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

 

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

How did Spain get its Name?

Spain is known as the “Land of Rabbits.”  It was named by the Carthaginians somewhere around 300 B.C.  They called it Ispania (sphan, meaning “rabbit.”)  Evidently, there was an abundance of rabbits that roamed the land back then. 

The Romans, when they arrived, decided to keep the name, calling it Hispania.  Eventually, the name was changed officially to Reino de España, in Spanish or the “Kingdom of Spain,” in English. 

Spain did go by a few different names over time.  Its earliest name was Iberia, named for by the Moorish inhabitants from North Africa.  Iber was the Iberian word for “river.”  The Greeks called the entire peninsula Hesperia, meaning “Land of the Setting Sun.”   (Interestingly, I currently live in a town called Hesperia, California.  Now I know the meaning of the name.) 

Where is Spain Located?

Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in the southwest part of Europe.  It shares land borders with Portugal to the west, France and Andorra in the north and northeast, and a small border with Gibraltar to the south.  It also has water borders, such as: the Mediterranean Sea to the east, the Strait of Gibraltar to the south and the Bay of Biscay to the north. 

Aside from the mainland, the territory also includes many islands on the Atlantic, the Balearic and Mediterranean Sea.  If you were to combine all the Spanish beaches into one stretch it would be almost 5000 miles long.  It is no surprise that the country and its islands are very popular beach destinations.  Its capital city is Madrid and is located in the heart of the country.

A Brief History of Spain

There is very early evidence that most of the Iberian Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times.  Sometime around 4000 BCE much of Spain was settled by Iberians.  Then the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Carthaginians all had settlements. 

It was the Romans that had the largest influence on Spain’s culture, as they ruled for nearly six centuries, until the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century CE.

Sometime, around 500 CE, the Visigoths arrived and drove out the Romans.  Then it was the Muslim Moors of North Africa, in 711 CE, that came across the Mediterranean Sea and conquered Spain, ruling for several hundred years. 

Meanwhile, Christian kingdoms in the north were gaining power and the Reconquista, the Christian re-conquest of Christian territory, began to retake Spain from the Muslims. 

Eventually, the Reconquista ended with the conquest of Grenada.  The Alhambra Decree expelled all the Jews from Spain that did not convert to Christianity, in 1492 CE.

In 1469, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon were married.  The Kingdom of Spain was formed and they were named the king and queen of Spain.  In 1492, Queen Isabella sponsored the expedition of explorer Christopher Columbus who then discovered the “New World.”

In the 1500s, during the Age of Exploration, Spain became the most powerful country in Europe, if not the world.  Spanish conquistadors, such as Herman Cortes, conquered the Aztec’s Empire in Mexico and Francisco Pizarro,  conquered the Incan Empire in Peru, along with others who conquered much of the Americas and made them into Spanish colonies.  This brought great wealth to the Kingdom of Spain, especially from gold, but from countless other treasures as well.

In 1588 in a battle of the world’s great navies, the British defeated the Spanish Armada, which began the decline of the Spanish Empire.  In the 1800s, many of Spain’s colonies started to revolt and wanted to separate from Spain. 

Spain continued to be in many wars but was losing most of them.  In 1898, Spain lost the Spanish-American War and with it, many of their primary colonies.

Generally, Spain stayed neutral during both World Wars, but did side somewhat with Germany, which made things difficult after the Second World War.  In 1936, there was a civil war in Spain.  The nationalist forces won the war and General Francisco Franco became Spain’s ruler and dictator until his death in 1975.  Since that time, the country has experienced rapid and remarkable, cultural, political and social changes.

 A new constitution was adopted in 1978, which has served as a means to democracy.  The country is now run as a constitutional monarchy in which executive decisions are made by the government.  The Spanish monarch is currently represented by King Felipe VI. 

Spanish Culture

Spanish culture is a true reflection of its crossroad’s location and influences from the different inhabitants over the centuries.  The country comprises 17 autonomous regions.  Each region of Spain has its own unique culture and even has some of their own official languages, such as: Catalan, Galician, Valencian and Basque.  Spanish (Castilian) is the official language of the whole country.  Spanish is a Romance language that is closely related to Latin.  It is the second most widely spoken “first” language in the world, with more than 400 million speakers.  (The most popular “first” language spoken is Mandarin.)

Spain has a population of about 47 million and is known for its relaxed way of life.  La siesta (the afternoon nap) was born in Spain.  Nothing happens in a hurry; life is slow and treasured.  Spaniards have an uncanny ability to be in the present and not plan every minute of the day.  Perhaps this is why Spaniards have one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at an impressive 83 years of age.  One statistic from the OECD, reported that the average Spaniard devotes 16 of the 24 hours of every day to leisure; including eating, drinking and sleeping.

Spain is home to 47 UNESCO world heritage sites, listed for their cultural significance or natural beauty; some are even entire towns.  These sites, along with hundreds of beaches, make Spain one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Spain also has many popular festivals throughout the year; from the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, to La Tomatina, where you participate in a giant tomato fight.  Las Fallas in Valencia is where giant paper sculptures are turned into bonfires and Carnival, is their Mardi Gras festival, plus there are so many others. 

I had the privilege of being in Spain for Semana Santa (Holy Week,) which was an experience I will forever treasure.  About 70 percent of the population identify themselves as Roman Catholics (although only about 13 percent of the population goes to church each Sunday.)  Despite that, religion has huge importance in Spanish culture.

Music and dance is at the heart of Spanish tradition.  Spain is world famous for its flamboyant flamenco and Spanish guitar. Flamenco dance is often associated with the passionate dancing and the colorful dresses worn by the performers but it is important to note that flamenco can also be performed without dance.  It does, however, always feature the cante jondo (deep song) of the gitanos (gypsies) of Andalusia.  It is of no surprise that Spanish guitar is also at the heart of Spanish culture.  It was actually invented in Andalusia in the 1790s when a sixth string was added to the Moorish lute.  It gained its modern shape in the 1870s.

Spain has a remarkable artistic heritage dating back for centuries. However, it was in the early 20^th century that the art world was influenced by a remarkable group of Spanish artists, such as: Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miro and Salvador Dali, to name just a few.  The architecture throughout Spain, includes its massive Gothic cathedrals built in nearly every town square, as well as incredible castles and plazas. This includes the famous Alhambra palace and fortress and of course Gaudi’s, La Sagrada Familia, to name just a couple of the amazing sites in Spain.

Bullfighting is considered to be the national sport of Spain and is the most controversial of all Spanish traditions.  Some places in Spain have banned its practice due to the cruelty to animals. However, there is a long history of the bullfighting sport.  Matadors (those who fight the bull) are very highly respected.  The largest bullring in Madrid called Las Ventas  has a historical museum dedicated to the sport.  Actually, some would argue that soccer is truly the national sport of the 21^st century.   Spain won the FIFA World Cup in 2010.  Fútbol, as it is called there, is a beloved sport throughout the country.

Spanish Cuisine

Each and every region in Spain has its own history and cuisine. Generally speaking, the cuisine is considered to be Mediterranean.  Spain is the world’s largest olive oil producer.  You will find delicious green olives on every table in Spain.

They also have a very old viticulture.  Archeologists believe that some grapes were cultivated between 4000 and 3000 BC, long before the Phoenicians showed up.  Spain is the third largest wine producer in the world and has 2.9 million acres of vines planted.  Just like their cuisine, the wine differs from location to location.  Rioja and Ribera de Duero are known for their Tempranillo production.  Whereas, Jerez de la Frontera is home of the fortified wine; sherry.  Cava, a delicious sparkling wine, comes mostly from the Catalonia region.

There are many sumptuous foods for which Spain is famous but the one that stands out to me is what comes from the black-hoofed pig, known for its acorn diet.  These Iberian pigs are raised in the southwest.  Pork is loved in many forms and made into sausages, roasted, stewed etc.  However, jamon iberico, is a cured ham that is simply unbelievable.  You will see legs of pork hanging in nearly every market throughout Spain. One bite of this ham will simply melt in your mouth.  It goes perfectly with Spain’s cheeses, from the castile-La Mancha region, called Manchego.  Together, they are a perfect combination of flavor.

Interestingly, some of Spain’s most famous dishes would not have been possible without the discovery of the New World.  Tomatoes, potatoes, maize, peppers of all kinds, paprika, vanilla and cocoa are some of what was brought back to Spain.  Another famous dish is the tortilla Espanola or Spanish tortilla, which in Spain is a potato and egg casserole, not what you would likely think of as a tortilla.  Some believe that this should be the national dish of Spain.  

Often when we think of Spain, we think of paella being a representative dish.  However it is quite regional, coming from Valencia.  The original paella was made with chicken and rabbit, but seafood is now very common.  It is of no surprise that seafood (mariscos) is also very important to Spanish cuisine.  Fried fish is very common in the south and all around the coast.  Octopus is on nearly every menu.  I had the best seafood salad of my life at the La Boqueria market in Barcelona. 

Literally, books can be written about the different regional offerings in Spain.  One food that is popular throughout Spain and for what Spain is most famous, are tapas.  Tapas actually means “cover” and originally it was a little plate of small bites to cover the top of a drink at a bar.  In Spain tapas (little appetizers) are served everywhere and there are more bars in Spain per capita than just about anywhere else in the world.  (They rank 2^nd .)  Often times, when you pay for the drink, you get the tapas for free. 

Spain keeps some unusual hours and tapas are also used to tide one over as dinner is usually not eaten until around 9:00 or 10:00 pm.  After work, one would go enjoy a drink and have some tapas.  Today many people will make tapas their meal. 

So let’s enjoy a Spanish meal:

The Meal

On the table,

Olives and Bread

Tapas

Jamon Iberico (Cured ham) with Manchego Cheese

 

Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)

 

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

Championes al Ajillo (Garlic Mushrooms)

Tortilla Espanola (Potato and Egg Casserole)

Pulpo a la Gallega con Cachelos (Octopus with Potatoes)

Main Course

Paella (Rice and Seafood)

 Dessert

Crema Catalan (Creamy Custard)

We set the scene with fresh, red carnations, their national flower.  We placed ships, representing Spain’s exploration era, a fan, called a pericon and castanets, to represent flamenco, a pitcher of  sangria, for their wine regions and added food as well, so it was part of the scene.  We added, olives and pan (bread) typically called barra or pistolas, which is similar to the French baguette but a little shorter and wider.  We decorated in the colors of the Spanish flag; red and yellow, and put on some classic Spanish guitar music to color the mood.

We began with a toast, Salud, which means “Cheers” in Spanish and we clinked our glasses of sparkling cava.  Our first course was the famous jamon iberico and manchego cheese.  If you ever get the chance to try this, I hope you do.  It is simply heaven!

We then slowly went into the different tapas.

The first was a cold soup, called gazpacho.  It is a made with raw, blended, vegetables such as: tomato, cucumbers and peppers.  It is perfectly refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.

Next were the little garlic shrimps.  This is such a quick and easy tapa to make.  It is made in a terracotta dish called a cazuela, which goes from stove to table top while the shrimp are still sizzling.  Equally as good as eating the little shrimps, is sopping up the garlic sauce with the bread.

Since we just had a nice dose of garlic we continued the theme with the garlic mushrooms.  These have a different sauce, where Spanish sherry is the star.  These mushrooms were just another wonderful, simple tapa that you will also choose to soak up every last drop of the sauce with the bread. (Mushroom foraging is a popular past time in Spain, especially in the wooded and mountainous regions).

Our next tapa was the octopus on potatoes.  This dish comes from the Galicia region.  I absolutely love octopus and this dish highlighted the octopus beautifully.  Little pieces of tender octopus were placed on a slice of potato that was drizzled with Spanish olive oil. Perfect!

I simply had to include the Spanish tortilla.  This egg and potato casserole is considered by some to be the national dish of Spain.  It is a true comfort food and offers a very savory bite.  (This would be wonderful served for breakfast as well.)  When we finished the tapas, we took a siesta.  We were perfectly satisfied.

Several hours later, when we were once again hungry, we continued with a glorious dish of paella.  It is a true, one-pot meal.  Many places in Spain have paella pits set up in parks and on beaches, so you can just bring your paella pan and cook it right there.  Paella is a truly decadent dish, filled with seafood, meat and sausages.  Hidden in the paella is saffron seasoned rice.  Magnifico.

For dessert, we had citrusy flavored, creamy custard, often referred to as Crème Brulee’s cousin; Crema de Catalan. It was wonderful.

The Spaniards have a saying: Barriga Ilena, Corazon content, which translates to “A full belly and a happy heart”. 

Until next time,

Estar segura, “Be safe.”

Darlene Longacre

How did South Africa get its name?

South Africa was simply named for its geographical location on the southern tip of Africa.  Officially it is known as the Republic of South Africa.  It is also known as the Rainbow Nation, a name given by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, after its first democratic election in 1994, once apartheid ended.  It’s a metaphor for the coming together of all the different ethnic groups who live in South Africa.  There are officially 11 recognized languages in South Africa, each having a unique name for South Africa in their own language.

Where is South Africa located?

It is located on the southernmost tip of the continent of Africa. It has a large, 1759-mile coastline along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.  To the north it has several neighbors; Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.  Mozambique and Estwatini (Swaziland) are to the northeast.  South Africa also completely surrounds the little country of Lesotho.  Madagascar is just off the east coast. 

South Africa is blessed with diverse topography.  The great Escarpment forms the longest continuous topographical feature and provides spectacular scenery.  Table Mountain is a flat topped mountain overlooking Cape Town and is one of its most recognized landmarks.  It is a popular tourist attraction with about 900 routes to climb or hike.  It is one of the oldest mountains on the planet, estimated to be over 260 million years old. 

South Africa has beautiful beaches with epic marine life, desolate deserts, massive nature preserves, bush, grasslands, mountains and subtropical forests and even a floral kingdom.  South Africa is home to magnificent Safari parks, like Kruger National Park, which is one of the largest game reserves in all of Africa and also an UNESCO site.  There you can find the notorious big five: lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros and African buffalo.  There are also over 500 bird species, 100 reptile species and 150 species of mammals.  

A Brief history of South Africa

Somewhere between 200,000 and 100,000 years ago, modern humans began to evolve throughout Africa. They became known as the San. They met up with south bound Khoi pastoralists from the north and became known as the KhoiSan. 

Somewhere around 250 CE the Bantu people began to migrate into South Africa from the north bringing with them iron tools and knowledge of farming.  Many of the people that live in South Africa today speak some form of a Bantu language. The oldest human remains, believed to be 160,000 years old, were discovered in South Africa. 

The first Europeans to come to South Africa were the Portuguese in 1488.  Bartolomeu Dias sails around the southern tip of Africa and names it the Cape of Storms.  John II of Portugal changed the name to the Cape of Good Hope as he felt its discovery that India could be reached by sea from Europe was a good omen.

It wasn’t until 1652 when the Dutch East India Company established the Dutch Cape Colony.  It was meant initially to just be a small port town for ships traveling to India, but eventually became a full settlement.

The British arrived in the late 1700s and many battles for control happened between the Dutch and the British.  In 1814, the Dutch formally agreed that the colony was part of the British Empire.  In 1833 slavery was abolished by the British. The Great Trek was begun by the Dutch settlers called Boers, as they moved inland and formed their own Boer Republics, called the Orange Free State and Transvaal.  Labor was brought in from Asia and India.

In 1866, diamonds were discovered at Kimberley and in 1886 gold was discovered.  The city of Johannesburg grew rapidly due to the gold rush.  Today, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa.  During this time there were two Boer wars.  The second war in 1889 was won by the British and they took over the two Boer republics.  Also during this time many more Europeans moved in, including Germans, French and English settlers who became known as the Afrikaners.  About 1/5 of the world’s gold comes from the mines of South Africa.

In 1934, the Status of the Union Act declared South Africa’s Independence from the United Kingdom.  In 1939, when World War II began, South Africa served as a valuable sea port for the Allies.

In 1948, the National Party was voted into power.  They started a policy called apartheid.  This is where people were separated based on their race, particularly whites and blacks.  The white people ruled the land, even though they were only about 20 percent of the population.  In the 1950s, the African National Congress, (ANC) and other groups protested against apartheid.  These protests almost always ended with brutality and widespread massacre by police.

In 1961 South Africa was declared a Republic and an ANC leader, named Nelson Mandela, formed an armed branch to fight against apartheid.  In 1962, Nelson Mandela was jailed and sentenced to life in prison.  He became a worldwide symbol against apartheid.  He spent 27 years in prison while fighting for equal rights.  In 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.  In 1994 apartheid was abolished and black people were finally allowed to vote.  Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa.  He was beloved throughout the country and the world.  The whole world mourned his death in 2003. 

Despite improvement since the end of apartheid, poverty and unemployment still remained high.  South Africa is just now considered to be a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources.  Their stock exchange is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world. 

South African Culture

South African culture is complicated, dubbed the Rainbow nation, due to so many diverse cultures coming together.  It is the unification of these cultures that contributes to its uniqueness.  As South Africans have become increasingly urbanized and westernized, aspects of traditional culture have diminished.  However, the South African majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants and this is where the cultural traditions thrive most strongly.

South Africa has a population of about 57 million.  Eighty percent are black African, about nine percent colored, (a term used in South Africa for persons of mixed race, ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years) eight percent are white and the balance are Indian or Asian.  HIV/AIDS hit South Africa extremely hard, affecting about 20 percent of the black population.  Life expectancy plunged to less than 43 years in 2008 but has since recovered to almost 63 years, and continues to improve.

Christianity is the main religion in South Africa, with 86 percent of the population devoted to it.  Ancestral, animist and tribal African religions make up about six percent, with the balance being Muslim, Hindu or atheist.

There is a great diversity in music that stems from South Africa.  Many black musicians developed a unique style called Kwaito.  This grew in popularity after apartheid died and when musicians began to sing in traditional African languages.  South Africa has also produced world-famous Jazz musicians.

South African Cuisine

South African cuisine is heavily influenced by the Dutch, British, Indian and Cape Malay immigrants.  The famous South African Braai is what we know as barbecue throughout the rest of the world.  Meat is common and popular; sheep and goat are loved but beef is the most prized.   Ostrich is a consumed meat, as is Springbok; both low in fat and high in protein.  However, you usually won’t find a braai without their famous boerewors (coiled shaped sausage) sizzling on it.  Biltong, a dried meat snack, similar to a beef jerky, is beloved.  Seafood and fish are also main ingredients in dishes along the coastal cities and rivers.

Other famous South African dishes are Bobotie; a curried meat dish with a custard topping and considered to be the National dish.  It is always served with yellow rice, called geelrys.  Stews are also very popular, called potjiekos, literally translated this means “small pot food.”  This stew is often cooked in a three legged, cast iron pot, outdoors.  Bunny chow, of Indian origin, is another unusual dish.  It is a quarter of a loaf of bread, stuffed with curried meat and cheese, and is popular throughout the country. 

More traditional cuisine includes pap, a porridge somewhat similar to grits, along with chakalaka, a vegetable dish.  Many stews and desserts are made from vegetables like pumpkin and squash as they are easily grown in local gardens.  The mopane worm, which is actually a caterpillar, is a unique treat that is either dried or fried and considered a delicacy.

The French brought their wine techniques to South Africa and now they have become a leader as wine producers.  In fact, they have the longest wine route in the world, which stretches over a span of 620 miles.  A major tourist draw for South Africa is their variety of wines.

South Africa also grows a surprising amount of fruit, especially exotic fruits, in the sub-tropical region of the country.  Desserts are also loved, with malva pudding and melktert and koeksister (fried dough) being just a few of the most popular.

So let’s enjoy a South African meal:

The Menu

Starter

Biltong (Dried Cured Meat)

Main Course

Bobotie (Curried Minced Meat Casserole)

Served with

Geelrys  (Yellow Rice)

Dessert

Melktert (Milk Tart)

We set the scene with a photo candle featuring the national flower, the King Protea, then added a few statues of safari animals as well as a penguin. Yes, they have penguins in South Africa and you can even swim with them near Cape Town.  A gold and diamond ring were added to represent South Africa’s robust mining. Grapes were placed to represent their wine industry. 

Our first course was the famous biltong, a dried cured beef that was flavored with coriander, sugar and vinegar.  It was quickly devoured and it is clear to see how you can never get enough biltong. 

For the main course, we savored the national dish called Bobotie; a flavorful, curried, minced meat casserole with an egg topping.  It is a true comfort food that is always served with a yellow rice called geelrys, that gets its color and flavor from turmeric and curry.  It was a wonderful combination.

For dessert, we enjoyed the famous melktert.  The milk tart was light and not too sweet.  We loved it!

After our delicious South African meal, we watched the documentary film called, Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation.  Nelson Mandela has been a true inspiration.  I leave you with just a few of my favorite Mandela quotes:

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

“When people are determined they can overcome anything.”

Until next time,

Stay safe!

Darlene

How did Somalia get its Name?

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

Where is Somalia Located?

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

A Brief History of Somalia

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

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

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

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

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

Somalia Culture

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

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

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

Somali Cuisine

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

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

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

So let’s enjoy a Somali Meal:

The Menu

The Meal

Muufo (Somalia Bread)

Main Course

Baasta Iyo Suugo (Somali Pasta)

Made with Xawaash (Somali Spice Blend)

Served with

Somali Salad with Bizbaz (Jalapeno Dressing)

Dessert

Kac Kac (Somali Doughnut)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How did Solomon Islands get its name?

It was 1568 when the Spanish Navigator, Alvaro de Mendana, discovered the islands.  He named the archipelago, “Islas Salomon,” believing this was the area of the South Pacific where King Solomon got the gold  he used to build the Temple of Jerusalem.  The name was changed upon their independence to “Solomon Islands,” removing “The” from the official name.

How did Tuvalu get its name?

Tuvalu used to be called, “The Ellice Islands” or “Lagoon Islands.”  Tuvalu is an old name meaning “Eight Standing Together.”  Although Tuvalu has a total of nine islands; three reef islands and six true atolls, only eight were inhabited, as one has very little land that is above sea level.   The name reverted back to Tuvalu when it gained its independence.

Where are Solomon Islands located?

Solomon Islands consists of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands, located in Oceania.  They lay east of Papua, New Guinea, northeast of Australia and northwest of Vanuatu.  The islands cover a land area of about 11,000 square miles.  The country’s capital is Honiara, located on the Island of Guadalcanal.

Where is Tuvalu located?

Tuvalu is also located in Oceania, in Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean.  It lies about 2500 miles northeast of Australia and is approximately half way between Hawaii and Australia.  It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands, which belong to Solomon Islands.  Also, it is southeast of Nauru, south of Kiribati, northwest of Samoa and north of Fiji.  It is a tiny, country, covering only ten square miles of land. However, they are spread out over a large, economic zone of 289,500 square miles.  The highest elevation is only 15 feet above sea level.  Global warming and rising sea levels are major concerns for this country.

A brief history of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands are believed to have been settled by Austronesian people, sometime around 2000 BC.  For centuries, many self-governing villages speaking separate languages lived on the six, big, volcanic islands and scores of atolls in the Melanesian archipelago.  They lived largely unbothered by foreigners until the 1800s, when traders and missionaries from Europe, America and Australasia arrived to barter food, labor and goods. 

In 1886, a German protectorate was established over the northern islands.  In 1893, the southern islands became a British protectorate until 1899, when all of it was transferred to British control.  The British interest was in the supply of workers to fuel the sugar estates in Queensland and Fiji, much more than it was for the protection of the islands.  Disease and tribal wars followed and many areas known as “waste lands” were leased to foreign companies to produce rubber, copra (the dried kernel of the coconut) and vegetable oil.

Solomon Islands had only their land and labor to sell.  For years, young, fit men were taken forcefully by “Blackbirders” (Slave Traders)  to Fiji and Queensland.  They were often brutally treated but by the 1920s conditions somewhat improved.  Living together on plantations gave men the chance to learn a common language known as “Pijin English.”  By the mid-twentieth century, many Chinese had come to settle, displacing European traders and plantation owners.

During World War II, Japanese forces occupied Solomon Islands.  The counter attack was led by the US Marines who landed on Guadalcanal and Tualgi in August of 1942.  Some of the most brutal fighting of World War II took place on the Islands for nearly three years.

Solomon Islands eventually gained independence on July 7, 1978.  Like many newly, independent nations, there has been ongoing ethnic violence.  In July of 2003, the Governor General issued an official request for international help.  Australia committed the largest number of troops to restore order and police the islands.   Although things have gotten better on the islands, ethnic tensions remain.  The government is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. 

A brief history of Tuvalu

It is believed the earliest settlers on the islands were Samoans, Tongans and settlers from other Polynesian islands sometime around the 14^th century AD.  A couple of the islands were then discovered by the Spanish, in two separate expeditions, in 1568 and 1595.  

In 1819, a ship owned by Edward Ellice of Britain visited Funafuta and named the islands “Ellice islands.”  From 1850-1875 there was a dark period where “Blackbirding” took place; the kidnapping of islanders for forced labor on plantations in Fiji and Queensland.  Between this and European diseases brought there, the population diminished from about 20,000 down to 3,000. 

 In 1877 the Ellice Islands become a British protectorate.  In 1916 the Gilbert islands joined the colony, until 1974 when 90% of the Polynesians voted for separation.  In 1975 the islands were renamed “Tuvalu” and full Independence was given on October 1, 1978.  In 1989 the UN  listed Tuvalu as one of a number of island groups most likely to disappear beneath the sea in the 21^st century, due to global warming.  It remains the country’s number one concern. 

Due to salinization of the soil, subsistence farming became extremely difficult.  Thankfully, the country got lucky on two fronts;  in 1998, it began leasing its 900 number to a foreign company, and then it established its TV revenue.  The TV agreement with a US company generated enough funds for Tuvalu to apply to join the United Nations in 2000.  The lease expires in 2020 but will have proven to be highly lucrative.  They also make money with their postage stamps and coinage, both of which are sought by collectors.

Solomon Islands Culture

The population of the Solomon Islands is about 690,000.  The majority of the people are ethnically Melanesian, but there is a small percentage of Micronesian and Polynesian, as well as ethnic Chinese.  The official language is English, but there are 63 other distinct languages.  Most people speak pidgin known as “Solomon’s Pijin.” 

Most islanders live in close knit communities of extended families, and while largely Christian, many still follow traditional systems of beliefs.  Land ownership, they call Kastom, refers to their traditional Melanesian roots.  Although nearly 70,000 people live in the capital city of  Honiara, the majority still live in rural villages, based on a subsistence economy of fishing, hunting and growing crops.  People still barter and use shells for money, although they do have their own currency.  Most houses are built on stilts to keep their homes cooler and most don’t have electricity, telephones or other modern amenities. 

Music and art play an important role.  Traditional music uses instruments such as the slit drums, panpipes and the conch shell.  Solomon Islanders are also known for their handicrafts, like intricately carved, dark ebony hardwood with inlaid mother of pearl.  Basket weaving and wicker weaving are also traditional art forms. 

On the islands about ten percent of the indigenous dark skinned people have strikingly, blonde hair.  Some islanders theorize that it was due to a diet rich in fish or excess sun exposure or from distant European ancestors.  It turns out, a geneticist discovered a gene variant responsible for blond hair on the islanders, that is distinctly different from the gene that causes blond hair in Europeans.

Tuvalu Culture

The population of Tuvalu is only 11,000 today.  The tiny islands’ nation is the second least populated and fourth smallest, landmass of any country.  It is listed as the least visited country in the world.  It has strong Polynesian culture with a laid back and friendly attitude.  Pacific island traditions are commonplace in Tuvaluan culture.  This is most evident in their dance.  Fatele is the traditional dance that is performed to celebrate leaders and was performed when Prince William and his wife officially visited the islands in 2012. 

Each family has skill sets known as salanga, which are performed within the community. The typical trades are fishermen, house builders, and boat builders and these trades are passed on from parents to their children.  They have community halls known as falekapule  where villagers gather for general meetings and celebrations.  The Tuvaluan community is extremely close knit.  Nearly the entire population is Christian which was the religion brought to Tuvalu with the earliest European settlers.  The official language is Tuvalu which is similar to Polynesian.  English is also spoken and taught in schools.

Solomon Islands and Tuvalu Cuisine

Solomon Islands have more land mass to grow food and therefore have a bit more variety in their cuisine than Tuvalu.  Both countries rely on imports from neighboring countries.  The main staple of Solomon Islands is fish, which is cooked in all sorts of ways from grilling, to boiling, to frying.  The fish is served with an assortment of side dishes which include coconut, sweet potatoes, rice, taro roots, taro leaves, cassava, bananas and their very famous breadfruit called ulu.  Poi, is made with fermented taro root and is considered the national dish of Solomon Islands.

In Tuvalu, they also have an abundance of seafood choices and therefore fish, crabs and even sea birds are the typical protein.  Coconut, in one form or another, is used in nearly every dish.  They have a different sort of taro that grows which is called “swamp taro” and the root and leaves are used to make side dishes along with bananas and breadfruit.

So let’s enjoy a meal from the Islands:

Menu

Appetizer

Taro Root Chips

Main Dish

Tuna Coconut Curry

Served with:

Palusami  (Corned Beef with Taro Leaves and Coconut)

Dessert

Coconut Pudding

We set the scene by displaying staple ingredients from both islands, on top of a tapa cloth. We added palm fronds and shells for a little island flair.

For the first course, we nibbled on some fried taro root chips that were simply lightly salted.  Taro root is a resistant starch and is considered to be good for the gut. 

For the main course, we had a tuna coconut curry, that was served with rice.  It was fantastic.  We absolutely loved the flavors; with spice from the curry powder and hot chilies.  Of course, you must use very fresh tuna, like you would get on the Islands.  If you wanted to be adventurous, you could make your own coconut milk as they would there. However, the recipe can easily be made with canned coconut milk.

The tuna was served alongside a favorite dish; popular in both countries, called palusami.  It is a surprisingly easy to make dish.  Although some people may shy away from canned, corned beef, (aka spam) one can imagine how much the taste of meat, an occasional break from fish, is a welcomed flavor on these remote islands.  It would typically be made with taro leaves, which you likely can find in a good Asian store, otherwise you can substitute spinach, which is also very tasty.

For dessert, we enjoyed a simple coconut pudding that reminded us a bit more of jello than a pudding.  The pieces were served in a coconut shell.  It was a sweet treat to end our Island meal. 

To be honest, finding recipes for these incredibly, remote Oceania islands was challenging, to say the least.  I am certain my recipes from Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Samoa would all be applicable to these island nations as well.  We loved our last experience on Christmas Island in Kiribati.  Perhaps a fishing trip to these remote islands is in order as well.  One thing is for certain, the ocean is a truly spectacular paradise for divers, snorkelers and fishermen.

As we say goodbye to these islands, I leave with a hope of peace for Solomon Islands and a prayer for Tuvalu, that it remains above sea level. 

Until next time,

Tofa   (Goodbye in Tuvalu)

Lukim iu. (Goodbye in Pijin)

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre