In fact, these foods are one of the
top reasons why people attend weddings at all. That said, here are five native
dishes from different parts of Nigeria which must not be missing at traditional
weddings.
By Oke Efagene
Nigerians
love food a lot, and no – it isn’t a bad thing. We simply appreciate the good
tasting meals that are ours from Mother Nature.
Aside from
our love for food, we also cherish our cultural heritage, and one of the best
ways to display them is through traditional marriage ceremonies.
It is a time
when two families merge and become one, and also an opportunity to rejoice and
celebrate two people who are starting a new life together. The ceremony
is also a time to treat guests to some artfully prepared indigenous dishes.
In fact,
these foods are one of the top reasons why people attend weddings at all. That
said, here are five native dishes from different parts of Nigeria which must
not be missing at traditional weddings.
Oghwo soup and starch: Yes, you guessed right. This dish is
number one because it is a ‘supreme’ meal where I come from in Delta State. The
Urhobo tribe reveres this food, and it is a sign of respect and honour for
anyone it is prepared for. Oghwo soup is made from palm oil, stock fish, beef
(optional), pepper, potash, a sprinkle of cassava granules (Garri) and
seasoning. The soup goes hand-in-hand with Starch (popularly called ‘Usi’).
The absence of this food at an Urhobo traditional wedding is enough to
cause a riot and even put you in the bad books of your guests (I’m not joking
o); because it simply means you have no regard for them nor their presence. If
this is the only food you can serve on that day, believe me, your wedding
guests will love you forever for this.
 |
| Oghwo Soup |
 |
| Ewedu Soup |
Amala and Ewedu or Efo-riro: The Yoruba tribe from the
South-Western region of Nigeria are the proud ‘owners’ of Amala – a solid meal
made from yam flour. It is usually eaten with Ewedu soup (slippery soup made
with Ewedu leaves, melon and locust beans) or Efo-riro (a spicy vegetable
soup). Even though this meal is a staple food that is eaten in many homes
regularly, it is still cherished and expected at Yoruba traditional marriage
ceremonies. No matter how ‘tush’ (sophisticated) the couple and their family
members may be, even if the wedding is taking place on the moon, Amala MUST be
on the menu because the ceremony is incomplete without it.
 |
| Egusi |
Egusi soup and Garri or Fufu: For the Igbo tribe from the Eastern
part of Nigeria have different special soups and dishes they love, but for
their traditional marriage ceremonies, the Egusi soup must not be found missing
on the menu. This is because, the soup is somewhat universal and it is
something everybody can eat, unlike Bitter leaf soup or Ofe Nsala which almost
everyone can do without. The soup is made from melon, palm oil, pumpkin leaves
(Ugwu) or bitter leaf, pepper, fish, meat and seasoning. It is eaten with Garri
(known as Eba in Yoruba language) or Fufu (Cassava balls). If you don’t want to
offend that your Igbo friend, biko (please) ensure that you include Egusi soup
on your wedding menu for him, eh?
 |
| Tsakwara da Busheshen Kubewa |
Tsakwara da Busheshen Kubewa: In the Northern part of Nigeria, the
staple food is rice and it is an everyday meal. However, a traditional marriage
ceremony in this part of the country is not complete without pounded yam and
dried okra soup. In Hausa language, this combination is called Tsakwara da
Busheshen Kubewa. The soup contains a dried okra broth with spices, stock and
seasoning. It is a special dish and it’s one that must always feature in a
typical northern traditional marriage ceremony. So take note!
Afang soup and Fufu: The Akwa Ibom and Cross River
people from the South-South region of Nigeria have one native meal in common – Afang
soup. This is an important delicacy made from Afang leaves (called Oha in Igbo
language) blended with crayfish, water leaf, stock fish, smoked fish, beef,
palm oil, periwinkle, palm oil, pepper and seasoning. It is eaten mostly with
Fufu, but also goes well with Garri (Eba) and pounded yam.
If you will be attending
any traditional marriage ceremony in this part of Nigeria, be sure to look out
for this meal but if it is not served, then it means you have been deprived the
opportunity to taste a meal that could have transformed your life completely,
literally.
 |
| Afang Soup |
 |
| Jollof Rice |
Jollof Rice: Oh Jollof rice… the love of our
lives! No matter the kind of traditional delicacy you prepare at your wedding,
if Jollof rice is not present, then… I really don’t know what to say. A party
without Jollof rice is like an expensive car without wheels. Inasmuch as the
meals listed above are very important, Jollof is also very essential. It is
prepared rice (of course) cooked in a tomatoes and pepper sauce, with curry,
thyme, bay leaves (for aroma) and seasoning. It is then served with peppered chicken
or beef, and garnished with fried plantain or moi-moi (beans meal steam-cooked
with different ingredients). Jollof rice is so popular that many
Nigerians have nicknamed it ‘Party Rice’ or ‘Party Jollof.’ It tastes different
from the one you cook at home, especially if it is prepared on open heat (that
is, with firewood). Whatever you do, make sure this food makes it to your
wedding menu. A word is enough for the wise o!
There, you
have it. These are the Nigerian foods that must not go missing at your traditional
wedding ceremony.
Source:
Pulse.ng
No comments:
Post a Comment