Somalis have their version of Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! Only it’s not a nursery rhyme, it’s not about buns, and it’s not about something that you give to your daughters or sons. It’s a street cry, it’s about anjero, and you give it to the lion in the house. That lion of…
This triangular Sweet Fried Bread, known as Qamdi in Somalia, is similar to a doughnut but is less sweet. In cities across Somalia, qamdi as well as bur (Fry Dough) are common fare served in food stalls in marketplaces, in eateries spread along main thoroughfares, and is sold by street vendors. Qamdi originated in…
This is the ultimate comfort food. Forget about those fancy mancy foods that make you looking for something to eat not long after your meal. This is both filling and fulfilling. Nothing triggers memories like this dish. Make sure you’re happy when you first eat this, because those memories will stay with you for a…
If you are going to have a dessert that has butter and sugar, you might as well have this dessert. At least the other half of the dessert (the sweet potato) is nutritious. Sweet potatoes pack more nutrition than most other vegetables. They are high in fibre, protein, and complex carbohydrates. They are also delicious…
It’s not uncommon for a Somali to start a letter as follows: Waxaan kuusoo diraayaa salaan kasoo go’day beerka iyo wadnaha. Literal translation: I am sending you greetings that have emanated from my liver and heart! Actual translation: Greetings from the depths of my heart. For Somalis, it’s not just the heart that flutters…
Somalis love their meat. With the country predominantly nomadic, and with livestock as one of its main exports, it’s only natural that meat is an important component of the Somali diet. Yet Somalis (in Somalia) are generally known to be quite lean. The main reason was moderation in consumption and a lifestyle that demanded physical…
The Horn of Africa boasts the largest number of camels in the world. Camels have been domesticated in Somalia for more than 2000 years. In an article in Aramco World, the Somali camel has been described as follows: “The Somali camels seem by far the most regal, and they are the most expensive. Looking…
When a society has many names for something, it shows the value they attach to it. The Bravanese have more than 200 names for fish, and this attests to its importance in their daily lives. Fish plays a central role in the Bravanese diet. It is served for breakfast, lunch, and supper. However, it is…
The Chinese have their noodles, the Italians have their pasta, and while they argue about who came up with the idea first, let me tell you about Galaamuddo or Kalaamuddo as some call it. Galaamuddo is somewhat reminiscent of the Italian pasta known as Pici, but there are differences. The Bravanese (Brava, Somalia) mix broth…
The Bravanese call this cake Mkate wa Khamiiri. They also know it as Ja, Teka (Eat & Smile). Yes, it will bring a smile to your face but it will also test your patience. In my opinion, this cake benefits from being cooled completely and let to rest for a few hours before eating it. Actually, I…
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