, but instead of heading toward the ocean it flows away from the sea, into the Sahara Desert.  It is a crescent shape and makes its turn near the ancient city of Timbuktu, in Mali.  It then flows south, though Niger, Benin and Nigeria, where it finally ends, at the Niger Delta, in the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean.  It also floods each year along its route, making a marsh area that is valuable for farming, fishing and wildlife.  The river is known to be clear, with very little silt.

Both countries are located in West Africa.  Niger has seven neighbors: Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west and Algeria to the northwest.  The country is landlocked, with eighty percent of the land, covered by the Sahara Desert.  The land area of Niger is the largest in West Africa, however, most of the population lives in the far west and south of the country.  The country’s nickname is “The Frying Pan of the World.”  Yes, with its subtropical climate, it is one of the hottest countries in all the world.

Niger gained Independence from France in 1960 and has since had five constitutions and three periods of military rule.  Since a coup in 2010, Niger has become a democratic, multi-party, state.  The population, of nearly 19 million, lives in rural areas.  The capital city, is now Niamey, located in the southwest corner of the country.  Prior to 1926, Zinder was the capital city.  The economy is based on subsistence crops, livestock and uranium mining.  Niger’s population is made up of several ethnic groups. The three largest are: the Hausa, Zarma-Sonrai and the Tuareg.  The Tuaregs are often referred to as the” Blue people”, for the indigo, dye-colored clothes they wear, which stains their skin.  They have been one of the ethnic groups that have been historically influential in spreading Islam to the region.  Islam is the prevalent religion of Niger with eighty percent Islam and the balance mostly Christians.  French is the official language, along with ten others commonly spoken.  Most of the population speaks their indigenous language as their first language.

Unfortunately, Niger faces extreme challenges.  Aside from being one of the poorest nations on earth, it has one of the highest birthrates in the world.  Each Niger woman has on average, seven children.  The median age of the population is a very young, 15 years.  The literacy rate is only 28 percent; one of the lowest in the entire world.  Poor education, lack of healthcare, environmental degradation, overpopulation and drought all add to these challenges.  Most recently the government has had to also deal with the Islamic terrorist, jihadist group called, Boko Haram that is wreaking havoc on its border with Nigeria.  The country, in its landlocked position, faces additional challenges from turmoil all around it.  While the country does get some assistance from other nations, much work needs to be done to pull its citizens out of poverty.

Despite all the hardships that the people of Niger face, they go about their daily life and have celebrations and festivals that are deeply rooted in their histories.  Nearly every ethnic group in the region comes from an empire that ruled the area at one time or another.  They have many traditions.  The Salt Cure Festival and Guerewol Festival are two important ones in the country.

Niger also has some very important national parks; one in the north called, Air and Tenere National Nature Reserve and one in the south, where the W National Park has the most important population of the rare, West African lion, and the one of the last populations of the Northwest African cheetah.  Other wildlife includes elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and warthogs.  The Niger River is also home to the endangered, West African Manatee, as well as 250 fish species; twenty of which are found nowhere else on the planet.

The main staple crops are millet and sorghum.  These are made into stiff porridges and enjoyed alongside sauces, soups and stews.  Rice is also available and grown in the marshes.  The soups and stews are typically made of vegetables and peanuts, as meat is somewhat scarce.  The river provides fish as a needed protein and beans are also popular.  Like many African countries they like a bit of spice in their cuisine.

Nigeria also gets its name from the River Niger.  Aside from Niger to the north, its neighbors are: Chad to the north, Cameroon to the east, Benin to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.  Unlike its neighbor Niger, it is one of the wealthiest countries, due to oil and other mineral resources.   It is part of OPEC and the twelfth largest producer of oil in the world.  It accounts for 85 percent of the government’s revenue. Despite its richness, 62 percent of the population lives in poverty.  This is due to mismanagement and corruption.

Nigeria is the most populated country in all of Africa and eighth most populated in the world.   It is home to nearly 190 million people.  It is believed that one of five Africans, is of Nigerian descent.  Its nickname is “The Giant of Africa.”  The population of Nigeria is made up of more than 250 ethnic groups.  The largest and most politically influential are:  the Hausa, the Fulani and the Yoruba.

English is the official language, as they gained Independence from Britain in 1960.  However, more than 500 languages are also spoken.  The religious makeup is: 50 percent Muslim, who live mostly in the north, and 40 percent Christians, who call the south home, and the balance is a mix of indigenous beliefs.

The divide between the north and south continues to be a problem for the government.  The current president, Buhari, a northerner, elected in 2015, has spent two long stents out of the country on medical leave.  He has recently returned and is hoping to calm political disputes that have escalated in his absence, along with making good on his promise to face the war with Boko Haram.  The country has made strides to take territory back from the Jihadist group but are now facing terror threats on soft targets.  Boko Haram is using children as suicide bombers in crowded market places.  You may remember hearing about the young school girls who were kidnapped by the Boko Haram in 2014.  Some have been found but many are still missing.  With the country in recession, the government must work quickly to make opportunities for its young population, to keep them away from religious divides and civil war.  The population average in Nigeria is also a very young, 18 years of age.

There is much work to do in Nigeria especially in regards to infrastructure, power supply, sanitation and clean water.  If the president makes good on his promises to curb and squash corruption, there should be plenty of money to be used on these most important projects.   There are other opportunities in the large cities.  For example, “Nollywood” as it is called, is the second largest producers of movies behind India’s Bollywood.  Telecommunications, along with finance and information, are growing industries in Nigeria.  Many of these growing industries are located in Lagos, the largest city in all of Africa.  It is the financial hub and commercial capital of the country.  Lagos used to be the capital city, which was moved to Abuja in 1991. Lagos sits on the Atlantic coast, has many beaches, including the Ancient Slave Port of Badagry, which was also known as, “The Point of No Return.”  Today the area serves as an important place for reflection.

As we look into the cuisine of these two West African countries, they are very similar to the region as a whole.  They both use millet, sorghum, cassava, corn and rice as staple ingredients. Protein sources, like meat and chicken, are available to the wealthier people in the countries.  Fish from the River Niger, like carp, Nile perch and catfish, are all loved by all.  Melon seeds, which come from a gourd, somewhat shaped like a watermelon, called egusi, are a source of protein as well.  They are not only delicious, when toasted, but are used as a thickener in soups and stews.  Fruits, like mangoes, pineapple, oranges, melons and bananas, are available in the tropical areas.  Yams are an important crop in the eastern areas.  Peanuts are also a common ingredient in the cuisine, as is spice; they like it hot.  Alcohol is not consumed in the Muslim areas of the countries but local beers are enjoyed in the South of Nigeria.  Palm oil is the most used cooking oil in the region.

So let’s enjoy a Nigerien/Nigerian Meal

(just click the name or picture for the recipe)

The Menu

Starter

Suya (Grilled Spicy Meat)

The name Malawi is derived from the word Maravi, which means, “Flames.”  The Maravi Empire was a dynasty founded by the Amaravi people in the 15^th century.  The Amaravi people were ironworkers, so the name may have come from the kilns, used for their work that would light up the night sky.  Another theory, is that the name comes from the fiery sunrises and sunsets, seen all around Lake Nyasa.  The Amaravi people eventually became known as Chewa, after migrating to the area from the Republic of Congo, in search of a better life, free from unrest and disease.  The Chewa are the largest of several ethnic groups that call Malawi home.

Malawi’s first contact with Europeans was with the Portuguese.  They traded ivory, iron and slaves.  It was the Portuguese who introduced maize to the region and it remains a staple crop today.  Malawi was for a time known as Nyasaland and was colonized by Britain in 1907.   Malawi gained independence on July 6, 1964.  Nyasa actually means “lake” and it was sort of a misunderstanding when David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary, asked what the name of the lake was back in 1859.  He was told Nyasa, which he thought was the actual name of the very large, freshwater lake that runs along nearly the entire border of eastern Malawi.  It actually was how they say the word “lake” in Chichewa, the native language.  So it was called Nyasa-lake or “Lake-lake.”  David Livingstone was an important crusader against slavery and brought Christianity to the region.  He believed the only hope for the Africans was Christianity, commerce and colonization.  Christianity is the major religion in Malawi, followed by Catholicism and Islam.  English is the official language of Malawi, along with Chichewa.

Malawi is one of the smallest countries in Africa, yet one of the most densely populated.  Malawi is landlocked and located in southeastern Africa. Her neighbors are Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.  Lake Malawi (also known as Nyasa-lake) runs nearly down the entire eastern border.  The lake is very significant to Malawi and its people.  It is like its own inland waterway.  The lake is the ninth largest in the world.  It is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide.  It is beautiful, with beaches of golden sand and crystal clear waters.  It is famous for all sorts of watersports and is the crown jewel for tourism in Malawi.  Fishing villages are scattered about the shoreline, where traditional fishing practices are a draw for visitors.  The lake is part of the Great Rift Valley and was made from natural tectonic faults, making the backdrop of mountains and some other places, inaccessible by land.  Lake Malawi national park, which is located at the southern end of the lake, is an UNESCO World Heritage site and holds an aquarium-like array of tropical fish that are only found there.  The lake is home to more species of fish than any other lake, most of them endemic.  The wild population of fish however, is being threatened by over fishing and water pollution.  Malawi hosts a music festival, held on the lake’s shores, called the Lake of Stars Music Festival.  It is said to be one of the top 20 festivals in the world and one of Africa’s most respected music festivals, aimed to bring awareness to the vulnerability of the lake’s ecosystem.

Malawi is mainly an agricultural country, which supports about eighty percent of the population and accounts for eighty percent of its export earnings.  Tobacco, tea, coffee and sugarcane are the main crops.  Maize is also grown but for their own consumption.  Nearly every family has a patch of land to grow maize to feed their families. The whole family takes part in growing maize.  Times can be tragic after periods of drought or floods, which unfortunately they face more often than naught.  Malawi is poor, really poor, with an annual GDP per capita of only $1100 annually.  They also have one of the highest rates of HIV and AIDS.  More than a million children are orphans because of this crisis.  The average life expectancy is only 53 years of age.  The infant mortality rate is so high that some families don’t even name their children until they make it to the age of two.  Of the nation’s 15 million people, nearly half is under the age of 21.

The country was run by a dictator, by the name of “His Excellency the Life President Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda”, as a one-party-rule, after independence.  Allegiance to him was enforced at every level.  Banda and his government were criticized for multiple human rights violations.  After he was deposed, Banda was put on trial for murder and destruction of evidence.  On June 14, 1993, the Malawian people voted overwhelmingly in favor of a multi-party democracy.   Although democracy has not been easy due to government corruption, they continue to have, what are considered fair elections.  The latest president is Peter Mutharika and he has worked both domestically and globally in the field of international justice.  He recently signed a law increasing the marrying age to 18. in a campaign against Malawi’s disturbing rate of child marriage, which has been one of the highest in the world.

Malawi may be poor in terms of wealth but despite that, they are a very welcoming nation.  They get their nickname the “Warm heart of Africa”, because of the kindness of the people.  Perhaps this is why Roger Federer, (the great tennis champion) and Madonna (world-renowned singer) have started charities to help the people there.  Madonna has even adopted two Malawian children, which was quite controversial at the time.  The law regarding the requirement to have lived in Malawi for 18 months or longer prior to adoption, was ultimately waived.  When you see pictures of the beautiful children of Malawi, it is hard not to fall in love.  There are numerous other charities, religious organizations and others that do their best to help the people of Malawi.  Even still, there remains much work to do.

Malawi has also placed many of its parks in the hands of private companies, which provides a good chance to increase tourism.  They have done a couple of large relocation programs of lions and elephants, to ensure they have good habitat and are safe from poachers.   All the typical animals that you would find on safari in the other, more well-known countries of Africa, are also found in Malawi.  The Thompson Gazelle is their national animal.

As we look into the cuisine of Malawi it is influenced heavily by what food is available to its people.  Maize is the staple.  Fish from the lake is loved by those who can access it.  Otherwise, goat, cattle and chickens are raised as part of the subsistence living, which is the way of life for most Malawians.  The rural farms are their life source.  Cassava, sweet potatoes, along with other vegetables are grown and consumed as the weather allows.  Tea is also loved and widely served in Malawi

So let’s enjoy a Malawian meal:

The Menu

Main Course

Chambo (Fish Curry)

Made with Malawian Curry Spice Blend

and

Ndiwo (Fruit Chutney/Relish)

Served with

Nsima ( Cornmeal Porridge)

 Dessert  

Mbatata (Sweet Potato Cookies)

We decorated with the colors of the Malawi flag; black, red and green.  Corn was chosen as a centerpiece, as it is critical to life in Malawi.  In fact, they have a saying, “Ndi moyo” which  means “maize is life.”  They do sometimes consume fresh corn, however it is mostly used once ground up into a flour, to make their national dish called Nsima, which is a cornmeal porridge.  This dish is often times the only meal of the day for many Malawians.  It provides much needed energy in the form of carbohyrdates.  We added a wheelbarrow of coffee beans, a lotus, which is the national flower, a boat to represent Lake Malawi, and a heart shape to complete the setting.

Our meal was basically one dish, which would be typical in Malawi.  Chambo is a tilapia type fish that is a delicacy and  comes from the freshwater lake.  What makes this dish amazing is the way it is prepared.  First, a special, spice curry blend was prepared along with a fruit chutney, or relish.   Many different types of relishes and sauces are made to serve alongside nsima, their cornmeal porridge.  This combination of spice and sweetness made up the gravy to flavor the fried tilapia.  The result was amazing.  We definitely will include this dish in our favorites list.   We also very much enjoyed the nsima, made from cornmeal.  Nsima is used much like fu-fu is used, in many other African countries.

For dessert we prepared a special cookie, called mbatata, made from sweet potatoes.  They were moist, yummy, and a perfect ending to our Malawian meal.  Of course, we made them into the shape of a heart to celebrate the Malawi spirit and then enjoyed them playing mancala.  Mancala is an ancient game that has been played for thousands of years.  Bao is the most popular form played in Malawi  and children in rural areas often play using dips in the ground to hold the stones or seeds.

As we say goodbye to Malawi, I leave you with a few of their proverbs:

“Don’t think there are no crocodiles just because the water is calm.”

“Gold is a debt we can repay, but kindness not till our dying day.“

and

“If you have, give and if you need, seek.”

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

This week, I chose to combine two countries that are neighbors and have many things in common, including their cuisine. Equatorial Guinea is a small country on the west coast of Africa. Her territory includes a mainland area called Rio Muni and five islands including Bioko, where the capital, Malabo, is located. Her neighbors are Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and east. It is a mystery why she is named Equatorial Guinea, as the equator does not go through the country at all. Guinea is the geographical name of the gulf that surrounds her coastline and islands. Gabon, on the other hand, is home to the equator. Gabon’s eastern border lies on the Atlantic. Her neighbors are, of course. Equatorial Guinea but also Cameroon to the north and the Congo to the west and east. Gabon was named “Gabao’ which means “hooded cloak,” because that is what Portuguese explorers thought the River Como Estuary resembled. The capital city in Gabon is Libreville, “Freetown,” founded in 1849 by freed slaves, which became the capital city in 1993.

Both countries were first inhabited by the Pygmies, then by the Bantu tribes, followed by the Portuguese, who settled there in the 15th century. The Fang tribes arrived later and today make up the largest ethnic group in both countries. The coast grew into a major center for the slave trade, bringing Dutch, English, French and Spanish traders to the region. In the 1800s, it was the French that occupied Gabon and she was one of four territories that made up French Equatorial Africa. The Spanish occupied Equatorial Guinea and it was part of what was known as Spanish Guinea. The island Bioko, was one of Spain’s most profitable territories in Africa, thanks to the cocoa plantations there. Today the Bubi, descendants of the Bantu, the other main ethnic group in Equatorial Guinea, live on the island. Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 and Rio Muni and Bioki were officially united as Equatorial Guinea. Gabon gained independence from France in 1960.

The official languages of Equatorial Guinea are both French and Spanish, although neither are spoken by most of the population. Instead, they speak their tribal languages of Fang or Bubi, although some Pidgin English and Creole are spoken, especially on the islands. In Gabon, the official language is French and it is widely spoken there, along with several different tribal languages.

In Equatorial Guinea, the Ministry of Justice and Religion must approve a religious organization before they are allowed to practice. Despite the fact that the government is wary of the Catholic Church, (for its history of criticizing human rights violations,) 80 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, which is also part of public education system. The indigenous beliefs are animist; the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls. There is also a small minority of Muslims.

The government declares itself a multiparty democracy, although it really is run as a dictatorship, for all practical purposes. The current president, Teodoro Obiag Nguema Mbasogo, has been in power since 1979 when he ousted his uncle in a bloody, military coup. The country has emerged as one of Africa’s largest oil producers and is currently listed as the wealthiest per capita country in Africa. Unfortunately, the wealth has remained in the hands of a privileged few, who surround the president and the majority of people live in poverty. The president is said to lead by instilling fear in the people. In October of 2014, the son of President Mbasogo, settled a corruption case in the United States. He agreed to sell 30 million dollars’ worth of property, mansions, artwork, Ferraris, etc., which was half the amount sought in the case. He did not, however, have to relinquish the white, crystal glove that belonged to Michael Jackson, as it was not considered “in country.” Evidently the USA kept 10.3 million and gave the rest to a charity to benefit the people of Equatorial Guinea. This country remains on the human rights watch list for corruption, poverty and repression; it is considered the worst of the worst for human rights.

Gabon has a similar situation, having just two presidents since her independence. The current president is Ali Bongo Ondimba. He is the son of Omar Bongo who was president of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009. Gabon also has emerged as an oil producer; fourth largest in all of Africa. Again, the wealth has been limited to the elite. In 2010 the president sparked outrage when he bought a 48,000 square foot townhouse on an acre of land in the heart of Paris. The price tag was 85 million euro (92.7 million US dollars). The average citizen of Gabon lives on less than $12 a day.

So let’s take a look at the cuisine of these two countries. They mostly live on bush meat, (this is usually crocodile, snake, rats, bats and even monkey), fish and subsistence farming. This is the food they have been eating for centuries. It is life-sustaining protein, where nutrition is scarce. Their staples are palm oil, palm nuts, cassava greens and root, ground nuts, yams, plantains and fufu. Tropical fruits like bananas, papayas, coconuts, and avocadoes are also available from the dense tropical forests that both countries contain. In Gabon, they cover over 80 percent of the country and house over 70 percent of the world’s gorilla population. The government has set aside areas in the forests as national parks, to preserve wildlife and protect the land.

So let’s eat Equatorial Guinea and Gabon:

Please note that all these dishes and sauces are enjoyed in both countries.

The Menu
Main Dish (Equatorial Guinea)
Pescado con tres salsas (Fish with three sauces)

Spinach Sauce

Avocado Sauce

Peanut Sauce

Served with
Boiled yams

Main Dish (Gabon) The National dish
Nyembwe (Chicken Stew Served with plantains & Fufu)

Dessert
Akwadu (Baked bananas)

We set up our mats with the colors of both countries’ flags; green, yellow, red, blue and white. We decorated with palm fronds, to represent their lush tropical rainforest and a cute monkey that sees no evil. We added a ship, to acknowledge the woeful days of the slave trade that they put behind them and of course added some of their everyday foods; yam, cassava and bananas.

On the stereo, we played tribal, African music. (This is, after all, where rhythm got its roots.) We began our meal with a prayer that somehow the people there can find a way out of poverty and that the corruption and human rights violations would cease.

As is their tradition, we would eat with our hands, after a cleansing ritual. We then began with the main course, after saying thanks for the food before us. The fish, to be served with three sauces, was exceptional in its own right, just marinated and grilled. It really did not need any sauce at all. However, I loved all three sauces, as did my husband. If we had to choose a favorite, mine was the avocado and his was the peanut sauce. Each one had a unique flavor, with a nice kick from the peppers.

For the Gabonese main course, called nyembwe, the smoked shredded chicken cooked with onions and the palm butter was very different from anything we had experienced before. The palm nut butter, we found bitter, but it blended well with the onions that were caramelized for sweetness. This dish was enjoyed with fried plantains (yum) and some fu-fu. (Remember, from our previous journeys, the round, starchy balls made from cassava?)

For dessert and a lovely ending to our Equatorial Guinea and Gabonese meal, we fell in love with Akwadu. This recipe, found in both countries, consists of bananas, cooked in citrus, butter, coconut and sugar; excellent!

As we say goodbye to these two African countries, we do so remembering that this journey we are on is designed to gain a better appreciation of the people based on their struggles and traditions. I leave you with proverbs from both countries.

From Gabon:
To one who does not know, a small garden is a forest.
Rain does not fall on one roof alone.
He who asks questions, cannot avoid answers.

And from Equatorial Guinea:
A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything.
A good wind is no use to a sailor who doesn’t know his direction.
and
If you dream of moving mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting small stones today.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

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

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

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