Comments on: Virtually edible! A food tour of Uganda

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 20:26:48 +0000

In reply to bida.

Interesting to read your insights.
I imagine all traditional societies are / were much like this. Snacking is a fairly modern phenomenon. We focus on the convenience of snacking (but actually meals with family and friends are far more sociable aren’t they?) And evidence shows that modern lifestyles simply aren’t healthy.
Your reference to the mango reminds me of a funny story:

When I was working in Queen Elizabeth, a couple of UWA rangers jumped in our vehicle. As we drove to a remote area I passed around a packet of biscuits. Did I see them again?!

British way of thinking: be polite, hand the packet of biscuits so everyone can take one or two… [and pass them back to me].
Ranger way of thinking: put packet of biscuits inside uniform to eat later at personal convenience!

I was so shocked, I didn’t know what to say.

LOL.

Cultural differences are so interesting aren’t they?

[Sorry for slow reply. Your message was hidden in spam folder].

By: bida

bida — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 22:46:23 +0000

You see how you Brits take small portions and snack in between meals: traditionally, we would have a heavy breakfast before setting off to work the land or to take the animals for grazing; in the middle of the day we would snack on fruit that grew freely in the wild and in people’s land (it is only in these days that fruits are sold, they used to be free and it was okay if you saw a fruit tree, climbed and got some fruits for yourself and for the owner of the tree before you went on your way). With land holdings becoming smaller and with trees getting cut to make way for modernisation and also for firewood, charcoal and timber; fruit consumption is not much a part of our life except for those in the villages.
Fruits also were a readily available option in the absence of food and that’s why some people look at fruit as a poor man’s food option.
The other issue is with how fruit is presented; if you put a whole mango besides a sliced mango: some might pick the whole mango (for consumption at a later time) instead of the sliced bits of mango.

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:08:33 +0000

In reply to Ephraim. Some delicious additions to my list - thank you Ephraim. I love gonja but I draw the line at mukenne. Far too smelly! (I know it is highly nutritious however so I will est it - with my eyes closed!) Of course I love pilau and ekikomando (beans with chapati).

By: Ephraim

Ephraim — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 22:31:17 +0000

In reply to the muzungu.

What about gonna (roasted banana)
Yams
Mugoyo (pounded sweet potatoes with beans)
Have u tried mukene put in katogo (silver fish)
Fruits mpafu mapeera ntutunu

And lastly kikomando , pilao
For juice look for omubisi (made from ripe bananas mashed to get juice out of it)

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:45:04 +0000

In reply to Geoff. I love this pic, thank you! And the story is amazing! Geoff writes “I promised to send you a pic of this interesting border market in Arua, West Nile. So on the left is named Kampala market and right is Kinshasa market middle is the border. I’m told it opens thrice a week.”

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 11:45:42 +0000

In reply to ESK. Hi ESK Thanks for dropping by. You've read four years of my blog? You get the Reader of the Week Award :) I love doodo (had it for lunch today) and nkati. Roasted sweet potatoes. Oh yes, a winner! Mind you, deep-fried cassava with salt on the side is very tasty too. Game meat? I was a vegetarian when I moved to Uganda. I got bored of all the 'food' [see explanation above] and beans and the lack of vegetables so I started eating meat again. I'm rather a fussy meat eater. You will never find me eating: bush meat, fish eyes, chicken feet or 'gizzards!' As for game meat, I will only eat farmed game meat if I know where it comes from. (My first job in Uganda was as a volunteer on anti-poaching projects. I like the ripe 'banana juice'. I tried it when I was in Rwanda. (Is it the same?) If you enjoy my stories, you're welcome to sign up to my occasional newsletter.

By: ESK

ESK — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 11:26:12 +0000

In reply to Chris Winyi.

Oh my word!
I have just chanced on this blog and have read your posts(from 2016!) to this! You are now a true Ugandan-what with all the experiences from all over the place! You have def lived it like a Ugandan!

The food…malwa is a bit eewy! Yeah,a bit of game meat maybe? Oba still tolya nnyama??
Katunkuma ne doodo??
Omubisi(the sweet drink made from ripe bananas-embidde ne musa)?
Roasted sweet potatoes?
Eboo?
Eish,theres lots and lots more to taste!

Quite interesting and fun and a must read!!! Wont miss it again!!
Weebale nnyo!

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 09:18:17 +0000

In reply to Geoff. Thank you Geoff! I look forward to seeing Vurra market.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:27:43 +0000

In reply to the muzungu. You are welcome, will send you a very interesting pic of that market on facebook, yes sure I read the Arua blog, the only thing hadn't done is eat at Cafe Cosmo (actually didnt know about it).

By: the muzungu

the muzungu — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:00:01 +0000

In reply to Geoff. Hi Geoff, thanks very much the recommendation. AWADIFO back at you! :) I was talking to a friend from Arua today and told him I would like to revisit very soon... I found my stay there super interesting. Have you read my Arua blog?