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Amazon
Category:
Cultures
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN-10: 1432761927
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 219
Copyright: Sept, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781432761929
This book describes the fundamental aspects of West African foods and drinks, as well as the cultural practices associated with them. The reader will gain an insight into the preparations, festivals and taboos associated with the foods and drinks in this part of the world. The unique procedures by which drinks are obtained are highlighted. Both the common and scientific names of the plants and animals used as food are used throughout. Food materials, which often double as medicines, are also discussed. Moreover, the extent of industrialization, traditional methods of preservation as well the changes which have occurred in the types of food over time are clearly described.
This book describes in details, the materials which are utilized by the people of West Africa as food. The first chapter describes the unique food practices of the people, such as food peddling, leaf-wrapping and stone grinding. A few chapters are devoted to the types of plants used as food, including yams, grains and pulses. Protein sources such as game meat, snails, fish and insects are also described. Description of the spices, condiments and sweeteners are given to include the universal scientific names of the plants from which they are made. Other chapters deal with how the regional drinks such as Palm Wine, Pito and other drinks, are procured and used. Some foods which also double as medicine are described. The concluding chapter explores the changes which have taken place in the traditional breakfast, lunch and supper of West African countries. This chapter is supported by contributions obtained though the interview of subjects from some countries of West Africa.
Each account includes the cultural connection of the food materials and the people. Examples include the use of Palm Wine, Yams and Kola nuts during marriage ceremonies. In the relevant portions, taboos and other beliefs about food materials are included. Each chapter opens with a short paragraph of the author's personal experience related to the contents of the chapter.
Excerpt
Often there is a conflict of interest between owners of roaming
animals and gardeners, especially when the animals destroy the
crops planted around or near homes. Also, foodstuff displayed for
sale in the open markets is the targets of roaming goats and other
animals. Thus, it is a constant struggle for market women trying
to keep them off. The sellers would usually sit by their wares with
long whips in hand, ready to ward off any invading animal. The
goats are, however, the worst culprits. If hungry enough, they could
continue to eat despite some spirited beatings from the owner of
the foodstuff. Although the colors and sizes of domestic animals
are usually enough to identify them by their owners, the possibility
of mix-ups still exists. To avoid such confusion and the inevitable
argument over ownership, it is common for owners to mark their
animals, either by cutting off a piece of a goat’s ear, hanging a
snail’s shell, cowry shell or some other peculiar object around
their necks. In some parts of West Africa, female animals are given
to relatives or friends to rear. When they produce offspring, they
are shared between the owner and the surrogate owner based on
some laid down traditional rules. In Yoruba land, one of the rules
is for the owner of, say a goat, to have the first offspring, and the
next one goes to the surrogate owner.
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