Best Traditional Meals Served at Nigerian Events
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In this article, I will be listing the best traditional meals served at Nigerian events. Nigeria is a country with diverse cultures and traditions, with this diversity comes a significant uniqueness in the way of life of its people. Every region has unique cultural practices that determine the proceedings of traditional events including the type of food served at these events.
Food is an essential part of any event. The ethnicity of the host of the event often determines the type of food that will be served at the event.
Best traditional meals served in Nigerian events
1. Abula
This is a traditional meal commonly served in events by Yoruba people of the western part of Nigeria especially those from Ibadan. It is a combination of amala (yam flour), ewedu (draw soup), gbegiri (bean soup), and stew with different types of meat and fish.
Popular amongst the Yoruba people but not restricted to them alone, abula is a delicacy in many Nigerian events and heavily requested.
2. Pounded yam
This is a traditional meal eaten in many regions in Nigeria. It is a common meal enjoyed in the western, southern, and eastern parts of Nigeria.
Pounded yam is served in nearly all traditional Nigerian events except in the northern parts of the country. It can be eaten with local vegetable soups like efor riro and egusi (melon soup).
3. Ofada rice
African rice popularly called ofada rice is an unpolished type of rice grown in the south-western part of Nigeria. It is named after a town in south-west of Nigeria called ofada. In medieval times it was served only in parties held by the wealthiest people.
In recent times, Ofada rice is served in all types of Nigerian events, irrespective of the region. It is served with a special sauce called ayamase (palm oil stew) which consists of boiled eggs, locust beans, meat, and fish.
4. Tuwo Shinkafa
Tuwo shinkafa when translated in English means mashed rice. This is a meal popularly eaten in the northern region of Nigeria. It's commonly served in most events with a majority of Hausa and Fulani people in attendance. It can be eaten with okra soup or a traditional Hausa soup called miyan kuka.
5. Banga and starch
This is a traditional meal common amongst the Delta people in the southern part of Nigeria. Banga is a soup made from palm nuts and is regarded as one of the best traditional soups in Nigeria. It is commonly eaten with starch made from cassava. Banga soup can also be eaten with white rice, garri, and pounded yam.
6. Ewa aganyin
Originally from the African country Togo, Ewa aganyin made its way to Nigeria through Togolese women who came to ply their trade in Lagos State, Nigeria. It quickly grew to become a popular meal in Nigerian homes and heavily prominent in Nigerian events, especially in Lagos State. It is mashed beans eaten with a special palm oil stew. It can be eaten with bread, boiled yam, and fried plantain.
7. Pepper soup
Pepper soup, though a side dish, is a favorite in many Nigerian events. It is an intensely spicy broth served with a variety of meat, fish, or chicken that can be used to cook it. The broth is rich, with different spices, pepper, ginger, garlic, and onions that give it its unique and unforgettable taste. The soup can be served with boiled plantains, potatoes, and yam.
Other side dishes popularly served in Nigerian events that are worth mentioning include moin-moin (bean pudding), suya (grilled meat), grilled plantain, and fish.