How did they get their Names?

Both of these countries are named for early, ethnic groups that dominated their respective areas.  “Stan,” is a Persian suffix that translates to “place/land of.”  So, we have the land of the Tajiks and the land of the Uzbeks.  ‘Tajik” translates to “farmer or settled villager” and “Uzbek” translates to “genuine man.”

Where are Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Located?

The countries are located in central Asia; both are neighbors, and both are landlocked.  Uzbekistan is one of two countries in the world that is doubly landlocked, (the other is Liechtenstein).  They share borders with Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan is just to the east of Uzbekistan. 

Tajikistan has a river system that is an important source for hydroelectricity.  In fact, Tajikistan has the second highest dam in the world.  Both countries have diverse landscapes.  Tajikistan is known for its really tall Pamir and Alay mountains, with altitudes ranging from 980 ft to 24,600 ft., whereas, Uzbekistan is mostly desert.  However, they both share a fertile valley, which is  prized for agriculture.

A Brief History of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Tajikistan has been inhabited for thousands of years.  It was part of the Persian Empire, the Batrian Empire and then the Arabs brought Islam to the land.  In 875 AD, the Samanid Empire came to power. This is the time period from which much of the Tajik culture comes.  In the 19^thcentury, Tajikistan was absorbed into the Russian Empire and later became part of the Soviet Union, until it became independent in 1991.

Uzbekistan, due to its central location, has a long and rich history.  Many empires and conquerors passed through the land and many of its cities were trade centers along the famous silk road.  Alexander the great, Arabs, the Samanid Dynasty and the Mongols, were just a few of those that came into power.

Uzbekistan’s golden years were in the 14^th century, when the Timurid Dynasty rose to power.  It was led by Tamerlane and  his empire.  The capital city was the City of Samarkland.  Like Tajikistan, the Russian Empire took over in the 1800s and Uzbekistan became part of the Soviet Union until the Soviet collapse.  Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, as well.

Since their Independence, Uzbekistan is central Asia’s most populous state and strives to assert itself as a regional power, often butting heads with Tajikistan.  Uzbekistan has been led by a Soviet era, communist party, boss since its  Independence.  Tajikistan had a bloody civil war from 1992 to 1997.  Since then, it has established political stability and shown some economic growth, although it is still one of the poorest countries in central Asia.

Tajik and Uzbek Culture

The religion in both countries is primarily Sunni Muslim, with a small Shi’ite minority.  (A large Ishamaeli still exists in the Pashmir region of Tajikistan.)  Religion however, is mostly secular, as it was suppressed during the Soviet reign.  Uzbekistan is famous for its beautiful mosques, especially in Samarkand, which has been designated as a UNESCO World heritage city.  It has the largest number of restored buildings showcasing mosaics, reliefs, azure blue tile and unique architecture.

Tajik is the official language in Tajikistan and Uzbek is the official language in Uzbekistan.  Russian is also spoken in both countries.  Literature originated from oral traditions and folklore legends.  Tajikistan has the legend of Yeti; an enormous shaggy, ape-man with huge feet and sabre-like teeth.  In nearly every Tajikistan village you will find a Yeti witness whose job it is to tell visitors the tales of Yeti and guide them to remote places for potential sightings.

Both countries share a special genre of music called “Shashmak,” which has been included by UNESCO in the list of masterpieces of oral and intangible heritages of mankind.

The most popular holiday in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is “Navruz.”  This signifies the beginning of a new year and new life.  Colorful, traditional costumes are worn, and a variety of foods are laid on the table, but the star of the banquet is sumalak.  It is an ancient recipe made from flour and wheat sprouts, washed in water and oil.  It is said to strengthen the immune system and clear the body of chemical waste.  If you try it for the first time, you should make a wish, as it is believed the wish will definitely come true.  This dish must be cooked by only kind, old, women, who sing and dance while making it.  The name sumalaktranslates to “30 angels.”  This dish must be cooked overnight so that the angels may participate in the making.

Tajik and Uzbek Cuisine

The two countries have similar cuisines, as the influences over history have been nearly the same.  The influences are mainly from Russia, Afghanistan and Iran.  The national dish is plov in Uzbekistan, or osh, as it is called in Tajikistan.  It is, in fact, the same dish.  Another main food is qurut, which is a ball of dried, salted cheese that is dissolved and served with non-bread and vegetables.

Non bread is an integral part of the cuisine and they have many superstitions about bread.  If non is dropped on the ground, people will put it up high for beggars or birds.  You are never supposed to put the bread upside down or it will bring bad luck.  When someone leaves the house on a journey, a bite of non is taken and the loaf is then saved until they safely return.  Bread is also never cut with a knife, it is always torn.

Lamb is the most popular meat that they consume.  However, horse meat and goat are also popular, as is beef and poultry.  Being Muslim countries, pork is not consumed.  Mutton is served in plov and made into soups called shurbo, which are thick soups with noodles and vegetables.  Noodles and dumplings are widely loved, as wheat is readily available.  Kebabs are also a very popular dish.

With fertile valleys and farmland, fresh seasonal produce is used in many dishes and in summer, grapes and melons are often eaten as a dessert or a snack between meals.  They are known to have the sweetest and juiciest melons in the world.

Green tea (Kuk-choy) is considered the national drink, although black tea (Kora-choy) is typically consumed more often in the winter months.  Tea is served before and after the meal.  It is served in a cup called a piala.  Being offered tea in both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is considered a sign of hospitality.  Traditionally, the more a guest is esteemed, the less tea is poured in his piala.

 

So, let’s enjoy a Tajik and Uzbek meal:

Menu

 First Course

Qurutob (Bread Salad)

Served with 

Non Bread (Traditional Bread)

Main Course

Plov (Lamb and Rice Pilaf)

Dessert

Kukiho Pamir Qajmog (Cream Cheese Cookies)

We set the scene on the floor with a simple cloth, common to both countries, called a “dastarkhan.”  (One could also use a low table.)  We placed a tea pot on the cloth, as green tea would be served prior to the meal and at the end of the meal, which is customary there.  Cotton and wheat were added to the décor since they are very important crops to both countries.  An apple was placed, because this was the area from which they originated.  Photos of the Uzbek cat and the markhor completed the scene. They are the national animals of the two countries.

Our first course was qurutob, served with non bread.  I was excited to try this new and unusual salted cheese called qurut, and it was really a surprising treat.  Generally, I love bread salads and this one did not disappoint.  I understand why nomads would carry this morsel of dried, salty cheese on journeys.  When you mix the dried cheese ball with water it turns into a yogurt like substance with an excellent flavor.  It in essence, became the dressing for the salad and softened the pieces of the non bread in the salad.  The salad consisted of tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and peppers, with of course, the non bread and qurut.  We loved it!

For the main course, we served the beloved plov or osh, considered to be the national dish in both countries.  It was lovely.  It was made with lamb and rice, but it also called for a barberry, which was something else I tried for the first time.  It reminded me of a small, dried cranberry; sweet yet tart, at the same time.  Both the salad and the plov was served communal style.  They generally eat with their right hand, although sometimes a spoon will be offered to a guest. 

For dessert, we devoured the scrumptious cream cheese cookies.  They had little pockets filled with raisins and walnuts and were dusted in sugar.  They went perfectly with the green tea.

As we say goodbye to these two, most intriguing nations, I leave you with a few of their proverbs:

“If you sit with the moon, you become the moon”

“To know a language is to know the world”

“First think then talk”

“A chicken you eat only once, eggs a hundred times”

Until next time,  

Warmest regards,

Darlene

 

How did Taiwan get its name?

Portuguese explorers, back in the mid 1500s, named Taiwan, “Isla Formosa,” meaning “Beautiful Island.”  Many still use the name today; “Formosa”, and “Ihla Formosa,” are used as well.

It was the Dutch who got the name “Tainan” from the indigenous aborigines who lived there when they arrived to colonize the island in 1624. How the name Tainan originally came to be has many theories. Most believe it was the name of an actual indigenous tribe.

In 1684, the Chinese officially changed the name to Taiwan, which has remained ever since. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China.  Taiwan is self-governing, but China considers Taiwan its 23^rd province.

Where is Taiwan Located?

Taiwan is located in southeastern Asia.  Taiwan is a group of islands; the main island of Taiwan, plus several smaller islands, known as the Pescadores archipelago.  The main island is bordered by the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.  Taiwan lies about 100 miles off the coast of southeastern China.  Several of the islands are disputed and claimed by other nations.

The oval-shaped, main island of Taiwan is about 245 miles long and 90 miles wide.  Almost two-thirds of the island is covered by beautifully forested mountains with 258 peaks that rise over 9,850 ft. high. The largest, is Jade Mountain, peaking at 13,042 ft. 

The mountainous terrain is the result of the island’s location.  It sits on the fault line of two tectonic plates and was formed after a dramatic geological upheaval four to five million years ago.  It also sits on the Tropic of Cancer, placing it at the same latitude as Hawaii. Taipei is the capital city and located in the north.

As mountains dominate the center and rugged east coast, most of the population lives on the island’s western third, in an alluvial plain.  Taiwan suffers from typhoons.  The season usually comes into effect in late summer and can be devastating.

A Brief History of Taiwan

Taiwan aborigines have inhabited Taiwan for over 5000 years.  They largely kept to themselves until the Dutch invaded them in 1624 and founded a small colony on the southwest coast of Taiwan.  The Dutch found the island to be very profitable and it was used for trading a variety of products like: sugar, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, rice and silk. 

It didn’t last long, as a strong, military leader, named Zheng Chenggong, was eyeing Taiwan for himself.  He was hoping to destroy the newly founded Qing Dynasty.  The Dutch were forced to surrender in 1662.  However, the victory did not last long.  Zheng died shortly after the conquest, from malaria and the Qing forces attacked the island in 1683.  Taiwan then became part of the Chinese Empire. 

The Qing were going to abandon Taiwan completely, deeming it a worthless territory, but ended up keeping it.  During this time, there was mass famine and poverty in China.  So, although the Chinese were banned from migrating from the Chinese mainland, many fled, mostly from nearby Fujian province, in search of a better life.  Many ethnic Chinese Han from Fujian started to marry the Taiwanese aborigines.  In fact, most Taiwanese today have aboriginal blood.

Due to the strategic location of Taiwan, it started to draw attention from other powers in the west and also from Japan.  In was late 1871, was the first Japanese invasion.  The French, when they were fighting with China over Vietnam, arrived and occupied Keelung and the Penghu islands.  Beijing took notice and was forced to improve the island with forts and a railway.  It was during this time that Taiwan earned its status as a province.  Prior to 1885, Taiwan was considered part of Fuijian.

As a result of war between China and Japan, (which had nothing to do with Taiwan), the Qing Empire ceded Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, giving control to Japan in 1895.  The Japanese takeover changed Taiwan’s history forever.  Many Taiwanese were not happy with this arrangement and resisted and many died. 

Despite this, the Japanese made many improvements to life in Taiwan.  They tackled widespread disease, expanded railways and built roads.  Many improvements of this time can still be seen in both the culture and architecture of Taiwan.  At the end of World War II, Japan renounced its colonies and Taiwan became part of the Republic of China.

In 1949, Chinese communist armies defeated Nationalist forces on the mainland and established the People’s Republic of China.  The Nationalist government and armies fled to Taiwan, resulting once again in a separation from the mainland.  The Republic of China claimed jurisdiction over the Chinese mainland as well as Taiwan.  Although in the early 1990s, Taiwan’s government dropped this claim to China.  

The Chinese government in Beijing maintains that they have jurisdiction over Taiwan.  To this day, it remains to be seen if, when, or how the two entities will be reunited.  Today, the Democratic Progressive Party holds power in Taiwan and they have just re-elected their first female president, for a second term.

Taiwanese Culture

Taiwan is home to nearly 24 million people and is in the top 20 most densely populated countries in the world. The population is made up of 97.7% ethnically Chinese, with 2.3% indigenous people. The official language is Mandarin Chinese, however, Taiwanese is also commonly spoken.  English is taught as a second or third language in schools. Japanese was the official language during their reign over Taiwan.  The vast majority, 93 % of the population, is Buddhist, with 5%  being Christian.

In addition to the western calendar, they also go by the lunar calendar and many of their traditional holidays are based around important dates like: the Chinese New Year, the Dragon Festival, Chinese Valentine’s Day, Ghost Month and the Full Moon Festival, to name a few.  The famous Lantern Festival concludes the Lunar New Year season, when thousands of paper lit lanterns are released into the air with messages. These paper lanterns are a treasured souvenir.

The entire seventh month of the lunar calendar is considered to be Ghost Month.  The gate to the “underground” opens on the first and closes on the 31^st.  This is a time for people to be extra careful because all ghosts come to earth.  Food is prepared for the ghosts so they are well-fed and satisfied.  People don’t move about or swim during Ghost Month.

Convenience stores in Taiwan are everywhere, especially 7-11s.  They do much more than just sell snacks.  People do banking, drop off their dry cleaning, mail packages, pay utilities, plus, get delicious quick food to eat.

The number four is considered unlucky, as in Chinese it sounds similar to the word for death.  For this reason, hospitals, buildings and apartments may not have a fourth floor at all and if they do, it is typically cheaper to inhabit.

The indigenous tribes have managed to keep many of their traditions alive.  The Ear-shooting Festival, is where the Bunun people show off their archery skills to the people who live on Orchid Island, which is known for their flying fish traditions and boat making.

Politeness, honor and respect for elders is the most valued custom in Taiwanese culture. 

Taiwanese Cuisine

It is no surprise that Taiwan’s cuisine is heavily influenced by both China and Japan.  Specifically, Taiwanese cuisine is most often associated with influences from the mid to southern provinces of China and especially the southern Fuijian (Hokkien) cuisine. 

Pork, seafood, chicken, rice and soy are the most common ingredients.  Being an island, seafood figures prominently into the cuisine.  However, it is a beef noodle dish that is considered to be the national dish of Taiwan.  American food aid following WWII forever changed the Taiwanese diet, which primarily consisted of wheat based noodles.  Breads and dumplings took more of a central role.  Rice of all types and colors plays an important role and Taiwan has enjoyed a renaissance with both growers and consumers. 

Taiwanese cuisine is also known for their use of all sorts of spices and seasonings, like soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, fermented black beans, pickled mustard greens, radish, peanuts, chili peppers, cilantro, basil, garlic and green onion.

Taiwan’s sub-tropical location has an abundant supply of various fruits such as: papayas, mangos, melons and citrus fruits.  Pineapples are beloved (especially in their famous pineapple cake) and recently China banned the export of them.  There is a worldwide effort to buy them up, using #freedompineapple.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant and available fresh in markets. 

Speaking of markets, Taiwan is most famous for its magnificent, night street, markets.  Nearly every neighborhood has one.  The most famous night market is in Taipei, called Shilin, where all of Taiwan’s most famous dishes can be found.  Dishes like: stinky tofu, soup dumplings, oyster omelets, scallion pancakes, Taiwanese popcorn chicken and beef noodle soup, abound.  Hot pot is also ubiquitous. Boba (brown sugar, milk tea) is said to have been invented in Taiwan and can be found on nearly every block.

So let’s enjoy a Taiwanese meal:

Menu

First Course

Yan Su Ji  (Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken)

Main Course

    Niúròu Miàn (Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup)

Dessert

Boba (Brown Sugar, Milk Tea)

We set the scene with the colors of Taiwan’s flag; red, blue and white.  We placed a bear statue, as the Formosan black bear is the only bear found on the island and is their national animal.  The plum blossom represents the national flower.  A butterfly was placed as the island is known as the “Butterfly Kingdom,”  home to over 400 species.  A baseball bat was added to represent their national sport.  A teapot, representing their famous oolong tea, used in their tea ceremonies, was added and lastly a mask, as Taiwan has been dubbed the “face mask capital of Asia”.  It is no surprise that Taiwan faired as one of the best nations on earth in dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

We began our meal with a very popular street food called, “Popcorn chicken” which can be found in all the night markets in Taiwan.  These are crunchy, little bite-sized, pieces of chicken.  They are dusted in a spiced up five-spice seasoning, as well as a salt and pepper powder.  The secret to these delicious morsels, is frying them twice; making them super tender bites on the inside, with a nice, crunch on the exterior.  They are served with pieces of fried basil leaves, which are a delicious addition.

For the main course, we savored every bite of the national dish; beef noodle soup.  This dish takes some time to make but is worth every minute.  The tender pieces of beef are cooked in a rich and slightly spicy broth, served with noodles, pickled mustard, fresh cilantro and scallions.  This type of one pot meal, is truly my favorite type of meal.  The complex flavors touch on every note and it is completely satisfying.

For dessert, we had the famous brown sugar, bubble, milk tea called Boba.  It has a caramel like flavor and the small tapioca balls are a delight.  Boba is a luxurious sweet drink and was a perfect ending to our Taiwanese meal.

After dinner, we sat in the hot tub and dreamed of being in one of the over 150 hot springs in Taiwan, as they have, second to Japan, the highest concentration of hot springs in the world.  There we discussed the meaning of ren qing wei, which loosely translated means “human touch or feeling.” Friendliness and generosity to strangers, duty and correct behavior, are all part of what it means and it is an important cultural characteristic of Taiwan.

Until next time,

Chi bao le ma?  (Have you eaten?) This is how you are greeted in Taiwan, their way of asking how you are.  (I love that!)

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How did Syria get its name?

It is believed the name Syria comes from the Ancient Greek, Seirios, meaning, “sun-bright, glowing, blazing, and shining.”  In Latin “Sirius” was used to indicate people from Syria and also for the brightest star in the night sky.  Officially today, it is known as the Syrian Arab Republic.

Where is Syria located?

Syria is a middle eastern country and part of southwestern Asia.  It lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.  Its area includes territory in the Golan Heights, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.  Its neighbors are Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon to the south and west. The capital city is Damascus. 

A brief history of Syria

Syria is thought to be one of the original and oldest civilizations on earth and  believed to be part of the Fertile Crescent, where the earliest people practiced cattle breeding and agriculture.  Archeologists have uncovered skulls and bones of Neanderthals that date back roughly 700,000 years.  Historically, the name Syria, referred to a much wider region than its borders of today. It was known as al-Sham in Arabic, which included: Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and much of Turkey and of course modern day Syria.  

Ebla, a city is Syria, is one of the oldest settlements to be excavated and dates back to around 3000 BC.  Throughout ancient times, Syria was occupied and ruled by several empires, including the Egyptians, Hittites, Sumerians, Mitanni, Assyrians, Babylonian, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Arameans, Amorites, Persians, Greeks and Romans.

Ancient Syria was a region often referred to in the bible.  Probably the most well-known account is when the apostle Paul cited “The Road to Damascus,” where his visions led to his conversion to Christianity.  When the Roman Empire fell, Syria became part of the Byzantine Empire.  In 637 A.D., Muslim armies defeated the empire and took control of Syria.  Damascus became the capital of the Islamic world. Then, around 750 A.D., it was replaced by Baghdad, in Iraq.

In 1516 the Ottoman Empire conquered Syria and remained in power for just shy of 400 years.  During World War I, the French and British agreed to divide the Ottoman Empire into zones.  In 1918, British and Arab forces took Damascus and Aleppo.  The French took control of modern-day Syria and Lebanon in 1920, ending the Ottomans’ rule.

After World War II, Syria officially became independent, in 1946.  Unfortunately, the years following, she suffered instability and repeated coups.  For a brief time, in 1958, Syria joined with Egypt and became the United Arab Republic, but that was short lived, ending in 1961.

It was 1963 when the Arab Socialist Baath Party seized power in a coup known as the Baath Revolution.  Syria lost its territory known as Golan Heights, during the Six Day War with Israel in 1967, a conflict which remains over the area to this day.

In 1970, Hafez al-Assad overthrew the de-facto leader of Syria and remained in power as President until his death in 2000.  Many hostilities and conflicts erupted throughout the years with Lebanon and Israel.  When Hafez died in 2000, his son Bashar became president, after amending the constitution.  He was only 34 at the time, not 40, as was required.  There was hope that Bashar would grant more freedom and be less oppressive than his father.  However, human rights groups have reported that Bashar has regularly tortured, imprisoned and killed political adversaries throughout his tenure.

In March of 2011, a group of teens and children were arrested and tortured for writing anti-government graffiti that was inspired by the Arab Spring Rebellion.  Protests erupted and became widespread and are considered to be the beginning of Syria’s horrific civil war, which remains ongoing today. 

The Civil war in Syria is complicated with many moving parts.  Assad began fighting the rebels, ISIS joined the fight against the regime, the United States backed the rebels to some degree, however, that in turn put them on the same side as ISIS.  Russia was involved as well and was supposed to ensure that Syria no longer had chemical weapons, which were used on their own people.  The numbers are not certain, but hundreds of thousands of Syrians are dead and millions have been displaced or are refugees in neighboring countries and Europe.  Syria remains a humanitarian disaster in a civil war today.

Syrian Culture

Syria, with such a long cultural history, is a traditional society.  Family, religion, education, self-discipline and respect are the characteristics they cherish.  The majority of Syria is Sunni Muslim, about 74%, with 13% being Shi’a.  Christians make up about ten per cent, with the remaining being Druze, Jews and atheists.  Syria has a history of religious tolerance with cities featuring Jewish synagogues, Christian churches and some of the world’s oldest and most sacred mosques.

The majority of Syrians are ethnically Arabs, and the official language is Arabic.  Kurds and Armenians make up the balance, as do their respective languages.  French and English are taught in schools.  The literacy rate in Syria was 81%, prior to the conflict.

Syria, being part of antiquity, has many historical treasures and entire ancient cities are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  There has been much anguish during this most recent civil war as many of these treasures have been damaged or destroyed.  Diaspora women are taking the lead to try to preserve as much as possible of this most important part of their heritage.

In peaceful times, Syria is known for its festivals, like the Silk Road Festival, which harkens back to the days when Syria was an important trade route between the East and the West.  Both Muslim and Christian holidays are recognized.  Dance, music, literature, poetry and architecture all have important roots and history in Syria.  One of the most popular dances in Syria is the Dabkeh;  a folk dance performed at weddings and other joyous occasions.  Another popular dance is the Arada, a dance performed with swords.

Syrian Cuisine

Syrian cuisine, like its culture, has a rich and ancient history.  Many of the dishes are shared with its neighbors.  Having gone through various conquests by the Arabs, Persians and Ottoman Turks, the traditional food in Syria is similar to other cuisines like the Levant, Lebanese and Middle-Eastern cuisines.  It is, however, known for some important spices like, the Aleppo pepper, which is indigenous there.  

Kibbeh Bil Sanieh is considered to be the national dish and is made with bulgur and lamb.  Stuffed vegetables, with meat, nuts and rice, come in all kinds of forms, from grape leaves to peppers.  Kebabs or grilled meats, are also a popular Syrian dish.  Nuts, like walnuts, pine nuts and pistachios are used in many of their dips and sweet treats.  Eggplant, zucchini, cabbage, tomatoes and cucumbers are popular vegetables.  Many of their dishes are served with a yogurt dip.

Syria is also known for appetizers called mezze.  These small dishes are served with Arabic bread before the main course and then followed by coffee and sweet treats.  Fruits, like pomegranate, and citrus, are also very popular.

 

So let’s enjoy a Syrian meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Muhammara (Hot Pepper Dip)

 

 

Served with Syrian Flat Bread  

Main Course

 Kibbeh Bil Sanieh (Baked Lamb and Bulger Pie)

Dessert

H’risseh (Semolina Nut Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red, black white and green.  We decorated with pomegranate and citrus, as well as cotton and wheat, as they are important crops to Syria.  Olives were placed to represent the most ancient agricultural product in Syria.  Jasmine, which is the national flower, was placed. (Damascus, the capital city, is also known as the “City of Jasmine.”)

We began with a popular mezze dish, called muhammara.  A spicy red pepper dip was made with Aleppo pepper, walnuts, lemon juice and my favorite, pomegranate molasses.  This complex dip is spectacular and we savored it on freshly made Syrian pita bread.

For the main course, we loved the national dish called, Kibbeh Bil Sanieh.  This is a true comfort dish, somewhat similar to a meatloaf but with a much more delicious flavor.  We thoroughly enjoyed this lamb dish alongside a simple yogurt sauce. 

For dessert, we devoured the regional dessert made famous in the small town of Nabak, not far from Damascus on the way to Aleppo, that is known for its h’risseh.  The name for this delicious semolina nut cake might be a bit confusing, as it also describes a Lebanese savory dish.  However, in Syria there is no mistaking the name.  We enjoyed every bite of this sweet, nut covered cake alongside a cup of coffee which, would be traditional there.

As we say goodbye to Syria I do so with a prayer that this nation will end its bloody civil war and somehow find its way to peace.  I am thrilled that my nephew has fallen in love with a beautiful Syrian woman named Rana, who will soon become part of my extended family.  I can’t wait to cook many more Syrian dishes with her.  

Until next time,

Be safe.

Darlene

 

How did Switzerland get its name?

The name Switzerland comes from one of its original provinces (known as cantons) called Schwyz.  The etymology of Schwyz is uncertain, but believed to be derived from a Germanic name.  The English adjective, Swiss, is derived from the French, Suisse, which has been used since the 16^th century. The Swiss call their country Schweizerisch. 

Where is Switzerland located?

This small, mountainous country famous for the Alps, is located in Central Europe.  It is a landlocked country that lies between France and Italy and is also bordered by Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein.  The majority of the population lives in the plateau, between the high Alps, which includes the famous Matterhorn in the south, and the Jura mountains, in the north.  It is beautiful; a home to some 7000 lakes that are so clear, you can see all the way to the bottom.  The largest is Lake Geneva, which is shared with France, where it is known as Lac Leman.

A Brief History of Switzerland

Switzerland originally was inhabited by Celtic tribes.  In the first century BC, Rome conquered the land, and it was a Roman province for 500 years.  In 1291, the families of Unterwalden, Uri and Schwyz formed a union of the three cantons and became an independent country.  It is one of the oldest nations in Europe.  It became formally independent of the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Napoleon invaded the country in 1797, however he was defeated.  The Congress of Vienna gave Switzerland the status of permanent armed, neutrality in 1815.

The constitution was adopted in 1848 and took many of its principles from the US Constitution.  It does not allow for troops to be sent to serve in foreign wars. They have remained neutral in conflicts around the world, including both major world wars.  Military service is compulsory for Swiss men, aged 18 and over.  Switzerland is one of the most armed civilian nations but has one of the lowest crime rates.  Once they finish their service, all of them are supposed to take their assault rifles or pistols home, however without any ammunition.  The country is made up of 26 cantons, which form the confederation.  Independence Day is celebrated on August 1^st, when the Swiss Confederation was founded back in 1291.

Switzerland has not fought an international war since 1815.  They joined the United Nations in 2002 and has its second largest headquarters is in Geneva. They pursue an active foreign policy and are frequently involved in peace-building missions around the world.  Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross; one of the world’s oldest and best known humanitarian organizations.  

They are not part of the European Union, maintaining their own currency, the Swiss franc.  They are part of the Schengen Area, as one of the 26 participating countries.  Switzerland has the highest nominal wealth per adult, ranks eighth highest for GDP, and has been considered a tax haven.

Swiss Culture

Switzerland is home to about 8-½ million people. They are highly educated and considered very smart.  They have a large immigrant population.  It is a diverse and multilingual country with four national languages including German, French, Italian and Romansh.  Each canton has its unique cultural features and many dialects. 

The Swiss Alps have played a major role in creating the history and cultural diversity of Switzerland. Nowadays, all mountain areas have a strong skiing and mountaineering culture and are associated with folk arts like the alphorn and yodeling.  Embroidery and wood carving are also important traditions.  The Swiss chalet is also an important architectural heritage.

Switzerland ranks second highest in the world after Japan for life expectancy.  Perhaps it is the clean, mountain air and a society that loves nature and enjoys high quality health care.  Switzerland ranks top in the world in many categories, like having the highest salary and job security, low unemployment rate, and two of the most livable cities, being Zurich and Geneva.  It is not cheap to live in Switzerland.  In fact, Zurich is listed as the world’s third most expensive city to live in.  They are considered one of the smartest countries, especially in math and science, and it is where Albert Einstein developed his famous formula, e=mc².  They also have produced numerous Nobel Laureates, most coming from science.  Switzerland is probably most renowned for its banks and watches.

Swiss Cuisine

Switzerland was historically a country of farmers, so traditional dishes tend to be plain and made from simple ingredients.  Many Swiss favorites are variations and combinations of potatoes, meat and cheese with different types of sauces. 

One of the most well-known dishes is, cheese fondue.  Especially when made with melted cheese, like gruyere and emmentaler.  Along with a touch of wine and dried bread cubes served in a traditional pot called a caquelon, it is beloved.  Another favorite is the cow’s milk cheese, called raclette.  It is cooked by heating the cheese and scraping off the melted part and serving with potatoes, onions, gherkins and cured meats.  The national dish is considered to be rosti.  It was originally served for breakfast in the canton of Bern.  It is made from grated and cooked potatoes, similar to hash browns, or on a fritter but today, is served plain or with add-ons.

Muesli, is a Swiss invention from the early 1900s. It is a breakfast dish of rolled oats with dried or fresh fruits, nuts and seeds.  It is typically served with milk or yogurt and is now found all over the world.

Of course, the Swiss are also known for chocolate and are likely the best chocolate experts in the world.  Lindt and Cailler are world-famous.  The Swiss make about 180,000 tons of chocolate each year, and about 11 kilos are consumed per person, each year.  Despite this, they have the lowest obesity rate in all of Europe.

Switzerland has a unique position to incorporate the best culinary traditions of its neighbors; namely: France, Italy and Germany, as well its own national and regional specialties, making it a culinary delight.

So let’s enjoy a Swiss meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Raclette (Melted Cheese with Potatoes, Cured Meats and Pickles)

Main Course

    Zurcher Geschnetzeltes (Zurich style Veal in Cream Sauce)

Served with:

Swiss Rosti (Fried Potato Fritter)

Dessert

Engadiner Nusstorte (Walnut Pie)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red and white.  We decorated with a raclette grill, a picture of the famous Matterhorn, a Swiss army knife, a Swiss radio watch, a tube of Toblerone chocolate, a cow figurine and some Swiss cheese.

Our first course was the delicious raclette; melted cheese.  I bought a raclette grill, and I am in love.  Who wouldn’t be, with things covered in melted, delicious cheese?  It is a popular way to throw a dinner party these days and there are all sorts of fun raclette grills you can buy to cook for a crowd.  If you haven’t ever tried this, I would highly recommend it.

Our main course was a typical Swiss dish; the Zurich style, veal in cream sauce.  It was divine!  Tender pieces of veal were smothered in a hearty, cream sauce.  It was served with what is considered to be the national dish of Switzerland, rosti!  This is a crispy and delicious potato fritter which added a lovely texture to the meal.  Rosti could be enjoyed with any meal of the day.

For dessert, the walnut pie called, Engadiner Nusstorte, was the epitome of a pie.  Although the crust was a bit tricky to work with, it is a simple recipe that is well worth the effort.  

We enjoyed our meal with a bottle of Swiss wine; one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets.  They have been growing grapes in the region since Roman times.  The Swiss love their wine and actually don’t export too much of it.  One of their most famous wine growing areas is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 12^th century, when monks planted the Dezaley vineyard in terraces on the slopes next to Lake Geneva.  When you enjoy your Swiss wine, you can say “Cheers” with “Sante’, Proscht” or “Salute,” depending on the language of the area.  Just make sure you look the person in the eye when you clink your glasses.

After dinner, we sat down to enjoy the movie Heidi, based on the famous children’s book’s written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, back in 1881. Heidi is a lovely story, sure to warm the heart.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

 

    How did Sweden get its name?

The name Sweden, comes from a powerful, warlike tribe back in 500 A.D., called, the Svea Tribe. Swedes call their land Sverige, which means “Land of the Svea.”  The Svea tribe made raids all along the northern European coast and became known as the Vikings, which means “Pirates” in an old Norse language. Today, Sweden is officially known as, the Kingdom of Sweden.

Where is Sweden located?

Sweden is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian peninsula.  It is bordered by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.  Her neighbors are Norway to the west, Finland to the east, and she is connected to Denmark in the southwest, by a bridge tunnel across the Oresund Strait.  Sweden also shares maritime borders with Germany, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  Its capital city is Stockholm, located on the south-central east coast. It is built on 14 islands and has 50 bridges and is filled with royal palaces and museums.   It is the largest and most populous city in Sweden and its location makes it one of the world’s most beautiful.  Sweden is the fifth largest country in all of Europe.

A Brief History of Sweden

Sweden has a long history, dating back 12000 years, when the thick, ice cap covering the land started to retreat and people started to move in.  Artifacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age have all been found in Sweden.  It was, however, the Viking Age, when significant expansion occurred. The Vikings traveled as far as the Black and Caspian Seas, where they developed trading partners with the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Kingdoms.

Christianity was introduced through missionaries and the country converted to Christianity in the 11th century.  It was in 1280 when Sweden became a kingdom, as the various provinces of Sweden were absorbed into a single unit and King Magnus Ladulas authorized the establishment of nobility and organized the society based on the feudal model. 

In 1389, the crowns of Denmark, Norway and Sweden united under the rule of the Danish Queen, Margareta and the Kalmar Union was formed.  This union had many internal conflicts which culminated into what is known as the “Stockholm Bloodbath,” when 80 Swedish nobles were executed.  This act provoked rebellion and the seizure of power by a Swedish nobleman, Gustav Vasa, who was then elected King of Sweden in 1523.

The Swedish Empire grew substantially during the 16^th century and even founded a short-lived colony in what is now Delaware in North America.  It was the defeat in the Great Northern War against the combined forces of Denmark, Poland and Russia when Sweden lost most of its provinces on the other side of the Baltic Sea and was reduced to what is now Sweden and Finland.  After this defeat and the death of the warrior, King Karl XII, the Swedish parliament and council introduced a new constitution that abolished royal absolutism and put the power into the hands of Parliament.  

The 18^th century was a difficult period for Sweden as it was hit hard by the Napoleonic wars, when trade came to a halt.  This led to stagnation and an economic crisis.  One consequence of this crisis was mass emigration.  From the mid 1800s until 1930 about 1.5 million Swedes, out of a population of 3.5 million, emigrated.

Sweden managed to remain neutral through both world wars and emerged as one of Europe’s leading industrial nations.  Today Sweden’s government is run as a constitutional monarchy, supported by a parliamentary government.  The country is part of the EU but not their currency, which is the krona.  Sweden is known for its ultra-high taxes (at 59%) and cradle to grave welfare system.  In recent years, the main debate in Parliament has been how to sustain Sweden’s generous welfare system while putting a halt to ever increasing taxes.  Sweden provides health insurance, 15 months of paid parental leave, tax-free child allowances, as well as free education.  When a Swede reaches retirement age, they are entitled to a hefty pension that rises with inflation. Despite the high taxes, they enjoy high wages and Swedes rank as one of the happiest nations on earth.

 

Swedish Culture

Sweden is known to be an egalitarian society with the main defining features being modesty, equality and respect for universal human rights.  Swedes are known to be reserved and conservative.

The government does not collect statistics on ethnicity but rather on one’s country of birth.  In recent years there have been large waves of international immigration which has changed the Swedish makeup substantially.  Sweden has accepted more refugees per capita than any other European nation.  

Sweden is also home to a small indigenous people known as the Sami, who live in the north and survive on reindeer, husbandry, tourism, fishing and crafts.  Sami was recently recognized as an official minority language in Sweden.  Swedish is the official language but nearly 80 percent of the population is able to also speak English, the most people of any other European nation.  However, you shouldn’t expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other.

Many Swedes pride themselves on having a religiously diverse and tolerant society.  About 60 percent identify as Lutheran (the Church of Sweden) while eight and a half percent belong to some other religion.  Further, 31 percent do not identify with any religion at all.  Generally speaking, a large percentage of those who call themselves Lutheran, do not attend regular church services. They do, however, celebrate religious holidays, especially Good Friday, Easter and Christmas.

Speaking of holidays, a few stand out in Sweden.  Sweden’s National Day is celebrated on June 6^th, which honors two historical events: Gustav Vasa being elected as king in 1523 and the adoption of a new constitution, in 1809.  Another celebrated day is called Midsummer.  Swedes, with wreaths of flowers in their hair, dance around a pole, singing songs while drinking unsweetened, flavored schnapps.  They also devour lots of pickled herring and new potatoes.  Being outdoors is a big part of Midsummer celebrations, whether in a park or at someone’s summerhouse.

In Sweden, access to nature is protected by a law known as Allenmansratten (meaning the right of common access to land.) The law applies to all fields, forests, lakes and beaches across the country and is all free to the public.  This law has helped foster a love and appreciation of nature.  The change of seasons is exceptionally important as the winter months can be long and dark in Sweden.  During the summer months, the sun is visible for most of the day and into the night and is a time for celebration.

Music and literature are both very important elements of Swedish culture.  Sweden has more choirs per capita than any other country.  They have produced many famous musicians and writers.  Sweden is also especially well known for the five Nobel prizes, established by Alfred Nobel, in 1901. They are awarded in several important categories with great anticipation, every year.  

Swedish Cuisine

As we look into the cuisine of Sweden, it is quite diverse, especially by region.  Up north, meats, such as reindeer and other wild game are extremely popular where as fresh vegetables play a larger role in the cuisine in the south.  Dairy products, breads made from rye, wheat, oat, white, dark and sourdough, are all popular.  Berries and stone fruits are ubiquitous.  Potatoes are served, often boiled or mashed, as a side to dish to many meat and fish dishes.  Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, eggs and seafood are the most popular sources of protein.  Swedish cuisine is generally considered rather bland, as spices are not often used in their dishes. 

Sweden has several famous dishes and traditions like, the smorgasbord, where many different dishes are set out to be enjoyed buffet style.  Thursday is known as soup day because that is the day that maids only work half the day and can easily leave a pot of soup on the stove to serve later.  The most common soup is called Artsoppa, a yellow, pea soup made with pork, that is served with pancakes for dessert.  Of course, Swedish meatballs are known throughout the world and are considered the national dish of Sweden. In August, they hold another celebratory feast known as the Crayfish Party. Large amounts of crayfish are boiled and then marinated in a broth, with salt, sugar and dill weed. 

Swedes also love fika, which is a time to enjoy coffee and a pastry.  Fika is a time to take a true work break and focus on socializing.  Generally, there are two, 10-30 minute, fika breaks in the work day.  Swedes are the third most coffee drinking nation in the world and it is almost always enjoyed with a delicious bread or pastry, such as their famous cinnamon buns, called kanelbullar.

 

So let’s enjoy a Swedish meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Toast Skagen (Prawn Toast)

 Main Course

 Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

Served with

Pressgurka (Cucumber Salad)

Dessert

Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the Swedish flag; blue and yellow.  We placed a Dala horse in the décor, a symbol of Sweden for the past 400 years.  A Viking ship and shield were added as well as a picture of an elk, (Sweden’s national animal,) and finally a crown, representing the Monarchy.  To set the mood we put on ABBA’s greatest hits; Sweden’s most popular band.  Did you know that ABBA is one of the best-selling, popular music groups in the history of recorded music?

We began by saying “Smaklig Måltid” which means “Bon Appetit” in Swedish.  Our first course was a scrumptious appetizer called Toast Skagen.  It is a piece of bread, fried in butter and then topped with  prawns (or shrimp) in a mayonnaise mixture and a big dollop of caviar.  It is  garnished with lemon and dill. 

Next, was Sweden’s national dish; Swedish meatballs.  They were served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce and a cucumber salad.  The meatballs were made of pork and beef and then smothered in a creamy gravy, which went perfectly with the potatoes.  The lingonberry sauce is similar to a cranberry sauce and in Sweden is very popular to put on nearly everything (except bread interestingly.)  The cucumber salad added a lovely sweet and sour bite to the plate that provided, the perfect balance. 

For dessert, we had my new favorite thing!  Kladdkaka is a sticky, gooey, chocolate cake with an almost crispy outer layer, (more like a brownie than a cake.)  Heavenly.  After I ate my piece of Kladdkaka, I had to give the rest away or I would have eaten up the entire thing.

I remembered the Swedish word “lagom.”  It doesn’t have a literal translation to English but basically means “just right.”  It is the concept of “just enough.”  In a single word, “lagom” is said to describe the basis of the Swedish national psyche, one of consensus and equality.  In moderation, less is more, an idea that there is a perfect, and best, amount of food, space, laughter and sadness.  

When we finished our delicious Swedish meal we said “det smakade utmärkt” (it’s delicious.)

 

Until next time,

Stay safe.

Darlene

 

New Year’s Eve traditions around the world

It is always fascinating to learn a little something about how other places and cultures celebrate special days.  New Year’s Eve, (or Old Year’s Day) is celebrated in many parts of the world, although it has many different names.  Countries in Europe call it St. Sylvester’s Day.  Malam Tahun Baru is what it is called in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.  It is called Hogmanay in Scotland and Reveillon or Wallonia in Brazil, and Portugal.  This special evening is held on the last day of the year of the Gregorian calendar, which is December 31^st, and rings in the New Year at midnight.

Fireworks are a common way to celebrate the New Year in many countries around the world.  Festivals and celebrations also include song, dance and of course, great food.

Here are some fun and quirky things people do around the world to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new:

In Australia, people run out into the streets and bang on pots and pans.

In Denmark, they shatter dishes and plates against the front doors of friends and family.

In hope for good fortune, in Ecuador, giant scarecrows are made of paper and burned, along with photographs of the past year.

Speaking of South American countries, many believe that, your fate in the New Year is determined by the color of the underwear you wear that night.  If they are red, they will bring you love, wealth if they are yellow, and peace if they are white.

In Peru, there is a festival in a small village called the Takanakuy Festival, where at the end of the year people settle their differences with a fist fight, so they can start off the year without holding any grudges.

An easier way to ring in the New Year is practiced in Argentina, where at the stroke of midnight they take their first step with their right foot, thereby, “Starting the year off on the right foot.”

In Romania, people toss spare coins into the river for good luck.

Dropping ice cream on the floor is what they do in Switzerland.  (We are not sure how this tradition emerged.)

In Puerto Rico, people throw buckets of water out of their window to drive away evil spirits.

In Turkey, they smash pomegranates. The more pieces it breaks in to, the more good luck will come.

In Belgium, even the livestock get in the spirit as they are decorated and paraded around town with bells ringing.

Columbia believes that if you carry around an empty suitcase, travel will come your way in the New Year.

Many places including Bolivia, like to bake a coin into their sweets.  Whoever finds it in the treat will have good luck for the next year (and hopefully not a broken tooth.)

In Spain, they eat grapes, one for each chime of the church bell at midnight.  It is believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.  The grapes enjoyed along with some Cava of course.

In Finland, they cast molten tin into a bucket of water and then predict what’s in store for the coming year by the interpretation of the resulting shape.

In the Philippines, they turn on all the lights to ward off evil spirits.  They also wear polka dots, as anything round is considered to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year.

In Japan, the Buddhist temples strike the gong 108 times to expel 108 human weaknesses. The Japanese also have a tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year’s Eve, the long noodles represent longevity.

In Brazil, everyone wears white to scare away bad spirits and in Chile they sleep beside their loved ones in the cemetery.

Lentils and black-eyed peas are popular in many places to welcome in a full year of work and money.  In fact in Texas, black eyed peas are called Texas caviar.

Pork in many forms is another way the New year is celebrated, pigs root their food in a forward motion, so pork represents looking forward in the New Year.  My sister makes pork and sauerkraut every New Year’s day. 

Also in the United States, watching the giant crystal ball drop in Times Square (formerly called, Longacre Square) in New York City is a favorite at midnight, along with a toast of champagne, a kiss, and singing the Scottish classic called Auld Lang Syne which means, “old long ago.” According to Scotland.org, “The song is about love and kindness of days gone by, but it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take with us into the future.”

However you and your loved ones celebrate this New Year’s Eve, be safe, and why not do a little something special for good luck, travel and prosperity.

I would love to hear how you celebrate the New Year, Please do let me know in the comments below.

Happy New Year my friends!

 

Warmest regards,

Darlene

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How did eSwatini get its name?

In 2018 Swaziland became known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.  This was a declaration made by King Mswati III on the King’s 50^th birthday and in the 50^th year of the county’s independence.  Mswati II was an important leader and it is his name from which the Swazis derived their name. Swaziland was an anglicized combination of the name of his people and the word “land.”  Now, according to the King, it is called by the correct name for the people and the language.

Where is eSwatini located?

ESwatini is one of the smallest countries in all of Africa.  It is landlocked, surrounded mostly by South Africa, with one short border with Mozambique. It is only 125 miles (200 Km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 Km) east to west.  ESwatini is mountainous and hilly with some sloping plains.  Despite its small size, it has many protected areas, the largest being the Hlane Royal National Park which is about 50,000 hectares. The park is ideal for game viewing due to its extensive network of roads and the abundance of waterholes. It is home to the “Big 5”  (Lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, and African buffalo.)  It is also known for its abundance of rhinoceros.  ESwatini has two capitals; Mbane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital.

A brief history of eSwatini

Artifacts have been found indicating there was human activity dating back to the early Stone Age. Prehistoric rock art paintings date back to 25,000 BC and up to the 19^th century can be found throughout the country.  The present people of the Swazi nation migrated south before the 16^th century to what is now Mozambique.  Around 1750 the Swazis settled in northern Zululand..  Unable to match the growing Zulu strength, the Swazis gradually moved northward in the 1800s and established themselves in the area of present day eSwatini.  They maintained their hold there under several leaders.  The most important was Msawti II.

Contact with the British came early in Mswati’s reign when he asked British authorities in South Africa for assistance against Zulu raids.  Eventually, in 1902 after Britain won the Anglo-Boer war, Swaziland became a British Protectorate.  Swaziland became independent from Britain on September 6, 1968.  It was set up as a constitutional monarchy.  Shortly after Independence, King Sobhuza repealed the constitution and eSwatini was run as an absolute monarchy and is today the only one left on the continent.

eSwatini Culture

The culture of the Swazi people involves music, food, religion, architecture and kinship. The people are comprised from various Nguni clans and speak the Nguni language, known as siSwati.  At the national level, the Ngwenyama (the “Lion” or “King”) is considered the head of the nation along with Ndlovakati (the “She-Elephant”, or “Queen Mother”) who is the spiritual leader of the nation.  The national cultural events involve one leader or the other, or both.

Polygamy is common.  It is taboo to ask how many kids or wives the King has, but it is believed the last king, Sobhuzu II, the second longest reigning monarch in the world, reigned from 1921 to 1982. had over 70 wives and 600 children.  The wives and children of the King are royals and are distinguished by being allowed to wear the red feathers of the lourie bird. The main religion is Zionist; a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral beliefs.

There are two important festivals in eSwanti, Incwala is held on the fourth day after the full moon nearest the longest day of the year in the Southern hemisphere, December 21.  Incwala translated means, First Fruits ceremony.  The King’s tasting of the new harvest is just one aspect of the Incwala.  If there is no king, there would be no Incwala.  It is considered high treason for any other person to hold an Incwala. 

The other festival is the Umhlanga Reed Dance, or fertility festival, typically held in late August or early September.  During the eight-day ceremony, girls cut reeds and present them to the Queen Mother and then dance.  Only childless, unmarried girls can take part.  The purpose is to preserve the girls’ chastity, and to provide tribute labor for the Queen Mother. 

The main Swazi social unit is the homestead, a traditional beehive hut, thatched with dry grass.  In a polygamous homestead, each wife has her own hut and yard surrounded by reed fences.  Cattle are a very important part of Swazi culture.  The traditional homestead will have a cattle byre, or kraai.  This central circular area is a symbol of prestige and wealth.  Cattle are raised as lobola or bridewealth.  Bridewealth is the amount paid to the bride’s family at marriage.  Former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, received a lobola when his daughter married a Swazi prince. Ten head of cattle is the usual price, but if the bride is a virgin or the daughter of a chief, additional cattle may be requested.  

Unfortunately, eSwatini, due to the polygamous society, has the highest rate of HIV/Aids in the world, with an estimated 210,000 people infected of its 1.2 million population.  It also has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, with an average age of only 57 years.  HIV/Aids is the leading cause of death.  Seven in ten people in eSwatini live in poverty and suffer from widespread malnutrition.

eSwatini Cuisine

Like many countries, the influence on the cuisine comes from its neighbors.  South Africa, with its Dutch and English influences, as well as the Portuguese influence, from Mozambique cuisine, are both found there.  Because eSwatini is a poor nation, many people survive on subsistence farming.  Some popular foods are grains, called tinhlavu and vegetables, called tibhidvo.  The grains and vegetables are often combined to make a porridge called “Mealies” which is typically made with sorghum or maize. This bland porridge is served alongside meats and stews.  Some of the popular vegetables include pumpkin, green beans, corn, spinach, beets, sweet potatoes and carrots.  Meat dishes, called Inyama, are reserved for special occasions.  Goat meat is largely popular, as is game meat, and chicken.  Braai (BBQ) is also loved in eSwatini, just like in South Africa. 

Some other popular dishes are: corn on the cob, roasted or boiled, emasi (sour milk) a fermented milk from cows which is fermented and strained, umncweba and umkhunsu which are dried spiced meats similar to the very popular biltong, sishwala, a thick porridge served with meat or vegetable stew and incwancwa, a sour porridge made with fermented mealie meal.  Pumpkin leaves and ground nuts are cooked to make umdivdo wetintsanga.  Sidvudvu is a porridge made of pumpkin and mixed with mealie meal.  Tjwala is their traditional beer, although many homesteads ferment their own brew.

So let’s enjoy a eSwatini meal:

The Menu

First Course

Slaai (Salad)

Main Course

Ostrich Steak in Cream Sauce

Served with

Sidvudvu (Pumpkin Pap)

Dessert

Mealie Bread (Corn Bread)

We set the scene with a lion and an elephant statue to represent the King and the Queen Mother.  A rhinoceros statue was placed since the country is known as being a prime place to see the “Big 5” on safari.  A wooden gazelle was added, as it is the national animal of eSwatini. 

The first course was a delicious salad.  I used items straight from my garden, as many of the people in eSwatini would do. The slaai, as it is called there, included beets and carrots, along with fresh greens.  It was served with a light and refreshing dressing made with lemon juice and ginger. 

For the main course, we thoroughly loved the ostrich steak with the pumpkin pap.  Honestly, I had never tried ostrich before and was pleasantly surprised.  It was not gamey at all and had a lovely beef-like flavor.  Ostrich is very lean and is considered much healthier than beef.  I highly recommend it.  Ostrich is wild in many parts of the country but is farmed as well.  I purchased mine online at American Ostrich Farms.  (Fair warning: it is not inexpensive to purchase, but it is rich, and a little goes a long way.)  It was served with a decadent cream and onion sauce that was superb on both the meat and the pumpkin pap.  The pap was flavorful and a perfect side dish to the rich, ostrich filets.

For dessert, a warm and comforting slice of mealie bread was served, which is very popular in the region.  This mealie bread was made with whole, corn kernels and was served with honey.  All in all, we loved this meal.  It was Kumnandzi (goom-naan-zee) which means “delicious” in SiSwati.

As we say goodbye to this unique, tiny little nation in Africa, I leave you with an eSwatini proverb.

“A person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it.”

Until next time,

warmest regards.

Be safe out there.

Darlene

 

Darlene

How did Sudan and South Sudan get their names?

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

Where are Sudan and South Sudan located?

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

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

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

A Brief History of Sudan and South Sudan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sudanese Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sudanese Cuisine

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

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

So let’s enjoy a Sudanese Meal:

 

The Menu

Appetizer

Salata Aswad be Zabadi (Eggplant Dip)

Main Course

Ful Medames (Sudanese Fava Beans)

Served with

Shata (Spicy Sauce)

Dessert

Ful Sudani (Peanut Macaroons)

Served with

Shai (Sudanese Cinnamon Tea)

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

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

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

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

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

I leave you with a couple Sudanese proverbs:

“Empty stomachs have no ears.”

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

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

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

 

How did Sri Lanka get its name?

“Lanka” is thought to be the first documented name for the island, in Sanskrit, dating back to 5114 BCE. ”Lanka” simply means “Island.”  Another theory is that the name was derived from the Tamil word “Ilanku” meaning “to shine,” or “to glitter.”  This name makes sense due to the glittering of gold and gems found on the island’s surface.

To be honest this island nation has more previous names than can be counted.  I think it must be a record.  In 622 BCE, Arabian Persian Traders called it “Serendib” or “Serendivi” (in Arabic).  The name is believed to have led Horace Walpole to create the word “serendipity” for the English language. 

Back in 960 A.D. an Arab author referred to Sri Lanka as “Saheelan.”  When the Portuguese and Dutch arrived the name remained similar until the British called it “Ceylon” in 1796 which remained until 1978 when it was changed officially changed to the “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.” “Sri” means “Resplendent.”  So, today Sri Lanka is known as the ”Land of Serendipity” or “Resplendent Island.”

Where is Sri Lanka located?

Another nickname of Sri Lanka is the “Teardrop of India,” which gives you an idea of the shape of the island, which is located just 21 miles at its closest point from the southeastern tip of India, in the Indian Ocean.  Sri Lanka is considered to be part of Asia. The Maldives lie to the southwest.  Sri Lanka is just slightly above the equator in the northern hemisphere and has a tropical climate.  It has two distinct monsoon seasons.  The capital city, Colombo, is known to be hot and humid.

A brief history of Sri Lanka

It is believed that Sri Lanka has been continuously inhabited for more than two million years.  The original inhabitants were hunters and gatherers from the Stone Age.  Somewhere around the fifth century BCE, immigrants from northern India arrived, forming the modern Sinhalese population.  The Sinhalese population was largely Buddhist and set up the first kingdom around Anuradhapura.  Early Buddhist emissaries brought a cutting from the Bodhi tree, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.  This tree is still standing and is believed to be the oldest tree planted by human beings.  The tree remains an important pilgrimage site.

Tamils, from the south of India, arrived about two centuries after the Sinhalese.  Most Tamils are Hindu or Christian and are a minority in Sri Lanka.

The Portuguese arrived in 1505 and by 1518, having established good relations with the king, were allowed to build a fort at Colombo (the capital city today) for trade concessions, in exchange for the king’s protection.

Meanwhile, the Dutch established a trading fort in Galle, destroying the earlier Portuguese outpost.  Soon the Dutch East India Company controlled most of Ceylon.  However, after 300 years of colonial rule by the treaty of Amiens, Britain gave up control of Ceylon, just after the Napoleonic Wars.

Due to unrest during Colonial rule, the Ceylon National Congress was formed in 1919, uniting Sinhalese and Tamils.  Although some concessions were made, Ceylon did not gain independence until 1948.  Ceylon became the “Republic of Sri Lanka” in 1972. 

Unfortunately, tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamils erupted into a bloody civil war, lasting from 1983 to 2009.  It is estimated that the 26 year civil war resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.  After the fighting ended, a Tamil-nationalist, Catholic bishop claimed that 147,000 people, civilians and fighters, remained missing.  The war ended when the leader of the Tamils was killed.  Sri Lanka has been under scrutiny for war crimes against the Tamil. 

In 2004 Sri Lanka was also hit with a massive tsunami, killing 30,000 and displacing 1.5 million people.

Sri Lanka is a much different place today, as it has made huge strides in rebuilding their nation. The remaining Tamils and Sinhalese live relatively peacefully together.  Although Sri Lanka still has plenty of work to do, it is often on the list of the one of the best places to visit, due to the warmth of the Sri Lankan people and its beauty as a tropical paradise destination.  Unfortunately, there was a terrorist attack on Easter in 2019 that left 259 people dead and created travel warnings.  Most recently, the covid crisis will cause even more hardship in the rebuilding of the island.

Sri Lankan Culture

Sri Lanka was colonized by three different cultures all of which clearly left their influences.  The descendants of the Dutch settlers are called Burghers and they are still a considerably influential group.  The British brought over the ritual of high tea, which is still a custom in Sri Lanka today.  Tea plantations were established by the British as the interior mountainous region provided the perfect environment and climate.  Some of the world’s most famous teas still come from Sri Lanka; brands like Ceylon and Lipton.  Visiting tea plantations is a tourist highlight, as they are located in lush, green, picturesque locations.

The largest religious group remains the Buddhists.  The others are Hindus, Muslims and some Christians as well.  Visitors will find Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, Muslim mosques and Christian churches, throughout the island.

There are three official languages in Sri Lanka: Sinhalese, Tamil and English.  The street signs are typically in all three languages but sometimes, only in English.

There are many UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka.  Some of the most prominent ones include: Sigiriya, an ancient fortress built atop a huge granite monolith, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, the Sacred City of Kandy, which has the highly revered Temple of the Tooth, along with the Golden Temple of Dambulla and the old Town of Galle.

Sri Lanka celebrates some 30 holidays per year.  Many are religious holidays that are public holidays for all to celebrate.  One holiday that is celebrated each month is called Poya; an island wide celebration of the full moon.  

Sri Lankan Cuisine

The official meal of Sri Lanka is rice and curry, a complete meal of steamed heirloom basmati rice surrounded by all sorts of different curries.  Curry comes in many forms in Sri Lanka: meats, poultry, fish and seafood, vegetables and even fruit.  Jack fruit curry is a specialty curry. 

As a tropical island with an abundance of vegetation, the cuisine uses all sorts of herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables and especially coconuts, which are ubiquitous throughout the country.  As a country that was a hub in the historic oceanic Silk Road, Sri Lanka traders brought in many new food items and inparted cultural influences which all helped to shape Sri Lankan cuisine.  Some say it is similar to South East Asian cuisine as well as the cuisine of the state of Kerala, in southern India.  Sri Lankan cuisine is spicy and hot, with the heat coming from an array of chilies.

Sri Lanka is famous for its cinnamon, which originated there.  It is often blended with black pepper, which is also indigenous.  Sri Lanka is most famous for its unique spice blends which include:  roasted and then ground coriander seed, cumin, fennel, clove, fenugreek and cinnamon, to name a few.  No doubt every cook in Sri Lanka has their own curry spice blend secrets.  Curry leaves are often used fresh, as are pandan leaves.

Sambols, especially coconut sambal, are served alongside just about everything, as are achars or pickled relishes.  It is not unusual to have multiple curries, sambols and achars served at one time.  Often a dhal (lentil) curry, is served as well.

Another famous Sri Lankan dish is the hopper.  It is a bowl made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk.  There are special hopper pots that they are steamed or fried to make the bowl shape and then are often served with an egg, and sambols. 

Obviously as an island nation, fish and seafood play an important role in the cuisine.  One ubiquitous ingredient is called Maldive fish, which is a cured skip jack tuna that imparts a wonderful umami flavor to their dishes.

So let’s enjoy a Sri Lankan meal:

The Menu

Starter

 Kadala Thal Dala (Spiced Chickpeas)

Main Course

Sri Lankan Roasted Curry Spice Blend

Prawn Curry with Steamed Basmati Rice

Served with

Pol Sambol (Coconut Sambol)

Dessert

Watalappan (Coconut Custard)

We set the scene with elephant statues, the national animal of Sri Lanka (and which happens to be my spirit animal.)  Sri Lanka has numerous national parks and is famous for the amount of wild elephants that gather in groups in the parks.  The island is also well known for leopards, monkeys, peacocks, and a whole array of birds.  Sea life is also a draw, and it is said you can see the largest land mammal, the elephant and the largest marine mammal, the blue whale, in a single day.  Tea was  placed in the décor, as it is Sri Lanka’s biggest export.  Cinnamon and black pepper were added as well as a coconut.  A Buddha statue was staged to represent the largest religion and a photo of a water lily, the national flower, of Sri Lanka completed the scene.

We began with spiced up chickpeas, which would also be considered a short eat (or snack) in Sri Lanka.  They were spicy with flavors of mustard seeds, cumin and curry leaves and spicy hot from the red chilies.  We loved them.

For the main course, we enjoyed the spicy prawn curry with steamed Basmati rice and the amazing pol sambal.  The prawn curry was full of flavor and  spicy hot too.  We scooped up the curry and rice using our right hand.  They eat with only the right hand in Sri Lanka.

The curry and rice were served with the coconut sambol, a perfectly balanced condiment with which I have fallen completely in love.  On its own, it is perfectly balanced, with sweetness from the grated fresh coconut, sour from lime, spice from chilies and umami from shallots and maldive fish.  A heavenly dish indeed! 

For dessert, watalappan was served.  This is has a coconut custard flavor with a kitul jaggery, which comes from the fishtail palm and has a lovely caramel flavor.  It was topped with cashews.  We savored it with a hot cup of Ceylon black tea.

After dinner we sat down to read “The Legend of The Ramayana,” an epic tale of Rama, who traveled to the teardrop island to save his princess bride, Sita.  It is a purely magical story that is part of the culture, the history and souls of the Sri Lankan people.

Until next time,

Be safe and well,

Darlene