Search Results for: mauritania

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So let’s enjoy a Malian and Mauritanian meal:

  The Menu

Appetizer

Watermelon Slices

Main Course

Leksour (Lamb Stew served on Millet Pancakes)

Dessert

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

And

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How did Senegal get its name?

There are a few stories about the name Senegal.  Some believe that the country is named after the river of the same name that runs along its northern border, before entering the Atlantic Ocean.  Some historians believe the name may come from a Saharan Berber people called the Zenega, who lived north of the river.  In the Wolof language, “Sunugaal” means “Our Canoe” and the story goes that there was a miscommunication with a Portuguese captain and a Wolof fisherman over a canoe. This is the etymology of choice accepted by the Senegalese people, due to the charming symbolism of a nation, “all in the same boat.”

Where is Senegal located?

Senegal is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula in West Africa on the Atlantic coast.  Its vibrant capital city of Dakar, is the westernmost city on the African mainland.  Senegal has many neighbors: Mali, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and she wholly surrounds the small country of The Gambia.  This oddity makes the country look on a map like a big mouth taking a bite.

A Brief History of Senegal

It is believed the first humans in Senegal were hunters but sometime, around 3000 BC, they learned to farm.  By 500 AD a sophisticated society arose to make intricate iron tools and buildings made out of stone circles.  Towns and trade flourished.  In the 13^th century Senegal was part of the Empire of Mali, which lasted until their decline.  In the 15^th century, Senegal was broken up into several small kingdoms.

The first Europeans to arrive there were the Portuguese in 1544.  They began to trade with the Africans.  In the early 16^th century, the Portuguese started taking slaves from West Africa in large numbers to work sugar plantations.  The English, Dutch and French all established slave trading stations along the coast.  The Ile de Goree was taken by the French from the Dutch in 1677.   During the 18^th century, the slave trade flourished.  Europeans persuaded Africans from the coast to attack neighboring tribes and take captives.  Millions were shipped across the Atlantic in appalling conditions.  Today there is a museum called the House of Slaves with the “Door of No Return” that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It is a solemn place for contemplation and reflection.

The French took over Senegal and made it the headquarters of their growing West African empire.  This gave the Senegalese people education and healthcare that many other nations did not receive.  They also were a prosperous colony exporting ground nuts.  The French ended up giving independence to Senegal on June 20, 1960 as part of a union with Mali.  That was short-lived and Senegal became a separate nation on August 20, 1960.  Leopold Senghor, a catholic, became the first leader and is considered to be the founding father of the nation.  He introduced a new constitution in 1980.  Senegal is a poor country but unique in the world in many respects.

Senegalese Culture

The Sengelase have a motto, a way of life, called “Teranga,” which basically means “Hospitality.”  “The more I give, the more I have.”  This simple philosophy has shaped the nation in profound ways.

The country is made up of about 16 million people coming from about 20 ethnic groups.  The largest is the Wolof, however each ethnicity is important in the political, social and cultural spheres of the country.  The Wolof language is spoken by the majority of the people in Senegal and what you typically hear in the streets.  French and Arabic are considered to be the official languages, used in schools and government.

The country is 96 percent Sufi Muslim, a more mystical sect of Islam which was introduced in the 11^th century.  Christians, mostly Roman Catholics make up the balance.  They are a peaceful nation.  Western clothing is common in the urban areas of Senegal.  It is a choice however and many women prefer to wear a long, loose fitting, dress called boubous, with a matching headscarf.  

Like most African countries, Senegal has an age-old tradition of storytelling.  Written literature of Senegal is considered to be amongst the most important in West Africa.  Leopold Senghor, the founding father, is one of the most globally recognized poets.  Crafts such as glass painting, basket weaving, mask-making, wood carving, and textile painting are just a few of their specialties.

Music also plays an integral role in society.  The traditional music of the country has been influenced by the Malian Empire but it is faster and livelier.  Each ethnic group brings their own unique sounds and dance styles to the fusion of the nation.

Polygynous marriages are common in Senegal.  Households are often large and consist of a man and his multiple wives and children. The social structure is based on kinship.  Children and elders are highly regarded and children are taught social values at an early age.  In fact, the communal plate of food is a way to teach values.  The children have to wait, and only eat around the edges.  Adults get the triangle portion in front them and the women leave bites of protein for the children to enjoy.  With Teranga however, there is always room at the table for a guest. 

Senegalese Cuisine

Some say Senegalese cuisine is the best in the whole of Africa.  It has been influenced by North Africa, the French and Portuguese.   Being a nation of mostly Muslims, alcohol and pork are not consumed by the majority, but still available.  It is common to see a Senegalese enjoying a glass of bissap (a purplish juice made from the hibiscus flower) alongside a friend enjoying a local beer.

Because Senegal has rivers and borders the Atlantic Ocean, fish are very important to their cuisine.  Peanuts are the primary crop of Senegal.  In fact, they are one of the world’s largest exporters of peanuts.  Couscous, made of millet, white rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas and numerous other vegetables, are considered staples.  Meat, fish and vegetables are typically stewed or marinated in herbs and spices and then served over rice, couscous or enjoyed with a French-style baguette.

Some of Senegal’s most popular dishes are: thieboudienne, which translates to the rice of fish, thiebou yapp, which translates to rice of meat and is typically made with beef or lamb. thiebou guinar is the rice of chicken and thiebou guerte is the rice of peanut.  Yassa, maafe and dibi are also popular which were made for neighboring countries.  Desserts like cinq centimes, aka the five cent cookie, is a peanut cookie that is quite popular as is thiakry, a millet pudding, or banana soup.

So let’s enjoy a Senegalese meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Ndambe (Spicy Bean Sandwich)

Main Course

Thieboudienne (Fish and Rice)

Served with

Saladu Awooka Ak Mango (Avocado and Mango Salad)

Dessert

Thiakry (Millet Pudding)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red, yellow and green.  Peanuts started the decor, as that is their main crop.  Cotton, which is another important crop, along with millet were placed.  A soccer ball was added to represent the national sport.  A photo of the famous Baobab tree was placed which is also called “the tree of life” and is a national symbol of Senegal.  These massive trees are in danger from drought and population growth but you will find them in the center of many villages, and always serve as a gathering place.  We put on Youssou N’Dour music.  In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine described him as “ the most famous singer alive.” You should check him out.

Our first course was a famous street food that can be found all over the country.  It is called ndambe, a spicy bean and beef mixture that is slathered on a French baguette.  In Senegal, you first buy your fresh bread and then find your favorite ndambe vendor.  Sometimes they are made with lentils and have no meat.  It is a wonderful sandwich that is often enjoyed for breakfast.

The main course was the famous thieboudienne, pronounced “ceebu jen,”  the national dish of Senegal.  The classic Senegalese dish is a fish stew with vegetables, served over rice.  It is no ordinary fish stew as it is bursting with layers of flavor.  The fish is first stuffed or marinated with a puree of parsley, green onions, garlic, chili and Maggi.  (Honestly, this puree can be used as a marinade on so many things, I fell in love.)  The fish is then fried and set aside, the vegetables are cooked until tender with the left over puree, along with chopped onion and tomato.  Smoked fish and a unique ingredient called Netetou is added, which is made from a seed and then fermented.  It adds a unique, almost umami flavor.  It is a staple spice used in many West African countries.  The rice, typically made with broken rice kernels, is cooked until tender.  Then the whole meal was plated onto a communal dish, which was eaten using a spoon.   Alongside the main course, we enjoyed a refreshing avocado and mango salad.  This was the perfect accompaniment to the hearty main dish, as it had a lovely, fresh, citrusy flavor.

For dessert, we loved thiakry.  It is a sweet pudding, similar to a rice pudding but this was made with millet.  It was flavored with vanilla and nutmeg and topped with raisins and pistachios.  We enjoyed it with mint tea, which is served in three varying concoctions, as is done in neighboring countries Mali and Mauritania.

As we say goodbye to this most intriguing country of Senegal, it is my hope that we can all implement more Teranga into our lives. 

 I leave you with a few Senegalese proverbs:

“There can be no peace without understanding.”

“An empty belly has no ears.”

and

“A lobster loves water, but not when he’s being cooked in it.”

Until next time,

“Jai-rruh-jef”  (“Thank you”) in Wolof

Darlene

This week we journey to three West African countries. The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa and is surrounded on three sides by Senegal and borders the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia gets its name from the river that runs through the entire width of the country; 300 miles from east to west. “The” was added to the name to avoid confusion with another African country named Zambia. She gained independence from British rule on February 18, 1965. Links to Britain date back to the 17th century, particularly connected with the slave trade. Alex Haley’s famous book “Roots,” begins in a small village named Juffure, located in The Gambia. Today it remains a popular tourist destination for Roots Heritage Tours. Not far from this historic village, is Albreda, home to a slavery museum which opened in 1996. It is housed in the Maurel Freres building that was built by the British in 1840. Here you will find historical artifacts of the slave trade known as “Black Ivory.” This tragic period was testament to the number of people who died on the “Voyage of No Return.”

Today the country is run by Dictator Yahya Jammeh, a US trained, former, army officer who took power during a bloodless coup in 1994. It is said that people in The Gambia live, under his rule, in a cult of witchcraft and execution. He locks people away for any criticism and executes trouble makers on a whim. Back in 2007, Jammeh announced a cure for AIDS, made from boiled herbs. He also announced a cure for several types of cancers in 2014, however there is no scientific evidence that any of his claims are true. Jammeh continues to drive the World Health Organization and the United Nations, a little crazy with his discoveries. Most recently, “His Excellency Sheikh Professor Doctor President,” (really that’s Jammeh’s title) began releasing prisoners from some of the worst prisons in Africa and granted amnesty to dissidents, in celebration of the 21st anniversary of his coup. Many fear Jammeh’s regime and his reputation for human rights violations remains despicable. He continues to win elections by granting services to those that vote for him, while leaving those that don’t to suffer in poverty.

Ninety percent of the population in The Gambia is Muslim. Muslim Berbers from Mauritania brought Islam to The Gambia and surrounding areas in West Africa, along the trade routes. The country is home to many ethnic groups, the largest ones being the Wolof, Mandinka, Fula and Jola. The small size of the country has made inter-tribal mixing commonplace. The country has a peaceful reputation regarding racial and ethnic interactions. English is the official language of The Gambia, however many Gambians speak three or four indigenous languages. There is political pressure by Jammeh, to embrace Jola as the country’s language and quit teaching English in schools altogether. Even so, the literacy rate in The Gambia is only 50 percent.
The capital city, Banjul, is the only urban center in the country. More than 80 percent of the people live in rural areas. Tourism is an important economic sector to The Gambia and many European budget travelers retreat to the beautiful beaches there to enjoy the warm climate. Recently, tourism has been hit hard due to the Ebola outbreak, even though there have been no confirmed cases in The Gambia.

Guinea-Bissau is another small country in West Africa. Formerly known as Portuguese Guinea, she borders Senegal to the north, Guinea to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Bissau, the name of the capital city, was added to avoid confusion with their neighbor Guinea. Guinea-Bissau’s official language is Portuguese, although most people speak Criola, a blend of Portuguese and indigenous languages. Guinea-Bissau is home to the Bijagos archipelago, comprising some 25 islands off the coast. Bissau-Guineans, as they are called, gained independence from Portugal on September 24, 1973, after nearly 400 years of colonization. Cape Verde used to be part of Guinea-Bissau until a coup erupted in 1980. They have struggled ever since with a series of coups and corrupt leaders. Jose Marion Vaz is the newly elected leader of the country. The world hopes that the new leader will break the cycle of corruption and make progress towards providing public services and work for the country’s development.

Despite many years of colonization the Bissau-Guineans have managed to preserve their ethnicity and ancient roots. The diverse ethnic backgrounds make for a colorful culture with art, music and dance a big part of life. The Gumbe genre is most popular, with the calabash being the most prominent instrument accompanying these rhythmically complex dances.

The country is poor but rich in natural resources such as: fish, bauxite, clay, granite and unexploited deposits of petroleum. They export cashews, fish, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels and sawn lumber. As a result, they suffer from environmental problems such as: soil erosion, over- fishing and deforestation.

Guinea, the neighboring country, shares many of the same resources and problems. The name Guinea is what European shippers called the large area of West Africa. It is possible however, that the name originated from the word “guine,” which means “woman” in Susu, the language spoken by a coastal tribe. It may have been a misunderstanding from when early Europeans encountered African women washing clothes. The Europeans must have thought they were making reference to the area, rather than to themselves. Guinea is sometime referred to as Guinea-Conakry which is also the nation’s capital city. Conkary is the wettest capital city in the world, receiving over 149 inches of rain from June to November.

Guinea was colonized by the French in 1890 and was previously known as French Guinea. They gained independence October 2, 1958. The country may be at a turning point, after decades of authoritarian rule. They held their first, free and competitive, democratic, presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013. The official language is French but several indigenous languages also spoken. The country is young, with nearly half the population being under the age of fifteen, which may explain why the literacy rate is one of the lowest, at only 30 percent. (Most world literacy rates are gauged by how many, over the age of fifteen, can read and write.) The country is primarily Muslim, comprising 85 percent of the population. They too are rich in natural resources (exporting iron ore, bauxite, diamonds and gold,) yet the people suffer in poverty and malnutrition. The mining industry, though profitable, has caused serious environmental issues, especially water pollution, with which the country must also deal.

The Ebola virus is a big problem in Guinea, as they have had many confirmed cases and over 2100 deaths. The recent outbreak was believed to start in Guinea, when a young boy played with a fruit bat that lived in a tree in his local village. The country has suffered tremendously due to the outbreak but humanitarian aid has been steadfast. Good news has just recently emerged about a long awaited vaccine for Ebola. It is now being administered to the people of Guinea with great optimism for its effectiveness. This potential cure, along with the promise of political stability (with an important election to be held in October of 2015,) have foreign investors waiting on the sidelines, hopeful for a positive outcome.

All three countries share, pretty much, the same food sources and cuisine. The familiar flavors of tomato, onions, peanuts and hot peppers are the staples. Most all of the population lives rurally and survives on subsistence agriculture. Rice is common on the coast and millet, in the inland areas. Cassava, plantains, okra, sweet potatoes and yams are ubiquitous. Meat is a luxury, although bush meat as well as chicken, mutton and fish are available. Stews scooped up with rice, millet or cassava (fou-fou) are their everyday meals.

I chose to combine all three of these West African countries because their cuisines have so much in common. The dishes are called something different in each country but the recipes and ingredients are the same.

So let’s eat West African style:

Menu
Starter
Afra/Dibi (Street food made from grilled lamb and onion)

Soup
Domodah (Peanut butter stew/soup)

Main
Yassa Poulet or Yassa chicken (Chicken with lemons and onions)

Salade Neebe (Black-eyed peas salad)

Dessert
Chakery ( Sweet and creamy couscous)

Served with
Ginger Beer

We set our mat on the floor and decorated with African animals and the staples in West African cuisine. We placed a bowl with water to cleanse our hands before eating. It would be typical to eat with only your right hand out of the communal dish, which would typically be placed on a small stool around which everyone can gather. A spoon is also normally provided, as it takes some practice to scoop up the stews with rice or fou-fou. Men and women may eat separately, with the children joining the women for their meal. As all three of these countries are Muslim, most people do not drink alcohol or eat pork. With our meal, we served a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink called Ginger beer.

Our first course was a street food called either Afra or Dibi, often times served on a brown paper bag. The meat is typically mutton but could also be bush meat, beef or other. Ours was made of lamb and it was outstanding. The bread was a French baguette, as all three countries have influences from Britain, France and Portugal. The combination of flavors from the seasoned meat, mustard and onions was fantastic. This street food would normally be a meal unto itself, so we had only a small sampling.

The next course was peanut stew (or soup.) This is probably the most common meal throughout West Africa. It is called Domodah or Kansiye. Ours was made vegetarian style, using sweet potatoes. However, it is often times made with meat or chicken. The familiar flavors of West Africa were beautifully represented in this dish, which was served over white rice.

The main course was a dish called Yassa. It is made with chicken and known by this name is all three countries. The flavors of this dish, created by the pairing of citrus and caramelized onions, provided a perfect contrast of delight.

As a side dish, we enjoyed a refreshing, black-eyed pea salad, called Saladu Neebe. Black-eyed peas are grown in this area and are often times relied on for protein in a meal. The peas, together with tomatoes, cucumber and peppers were tossed with a light citrus dressing. It was the perfect complement to the Yassa. (I will add this lovely salad to my favorites list.)

For dessert, we had chakery, a sweet and creamy couscous, made from millet. Dessert is not often served in West Africa and this dish would more typically be eaten for breakfast or as a snack. When dessert is served there, fresh fruit would be the most common choice. They have an abundance of fruit that grows in the area, such as mango, pineapple, and coconuts. Fresh fruit for dessert, is quickly becoming my favorite way to end a meal.

As we say goodbye to The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, we do so with hope for a brighter future for the people who live there. We recognize that in countries, such as these, life is not easy and the struggle, for basic things that we so often take for granted, is a daily battle. We wish for them, peace, political stability and prosperity.

I leave you with a few proverbs from these three countries:
What one hopes for is always better than what one has.
The stomach has no holiday.
The bitter heart eats its owner.
Too much discussion means a quarrel.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Algeria is the 11th largest country in the world, located in northwestern Africa and spreads some 920,000 square miles. It gets its name from the capital city “Algiers” located on the Mediterranean Sea. Algeria's history goes back more than 1.8 million years. The indigenous people, called Berbers, were pushed away from the coastline by their frequent invaders. She was occupied by the French in 1830 and only gained independence July 5th of 1962. Algeria's enticing neighbors include; Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia, Niger, Western Sahara and Morocco.

Algerian cuisine, known for its flavorful and often spicy seasonings, takes it cues from the Berbers, Turks, Arabs, Spanish and French. Some Algerian essentials include “ras el honout”, a North African spice mix that can contain from 8 to 100 spices and varies by region. Other common spices include saffron, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, cilantro or coriander, garlic, onion and mint.

Most of Algeria is a vast expanse of drifting sands in the Saharan Desert. Eighty percent of the population is Arab while the remainder is Berber. The population is predominantly Muslim, so pork is not consumed, nor is alcohol.

Couscous is considered the national dish of Algeria. In Arabic is it pronounced “Kuskusi”. It is commonly mistaken as a grain but it is actually a pasta made with granules of durum wheat called semolina and water. The dough is pressed through a sieve to create tiny pellets. Making it from scratch is becoming a lost art, as it is easily found packaged. In Algeria they have a special cooking vessel called a Quadra el ta’am or a Couscousier. This special pot consists of two compartments, the bottom section is used to cook the sauce, meat and vegetables. The upper portion is like a colander which allows the steam to permeate the couscous, infusing the flavors of the sauce and meat below.
Lamb is the meat most often consumed in Algeria. The most popular Algerian recipe is merguez, a special handmade spicy lamb sausage that originated along the Atlas Mountains and has worldwide notoriety.

Another cooking apparatus used is the tadjine, handmade in parts of Algeria. It is used to cook their many specialties, especially in the western part of the country. The Algerian tadjine is different than the Moroccan tagines as it is a flat, clay griddle, used to make flat breads and even Algerian pancakes. They use decorative tagines that look similar to the Moroccan versions but are glazed to showcase their vibrant culinary creations.

The chosen flavors of Algeria….

The Menu
Appetizer
Hmiss  (Roasted Pepper Dip)

Kesra Rakhis (Algerian Flat Bread)

Soup
Chorba/Shorba (Chicken and Chickpea Soup)

Main Course
Lahm Lhalou (Lamb Stew with Prunes)

Dessert
Maltši Tamr (Stuffed Dates)

For the setting, I chose the coffee table. In Algeria you would likely eat at a low to the ground table called a tbla or mida. I placed a copper basin of perfumed water on the table to wash our hands. In Algeria , the food is eaten with the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of the right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean. One should never use more than three fingers; that is considered rude and a sign of overeating. Food is always passed to the right.

The meal began with the crispy flat bread and roasted red pepper dip, reminiscent of chips and salsa. It was refreshingly spicy. Next we tried the chicken and chickpea soup. I loved both the texture and flavors of this unique soup. Our main course was lamb stew and prunes served over couscous. We savored each sumptuous bite. We finished our meal with stuffed dates and a hot mint tea; a perfect ending to an outstanding and exotic meal.

I leave you with a couple of Algerian proverbs:

Lahna yegleb laghna which means, peace wins over wealth

and

Ki nchouf ham el nass nansa hami – When I think of the others misfortunes, I forget mine.

Warmest regards, Darlene